Picture this: You and your partner, surrounded by stunning modern architecture and breathtaking artwork, celebrating your love in an intimate and elegant setting. If you’re dreaming of an artistic backdrop for your elopement, the Akron Art Museum is the perfect place!

And as an Ohio elopement photographer, I’ve got insider advice on how to book and make the most of your time at the Akron Art Museum!

Why the Akron Art Museum is a Perfect Elopement Photo Location

• Location Variety: You can choose to have your photos inside the galleries, atrium, and/or the outdoor garden. Each area of the museum has a distinctly different vibe that can add great variety to your elopement day portraits.
• Great Year-Round Photo Location: Does potential bad weather on your elopement day have you worried? Are you eloping in the winter and looking for indoor spaces? The Akron Art Museum might be the answer to all your problems. This is one of my favorite year-round photo locations in Northeast Ohio because it’s sheltered from the weather.
• Central Location: The Akron Art Museum is well located in Northeast Ohio. Whether you are planning a city elopement in Akron, Canton, or Cleveland, or wanting the best of both worlds with a stop in nature at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Akron Art Museum is within an hour’s drive.   
• Easy and Quick Booking Process: The coordinator at the Akron Art Museum is extremely responsive to inquiries, so you’re sure to get updated information on availability and booking right away.  
• Accessibility: The Akron Art Museum is wheelchair accessible.

How to Book & Get Photography Permission at the Akron Art Museum

Importantly, the Akron Art Museum allows photography for weddings, elopements, portraits, and more! The booking process is incredibly simple. You’ll need to:

1. Email events@akronartmuseum.org with details about when you would like to schedule your photos. They are closed on certain holidays, so you’ll want to be mindful of that as well. You can see that schedule here. 
2. Wait for them to confirm your date and time are available. If they are, they’ll ask which areas of the museum you would like to use. You can choose from the atrium, galleries, and/or garden. It’s important to note that each is priced separately. All three would probably take around 1.5 to 2 hours to go through (galleries: 1 hour, atrium: 30 mins, garden: 30 mins). 
3. Once you have chosen, they’ll send you over the contract for both you as the couple and your photographer to sign. 
4. You can then make payment for the reservation in person, over the phone, or with their credit authorization form. Easy!

Best Indoor & Outdoor Photo Locations at the Akron Art Museum

• Glass Atrium and walkway: the atrium is an unmissable spot for photos. Once you get to the second floor, there is a walkway you can use as well to capture the stunning glass atrium in the background.
• Main Staircase: The main staircase is a beautiful, modern, clean backdrop for photos. I love this spot for a grand entrance into the galleries area. 
• Art Galleries: Most of the galleries permit photography. My favorite spot is the landscapes gallery toward the back right of the museum. The paintings are arranged beautifully in gold frames and it has that classic art gallery vibe. 
• Outdoor Gardens: This area is most beautiful in the summer. There are benches with plants in the background as well as a concrete gray wall that you can take photos with.

Tips for Capturing Stunning Elopement Photos at the Museum

• Have Fun: Your elopement photographer will be there to capture beautiful photos of you exploring the museum. Trust them and just have fun exploring the different exhibits and areas of the museum. 
• Incorporate Movement: This is one of those occasions where you don’t have to worry about posing perfectly. Walk around, embrace, enjoy the moment, and don’t be afraid to dance with each other. All of this helps your photographer create dynamic images of your elopement day.
• Plan Your Outfit Choices: Elegant, minimalistic attire complements the museum’s modern aesthetic.

Additional Locations Near the Akron Art Museum

• Lock 3 Park: This recently renovated park is a beautiful spot to explore during your elopement day and is a quick walk or drive away (around 5 minutes). 
• Stan Hywet: The gardens at Stan Hywet could make the perfect backdrop for your vows or as an additional activity for the day of your elopement. The historic hall and gardens offers rentals for marriage ceremonies and/or photos on the grounds. (10 minute drive)
• Akron Zoo: Why not continue your day’s adventures by hanging out at a local favorite like the Akron Zoo? There are several options starting from just having photos taken at the zoo to reserving the zoo all for yourselves for a couple of hours! (10 minute drive)
• Cuyahoga Falls: Wanting to explore a small town during your elopement? Cuyahoga Falls is a gorgeous town just down the street. You can find local breweries, candle-making activities, scenic overlooks, and more. (10 minute drive)
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Wanting some time in nature as well? CVNP is the perfect spot for hiking, a romantic picnic, or taking in the scenery. Check out my blog on Elopement Locations in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. (20 minute drive)

TL;DR: Why You Should Consider the Akron Art Museum for Your Elopement

There are a lot of advantages to exploring the Akron Art Museum during your elopement day. 

1. It’s in the perfect location to allow you to take advantage of all that Northeast Ohio has to offer, without spending a lot of time driving back and forth during your special day. 
2. It is one of Northeast Ohio’s most stunning city locations for elopements. 
3. It’s INSIDE! That means whether its rain, snow, or shine, you’ll be comfortable and get beautiful photos from your elopement day. 

Your elopement should be as unique and stunning as your love story. If you’re ready to plan an elegant, artistic, and stress-free elopement at the Akron Art Museum, I’d love to help! Let’s create an unforgettable experience together—inquire here!