Make Your Event a Lifetime Memory
251 to 300 guests
Holds ceremonies and receptions
Amber Mallard
SPECIAL EVENTS ASSISTANT
Typically responds within 24h
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is an enchanting wedding venue located in Pine Knoll Shores, NC, and immersed in romance and intrigue. Aquarium's special events coordinators are excited to welcome you and your guests. These experts are committed to providing any and all assistance you need throughout your planning journey. With a guest capacity ranging from 50 - 300 people, this destination is perfect for both intimate and extravagant celebrations. Functions, including rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, and receptions, can be comfortably hosted here.
There are several event spaces at NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores for you and your partner to consider. The serene Soundside Hall is a private location that is ideal for holding your special ceremony. Here, everyone can applaud your union with breathtaking views of North Carolina’s revered Bogue Sound. After exchanging vows, you and your nearest and dearest can enjoy a social cocktail hour on the adjoining deck or inside while being entertained by some river otters. The Ocean Gallery is perfect for receptions and or ceremonies. A 309,000-gallon saltwater exhibit is the defining feature of this area. Here, vivid sea life dances across towering glass panes. The room itself exudes a sense of fantasy with tasteful décor and ample seating arrangements.
A comprehensive selection of services awaits you at NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores. For your preparations, a get-ready suite is available and ensures the utmost privacy. Event furniture is available to you on-site with chairs, tables, as well as a myriad of décor at your disposal. Full kitchen facilities are available on-site so that the couple's preferred catering team can create stand-out meals. For the convenience of those celebrating, the aquarium has a large parking lot.
Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception:
$500
Ceremony:
$500
Bar services:
Contact for price
Catering:
Contact for price
Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees. Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
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
Ballroom
Beach
Waterfront
Museum
Venue Service Offerings
Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Any questions?
Meet the team
Amber Mallard
Special Events Assistant
Amber Mallard, Special Events Assistant for the NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores is happy to help plan your special event.
#252-247-4003 X291
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.022 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
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Melissa W
5.0
9/30/2024
Where to even begin? We had our wedding reception at the aquarium this month and it was absolutely phenomenal! My guests cannot stop raving about how fun and unique the whole experience was. For many, it was their first time at an aquarium wedding and they loved it so much , they asked us to throw it again. From having cocktail hour in front of the otters, eating in the big beautiful banquet hall where the deck overlooks the marsh and sound, to dancing the night away in front of NC’s largest saltwater tank. I would choose the aquarium over and over again! None of it would be possible without our lovely coordinator Kerri who went above and beyond to deliver excellence on our big day. Throughout the planning process she was easy to get a hold of and brainstorm ideas together to help bring my vision of Hawaii coming to the aquarium to life. She truly made it so special along with Andrew and the animals that we consider them family now! Thank you times infinity for making my reception wonderful!! I HIGHLY recommend an aquarium wedding especially if you have a strong love for the ocean and animals like my husband and I do. We’ll never forget our experience and will cherish it forever 🐠🫶🏼
Elizabeth K
5.0
8/28/2024
We had the greatest time at the North Carolina Aquarium (Pine Knoll Shores) celebrating with our son and his fiancée at their rehearsal dinner. The Special Events staff at the aquarium were all-in with making the event come together from booking til the end. They communicated throughout the process to make sure everything is exactly as you want it. No detail is too small and they try to accommodate you to make sure your event is fabulous. And of course the setting and the exhibits make it even more special for your guests. Because we came from out of town we were very appreciative of all the support they provided from set-up to take-down. You won’t be disappointed!
Any questions?
Emily M
5.0
7/14/2018
We couldn't have asked for a better spot to have our reception. Everything was so organized and beautifully put together in a space that already has so much to offer on its own. The team at the NC aquarium is amazing!
