Chabot Space & Science Center is an out-of-this world wedding venue nestled in the redwoods in Oakland, California. They offer multiple indoor and outdoor sites for celestial ceremonies and receptions. Their experienced events team will ensure your celebration is everything you dreamed it to be.
Facilities and Capacity Couples can accommodate up to 1,500 guests spread throughout the various exhibit levels at this outdoorsy venue. The Richard L. Spees Building is the grand entryway to the state-of-the-art Center, and offer three levels of exhibits and two theaters. It features an octagonal skylight in their rotunda, floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass skybridge and loggia encasing the building’s exterior. You can use all three levels for your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Additional spaces include:
Pleiades Courtyard - features an amphitheater, tented dining area, a garden and a central courtyard.
Astronomy Hall - the largest unobstructed event space at the Center. It features contiguous dining and dancing for up to 250 guests, along with a built-in projector, screen and speakers.
Observatory Complex - an outdoor complex that houses their three iconic telescopes. Guests can gaze out at the night sky with the help of one of their expert astronomers.
Planetarium - features a 70-foot dome with an advanced universe visualization system. You can exchange your vows set in front of a rising moon, a swirling nebula, or gently twinkling stars, followed by a show of your choice for guests.
Services Offered Chabot Space & Science Center offers multiple wedding packages for you to choose from. They offer a list of preferred caterers and event rentals to make your planning flow smoothly. Additional services include:
Hospitality Room
Parking
Wireless Internet
Pet friendly
Wheelchair accessible
Other Services In addition to hosting lavish weddings within Redwood Regional Park, this special venue will also host an intimate elopement. Additional events include:
Absolutely awesome! Great venue, AWESOME staff, great vendors :)
Just got married here on their Observation Deck for the sunset micro-ceremony with their telescopes, and it was awesome. We'd just had to move our whole wedding due to the wild fires when we happened upon this and could not be happier with how it turned out, all planned within a couple days! Samantha at the Chabot was incredibly helpful and reassuring about everything. The caterers she referred us to were incredibly helpful and able to handle our sudden needs. The facility and everything was set up for distancing and safety. The Astronomers were awesome, thank you Gerald and John! I wish I could rate it higher!
Sent on 09/20/2020
Chabot Space & Science Center's reply:
Hey Mark!
Thanks again for such a thoughtful review- I shared it with our astronomers and you made their day. We are so happy that you had a great evening during a year that is, undoubtedly, the hardest one for weddings we've ever seen. You and Sarah are troopers and we know you will have a long and happy marriage.
Stay safe and be well,
Samantha
Holly
· Married on 03/14/2020
5.0
Quality of service:
5.0
Responsiveness:
5.0
Value:
5.0
Flexibility:
5.0
Professionalism:
5.0
Beautiful Venue
We had our wedding in early March. Samantha was a pleasure to work with. I had a soft spot in my heart knowing my venue costs were going towards a non-profit and good cause. The venue itself is stunning and set such a positive vibe for the wedding. There were a number of unimaginable hurdles we had to jump through to make our wedding happen and it turned out perfectly. I would recommend this location, scenery, venue to anybody!
Sent on 03/25/2020
Chabot Space & Science Center's reply:
Hi Holly,
Thank you for such kind words. Our team was so happy to host you (we all love a pi theme at a science center)! You were thrown quite a few unfair obstacles in the days leading up to your wedding, but you handled each one with such grace. You two are truly prepared to navigate a long and happy marriage. We are wishing you all the best, and hope you'll be able to visit us again soon!
-Samantha
Jan
· Married on 03/14/2020
5.0
Quality of service:
5.0
Responsiveness:
5.0
Value:
5.0
Flexibility:
5.0
Professionalism:
5.0
Pi day Wedding amid Covid Fears
We have nothing but profound praise for Chabot Space and Science Center — it is an amazing place to get married; even during a pandemic. Our nerdy, science themed, Pi Day wedding also happened to be 2 days before the Bay Area Secure in Place. Two Weeks Later, we are happy to report that no guest is sick. Chabot’s proactive response and professionalism was a big factor. The museum went above and beyond in communicating with us at every step of the rapidly changing circumstances that were occurring at that time. Nicole P and her team did such a good job. We used the planetarium and the “stage direction” and cues involved were something we hadn’t even considered, but it went off without a single problem. The museum has so much to offer guests and is a wonderful space. It also feels so good to work with a community nonprofit and not a corporate hotel space. Besides being our wedding venue , it’s just a special place and you should go there and learn about space.
Sent on 04/02/2020
Chabot Space & Science Center's reply:
Thank you again for celebrating with us, and for sharing such a kind review! Covid-19 impacted us in such unpredictable ways, and we truly appreciated your flexibility as we all rolled with the punches and came up with spur of the moment problem-solving! We are so impressed by what a fun, unique, and beautiful wedding you planned and hope you and all your family and friends stay safe and sound.
Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?
Yes
What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?
$ 4200
What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?
$ 4200
Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?
Yes
What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?
$ 900
What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?
$ 900
Which of the following are included in starting site fee?
Bridal Suite
Parking
What is the maximum capacity of your venue?
1500
What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?
1
How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?
6
Describe your venue:
Banquet Hall
Garden
Museum
Park
What kind of settings are available?
Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor
Scenic Views
Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?
Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner
What event services do you offer?
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi
What event items are available?
Audio Equipment
Drapery
Tables
What transportation and access is available?
Parking
Wheelchair Access
What months are included in your peak season?
December
1 Wedding Deal & Discount
Sunset Micro-ceremony & Telescope Viewings
For $900, the wedding couple receives:
2 hours for groups up to 25 guests for a sunset ceremony on the Observation Deck
1 hour of private viewings in the historic telescopes led by Chabot astronomers (weather permitting)
Champagne toast for each guest
This offer is good for new 2020 and 2021 bookings, and subject to county and statement guidelines
Team of Chabot Space & Science Center
Samantha Stevick
Assistant Director of Event Sales
I absolutely love this beautiful Oakland museum and observatory and would be thrilled to help you plan a special day in the stars. I've worked with weddings since I was 16 as a caterer, and I've even been a bridesmaid 9 times! My favorite thing about Chabot is that the cost of your wedding supports all the educational programming we do for our community. It feels great to help couples realize their wedding dreams while also making a difference for local children every day I go to work.
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Professional Network & Endorsements
1 Endorsement
Grier Cooper Photography Wedding Photographers
If you want to create a highly entertaining, unique wedding, look no further. Chabot has so much to offer, from gorgeous sunsets, interactive science-y fun (including planetarium shows and telescope viewings) and incredible Bay Area views.... and let's not forget the free parking! They also offer stellar catering options (sorry for the pun, but it's true) so you and your guests will enjoy an amazing feast.
