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Weddings

About

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a wedding venue destination in Powell, Ohio that caters to the needs of couples getting married in the Greater Columbus area. This venue is located 20 minutes northwest of downtown Columbus and right on the Scioto River. You can host a truly remarkable event with your family and friends in one of the best zoos in the country.

Facilities and Capacity

Couples are able to host wedding receptions for up to 300 people and on-site ceremonies for up to 200. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has three unique event spaces offering different views and locations throughout zoo grounds. Each space has its own capacity, rental pricing, and catering minimums.

Services Offered

This venue's staff offers all-inclusive catering packages to make booking convenient for you. These packages include amazing animal encounters and the setup and use of tables, chairs, linens, and catering items. This team also offers bartending services and cleanup of your event. These facilities include complimentary guest parking and wheelchair access to add comfort for all visitors.

Catering

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium partners with The SSA Group, LLC which provides all of your on-site food, beverage, and bar options. There are multiple wedding packages to choose from. Clients can choose from a buffet, a seated dinner, or tasting stations. Hors d'oeuvre selections, bar packages, and late-night bites are some of the other items you can select and consider when planning your big day.

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Frequently asked questions

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?

$2,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$1,500

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?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$500

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$34

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Park
Waterfront
Zoo

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

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?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March

Reviews of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.8 out of 5 rating
4.8 out of 5 rating
37 Reviews
95% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
R
Rose Y. Sent on 08/05/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Zoo breakfast wedding

Could not have chosen a better team. I gave a theme, minimal input, and breakfast for the chefs and they had a blast. This reflected in their work. It was all anyone talked about for weeks. We wanted a fun and relaxed reception. We did a beach theme. They help coordinate so much including setting up and working with our vendors. The coordinator really kept us on track and did so much behind the scenes. The animals were fantastic. As bride and groom we were able to take private pictures with the animals too. Our friends even rented the carousel out. Everyone loved this. We choose the Water's Edge pavilion. The best for animal lovers and water. Such a great breeze off the water and the one walls of the building can open up for air. But it was also great to close in case we had rain. It was just magical. I cannot beat those pictures/view and the time we had together.
David
David S. Sent on 06/23/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Water's Edge Wedding

My wife Hayley and I loved our wedding at Water’s Edge!

We live in Huntington, WV, but we decided to get married in Columbus because we had so many guests traveling from different parts of the country. We also knew we wanted an outdoor venue. Using this criteria, the Columbus Zoo was one of the first places I found, and it was perfect for us because of our love for animals and Hayley’s family’s longtime experience working with zoos in Nebraska.

We were so excited for so long leading up to the big day, and it still exceeded our expectations! The scenery was gorgeous, the food was delicious and the animal encounters were so much fun! Kaylie and the staff were always quick to respond if we had any questions, but they also laid out everything so clearly that there was rarely if ever any confusion. We’re very happy we decided to get married at the Columbus Zoo and will treasure our memories of our wedding day there forever!
T
Tyler G. Sent on 09/28/2023
5 out of 5 rating

The Best Day of my Life!

When my husband and I started looking for a venue for our wedding, we wanted something that would be memorable not only for us, but for our guests as well. We found that with the Columbus Zoo. However, we also found a staff of hard working individuals dedicated to helping us create the most amazing day of our lives. It was so much fun and far exceeded all of our expectations! Kaylie, you are AMAZING!

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
DJ Flair DJ Flair Wedding DJs

Can't ask for something more fun than a zoo wedding. Great location and staff.

Preferred Vendors
Buckeye Entertainment
5.0 out of 5 rating , 498 Reviews
· Wedding DJs

Map

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium frequently asked questions

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
The space offered by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet Hall
  • Park
  • Waterfront
  • Zoo
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Wifi
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Tables
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is recommended by 95% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in flexibility, 4.8 in professionalism, 4.8 in value and 4.7 in average response time.

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