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Pricing Information

Reception
2,750.00 starting price
Ceremony
1,250.00 starting price
Bar
$28 starting price
Reception
1,000.00 starting price
Ceremony
$750 starting price
Bar
$28 starting price

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About

On WeddingWire since 2008

The New England Aquarium delivers one of the most unique wedding venues in Boston, Massachusetts. The aquarium is located on the Boston Harbor, offering a waterfront destination for your wedding. The beautiful waterfront views and backdrop of marine animals sets a unique, exquisite setting for your wedding reception. The New England Aquarium provides in-house catering with their exclusive caterer, The Patina Restaurant Group. The executive chef offers a wide array of wedding dining cuisine options and menus to choose from to fit your taste and preferences. Whether you are planning an intimate wedding of 50 guests, or a grand wedding, The New England Aquarium offers unique spaces to fit your needs.

Facilities and Capacity
The Main Exhibit Gallery allows you to dine alongside penguins and view the Giant Ocean Tank. The space can accommodate 375 for a seated dinner. The West Wing Gallery accommodates up to 75 guests and features the largest shark tank on the East Coast. The Harbor View Café offers views of the waterfront and Boston skyline, and accommodates up to 100 guests. The Harbor View Terrace and Tent can accommodate up to 300 guests with breathtaking views of the harbor. The entire aquarium can be used to accommodate up to 1,399 guests for a seated dinner.

Services Offered
The New England Aquarium offers the following wedding services:

  • Event planning
  • Event rentals
  • Dance floor
  • Tents
  • In-house catering
  • Servers
  • Furniture
  • Linens
  • Barware

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?

2,750.00

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

1,000.00

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?

1,250.00

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

$750

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Lighting/Sound
Linens
Set Up
Tables

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

Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$28

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

Bartender(s)
House Wine
Open Bar
Premium Liquor

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

50

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Museum

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

What event services do you offer?

Event Planner
Event Rentals

What event items are available?

Chairs
Dance Floor
Furniture
Tables
Tents

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Shuttle
Valet
Wheelchair Access
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4.8 out of 5 rating
68 Reviews
  • 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
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
95% Recommended by couples

39 User photos

68 Reviews See all
Haley
Haley K. Married on 09/01/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing and unique venue and awesome service!

We LOVED our choice to get married at the New England Aquarium for so many reasons. We would recommend to everyone.
Unique locations - location is beautiful and truly so unique. Everyone enjoyed cocktail hour with the fish and penguins and then the harborwalk was beautiful for the ceremony and at night
Catering / Food - Food was delicious and we got many compliments on it
Value - For a wedding in the heart of Boston it's a great value!
Service - The staff from the aquarium / internal catering team (Patina group) were exceptional. they were so responsive and made our dreams come true in many many ways! They are also so flexible (as long as it doesn't endanger the animals!) on the ideas we had

Thank you!!
M
Marley H. Married on 08/27/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Magical Wedding on the Boston Harbor

My husband and I got married at the New England Aquarium in Boston, and it was truly magical!

Venue/Location: We wanted a wedding venue that was (1) outside, preferably by the ocean, (2) close to the airport for our many out-of-town guests, and (3) memorable. After months of searching and almost settling on a venue that was beautiful but outside of the city, on a whim, we booked a tour with the Aquarium. I knew instantly that it was the perfect venue. Right on the water with a beautiful backdrop of the harbor, in the heart of Boston, the Aquarium offered the picturesque, convenient, and memorable experience we were looking for. On our wedding day, we lucked out with perfect weather (always a risk with outdoor venues), and in spite of a few congratulatory yells from excited boaters on the harbor, it was everything we’d hoped for and more. Our guests easily navigated to/from the airport, loved the opportunity to explore/sight-see in Boston, and told us over and over how awesome, fun, and special it was to explore the Aquarium.

Food/Event Staff: The Aquarium contracts exclusively with the Patina Restaurant Group for its catering and event services, so please note I am not certain about who on the staff was associated with each group. That said, the food was spectacular, the chef and day-of service staff were highly professional and accommodating, and the planning/coordination team will forever be in our hearts as the most awesome group of people to work with. A few notable examples (of many):
- Only two of our guests (including my mom) are vegan, so we weren’t thrilled about having to choose a vegan meal for the vegetarian option. Amanda and Abigail (primary and secondary points of contact/dream team) worked with the chef to create an entirely vegan meal for the two guests and make a vegan version of some of the passed hors d’oeuvres. My mom was so happy.
- Throughout the planning process, Amanda and Abigail were responsive and supportive. They frequently made useful recommendations, followed up on questions and logistics, and were extremely accommodating to our budget.
- As I was about to walk down the aisle, I suddenly felt worried that my vows never made it from the photographer's camera bag to my MOH. By some miracle, and without anyone else noticing, Amanda worked her magic so that my vows were in my sister's hands by the time I needed them.
J
Jacquie S. Married on 06/25/2022
5 out of 5 rating

The wedding of my dreams!

My wedding at the New England Aquarium was a dream!!! The team there worked so hard to make my vision become a reality. Amanda and Krystal are miracle workers. By the last few weeks, they were able to finish my sentences, they knew my event inside and out! I felt so prioritized and taken care of. The ceremony space is stunning and who can beat a cocktail hour inside the aquarium around all of the penguins!! We had a blast, and now I am trying to figure out how I can have another event there. I wish I could give them 100 stars!!!
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Awards

68
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

5 Endorsements
Steel Rhythm Steel Drum Band Steel Rhythm Steel Drum Band Wedding Bands

Always a breathtaking and fun venue to work at with an amazing staff!! Highly recommend!!!

Piper Jo Nevins Photography Piper Jo Nevins Photography Wedding Photographers

Such a fun venue for a wedding, rehearsal dinner, or other special event. Your guests will enjoy their surroundings, adding to your special occasion. Plus, you're right on Boston Harbor.........stunning location for photographs!!! Always a pleasure to photograph at the New England Aquarium.

Michael Brook Photography Michael Brook Photography Wedding Photographers

On a warm August evening while celebrating your wedding on edge of the Boston Harbor you might be surprised by a fireworks show from the North End. Something magical always seems to happen there. The coordinators and staff take such great care of clients and guests - it's easy to give them my highest recommendation.

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New England Aquarium frequently asked questions

New England Aquarium includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planning
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Linens
  • Set Up
  • Tables
New England Aquarium includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at New England Aquarium includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
  • Premium Liquor
The space offered by New England Aquarium for wedding events is known for:
  • Museum
New England Aquarium offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
New England Aquarium offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
New England Aquarium offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
New England Aquarium offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Furniture
  • Tables
  • Tents
New England 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, 4.7 in average response time and 4.7 in value.

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