The Best Aquarium & Zoo Wedding Venues in Nahant, MA

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


1 Wedding Venues in Nahant, 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., 7 days ago

About wedding venues in Nahant, MA

Nahant's peninsula setting creates a distinctive wedding destination that's truly special. The Atlantic Ocean surrounds your celebration on three sides, giving you both sunrise and sunset views over water; something you'll rarely find at other Massachusetts wedding locations. You're essentially getting a 360-degree oceanfront experience for your special day.

What Makes Nahant Wedding Venues Uniquely Special?

Just 14 miles from downtown Boston, Nahant feels worlds away thanks to its narrow causeway entrance that creates an exclusive island-like atmosphere. The Oceanview of Nahant puts you right above crashing waves for your ceremony, creating those dramatic photos you've been dreaming about. Over at Nahant Country Club Estate, their ballroom opens to garden patios with historic specimen trees that add natural elegance to your celebration. You'll appreciate that Oceanview maintains a one-wedding-per-day policy, so you'll never feel rushed; it's no wonder they've earned recognition from wedding platforms like WeddingWire and The Knot.

How Much Does a Wedding in Nahant Typically Cost?

Wedding costs in Nahant scale with your guest list, giving you flexibility based on your vision. For 50 guests you're looking at about $25,501 while 100 guests runs around $42,346. A mid-sized wedding with 150 guests typically costs $58,178 and larger celebrations of 200 guests average $72,322. For those planning bigger events, 250 guests costs about $86,466 and 300 guests reaches $100,610. The average venue itself in Nahant runs approximately $9,755, which represents about 17% of your total wedding expenses for a 150-person celebration; slightly less than the national benchmark where venues typically account for 25% of costs at $6,500-$12,000.

Which Venues Offer the Best Culinary Experience in Nahant?

Nahant Country Club Estate delivers exceptional food quality that your guests will remember long after the celebration. Their chef Pat has built a reputation for preparing delicious appetizers and sandwiches that elevate the dining experience. Dating back to 1824, this historic venue combines amazing culinary offerings with beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces that you can customize for your vision. Oceanview of Nahant takes a different approach with chef-curated menus that you can customize to match your preferences. Their culinary team crafts dishes that perfectly complement those stunning panoramic ocean views you'll enjoy throughout your celebration. With on-site catering that emphasizes luxury detailing and personalized touches, they can accommodate up to 220 guests while maintaining exceptional quality and service.

What Accessibility Features Do Nahant Venues Provide?

Oceanview of Nahant offers comprehensive accessibility features so all your guests can fully participate in your celebration. You'll find handicap parking conveniently located near the ceremony area, a ramp that provides access to both the terrace and main building, and an accessible side entrance for those with mobility concerns. Inside, first-floor restrooms include handicap stalls, and their staff will assist guests who need to use the lift for second-floor access. These thoughtful accommodations ensure everyone can focus on enjoying your special day.

When Should You Book Your Nahant Wedding Venue?

August sees the most venue inquiries in Nahant, so you'll want to plan ahead if you're considering that month. Most couples book about 13 months or 368 days before their wedding date, giving them plenty of time to coordinate other vendors. Summer weddings give you those warm temperatures perfect for oceanfront celebrations, though coastal fog can sometimes make an appearance. Fall weddings offer spectacular foliage colors against the Atlantic backdrop; just plan for an earlier ceremony time as daylight hours shorten.

What Vendor Services Should You Budget For in Nahant?

Service CategoryAverage CostPercentage of Total (150 guests)
Venue$9,75517%
Florists$8,01314%
Catering$7,80413%
Bar Services$6,24311%
Planners$5,4359%
Photographers$4,8848%
Videographers$4,3207%
Bands and DJs$1,9603%
Hair & Makeup$7351%
Cakes and Desserts$6791%

How Can Remote Guests Participate in Your Nahant Wedding?

Oceanview of Nahant goes beyond basic streaming services for including your remote guests. Their focus on personalized experiences means you can explore options for interactive virtual components that make distant loved ones feel truly present. Talk with their event planners about integrating advanced features that might include two-way communication or custom viewing angles. You can create meaningful ways for everyone to share in your celebration, regardless of where they're located; ensuring no one misses out on your special moments.

What other Nahant vendors will I need?

What other wedding venues are nearby?

What other wedding services are nearby?