5.0
Verified reviews from real couples
Say ‘I Do’ Among Dolphins and Ocean Views
Recently updated
This vendor updated their storefront within the last 15 days.
Destin, Pensacola, Panama City Beach
Service area
Holds ceremonies and receptions
If it could let me give more than 5 stars I would have. They went above and beyond. Every idea, vibe and interest they brought to life. They incorporated our love of games, dragons and colors into every aspect of the wedding both ceremony and reception. Kara, and Chess are top notch when it comes to detail. They added dragons to the arches and decorations. They played DJ and also provided additional help with grabbing drinks and food while we were too busy to get it ourselves. They helped things move smoothly. Provided a fan and tissues to blot our faces and necks while it was hot for photos. They met with us numerous times to go over the details to make sure it was perfect. Also provided a list of venders that may have been needed such as photography, hair/make up. They made it absolutely perfect. From the first footstep into the venue on the wedding day to our last step out. It is truly unforgettable. I would recommend this to everyone who is looking for a unique venue with an absolutely amazing staff. Every guest said it was the most fun and unique wedding they had ever been to!
Thank you to this amazing team for such a fantastic day.
Veronica H.
5.0
Absolutely one of my top favorite wedding weekend decisions. We hosted our rehearsal dinner here and I so highly recommend it. We had the animal encounter add on and got to visit with 3 of the cutest animals (Toto, Spruce, Kiaju). All 3 were perfect. We also got to hang out with the seals and the sea turtles who were awesome. The staff was amazing. So kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. It was a hit with our bridal party and guests. If you are looking for a cool place to host an event, you’re in the right place!!
Jay H.
5.0
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AWARD WINNER (2X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Gulfarium offers one of the most unique wedding and event venues on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Exchange vows with playful dolphins in the background, celebrate beside gentle manatees, host a romantic beach wedding ceremony along the sugar-white sands, or toast to forever under a canopy of sea life in the Living Sea Aquarium Room. With breathtaking Gulf-front views, customizable ceremony options, and one-of-a-kind animal experiences, the Gulfarium provides an unforgettable setting for weddings, receptions, corporate events, and celebrations of all kinds.
Facilities and Capacity
Gulfarium features multiple event spaces accommodating both intimate gatherings and large celebrations of up to 500 guests. Options include the Living Sea Aquarium Room, offering panoramic underwater views; Dolphin Oasis, a beach-themed outdoor venue with dolphin habitats; private beach ceremony setups along the Gulf; and two stunning Gulf-view spaces, Seal Harbor and the Manatee Cove Top Deck, both offering beautiful vistas of the emerald waters and a serene coastal ambiance. Each location provides a distinctive atmosphere and unforgettable photo opportunities.
Animal Encounters
Make your special day even more memorable with exclusive animal encounters and add-on experiences. Guests can enjoy meet-and-greets or photo opportunities with dolphins, penguins, sea lions, or any of our other Gulfarium residents, creating magical moments that your guests will never forget.
Services Offered
Gulfarium offers a variety of services to make event planning simple and seamless, including:
* Setup and cleanup
* Event coordination and planning assistance
* Tables, chairs, and décor rentals
* In-house bar services
* Lighting and sound options
* Day-of coordination
* Animal encounter add-ons
Location
Conveniently located between Destin and Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Gulfarium overlooks the emerald waters of the Gulf, offering a stunning coastal backdrop for any celebration.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Beach
Waterfront
Museum
Park
Rooftop
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Bar Rental
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Destination Wedding Planning
Planning
Destination Wedding Planning
Wedding Design
Rentals & Equipment
Tents
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
2-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2026.2023.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Events Team
Gulfarium Special Events
Our Events Team brings together a diverse group of professionals with experience across hospitality, planning, guest services, and operations. We work collaboratively to create seamless, memorable experiences for every event, paying close attention to the details that matter most. From first inquiry to event day, we’re here to guide, support, and bring your vision to life.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.028 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is an exceptionally unique, memorable wedding venue with animal interactions (penguins, dolphins, scuba divers) and a stunning aquarium backdrop. The event team is professional, attentive, and handles planning and day‑of coordination seamlessly. Guests repeatedly called the celebrations fun and unforgettable.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 6
Nicholas B
Highlighted review.
