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Couples' Choice Awards

Won the Couples' Choice Awards thanks to recommendations from couples on Weddingwire.com.
  • 2015

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Up to 300 guests
Availability
Responds within 24 hours

Trending now

Highly recommended

Pricing Information

These prices are available for the months of Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Dec. These prices are available for the months of Jan, Feb, Nov.
Reception
$1,000 starting price
Bar
$5 starting price
Reception
$1,000 starting price
Bar
$5 starting price

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About

On WeddingWire since 2010

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a wedding venue located in Tacoma, Washington that will create a unique event experience for your special occasion. With sweeping views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountain Range, this venue provides a picturesque setting that will complement any special occasion.

Facilities and Capacity
The Education Center at Point Defiance is a 3,000-square-foot space that has a private entrance and the option of being split up into three separate rooms. For cozier celebrations you can rent a portion of the space or the entire facility for a total of 175 guests for a large banquet. The Asian Forest Sanctuary is a lush five-acre exhibit complex that offers the perfect space for an outdoor celebration, accommodating 300 total guests. It has six romantic exhibit areas that can be used for a ceremony or seated dinner, overlooking two waterfalls, exotic flowers and a bamboo forest. There are also two viewing pavilions along with the Asian Dayroom that provide a covered space for buffets and partially covered events. The Pacific Rim Plaza has spectacular views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier and a globe-shaped plaza area that is ideal for outdoor ceremonies. The South Pacific Aquarium is best utilized for intimate gatherings of up to 85 guests, giving you and your guests a total sensory experience. You will be transported to the tropical beaches of the Lagoon Exhibit that is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and shark exhibits. The Plaza Cafe can be used for both small and large events, fitting anywhere from 80-120 guests.

The new state-of-the-art Pacific Seas Aquarium, a spectacular and unique venue with stunning art and mesmerizing marine life is now availble for booking. Rent a portion for a more intimate Wedding or the entire facility for a large reception. Get married under the Baja Bay tank and eat dinner with the fish in Northwest Waters. Up to 300 guests can be accommodated in this beautiful Aquarium.


Services Offered
The one-of-a-kind venues offered at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium truly make it a remarkable place for memorable events. You can also delight your guests with a private animal appearance or simply the experience of having the zoo as the background. The experienced staff will provide you with seamless service and exceptional food that will make your day exactly how you envisioned it. Services and rentals include:

  • Bridal suite
  • Event planning
  • Rehearsal
  • Setup and cleanup
  • Tables and Chairs
  • Bar and beverage services
  • Glassware, linens and china

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?

$1,000

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

$1,000

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

No

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
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?

$5

Describe your venue:

Historic Building
Park
Zoo

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception

What event services do you offer?

Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Get Ready Rooms

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

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?

March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
November
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24 Reviews

Write a review
Rated
4.7
out of 5.0
Recommended by 93% of couples
  • Quality of service
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • L
    Luz Married on 07/23/2017
    5 out of 5 rating
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      5.0 out of 5 rating
    We had our ceremony in the Plaza with our reception in the South Pacific Aquarium, in front of the shark tanks. From start to finish, Lancer Catering (Chip Venzone specifically) was great about answering all of our questions in a very timely manner. We were on a pretty tight budget, but Chip helped us put together a night that we will never forget. We had several compliments on the wedding, and both my wife and I agree that it was even more than we had hoped for. I would absolutely recommend PDZA as a venue!
  • Sarah
    Sarah Married on 06/24/2017
    5 out of 5 rating
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    Can't say enough good things about the venue and Lancer catering. Multiple guests mentioned how awesome the venue and food were. Chip and Michael and their staff were great to work with both for the catering and event management parts of the wedding. Wedding and reception took place in Asian animal exhibit and the animal experiences were a highlight of the evening.
  • E
    Emily Married on 04/29/2017
    5 out of 5 rating
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    We LOVED working with Chip at PDZA! Our venue and catering were the two things we never worried about because we knew Chip had it covered.

    If you're worried about "zoo food" at your wedding, don't be! The food was fresh, tasty, and all around amazing. Our guests raved about the garlic mash and delicious chicken.

    The venue was itself was lovely and we could explore both the top and bottom floors. This was especially nice for our more introverted guests since if they didn't want to dance they could look at fish and explore the aquarium.

    I could go on and on about how great this venue is! If you're even considering go take a tour, trust me, it's well worth your time.
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Awards

24
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

2 Endorsements
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Park & Outdoor Weddings

As a sister facility to NW Trek, I highly recommend this venue and their caterer Lancer.

Chaplain Dale Weddings Chaplain Dale Weddings Wedding Officiants

If your goal is to have a wedding that your guests will remember and talk about for a long, long time, this is your place. Spectacular setting and scenery and an attentive staff. Nothing quite like Point Defiance!

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Map

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5400 North Pearl Street Tacoma, WA, 98407
2534043823
Location of (Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium frequently asked questions

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Tables
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Server(s)
The space offered by Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for wedding events is known for:
  • Historic Building
  • Park
  • Zoo
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Get Ready Rooms
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is recommended by 93% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.7 in quality of service, 4.7 in average response time, 4.7 in flexibility, 4.6 in professionalism and 4.6 in value.

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