Connie N
5.0
10/31/2014
We loved having our reception at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The staff is first rate! Becky was tremendous help. Everything ran so smoothly leading up to the event and during it. The location was amazing and getting to dance in front of the sharks was something we'll never forget. The guests loved the unique setting and everybody is still talking about it. We only used the Saltwater side and it was plenty of room for our guest list of 80-90 people. Look to the aquarium for your wedding plans. It was amazing!
Courtney W
5.0
10/17/2013
We had the most phenomemal experience working with Becky Davis, events coordinator at the aquarium. She made sure everything was perfect and ran smoothly. She made planning our destination wedding so much easier. We couldn't have done it without her! The aquarium is absolutely beautiful and the wetlands area behind it made a perfect backdrop for our formal wedding photos.
bbbatch4
5.0
8/15/2013
Our reception at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium was simply stunning. We were thrilled with the outcome of everything. Our coordinator from the Aquarium was extremely helpful in communicating all the details of what we needed to do and what worked well as far as decorations, table setup/placement, lighting, etc. We continue to receive compliments on how unique and grand the venue was. Many of our guests raved that it was one of the nicest receptions they have attended. It was just absolutely everything our daughter and son-in-law wanted for their celebration and a very good time was shared by all. I can not say enough great things about the wonderful staff we dealt with. They made the big decisions easy.
Lauren H
5.0
8/08/2013
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores was a beautiful place to have our reception. We received many compliments about its beautiful colors, kid friendly, and unique atmosphere. Becky Davis (our contact there) was a life saver the day of, and a joy to work with. We highly recommend this venue and Becky!
Vendor response 08/09/2013
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and feelings. Hope you are d...
oing well. Come by and see me next year when you guys are at the beach!!
Jacinta W
5.0
8/07/2013
Becky D. was our event coordinator for our event. I cannot say enough how grateful I am that she was there for me throughout the whole wedding planning process. We rented the Ocean Gallery and for what we rented we got a person with tons of experience. She helped make sure that my vision of my wedding day was what I wanted and that everything I wanted during ceremony and reception fit into the time frame we paid for. We ran through different scenarios and she answered every question I had under the sun prior to the ceremony. Her emails and phone calls made sure I was on track to have a beautiful wedding. As a result I did not need a wedding planner. I was even able to make my own centerpieces and flowers which saved us money.
As for the day of the wedding, the entire aquarium staff was very friendly and helpful for everyone who attended. They were on top of things the whole night. I would recommend this location to anyone who wants a kid friendly, fun, unique wedding location. There is so much to see and do in case weddings are not your thing.
Here is a link to some photos I posted http://www.theknot.com/contests/my-real-wedding/photo/173185/under-the-sea
natalie h
5.0
7/31/2013
The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is an amazing place to have your wedding. It was the easiest and greatest experience of my life. It is gorgeous! There no space in the venue that would be a bad location for a ceremony. How much better can it get than to have a tank full of fish behind you as you take your vows. The staff at the aquarium made the day a breeze from the initial planning to seeing the night through. I could not have dreamt of a better group of people to be with me on my special day. I would recommend NC Aquarium at PNS to anyone looking to dazzle their guests with a beautiful venue and also have a headache free wedding day for the bride. Love!
Vendor response 08/02/2013
Thank you for the kind words! It was our pleasure to be there on your special day!
michellehhill
5.0
7/29/2013
What a great place to host a wedding. Our children summed it up..."Its all I ever dreamed of and more." Becky and the staff were awesome and made our families feel special.
Vendor response 07/30/2013
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Your comments will be helpful and meani...
ngful to others. Thank you again.
Maroules102212
5.0
7/29/2013
The staff at the Aquarium went above and beyond for our wedding! Becky Davis is the absolute best and it was by far the best day of our lives. Our wedding is still the talk of the town 2 months later. I would recommend the Aquarium to everyone. It was so beautiful and I wouldn't change a thing about our special day! A+++
Vendor response 07/30/2013
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Your comments will be very helpful to o...
ther brides!!!
