Saint Louis Zoo

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All-inclusive venue

The venue takes care of it all - food and beverage, rentals, the works!

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $7,500 for off-peak dates, and $1,200 for peak dates

Guest capacity

Up to 300 seated guests

About this venue

The Saint Louis Zoo offers everything you need to make your wedding weekend seamless, stunning, and truly unforgettable. From ceremony to reception, our team provides a one-stop-shop planning experience with tables, chairs, linens, and award-winning catering crafted by our executive chef, along with full bar options tailored to your vision. Celebrate in one-of-a-kind spaces found nowhere else. Sip cocktails in the Living World with a life-size shark gliding overhead, host an elegant reception at River Camp with aquarium views and a private waterfall terrace, or enjoy a lakeside cocktail hour at Wild Encounters surrounded by natural beauty. With versatile indoor and outdoor venues accommodating 30 to 300 guests, the Zoo is perfect for everything from intimate ceremonies to large receptions—creating a truly unique and immersive experience for you and your guests.

Seated guest capacity

30-300

Venue type

Aquariums, Zoos

Venue setting

Covered Outdoor
Indoor
Outdoor

1 Government Dr, Saint Louis, MO 63110

Our event spaces

Lakeside Cafe

A relaxed, scenic setting with beautiful lake views in the heart of the Zoo.

Lakeside Café at the Saint Louis Zoo offers both indoor seating and an outdoor patio. This venue is perfect for ceremonies, receptions, or cocktail-style events. Guests can enjoy picturesque water views and a relaxed atmosphere while still being immersed in the unique surroundings. Its flexible layout makes it ideal for everything from casual gatherings to elegant celebrations.

Guest capacity

80-270 Seated

100-450 Standing

Square footage

6,500

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Welcome party, Cocktail hour, After party

Guests often feel this space is

“Relaxed”

Included in this room:

Tables, chairs, linens, set-up, break-down, and cleaning. An event facilitator for the evening of the event. Full audio-visual elements available, including uplighting and market lights.

Room cost

Starting at $2,000 for evening rental; additional hours and larger events available upon request

McDonnell Center at River Camp

An unforgettable setting with aquarium views and a private waterfall terrace.

The McDonnell Center at River Camp offers a truly unique indoor-outdoor experience. Guests can enjoy views into the aquarium inside while also stepping out onto a private terrace featuring a cascading waterfall. The space blends natural elements with a warm, intimate atmosphere, making it perfect for ceremonies, receptions, and cocktail-style events. River Camp provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop that feels both relaxed and elevated.

Guest capacity

30-120 Seated

30-200 Standing

Square footage

3,300

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement

Guests often feel this space is

“Relaxed”

Included in this room:

Tables, chairs, linens, set-up, break-down, and cleaning. An event facilitator for the evening of the event. Full audio-visual elements available, including uplighting and market lights.

Room cost

Starting at $1,500 for evening rental; additional hours and larger events available upon request

Saint Louis Zoo Event Tent

An open-air celebration space that can be fully customized to match your wedding vision.

The Event Tent at the Saint Louis Zoo offers a versatile setting ideal for larger celebrations. This open-air structure provides the flexibility to design your event from the ground up—whether you envision an elegant reception, a lively dance floor, or a relaxed cocktail-style gathering. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Zoo, the tent allows couples to create a personalized experience while accommodating larger guest counts with ease.

Guest capacity

100-300 Seated

100-400 Standing

Square footage

6,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Cocktail hour, After party

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Included in this room:

Tables, chairs, linens, set-up, break-down, and cleaning. An event facilitator for the evening of the event. Full audio-visual elements available, including uplighting and market lights.

Room cost

Starting at $2,500 for evening rental; additional hours and larger events available upon request

The Living World

A dramatic, one-of-a-kind venue beneath the Saint Louis Zoo’s iconic glass rotunda.

The Living World is one of the Saint Louis Zoo’s most iconic event spaces, featuring a dramatic two-level, 65-foot glass rotunda and 9,000 square feet of flexible event space. With natural light during the day and an elegant glow in the evening, this venue offers a stunning setting for ceremonies, receptions, and cocktail-style events. An adjacent outdoor patio adds additional space for guests to gather, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.

Guest capacity

80-320 Seated

80-500 Standing

Square footage

9,000

Ideal for

Wedding reception, Welcome party, Cocktail hour, After party

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Included in this room:

Tables, chairs, linens, set-up, break-down, and cleaning. An event facilitator for the evening of the event. Full audio-visual elements available, including uplighting and market lights.

Room cost

Starting at $2,000 for evening rental; additional hours and larger events available upon request