The Best Aquarium & Zoo Wedding Venues in Boston, MA

How do we sort results, including Sponsored Ads and personalized results?

1 Wedding Venues in Boston, MA

Aquariums, zoos
Quick responder
New England Aquarium 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Boston, MA
  • Up to 275 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Outdoor & indoor
  • Starts at $8,500
  • Offer

With stunning settings, one-of-a-kind views, and a backdrop of awe-inspiring animals, the New England Aquarium is the perfect Boston location for an upcoming waterfront wedding reception. Capture the romance of Boston’s historic waterfront at one of the most unique and ethical wedding reception venues in Boston. Whether you’re planning a large-scale celebration of love or an intimate micro-wedding, we have you covered with options to rent the entire Aquarium or a smaller private area. From helping you pick the perfect venue to the perfect environmentally responsible menu, our event management team will assist you every step of the way. Each wedding at the Aquarium supports our animals, exhibits, and efforts to ensure a vital and vibrant ocean for all.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Handles all cleanup logistics
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Full catering menu to choose from

Venue considerations

  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • No free parking
“Before you read this lengthy review, the short answer is: YES, get married at the New England Aquarium! We started our search looking for venues and wanted something fun and unique. The Aquarium made it onto our list, and the prices were comparable to other venues—it wasn’t significantly more expensive than renting out a restaurant with food and drinks. We read every review possible before we had our first meeting and toured the venue. Our biggest concern was catering because there were some older reviews on The Knot about this being an issue. At our first meeting, not only was there a representative from the New England Aquarium, but also a representative from the catering company. This was definitely a green flag for us, and it sounds like the Aquarium took the older reviews seriously and transitioned to a new catering team. Throughout the planning process, the team was wonderful. They kept in touch via email, gave us clear deadlines, and answered all of our questions. We did have to get pre-approval for all of our centerpieces and anything else we were bringing into the Aquarium because of animal safety. This was not an issue for us and was a very straightforward process. A few months before the wedding, we also had our food and wine tasting. This was definitely one of the fun parts of the planning process because all we had to do was show up! We knew we wanted buffet stations instead of a plated dinner, so we told them which entrees we wanted to try. The Italian dishes were really great, along with all of the salads. We also had some suggestions for a customized Indian station, and the team took very detailed notes, which was a great sign that they were listening to what we wanted. Amanda Solomon was the person we worked with very closely as we got closer to our wedding date. The week before, she sent us encouraging messages and made sure everything was on track. On the day of the wedding, she and her team made sure the setup was done correctly and that everything was ready for us. We didn’t have a wedding ceremony at the Aquarium—just the reception. Cocktail hour was inside the Aquarium, while dinner and dancing were outside in the tent. Everyone absolutely raved about the venue! One thing we loved was that guests had options throughout the night. They could hang out in the tent and dance, go inside the Aquarium to see the animals, or walk along the harbor. It made the whole experience feel really unique and gave people plenty to do. People also said they really enjoyed the food, which was the only hesitation we had when touring potential venues. We were so happy that we decided to go with the Aquarium and would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for something unique, fun, and memorable!”
Peter W., 9 days ago

Location flexible? Discover venues near Boston, MA

Cambridge Boat Club
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
CAMBRIDGE, MA
Villa 120
Middletown, RI
Quick responder
White’s of Westport
Westport, MA
GemHidden gem
Little Gold
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
Newport, RI
Aqua Blue Hotel
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Narragansett, RI
Fort Adams
Newport, RI
TrendlineTrending
Shelter Harbor Inn
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Westerly, RI
Quick responder
Harrington Farm
Rating: 5.0 (36 reviews)
Princeton, MA
Offer
Quick responder
The Lakehouse
Rating: 4.9 (119 reviews)
Halifax, MA
Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
Offer
Quick responder
Butternut Farm Golf Club
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
Stow, MA
Quick responder
Nahant Country Club Estate
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Nahant, MA
Scituate Oceanside Rentals
Rating: 1.0 (1 review)
Scituate, MA

Event types for wedding venues in Boston, MA

About wedding venues in Boston, MA

Boston gives you the perfect blend of historic architecture and stunning waterfront views for your wedding day. You'll find the city's colonial heritage, harbor vistas, and diverse venue options attract couples looking for something truly special in their Massachusetts wedding experience.

