A Georgia Aquarium wedding gives you a backdrop no other Atlanta venue can match. Picture saying your vows in front of the largest floor-to-ceiling aquatic viewing window in North America while whale sharks and manta rays glide past, then dancing the night away in a ballroom with its own windows into the water.
We have photographed weddings and portrait sessions at the Georgia Aquarium many times, and it is one of the most technically demanding venues in the city, which is exactly why experience matters there. Below, we share what couples planning a GA Aquarium wedding should know about the event spaces, how the day flows, how the aquarium lighting works and how to plan for photos you will love.
Can You Get Married at the Georgia Aquarium?
Yes. The Georgia Aquarium hosts wedding ceremonies and receptions in its private event spaces in downtown Atlanta, just steps from Centennial Olympic Park. Its event team helps couples plan every step, and Wolfgang Puck Catering, the aquarium’s exclusive caterer since it opened in 2005, handles the food and drinks. Here are the spaces couples most often consider:
- Oceans Ballroom: a 23,000-square-foot ballroom for up to 1,200 guests, with two large aquatic observation windows that look into the beluga whale and Ocean Voyager habitats. It can also be divided into three smaller rooms, the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic.
- Arctic Room: a private view of the beluga whales, plus a shared window into the Ocean Voyager habitat.
- Pacific and Atlantic Rooms: each shares a view into the Ocean Voyager habitat, and the Pacific is the largest section of the ballroom.
- Gallery events: more intimate celebrations of about 30 to 400 guests held right in the galleries, such as Ocean Voyager or Sharks! Predators of the Deep.
- Coastline Café: a two-story space for about 100 to 700 guests with floor-to-ceiling views of downtown Atlanta and projection mapping that sends sea creatures swimming across the walls, a fun setting for a cocktail reception.
- Full facility: the entire aquarium after hours, for the largest celebrations.
For current details on each space, visit the Georgia Aquarium’s event venue page.
Getting Ready Before a Georgia Aquarium Wedding
Most of our Georgia Aquarium couples have chosen to get ready at a nearby hotel or another space they love before heading to the aquarium. A space of your own tends to photograph beautifully, and it lets you set the tone for the hours before the ceremony, from the light in the room to the music playing in the background. Some couples have us photograph the getting-ready hours, with all of the details, toasts and nervous laughter that come with them. Others choose to begin their coverage with a first look or at the ceremony itself, which leaves more of their time for portraits at the aquarium and moments with their guests, or simply allows for a shorter coverage day. Both approaches work beautifully, and we are happy to help you decide what feels right for your day.
Once everyone arrives, the aquarium offers some wonderful spots for wedding party portraits. Warm textured walls and the glow of the galleries give groomsmen and bridesmaids portraits a look that feels completely unique to this venue.
Ceremonies in Front of the Ocean Voyager Window
Ocean Voyager is home to whale sharks, manta rays and thousands of fish, and its enormous window becomes the backdrop for your vows. Because the window does so much of the work, the ceremony decor can stay simple: a clean aisle, a few candles and soft florals feel elegant against all of that blue.
Guests take their seats facing the glass, and the soft light from the habitat fills the room as the ceremony begins. It is a calm, almost hushed setting, which makes live music, like an acoustic guitar and a singer, feel especially intimate.
During the ceremony, our team stays mindful of the glass and the animals, working with the natural glow of the water to capture every reaction, from the ring exchange to the moment you are pronounced married.
Family and Wedding Party Photos at the Altar
The ceremony site is the perfect place for family and wedding party photos, since the Ocean Voyager window makes even a large group photo feel special. If your florals or altar decor will move to the reception afterward, ask your planner to leave the altar in place until family photos are finished.
Couple Portraits in the Galleries
After the ceremony, we take couples into the galleries for portraits. Standing in front of the Ocean Voyager window turns you into a silhouette against the blue water, with fish drifting all around you, and these are often some of the most memorable photos of the entire day.
The acrylic tunnel is another favorite. As you walk through it, sharks, rays and schools of fish pass right overhead, giving your portraits a sense of wonder that is hard to find anywhere else.
Lighting at the Georgia Aquarium: What to Know
The Georgia Aquarium is one of the most challenging venues in Atlanta to photograph, and the lighting is the reason. Nearly every space is surrounded by glass and water, so there are reflective surfaces everywhere, and every light source has to be placed with care to avoid unwanted reflections. Certain marine life is also sensitive to flash photography, and the rules vary from exhibit to exhibit.
Every exhibit has its own lighting guidelines, and over many celebrations at the aquarium, we have learned to work gracefully within them. We balance natural light, constant lighting and flash, choosing whatever is appropriate for each space and each moment. Near the habitat windows, we work with the natural glow of the water, and on the dance floor, we bring our own lighting. You can read more about our approach in our post on wedding photography in challenging lighting.
“My daughter’s wedding was at the Georgia Aquarium, a beautiful but challenging venue. