300+ guest capacity
This venue can host 300+ guests
About this vendor
Teeming with life and available for wedding events is the Birch Aquarium located in La Jolla, CA. This tranquil setting offers a vibrant locale with captivating aquatic life. Guests can get lost in the wonders of the Giant Kelp Forest and discover the mysteries of the great marine life. The possibilities are truly endless within this oceanic heaven.
The 30,000 square-foot aquarium offers an indoor and outdoor setting for up to 1,500 guests. While here, patrons can view over 60 unique habitats with invertebrates and fish gliding through the water. The marine life hails from numerous locations including the Pacific Northwest and tropical oceans of Mexico. Couples may choose to exchange vows among the dynamic sea life. Alternatively there is also an outdoor patio fashioned with a pond. This locale overlooks the ocean and provides a picturesque backdrop with stunning sunsets. For receptions, Birch Aquarium offers multiple locations where celebrations can ensue. Each area boasts a large floorplan where chairs, tables, and dance floors can be set up.
Birch Aquarium offers guests interactive experiences that are sure to leave them with fond memories. Attendees have the chance to observe, touch, and learn about the mystical creatures. There are also rooms where people can witness hands-on demonstrations with hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, and sea stars. In addition, diving shows can be arranged and performed within a 70,000-gallon tank. Here the divers interact with leopard sharks, moray eels and giant black sea bass. To complete the experience, couples can choose from a variety of preferred caterers provided by the venue. Each vendor crafts delicious gourmet food made from fresh ingredients. The catering companies also offer their own style of plating to display the food in a sophisticated manner. Some caterers even provide their baking services and can craft beautiful cakes for wedding receptions. Between the mouth-watering cuisine and exquisite setting, wedding parties are sure to have a wonderful experience.
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
On-Site Accommodations
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
Guest Capacity
- 300+
Settings
- Ballroom
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Historic Venue
- Museum
Venue Service Offerings
- Bar & Drinks
- Bar Rental
- Destination Weddings
- Food & Catering
Reviews
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4.6
out of 5.08 reviews
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My husband and I knew we wanted to have a wedding reception that was a little different and a lot fun. We were fortunate to very quickly stumble upon the Birch Aquarium - one look at the website for their wedding examples and we knew it was the one.
The Birch staff were kind, professional, and helpful from the moment we sent our initial inquiry 18 months ago all the way through the wedding itself. Multiple guests mentioned how it was the best wedding and wedding venue that they had ever attended, and kids and adults alike had a blast looking at the fish and putting their hands in the tide pool.
This hidden gem of a venue gives you EVERYTHING - the galleria, the aquarium, the tide pool courtyard overlooking the ocean - at such a reasonable price and with great assistance to make it the wedding of your dreams. Don't let this venue pass you by!!
I had an amazing time here. We were sold on the venue because of the views. Unfortunately it rained on our wedding day, but this venue had plenty of room and flexibility to move to our ceremony indoors. My only issue is the limited vendors list and the tight times due to sound restrictions in the area. However, my wedding turned out amazing regardless.
The Birch Aquarium was a wonderful place to have a wedding reception. Our ceremony was at the University of San Diego at 5pm, and the Aquarium was available to us starting at 6pm. For our summer wedding, sunset began right at the end of our cocktail hour, and with the stunning views, the Birch Aquarium was a spectacular venue. The special event coordinators were prompt with email responses, very helpful with any and all questions, and always communicated needs with me and my coordinator. The Aquarium exhibits and tide pools are amazing for your guests to enjoy. I wish we would do it all over again!
We fell in love with the venue when we checked it out during summer. The fact that guests can walk through the aquarium and see everything is great.The view outside by the pools is awesome. Price was affordable too. Only issue was the time, we have to leave by 10pm. We wish the reception could last until midnight.
This place is just gorgeous. Definitely consider having your wedding here!
The Birch was a fun place to have our reception – the tide pool plaza provided a nice, outdoor setting for cocktail hour, our guests had freedom to roam through the exhibits, and they have on-site photo booths available to rent. The biggest downside to using this venue is the tight turn-around time between when the Aquarium closes to the public (i.e. when vendors can start set-up in the lobby) and when guests start arriving. However, we made sure to let all of our vendors know about the timing up front and didn’t have a problem.
It was a beautiful location.
I loved that it was so unique. It had the most amazing sunset view without being on the beach. The guests loved being able to visit the aquarium and museum exhibits.;The amount of time allotted to the wedding is kinda of short, but it's understandable since it's a museum. There isn't really a place to get ready in.
Contact
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Birch Aquarium at Scripps's photos