5.0
12/31/2025
What can we say? They took the ball and ran with it. Chessica was responsive and amazing. The night of the wedding was flawless and flowed with zero intervention on our part. We lu...
ckily used the Living Sea Room because the weather did not cooperate for an outdoor event. They coordinated everything with the DJ (Mr Party), bartender (Parties Unlimited), photographer, wedding cake (Publix), the florist and the caterer (Pazzo). If you want an excellent wedding that people are STILL talking about, go with the combo I mentioned above. Gulfarium gave us a list of venders they've used and that's where the florist and the photographer came from...and don't forget the penguin ringbearer, lol. It was one heck of a party and my daughter got to take pictures with dolphins! The only things we had to lift a finger on were getting our rooms for the night and scheduling the limo. I would go with their highest package. YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY IF YOU DO. We've had dozens of people comment that my daughter's was the best wedding/reception they EVER attended. Signed - A Dad who just got done paying for a wedding and enjoying an amazing event at Gulfarium.
Response from Gulfarium on 12/31/2025
Thank you for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure to host Alex and Nick's weddin...
g! It means so much to us that you trusted us to coordinate your entire celebration, and we’re so happy everything turned out beautifully. Wishing Alex and Nick a lifetime of hippieness together!
Veronica H
5.0
8/11/2026
If it could let me give more than 5 stars I would have. They went above and beyond. Every idea, vibe and interest they brought to life. They incorporated our love of games, dragons...
and colors into every aspect of the wedding both ceremony and reception. Kara, and Chess are top notch when it comes to detail. They added dragons to the arches and decorations. They played DJ and also provided additional help with grabbing drinks and food while we were too busy to get it ourselves. They helped things move smoothly. Provided a fan and tissues to blot our faces and necks while it was hot for photos. They met with us numerous times to go over the details to make sure it was perfect. Also provided a list of venders that may have been needed such as photography, hair/make up. They made it absolutely perfect. From the first footstep into the venue on the wedding day to our last step out. It is truly unforgettable. I would recommend this to everyone who is looking for a unique venue with an absolutely amazing staff. Every guest said it was the most fun and unique wedding they had ever been to!
Thank you to this amazing team for such a fantastic day.
Any questions?
Jay H
5.0
5/11/2026
Absolutely one of my top favorite wedding weekend decisions. We hosted our rehearsal dinner here and I so highly recommend it. We had the animal encounter add on and got to visit w...
ith 3 of the cutest animals (Toto, Spruce, Kiaju). All 3 were perfect. We also got to hang out with the seals and the sea turtles who were awesome. The staff was amazing. So kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. It was a hit with our bridal party and guests. If you are looking for a cool place to host an event, you’re in the right place!!
Lauren W
5.0
5/01/2026
Chessica, Kara, and the whole Gulfarium team went above and beyond to make our wedding the most beautiful night of our lives!
We held a moderate-sized ceremony and reception at t...
he Gulfarium, and as a young couple, we planned the whole thing ourselves. My only requests for a venue were something unique and something worth the price, and this checked both boxes and then some!
You cannot beat the location. Our guests had so much fun, and we received multiple comments about our wedding being the best they'd ever attended! We paid a little extra for the penguin ring bearer, and it was a big hit! Super special and unique. Plenty for guests to do and look at; there was a small break between our ceremony and reception that allowed everyone's family to explore the park, and the Gulfarium even opened bar services early so the party could start!
The Special Events team answered our endless questions with a lot of patience, and took special care to ensure our night was exactly how we wanted it. We didn't do a rehearsal, and had no bridal party, and they were perfectly in-tune as a team day-of to guide us and support us. From the timing of our music to handling food delivery mishaps, Chessica was an absolute angel the whole night. Kara even went to pick up extra drinks during the event after letting us know we were running low. We felt so taken care of and genuinely able to enjoy the day with each other.
In terms of decor, we had a very simple ceremony but a very specifically-decorated reception. They exceeded all of our demands. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, picturesque wedding. Thank you!
Carol M
5.0
3/20/2026
We held an event for a local nonprofit at the Gulfarium. The experience could not have been greater! The staff accommodated our every need, and even contributed to our decorations!...
I highly recommend this venue!