Alona s
5.0
1/18/2013
We got married on September 22nd 2012. Its was absolutely beautiful. Jennette's pier is the perfect venue with perfect views and the staff is awesome. Anything you need they will accomidate. The room is huge and there are so many things you can do with it to decorate just the way you want to. I would recommend the pier to anyone wanting a beach wedding!
Amanda M
5.0
10/16/2012
I married at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island September 8th. Cheryl, our coordinator, was great to work with...and a sweetheart. We were going to marry soundside, but it began to pour down rain an hour before the wedding...I thank the aquarium for their ideas and beautiful set up for our indoor wedding, as well as our reception. We had our reception inside the Shark Tank Room, and actually married at the entrance to the aquarium. The aquarium has its own natural aestetics, so you really don't have to do a lot of major decorating! We got so many compliments at how beautiful our wedding was! It was definitely the perfect pick!
Meridith M
5.0
12/10/2011
Visited here on our mini-honeymoon and it was wonderful! Wonderful venue!
Sarah D
5.0
11/20/2011
We got married on the beach and had the reception at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Becky knew how to do everything,from how to have a backup to the beach for the ceremony to how to arrange the tables. She took so much stress away, and helped me make the night perfect.
Lisa F
4.0
11/11/2011
Everything was excellent. The ceremony outside was absolutely perfect and the reception had so many different things for people to do and see! The staff is fantastic, knowledgeable and helpful. The only thing we wish was different was the placement of speakers for the music which faced away from the dance floor so it was nearly impossible to hear the music over people talking.
Sara P
5.0
11/08/2011
This was not only the most beautiful and perfect location, the wedding event coordinator we worked with (Becky Davis) was over the top excellent!! They were on point with every little detail and anytime we had questions, they responded almost immediately. We rented the Salt Water Gallery and it was gorgeous, and at a great value. They provided tables, chairs and linens that we would have had to rent if we would have had our wedding somewhere else! I would recommend this site to anyone that asks!
Laurie R
5.0
10/13/2010
Our wedding and reception was held at the Aquarium on 9/25/2010. It is beautiful-we barely needed decorations!That saved us money and it costed $3000 to rent the ENTIRE facility-$500 of which was refundable. The event coordinators there are great to work with-especially Holly Henderson!They made sure everything went perfectly! Wonderful venue, I highly recommend it to anyone- everyone still talks about how beautiful and unique our wedding was!
Morgan R
5.0
10/05/2010
The event coordinator at the aquarium was AMAZING!!! We used the whole location.
Sarah A
5.0
5/10/2010
Large area, outside deck area, everyone enjoyed the aquarium tanks;Restricted beginning and start setup time
Sherri I
5.0
8/25/2007
The atmosphere is absolutely incredible! The lighting is dim, so this is a PERFECT place for candlelight. The gorgeous color of the water, the fish swimming, having access to the entire aquarium for all our guests ... we were told it was a fairytale wedding. Some of our friends are extremely wealthy, and these same people told us it was the most elegant, memorable wedding they had ever attended!;Two things ... First - if it is warm outside, be SURE to request that the air temp inside be lowered. It was FAR too hot, and while dancing it was not pretty :) Second - have a good photographer. The setting is awesome, but if your photographer does not use the correct equipment, you will end up with shadows behind your heads (if you are taking photos by the murals), or you will be washed out in front of the tanks. We had a friend take our photos - not a good decision in this location. Some of our photos are magazine perfect because of the venue ... a professional photographer would have made all the photos magazine perfect! This venue is unbelievable!!
ERIN S
5.0
8/20/2007
I loved the uniqueness of having a reception in an aquarium. Guest were able to wonder around the aquarium and see all the animals while we were outside taking pictures. It made the wedding very laid back and elegant;Go with a caterer that the aquarium recommends, our caterer had never worked there before and had issues.
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Amber Mallard
SPECIAL EVENTS ASSISTANT
Typically responds within 24h
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