The Best Aquarium & Zoo Wedding Venues in Braintree, MA

How do we sort results, including Sponsored Ads and personalized results?

2 Wedding Venues in Braintree, MA

Aquariums, zoos
Quick responder
New England Aquarium 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Boston, MA
  • Up to 275 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Outdoor & indoor
  • Starts at $8,500
  • Offer

With stunning settings, one-of-a-kind views, and a backdrop of awe-inspiring animals, the New England Aquarium is the perfect Boston location for an upcoming waterfront wedding reception. Capture the romance of Boston’s historic waterfront at one of the most unique and ethical wedding reception venues in Boston. Whether you’re planning a large-scale celebration of love or an intimate micro-wedding, we have you covered with options to rent the entire Aquarium or a smaller private area. From helping you pick the perfect venue to the perfect environmentally responsible menu, our event management team will assist you every step of the way. Each wedding at the Aquarium supports our animals, exhibits, and efforts to ensure a vital and vibrant ocean for all.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Handles all cleanup logistics
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Full catering menu to choose from

Venue considerations

  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • No free parking
“Before you read this lengthy review, the short answer is: YES, get married at the New England Aquarium! We started our search looking for venues and wanted something fun and unique. The Aquarium made it onto our list, and the prices were comparable to other venues—it wasn’t significantly more expensive than renting out a restaurant with food and drinks. We read every review possible before we had our first meeting and toured the venue. Our biggest concern was catering because there were some older reviews on The Knot about this being an issue. At our first meeting, not only was there a representative from the New England Aquarium, but also a representative from the catering company. This was definitely a green flag for us, and it sounds like the Aquarium took the older reviews seriously and transitioned to a new catering team. Throughout the planning process, the team was wonderful. They kept in touch via email, gave us clear deadlines, and answered all of our questions. We did have to get pre-approval for all of our centerpieces and anything else we were bringing into the Aquarium because of animal safety. This was not an issue for us and was a very straightforward process. A few months before the wedding, we also had our food and wine tasting. This was definitely one of the fun parts of the planning process because all we had to do was show up! We knew we wanted buffet stations instead of a plated dinner, so we told them which entrees we wanted to try. The Italian dishes were really great, along with all of the salads. We also had some suggestions for a customized Indian station, and the team took very detailed notes, which was a great sign that they were listening to what we wanted. Amanda Solomon was the person we worked with very closely as we got closer to our wedding date. The week before, she sent us encouraging messages and made sure everything was on track. On the day of the wedding, she and her team made sure the setup was done correctly and that everything was ready for us. We didn’t have a wedding ceremony at the Aquarium—just the reception. Cocktail hour was inside the Aquarium, while dinner and dancing were outside in the tent. Everyone absolutely raved about the venue! One thing we loved was that guests had options throughout the night. They could hang out in the tent and dance, go inside the Aquarium to see the animals, or walk along the harbor. It made the whole experience feel really unique and gave people plenty to do. People also said they really enjoyed the food, which was the only hesitation we had when touring potential venues. We were so happy that we decided to go with the Aquarium and would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for something unique, fun, and memorable!”
Peter W., 7 days ago
Quick responder
Southwick's Zoo / Galliford's Restaurant 
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
Mendon, MA
  • Up to 200 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor

Spanning over 200 acres Southwick's Zoo is New England's largest zoological experience. With several venues to choose from like our enchanting Deer Forest, Tented Pavilion overlooking the African Plains or the Daniel's Room with it's fire place adorned patio, you will be able to customize the perfect day for you and your guests. Food and service is provided by our onsite restaurant, Galliford's Restaurant & Tavern. Don't forget to book the Skyfari for your sunset cocktail hour!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Multiple event spaces
  • Natural elegance with open spaces
  • Full catering menu to choose from

Venue considerations

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not for you if you are drawn to more unconventional venues
  • No built-in audiovisual options
Awarded Best of Zola
“Forever grateful. Our intimate covid wedding was planned flawlessly in three weeks. The food was amazing. The cake was to die for! The deer forest was magical. And Sara in the events dept, was the cause of it all. Thank you so much. It was truly perfect.”
Robyn, 6 years ago

Location flexible? Discover venues near Braintree, MA

Dye House
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Providence, RI
Cambridge Boat Club
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
CAMBRIDGE, MA
Villa 120
Middletown, RI
Wannamoisett Country Club
Rumford, RI
TrendlineTrending
OceanCliff Hotel
Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)
Newport, RI
TrendlineTrending
Regatta Place
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
Newport, RI
Quick responder
Willowdale Estate
Rating: 5.0 (182 reviews)
Topsfield, MA
Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
TrendlineTrending
La Brasa
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Somerville, MA
New
The Bull Run
Shirley, MA
Quick responder
Hawthorne Hotel
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
Salem, MA
Floriana
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
Ipswich, MA
Quick responder
Southwick's Zoo / Galliford's Restaurant
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
Mendon, MA

Event types for wedding venues in Braintree, MA

About wedding venues in Braintree, MA

Why Choose Braintree for Your Wedding Celebration?

