Rules & Regulations

Museum-Wide Rules

• Real candles must be in enclosed containers (ex. hurricanes) and unscented. Flames cannot come out of the container.
• Live music must be kept at a reasonable level and end by 11pm.
• Nothing can be taped, stapled, or nailed to the museum or its property (ex. podiums).
• Everything must be at least 3 feet away from the artifacts and screens.
• Large equipment and anything potentially hazardous (ex. open flame) must be approved by the Special Events Department prior to the event.
• No sparklers, rice, or confetti. Bubbles and flower petals are allowed outdoors.
• The museum’s artworks cannot be the central focus of photographs, but they can be in the background.
• Anything media-related is subject to approval by the museum.

Indoors-Specific Rules

• No fog machines.
• Real candles are only allowed in the John M. Lee Court and must be placed on the center of the tables (not on the floor), preferably in water. Fake candles are allowed everywhere.
• Florals must be in water, not soil.
• Balloons must be filled with a gas that does not cause them to float to the ceiling (if they get detached, they must fall onto the floor).
• Food and drink are not allowed in the auditorium, Fluor Gallery, or changing suites. Water is allowed in the Hsu and Green Room.

Open-Hours Rules (10am-4pm)

• No live music inside the museum.
• The museum guests are allowed to walk through the John M. Lee Court (around events in this space) to get to the exhibits unless an additional fee is paid.
• The Thompson Foyer and Freedman Galleria cannot be rented during open-hours.

Certificates of Insurance *IMPORTANT*

Certificates of Insurance are required from any third-party vendor stepping onto the property on the day of your event. This includes friends and family members that own a business that you are utilizing. The museum has specific requirements for this, and these requirements will be sent to you. Please ask for these COIs from your vendors at least a month in advance. Any vendor not providing a valid COI that meets our requirements will not be allowed on the property.

Setup & Strike

All setup and takedown by you and your vendors must be completed during the timeslot dictated on your contract, unless you receive prior approval from the Special Events Department (vendors cannot arrive earlier in the day or leave their items on-site overnight). Any boxes or other items that need to be disposed of that are brought by you or your vendors must be thrown away by the applicable party. You and your vendors must set up anything that you bring in. The Bowers Security will lead you to the trash and recycle bins. Any setup in the Thompson Foyer or Freedman Galleria must be completed off to the side during business hours so that guests can continue to walk down these main paths. Setup in the John M. Lee Court cannot block access to the exhibits for the museum guests.

Bad Weather

Should bad weather occur, the museum will move your event indoors to the best of their ability. Space inside is limited, so your guests may be spread out or there may no longer be room for rentals like stages, depending on your guest count. You are responsible for planning ahead to either postpone with no penalty fee or source and pay for protection from the weather (for example, tenting).

Changing Suites

There are two changing suites located at the Bowers. The south suite (called the Hsu Gallery) will be available to you for your use beginning at your set-up start time stated on the contract. The north suite (the Green Room) may not be available until after 4pm, depending on whether lectures are occurring in the auditorium. Only water is allowed in these rooms, no other food or beverage. Food and drink can be consumed on the balcony outside of the Hsu Gallery and the hallway outside the auditorium. It is advised that hair and makeup already be completed. Please also leave the room at the end of the night as you found it.

Planners & Coordinators

Planners or coordinators are advised. The Bowers and Patina contacts will be on-site for your wedding but will be carrying out their own duties. They do not source vendors, decorate, or conduct rehearsals.

Rehearsals

If you are having your ceremony at the museum, you may request a rehearsal. These are generally the day before the wedding from 3-4pm (if available). These will be conducted with your planner, coordinator, or officiant. The Bowers and Patina employees will not be present. There is not a dinner included, although one could be booked through Patina.

Security

Schools and production companies are required to bring their own security. The Bowers security team will be present, but their main duty is to watch over the museum and its artifacts.

Setup

Please bring anything you need for setup, as items like ladders that belong to the museum can only be used by Bowers staff. Exit doors cannot be blocked. Most entrances cannot be locked but can be closed.