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Pricing information

Reception
$10,000 starting price
Ceremony
$450 starting price
Bar service
$250 per person
Reception
$5,500 starting price
Ceremony
$450 starting price
Bar service
$250 per person
These prices are available for the months of Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Dec. These prices are available for the months of Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Nov.

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Attributes highlighted by couples

Unique aesthetic style
Quality catering
Guests comfort
Amenities

About

On WeddingWire since 2008

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is a wildlife park wedding venue located in Columbia, South Carolina. Home to more than 2,000 magnificent animals, the zoo offers indoor and outdoor event facilities that exhibit elegance, class, and an extraordinary experience for couples and their guests to enjoy. An exotic alternative to the traditional wedding venues, the zoo facilities provide weddings with a nature-inspired setting, as well as great backdrops for photo opportunities.

Facilities and Capacity
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden offers a variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces that can accommodate both intimate celebrations and festive galas. Ceremonies are held after hours in the property's Magnolia's Garden Terrace, Ndoki's patio, or Riverbanks' Entry Plaza. Receptions, cocktail hours, and rehearsal dinners can be held in venue's five event facility options:

  • Ndoki Lodge is a safari-themed space featuring high beam ceilings, panoramic views of forest foliage, and at certain times, the opportunity for an elephant or meerkat sighting. The lodge can accommodate up to 500 guests with use of indoor and outdoor space.
  • Magnolia Room is one of the most breathtaking and unique spaces in the zoo, accommodating up to 350 guests using indoors and patio space. It features French doors that open out onto a bricked terrace, boasting views of stately fountains, cascading waters, seasonal flowers, and Riverbanks’ beautiful gardens.
  • Tuskers is an ideal space for cocktail parties and can accommodate up to 250 guests. At night, the venue transforms into a chic event facility, featuring bamboo cloud lighting, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, a dance floor area, and a viewing deck overlooking zebras, ostriches, giraffes, and a ten-foot alligator.
  • The ARC or Aquarium Reptile Complex, is perfect for a smaller wedding or any other evening celebration. It showcases a 55,000-gallon coral reef tank with sharks, moon jellyfishes, and gharial crocodiles perfect for a strolling cocktail hour or reception.
  • The Birdhouse can accommodate up to 175 guests. It is a sky-lit atrium where guests can have the opportunity to be accompanied by penguins, hornbills, and other exotic birds.


Services Offered
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden provides event rentals for wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, and bridal showers. The venue also accepts appointments for bridal portrait shoots, held after park hours at the Botanical Garden or zoo. Other services offered by the venue include:

  • Bridal suites (dependent on wedding space and date)
  • Lighting and sound system rentals
  • In-house bar and catering
  • Set up and clean up


Cuisines
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is a proud partner of SSA Group, LLC. the event caterer based in the zoo premises. SSA's executive head chef, Andrew Humphreys, customizes menus and create new dishes exclusively for the event. SSA supports sustainability, helps local farmers, and showcases a variety of different cuisine options. The caterer offers couples the following serving-style options:

  • Buffet
  • Hors-d'oeuvres
  • Plated dinners
  • Stations
  • Cocktail receptions
  • Family-style
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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?

$10,000

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

$5,500

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?

$450

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

$450

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Chairs
Clean Up
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

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

Dessert
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$250

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

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Open Bar

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

25

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

7

Describe your venue:

Garden
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
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Liability Insurance
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

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

What bar services do you provide?

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

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Chairs
Decor
Furniture
Lighting
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?

March
April
May
September
October
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
June
July
August
November
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4.8 out of 5 rating
30 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 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
100% Recommended by couples
B
Brittany W. Sent on 12/24/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Stunning and magical!

This was an absolutely beautiful venue, even in the winter! There are so many beautiful areas to take pictures because of all the flowers, trees and water! We did a “sunrise wedding” which took place in the early morning at 7am- and the lighting was amazing! It also costed half of the price, so we were very happy about that! Communicating with Kayleen up until the wedding day was amazing- she was so accommodating and very fast at replying. I had NO clue where to even start with planning a wedding (especially last minute like mine was)- and she explained everything and made me feel so much better and less stressed. The breakfast buffet food was very good as well- we went for the deluxe buffet and there was a huge variety of options for everyone! The staff that were there the day of the wedding were organized and on top of it. It was the perfect day and there are no complaints! I would recommend anyone to get married here!

The price we paid was for 34 guests even though only 30 showed up (so it could have been even cheaper than that!) and that wasn’t including the photographer, the cake or the decorations (we brought our own centerpieces and decorations but the venue did offer to supply basic ones!)
S
Sheena D. Sent on 07/21/2023
5 out of 5 rating

The Perfect Day

We loved the ambiance and the friendly staff it made everything perfect
J
Jon G. Sent on 01/25/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible Venue at a Great Value!

Kayleen Edmonds went above and beyond for my wife and I at every step of this process for our wedding at the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens. It was an absolutely seamless process, and we felt like we were a priority to Kayleen and her team. The day-of wedding was seamless, and Kayleen and her team were professional and gave us incredible service. In a world where weddings are incredibly overpriced, we felt we got an immense value at Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Gardens. We would recommend this venue and Kayleen as the venue manager to anyone!!!
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Awards

30
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner

Team

Kayleen Edmonds
Kayleen Edmonds
Social Events & Catering Sales Manager

Hey there! I'm Kayleen, Wedding Sales & Venue Coordinator here at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. I relocated from Colorado to Columbia, SC in 2020. Prior to my role here, I worked in events and catering in various industries from hotels and hospitality, to the radio industry. I have serviced over 100 weddings including LGBTQIA, POC, and multicultural weddings!

I would be your point of contact for your facility, catering, bar, and rental needs for your wedding at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. I hope to hear from you soon and can't wait to see your special day come to life!

Professional Network & Endorsements

3 Endorsements
Bonnie Brunt Cakes Bonnie Brunt Cakes Wedding Cakes

Love working with the professional team at Riverbanks Zoo! Courteous, organized and always pros! Beautiful venue and FANTASTIC food. Exciting, appealing displays and again...just a terrific staff.

American Floral American Floral Wedding Florists

SUCH a pretty place and great food !!

Vintage Bakery, LLC Vintage Bakery, LLC Wedding Cakes

Lovely venue and facilities! Know that your wedding arrangements are in the hands of friendly and helpful experts! The ambiance here is that you are in a magical place! Great background for your memories and photos as well.

Preferred Vendors

Events by Snow
5.0 out of 5 rating , 25 Reviews
· Wedding DJs
Emerald Empire Band - South Carolina/Columbia
5.0 out of 5 rating , 10 Reviews
· Wedding Bands
Partytime DJ's
4.9 out of 5 rating , 71 Reviews
· Wedding DJs
DJ Trey Entertainment
5.0 out of 5 rating , 39 Reviews
· Wedding DJs
American Floral
4.9 out of 5 rating , 110 Reviews
· Wedding Florists
Bonnie Brunt Cakes
4.9 out of 5 rating , 62 Reviews
· Wedding Cakes

Map

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Riverbanks Zoo & Garden frequently asked questions

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Linens
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Dessert
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Limited Bar
  • Open Bar
The space offered by Riverbanks Zoo & Garden for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Park
  • Zoo
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Liability Insurance
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Centerpieces
  • Chairs
  • Decor
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is recommended by 97% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in average response time, 4.9 in quality of service, 4.8 in flexibility, 4.8 in professionalism and 4.8 in value.

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