What Are the Top Boston Wedding Venues for Different Styles?

Boston Public Library offers you a breathtaking Italianate courtyard for ceremonies plus the Renaissance-inspired Bates Hall for receptions. You'll make an unforgettable entrance on that iconic marble staircase that lets your bridal party create truly dramatic moments. Boston Harbor Hotel welcomes you with its impressive 70-foot rotunda for waterfront ceremonies. You can host up to 250 guests in the seasonal outdoor Harbor Gardens while the Atlantic Room gives your reception those jaw-dropping floor-to-ceiling harbor views you've been dreaming about. Fairmont Copley Plaza's Grand Ballroom dazzles with 30-foot gilded ceilings and sparkling Waterford crystal chandeliers. Your celebration can accommodate up to 500 guests inside this Italian Renaissance architectural masterpiece that's been hosting Boston's finest events for generations. Artists For Humanity EpiCenter gives you 8,000 square feet of flexible industrial space that you can transform to match your vision. You'll celebrate surrounded by rotating local artwork in this energy-efficient LEED Platinum certified building that impresses environmentally conscious couples.

How Much Does a Boston Wedding Actually Cost?

Boston weddings typically run higher than national averages with venue costs representing about 17% of your total wedding budget ranging from $10,400 to $12,700. For different guest counts expect these total wedding costs: - 50 guests: $30,034 - 100 guests: $49,855 - 150 guests: $68,481 - 200 guests: $85,116 - 250 guests: $101,750 - 300 guests: $118,384

Which Boston Venues Are Fully Accessible?

The Colonnade in Back Bay gives you wheelchair accessibility with classic elegance and convenient lodging options for up to 250 guests all in one convenient Back Bay location. The Langham Boston provides wheelchair accessibility a spacious dance floor and beautiful settings for over 200 guests right in the heart of downtown making it easy for everyone to participate fully in your celebration. Boston Marriott Long Wharf lets you host up to 480 guests in its Grand Ballroom with scenic waterfront views and impeccable accommodations ensuring everyone enjoys your special day regardless of mobility needs.

What Wedding Costs Should You Budget for in Boston?

ServiceAverage Cost% of Budget (150 guests)
Venue$11,51017%
Florists$9,45514%
Catering$9,20813%
Bar Services$7,36611%
Planners$6,4139%
Photographers$5,7638%
Videographers$5,0977%
Bands/DJs$2,3123%
Hair & Makeup$8671%
Cakes/Desserts$8021%

How Far in Advance Should You Book Your Boston Venue?

September dominates as Boston's busiest wedding inquiry month with venues booking 14 months or about 445 days before wedding dates. You'll find winter weddings from January through March offer greater venue availability and potential savings if you're flexible with your date.

Where Can Boston Couples Find Outstanding Food Options?

Hampshire House delivers timeless high-ceiling elegance with exceptional cuisine that your guests will rave about long after your wedding day has passed. Bistro du Midi serves Chef Robert Sisca's Provençal-inspired cuisine with custom menus tailored to your tastes while you and your guests enjoy views overlooking Boston's iconic Public Garden. The Banks Seafood & Steak offers expertly crafted menus and a distinctive dining experience with a dedicated events team focused on making your culinary vision come to life exactly as you've imagined it.

Which Boston Venues Offer Remote Participation?

Mandarin Oriental provides modern amenities and luxury settings that can easily accommodate advanced technology for remote participation so distant loved ones can share in your special day. Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor offers stunning skyline views with spaces that support virtual reality experiences and interactive live streams making it perfect for including guests who can't attend in person. The Colonnade features sleek modern spaces ideal for setting up interactive displays for remote guests while accommodating up to 250 in-person attendees creating a seamless experience for everyone you care about regardless of location.

What other Boston vendors will I need?

What other wedding venues are nearby?