Carol Merkle
Impact100 NWF
Response from Gulfarium on 04/08/2026
Thank you so much for allowing us to host the amazing Impact 100 NWF group! We hope to see...
you back very soon!
Erica B
5.0
1/31/2026
When looking for a venue for our wedding, I was so nervous and overwhelmed. The staff at the Gulfarium handled every step! Our guests assured us it was one of the most fun, memorab...
le, and elegant events they've ever attended! The setting and decor were completely magical. Nothing else will ever compare for me. The staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to make our dreams come true.
Response from Gulfarium on 04/08/2026
We are so glad you and your guests had a wonderful time. We enjoyed hosting your gorgeous ...
ceremony & reception. Wishing you and your new husband all the best!!!
Emmaranda N
5.0
12/30/2025
We had an absolute blast with the Gulfarium for our wedding reception. Had sooo many compliments and made it a night to remember. We added the scuba divers and the penguin interact...
ion. Would recommend them over and over again to anyone interested in something that’s different and will have everyone talking about your special day for years to come.
Response from Gulfarium on 01/02/2026
Thank you so much for the kind words, we are so glad you and your guests had a memorable t...
ime!
Louisa B
5.0
12/28/2025
Cannot say enough good things about the staff and this party. We had the best time! The set up was so nice and everyone was very accommodating! I loved that we could bring in our o...
wn food as well! 10/10!!
Response from Gulfarium on 01/02/2026
Thank you so much for your kind words, it was a pleasure to host you all!
Lori F
5.0
12/22/2025
We highly recommend the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park as a wedding or rehearsal dinner venue in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. They provided exceptional customer service while plann...
ing and executing our son and daughter-in-law’s rehearsal dinner in their Aquarium Room, and the experience exceeded every expectation.
The stunning aquarium backdrop created a truly unforgettable atmosphere, complemented by beautifully arranged tables and an attentive, kind, and professional staff. A highlight of the evening was the surprise appearance of two scuba divers inside the aquarium holding a customized sign for the couple—an extraordinary and memorable touch that delighted our guests and made the night feel incredibly special. The Gulfarium team went above and beyond to create a seamless, unique, and spectacular event. It was the perfect setting for a celebration we will cherish forever.
Response from Gulfarium on 12/22/2025
Thank you so much for your kind words, we are so glad you and your guests had a great time...
! It was such a pleasure working with you, and we’d be thrilled to welcome you back anytime for another special celebration!
Hailey C
5.0
12/20/2025
Hosting our wedding at the aquarium was the best decision we could have made. From a penguin ring bearer to a dolphin show during our celebration, every moment felt magical and com...
pletely unique. The exclusive after-hours park access was such a special touch and gave our guests an unforgettable experience.
The staff was beyond kind, attentive, and professional, making the entire day run smoothly and stress-free. They truly went above and beyond to make our vision come to life. We can’t recommend this venue enough for anyone looking for a truly memorable wedding experience.
Response from Gulfarium on 12/20/2025
Thank you for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure to host your wedding and help b...
ring your vision to life.
It means so much to us that you trusted us to coordinate your entire celebration, and we’re so happy everything turned out beautifully. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together!
susan M
5.0
12/19/2025
Our event was perfect and everyone enjoyed the unique venue with sea life! Services was great and efficient. I'm sure we will be back.
Response from Gulfarium on 12/20/2025
We’re so glad your event went so smoothly and that your guests had a great time! It was su...
ch a pleasure working with you, and we’d be thrilled to welcome you back anytime for another special celebration.
Peyton B
5.0
11/14/2025
We threw my stepdaughter’s birthday party at the Gulfarium. It was such a great experience for us as well as for the birthday girl. From start to finish, it was such an easy proces...
s. The Gulfarium team really laid out all the details, providing pricing, layout plans, and a variety of options which made for a very hands off, easy, and fun day of. Kara, Chessica, and Stephanie were present the day of the party and they were attentive. They had the whole venue set up for us when we arrived and offered helping hands from start to finish all the while being behind the scenes. We truly enjoyed the experience and highly suggest this as a place for your next venue. Everyone had such a great time and I’m really glad we went this route for her party. 10/10!
Response from Gulfarium on 12/20/2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your stepdaughter...
