Smithsonian holds its first wedding in DC museum, post-policy change

Breaking tradition, the Smithsonian museum's  D.C premises held its first wedding this week, as per international reports. Set in the Renwick Gallery’s Grand Salon on last Saturday, the famous museum reportedly hosted the wedding of the city's renowned art collectors - Steven Mazzola and Jeffrey Akman. The ceremony was attended by 150 guests in the artistic venue, as per reports.

Smithsonian holds its first wedding

Reports state that the ceremony was set in the museum's wooden temple by David Best which was erected last year as a place for reflection on loss. While the somber temple usually attracts grief, reports state that the venue was decorated with soft light and electric candles, giving it a serene, happy look. The wedding also reportedly included a performance by a drag performer impersonating Tina Turner and Diana Ross.

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The grooms were - Mazzola who works at the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and Akman, a psychiatrist at George Washington University. They reportedly collaborated with event planner Mark Chaikowski to hold their wedding at the opulent art venue. Talking to a lead news agency, Akman said, "To bring our friends into a space with art felt right to us.”

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Ceremony details

The ceremony reportedly included a 30-minute ceremony which included a poetry recited by D.C. theater luminary Michael Kahn, a reading from Justice Anthony M. Kennedy’s U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage. It also included songs of artists who have worked with Mazzola. The ceremony was held after hours at 7:00 PM after the museum closed at 5:30 PM and lasted till 11:30 PM, as per reports.

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Smithsonian's policy change

According to reports, the quasi-federal institution had changed its policies regarding events allowing the 19 Smithsonian museum and zoo to host personal and nonprofit events in addition to corporate parties. The policy was reportedly launched on March 1, in a bid to boost revenue for the world’s largest cultural organization. Reports state that the Smithsonian must raise about $500 million in earned revenue and donations each year to supplement its $1 billion annual federal subsidy.

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