The Best Aquarium & Zoo Wedding Venues in Rockport, MA

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2 Wedding Venues in Rockport, MA

Aquariums, zoos
Seacoast Science Center 
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
Rye, NH
  • Up to 150 guests
  • Raw space
  • Outdoor
  • Starts at $9,750

The Seacoast Science Center is situated on the ocean’s edge in historic Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH boasts a different view each hour, from the tides to fog clearing into clear sky. Exchange vows in front of our rocky shoreline ceremony site with the sound of crashing waves, followed by dinner and dancing beneath an al fresco tent all while enjoying ocean panoramas with sparkling seas dotted with sailboats, four different lighthouses, and the Isles of Shoals. Welcome your guests to explore our exhibits in the Center and share the Seacoast Science Center mission. Your rental supports its efforts to promote conservation and health of our oceans.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Venue is completely outdoors
  • Picturesque garden backdrop
  • Raw space for complete customization

Venue considerations

  • No in-house lighting and sound packages available
  • Limited cleanup and setup services
  • No in-house catering options
“We loving having our sunning and colorful wedding at your amazing venue! Our guests talked about the views and the food and everyone had a wonderful time! The day was full of rain but it stopped just in time for the bride to walk the aisle and as we said our “I do’s” a rainbow came out and then some brief rain and then it opened up into a beautiful sunshine filled evening. We loving working with everyone here and had a stunning event. Thank you so much for your help and venue! It’s also a total steal for the price!”
Isabel K., 3 years ago
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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

Location flexible? Discover venues near Rockport, MA

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Bedford Event Center
Rating: 5.0 (30 reviews)
Bedford, NH
Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
Martingale Wharf
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
Portsmouth, NH
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Scotland Fields
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
York, ME
GemHidden gem
Mountain View Stables
Rating: 4.0 (4 reviews)
Loudon, NH
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The Venue at Portwalk Place
Portsmouth, NH
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Granite Rose By Wedgewood Weddings
Rating: 5.0 (29 reviews)
Hampstead, NH
Offer
Cambridge Boat Club
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
CAMBRIDGE, MA
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Lakeview Pavilion
Rating: 5.0 (12 reviews)
Foxborough, MA
Offer
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Dell-Lea Weddings & Events
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)
Chichester, NH
Offer
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La Brasa
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Somerville, MA
New
The Bull Run
Shirley, MA
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Avenir
Rating: 4.6 (100 reviews)
Walpole, MA
Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
Offer

Event types for wedding venues in Rockport, MA

About wedding venues in Rockport, MA

Rockport delivers the quintessential New England coastal wedding experience you've been dreaming about. You'll find dramatic ocean views meeting historic architecture to create a truly unforgettable backdrop for your special day. This charming artist colony seamlessly blends maritime heritage with artistic character in venues that will captivate both you and your guests.

What Makes Rockport's Wedding Venues So Special?

The wedding venues here showcase Rockport's unique coastal identity in ways you won't find elsewhere. The Shalin Liu Performance Center features a stunning window that directly overlooks Sandy Bay, creating a dramatic natural backdrop for ceremonies of up to 100 guests. Just feet from Halibut Point, the Emerson Inn offers that traditional New England elegance you're looking for with customizable packages for celebrations on their oceanfront lawn accommodating up to 150 guests. If you're drawn to artistic surroundings, the Rockport Art Association & Museum gives you a unique art-filled environment for your special event. The Yankee Clipper Inn puts you right on the ocean in the heart of Rockport with easy access to local amenities your guests will appreciate.

How Much Will a Rockport Wedding Cost?

Wedding budgets in Rockport typically range based on your guest count. For 50 guests you're looking at about $25501 while 100 guests runs around $42346. Celebrations with 150 guests average $58178 and 200-guest weddings cost approximately $72322. Larger gatherings of 250 or 300 guests will run about $86466 and $100610 respectively. The average venue in Rockport costs $9755 which represents about 17% of your total wedding expenses for a 150-guest celebration. Most couples inquire about venues in October and typically book their venue 13 months before the big day so you'll want to plan accordingly.

Which Rockport Venues Are Fully Accessible?

The Emerson Inn is known for accommodating features though you'll want to confirm specific accessibility details directly with them. The Shalin Liu Performance Center has staff who are particularly accommodating and knowledgeable with convenient walking distance from parking which helps guests with mobility concerns. You'll find their team particularly responsive to accessibility questions when you reach out.

Where Can Food Enthusiasts Find Culinary Excellence in Rockport?

The Emerson Inn stands out for impeccable service and food quality that will impress even your most discerning guests. Nearby you'll also find excellent options like Cruiseport Gloucester and Beauport Hotel Gloucester both offering refined culinary experiences. For the best food quality you'll want to work directly with these venues' in-house or recommended caterers who understand the local palate and specialties.

Can Rockport Venues Support Remote Wedding Participation?

While specific details about enhanced remote participation are limited the Emerson Inn offers customizable wedding packages that could include sophisticated remote experiences when coordinated with their events team. If you're looking for truly interactive experiences beyond basic streaming you should discuss specialized AV setups with venue managers. You'll find most venues willing to accommodate these increasingly common requests with some advance planning.

What Should I Know About Planning a Rockport Wedding?

Venues like The Emerson Inn and Shalin Liu Performance Center book over a year in advance so early planning is absolutely essential. You'll need to consider your budget carefully as wedding costs in Rockport run higher than national averages for comparable services. Venues represent about 17% of total costs compared to the national benchmark of 25%. This means you'll want to allocate proportionally more for other aspects of your celebration like catering photography and entertainment.

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