Braintree offers the perfect blend of Massachusetts' South Shore natural beauty with convenient Boston accessibility. Located just 10 miles south of Boston, you'll enjoy easy access for your guests while avoiding the higher prices of downtown venues. You'll fall in love with the area's elegant manor houses, prestigious golf clubs and historic venues that create truly magical settings for your big day. The combination of scenic beauty and practical location makes Braintree an ideal choice for couples wanting both atmosphere and convenience.

What Wedding Venues Can You Find in Braintree, MA?

The Tirrell Room features hidden garden spaces that create perfect backdrops for intimate ceremonies. At Granite Links Golf Club you'll experience dramatic Boston skyline views through impressive floor-to-ceiling windows that wow your guests. Black Rock Country Club provides dedicated wedding coordinators who excel at seamless vendor communication making your planning process much smoother. Venezia Waterfront Banquet Facility gives you ocean-facing ceremony sites paired with an exceptional catering staff ready to make your vision come alive. If accessibility is important to you Brookmeadow Country Club in nearby Canton about 35 minutes from Boston offers beautifully renovated indoor and outdoor spaces. Miraval Gardens in East Bridgewater approximately 15 minutes from Braintree blends historic charm with modern elegance and features gorgeous gardens that shine in any season. These venues all offer something special while remaining within easy reach of Braintree.

How Much Do Braintree Wedding Venues Cost?

Braintree venues average around $9,755 which represents about 17% of your total wedding expenses. That's actually quite reasonable compared to the national benchmark where couples typically spend $6,500-$12,000 or about 25% of their wedding costs on the venue alone. Your comprehensive wedding budget in Braintree looks something like this: - 50 guests: $25,501 - 100 guests: $42,346 - 150 guests: $58,178 - 200 guests: $72,322 - 250 guests: $86,466 - 300 guests: $100,610

What Should You Budget for Wedding Services in Braintree?

ServiceAverage CostPercentage of Total (150 guests)
Venue$9,75517%
Florists$8,01314%
Catering$7,80413%
Bar Services$6,24311%
Planners$5,4359%
Photographers$4,8848%
Videographers$4,3207%
Bands/DJs$1,9603%
Hair & Makeup$7351%
Cakes/Desserts$6791%

When Should You Book Your Braintree Wedding Venue?

Most couples book their Braintree venues around 14 months before their wedding day with August being the peak month for venue inquiries. You'll want to act even earlier for summer weddings at waterfront venues typically 16-18 months ahead to secure your date. The good news is if you're planning an off-season celebration between November and March you can often book with less lead time and might even score some discounts. Planning ahead gives you peace of mind and more options to choose from.

Which Braintree Venues Offer Outstanding Culinary Experiences?

Granite Links Golf Club in nearby Quincy delivers stellar cuisine with service to match. You'll love how they turn every meal into a memorable experience for you and your guests. Raffael's at South Shore Country Club in Hingham offers exceptional food selections created by expert wedding professionals who understand how important the dining experience is. If you're willing to venture a bit further La Brasa in Somerville gives you cuisine-filled weddings in a gorgeous rustic-industrial setting with acclaimed chefs creating your menu. Your guests will talk about the food for years to come.

How Can Braintree-Area Venues Accommodate Remote Participation?

While specific remote capabilities aren't explicitly detailed for all Braintree venues you'll find that Granite Links Golf Club and Black Rock Country Club stand out as elegant spacious venues likely able to support advanced technology setups. The Tiffany Ballroom at Four Points by Sheraton Norwood features contemporary design that probably accommodates sophisticated AV services for your virtual guests. For truly immersive remote experiences your best bet is contacting venues directly about their hybrid wedding capabilities. Many venues have upgraded their technology since 2020 to help couples include loved ones who can't attend in person.

What other Braintree vendors will I need?

What other wedding venues are nearby?

What other wedding services are nearby?