’s birthday was such a special and stress-free celebration. It was an absolute pleasure to help bring your vision to life and be a part of such a memorable day. We’d love to welcome you all back anytime for another fun and memorable event!
Jennifer M
5.0
10/25/2025
We would totally recommend Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park! The staff were amazing to work with. The staff made the whole planning process effortless and we can not thank them en...
ough. The staff made our wedding the most memorable day of our lives.
Response from Gulfarium on 10/27/2025
Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for the kind words. We loved being able to help make your s...
pecial day a memorable one!
Trista D
5.0
2/23/2025
Wonderful event space and wonderful experience! Highly recommend the Gulfarium and their team for your event. Lovely to work with, super nice and very communicative. Quick respon...
ses to every question or concern that I had. Wonderful wedding experience.
Response from Gulfarium on 02/24/2025
Hi Trista,
Thank you so much for the kind words. We loved having you all and thank you for...
allowing us to be a part of your special day!
Felicia M
5.0
7/03/2024
My hubby and I are a dual military couple who planned our Gulfarium wedding while being stationed in Texas. Ashley and the events team were helpful, flexible, and extremely attenti...
on to detail oriented. We splurged on the Shore Thing packaged which saved a lot of time and money giving access to all Gulfarium Decor and them taking care of the details. The penguin photos and animal meet and greet during cocktail hour provided a unique experience that multiple guests have called the best wedding they ever attended. If you want a memorable fun event, this is the place!
Response from Gulfarium on 07/04/2024
Thank you so much for the great review, we loved working with you both and making your day...
a memorable one! - Ashley & Team
Jackie J
5.0
5/20/2024
My husband and I had our wedding ceremony/reception at the Gulfarium and had an absolutely wonderful experience! We happen to be local to the Destin area but had people coming from...
all over he country and the world; EVERYONE was impressed! We opted to use their coordination package and the staff was extremely helpful and communicative prior to the event. Decorations were perfect and their coordination with all our vendors was a life saver! On the day of they set everything up, facilitated the sequence of events, tore everything down and packed up our gifts, leftovers, and flowers for us. Ashley was amazing and I can't thank her enough for everything!
Response from Gulfarium on 06/08/2024
Thank you for the kind review Jackie. It was our pleasure to host your event!
Haley B
5.0
1/01/2024
Most beautiful and unique venue on the Gulf! We loved our experience with the amazing event staff at the Gulfarium; they made everything run smoothly during the entire process. It ...
made for such a memorable experience not just for us but all our guests too!
Response from Gulfarium on 01/02/2026
Thank you kindly for your review, we are glad you and your guests had a great time!
Alicia J
5.0
7/25/2023
Cat and her team made our day perfect!! The answered so many questions. Stayed in constant contact for months. My guests really enjoyed the park time. We are so glad we chose the G...
ulfarium!
Amy G
5.0
7/19/2023
We just got married at The Gulfarium on 07/15/2023. It was an absolutely amazing experience from day one of contacting them. We were always greeted with such enthusiasm and knowl...
edge from both Ashley and Cat. These two ladies listened to every single detail that we wanted, they were always ready to answer questions and gave us options for decor. The entire events staff was the friendliest group of people I’ve ever encountered. Our wedding day went off without any problems, the attention to detail and the ladies making sure we stayed on a schedule making sure the night went smooth and allowing us to just embrace our wedding and reception without stress. Oh and did I mention the penguin ring bearer? I was absolutely in heaven, don’t think I’ve quit crying because of the shear joy I experienced.
I cannot recommend this incredible venue and the expertise of Ashley and Cat to make your special day just that, special!
Dana G
5.0
6/03/2022
Ashley was the best at knowing what I wanted ams how to make it even better. Very impressive venue and staff.
Sarah H
5.0
5/08/2022
We had our reception here on 5/5/2022. I can't not say enough great things about our experience! Everyone was so helpful and kind! Ashley was great to work with! Even though I had ...
some scheduling issues the few days leading up to my wedding, she was so understanding that I couldn't make it in when I said I was going to. I think this team is great and if you want a fun experience for the guests that a children, this is perfect!!! (all my adult guests thought it was awesome too though!) 😄 Thank you to everyone at Gulfarium! we will be back for the full experience!!
