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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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Contact Riverbanks Zoo & Garden and their preferred vendors
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Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
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Emerald Empire Band - South Carolina/Columbia
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Partytime DJ's
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DJ Trey Entertainment
Frequently asked questions
Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?
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Reviews of Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Review summary
Reviewers had positive experiences at the Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens as a wedding venue. They praised the aesthetics, views, and overall experience. The staff, particularly Kayleen, was commended for their flexibility, responsiveness, and helpfulness throughout the planning process and on the day of the event. The catering was also highly praised, with guests raving about the delicious food. Overall, reviewers highly recommend this venue for weddings, with some recommending the venue for its elopement package, and others for its larger event spaces such as the Magnolia Room and Ndoki Lodge.
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Professional Network & Endorsements
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.
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.
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Riverbanks Zoo & Garden frequently asked questions
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