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Weddings

About

NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores is an aquarium and wedding venue in Wilmington, North Carolina. When celebrating here, couples will be surrounded by romance, charm, and a setting they will never forget. Whether you're hosting your ceremony, reception, vow renewal, or anything in between, this venue is happy to accommodate you.

Facilities and Capacity

NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores offers couples a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere for their milestone moments. To-be-weds can say "I do" in the aquarium's tranquil Southside Hall. Here, couples and their loved ones can admire stunning views of the Bouge Sound and adjoining deck as they exchange vows. Memorable cocktail hours can also be held here, allowing guests to watch river otters frolic as they create lifelong memories together. After, receptions can take place in the Ocean Gallery. In this space, complete with a 309,000-gallon saltwater exhibit, newlyweds and their loved ones can celebrate alongside mesmerizing sea creatures. To align with their one-of-a-kind visions for their big days, to-be-weds can rent multiple areas within the venue.

Services Offered

The professional staff and event coordinators at NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores are dedicated to creating the perfect ambiance for any special occasion. The helpful team will set up and clean up the couple's chosen celebration space on the big day. Event essentials such as tables and chairs and decor items like centerpieces and votive candles will be supplied. For a celebration that's as seamless as possible, the venue is happy to provide the services of a day-of coordinator. Full kitchen facilities are available on-site so the couple's preferred catering team can create stand-out meals. The aquarium has a large parking lot for the convenience of those celebrating.

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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?

$500

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

$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 the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Clean Up
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Museum
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Outside Vendors

Reviews of NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores

Morgan
Morgan Sent on 05/21/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing team’

We absolutely loved working with Kerri and Amber at the aquarium. Every team member down to the security guard was so kind and helpful with our wedding experience. They have everything down pat you don’t have to stress, they got you. The venue itself is amazing and I highly recommend renting the aquarium for the evening to really get the full effect. Loved having my first dance in front of the living shipwreck. It’s a magical venue for sure, especially if you love animals and animal conservation.
Meg
Meg M. Sent on 01/24/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Unique and fun

The aquarium is not just for kids. This was the perfect wedding venue for us: fun, unique, and the the staff was wonderful! We have received so many compliments on this choice!
K
Katherine Sent on 09/22/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Evening

I had my wedding at the PKS Aquarium on 9/18/21. I can not say enough great things about the aquarium and staff. Gina and Kerri were very responsive, helpful, professional. I had my ceremony on the marsh deck, and got unbeatable pictures of egrets flying in the against the backdrop of a sunset over the marsh. We rented the touch tank, which was a hit. The reception was in the ocean gallery, and there is something amazing about dancing and drinking next to floor to ceiling tanks. The whole event went off without a hitch, I felt strongly supported by aquarium staff. It was a perfect night for which I am so grateful. Would absolutely recommend this venue.
B
Bethany Sent on 06/08/2016
5 out of 5 rating
We had the most perfect wedding! I'm not bragging and I can't take any credit. The staff at the aquarium is first class service and the sweetest most hard working people! We looked all over for a venue in our budget. The aquarium has everything you need to keep your vendors happy, your guests amazed, and you and your groom and your family won't have to stress over set up or break down. That was the best part. I really loved having our ceremony and reception in one location and having it later in the afternoon worked so well for guests coming from out of town. Many flew or drove in that day, others were able to come early and get a beautiful and fun beach day in before the wedding. We had a group of 150 people, and it was hard for us to find a venue that could accommodate that. I didn't want an outdoor wedding, but I thought about it for the sake of budget. It wasn't even worth the hassle, and by the time you figure in the tents and chairs and all that mess, you could have just had it at the aquarium and not have to stress about a backup plan for rain/wind/heat. Your guests will thank you. There is so much bang for the buckk, just do it. And splurge on the whole aquarium. It's sooooo worth it. Thank you Becky and Kerri and the rest of the crew for being rock stars and working so hard to make our day beyond our wildest dreams! Love you guys!
U
User5912814 Sent on 05/06/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Planning an event at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium was made very easy and comfortable because of the wonderful, responsive event managers. All of my questions were answered promptly and throughly. The beauty and cleanliness for the facility was a great choice for us. Everyone was great to work with and listened to our concerns. This is a beautiful place to have a wedding. 100% rememberable and breathtaking views for amazing photos!
J
Justine Sent on 07/02/2015
5 out of 5 rating
My husband and I were just married at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium in "Soundside Hall." Even though we got married outside on the beautiful deck overlooking the Sound, the room was a great place for guests to mingle and listen to our violinist play and also get some shade before the outdoor ceremony. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted and that was made possible because of the great aquarium staff and events coordinator, who timed everything perfectly and provided great suggestions and support along the way! All of our guests received free admission into the aquarium following the ceremony (part of the rental payment fees) and our photographer got some GREAT at incredible locations BOTH inside and outside of the aquarium. If you love nature and a beautiful, friendly venue than this is the place for you!!! We highly recommend it to anyone getting married in this area :)
A
Amy Sent on 08/06/2012
5 out of 5 rating
The staff was amazing, especially Becky.
A
Ashlie Sent on 04/28/2008
5 out of 5 rating
I could not have asked for a better reception site. The Aquarium was so romantic and unique. I loved every second there. Not only was the Aquarium great but the staff was so helpful and they went out of their way to make all our dreams come true!
U
User6951895 Sent on 07/16/2012
4.9 out of 5 rating
The aquarium was just the perfect place to hold our ceremony and reception. Holly, the event coordinator was amazing to work with. She answered all of my questions, and was a huge help all throughout the planning process. My wedding day was an amazing evening, that my guests will remember forever! Thank you to Holly and the staff of the aquarium for making our day perfect! From set up to tear down, they took care of everything! I only wish it could have lasted longer, but we had to work around the operation hours of the aquarium.
U
User6951899 Sent on 10/29/2015
4.8 out of 5 rating
The aquarium was a beautiful place for our rehearsal dinner! The staff there was very helpful and made the event seamless and wonderful for us!
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Awards

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NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores frequently asked questions

NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The space offered by NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Museum
  • Waterfront
NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Rehearsal Dinner
NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Outside Vendors
NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores is recommended by 99% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in quality of service, 5 in average response time, 5 in professionalism, 4.9 in flexibility and 4.9 in value.
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