Response from Gulfarium on 05/31/2022
Sarah, We are so glad you chose The Gulfarium for your special day. Ensuring all your need...
s are met, your guests (young and older) have a wonderful time, and ensuring a memorable experience is so important to our team - thank you for spending your day with us!
Kat H
5.0
4/19/2022
I was looking for a fun and unique wedding venue that would wow my guests, and the Gulfarium met all of those expectations and more! I had my wedding there on 04/16/22, and it was ...
stunning. I purchased the package where the Gulfarium handled everything, such as setting up the decor. They made the ceremony and reception look so beautiful, and Ashley kept everything running smoothly. Ashley was great to work with! I highly recommend the Gulfarium. My guests and my other wedding vendors have been telling me how beautiful it was and how amazing it was to be able to interact and admire the marine life. Where else can you have pictures with penguins and dolphins on your wedding day?
Response from Gulfarium on 05/31/2022
Hello Kat, We appreciate your great review, and choosing us to host you guests. Ensuring y...
our big day is beautiful and unforgettable is our passion. We are so pleased that we could provide a great experience for you and your guests.
Camryn H
5.0
4/18/2022
The best decision we made when planning our wedding was booking Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park as my venue! We had an indoor ceremony and reception with the outdoor time for my gu...
ests to enjoy. Our guests enjoyed the great exhibit Gulfarium has to offer! The fun atmosphere made our wedding unique! We also loved our penguin ring bearer! Our guests thought it was the cutiest and coolest surprise! I would recommend booking Gulfarium 100%!! Communication with the staff before, during, and after the wedding was amazing!
Response from Gulfarium on 05/31/2022
Camryn, Thank you for choosing The Gulfarium to host your special day. Our penguins love b...
eing part of the surprise! Wishing you the best,
Raven L
5.0
4/07/2022
If you are looking for a beautiful wedding venue on the beach and love marine animals then the Gulfarium is the perfect choice! I enjoyed working with Ashley Volmert, the Gulfarium...
's Special Events Coordinator. She helped me plan the perfect wedding day. Complete with a penguin ring bearer and penguin encounter, a wedding ceremony overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and a beautiful aquarium reception! Our wedding guests can't stop talking about the wedding, they all had a great time! The penguins were adorable and the perfect addition to our wedding day!
Response from Gulfarium on 05/31/2022
Raven, We are so pleased that you chose our venue for your wedding. Our penguins love that...
your guests had a wonderful time as well!
Nichole D
4.0
1/03/2022
We had our ceremony at the Gulf on 1/2/2022 after a last minute scramble to find an indoor space that would work. The weather that day was incredibly windy so the State Park was j...
ust not an option. Ashley was so helpful and kind! She made the whole thing seamless. I loved how curious the dolphins were when I walked by in my dress and veil. The kids loved the experience. There is an indoor space similar to being inside an aquarium tank (which is what we did) and an outdoor space similar to being on the beach but still covered. Easy access to the beach for photos is great too. Not sure that I would have booked the penguin ring bearer or photos with it if I had to do it all over again. We did get one kinda cute picture out of it, but the trainer is in the shot (which totally makes sense) and the animal was not very pleased to be a part of the whole thing. I liked that they had chairs and an arch available on site.
Sarah W
5.0
6/11/2021
We used the Gulfarium for our wedding reception in May 2021 and absolutely loved it! The staff at the Gulfarium were super helpful and professional and helped us to host a really g...
reat event for our guests. The pricing for a wedding/reception is very reasonable (especially in this area) considering that they run set up and break down and that you can add on park time and encounters. We were able to book the outdoor park area for a cocktail hour and the Gulfarium worked with our timeline to deliver a unique dolphin show and pictures! Our guests had a blast and we did too! The actual reception took place in the Living Sea Aquarium space and it was SO COOL to have an aquarium as a back drop to the dance floor! The Gulfarium staff was awesome through set up and break down and they were all kind and courteous. This is an awesome venue for an event!
Response from Gulfarium on 06/11/2021
Thank you so much Sarah!
Amanda T
5.0
5/10/2021
Amazing experience. Highly recommend. Great staff made everything easy and guests loved the experience.
Response from Gulfarium on 05/10/2021
Thank you so much Amanda!
Lynn K
5.0
3/08/2020
My wedding is 09/12/2020 I’ve visited the venue and failed in love can’t wait for my wedding
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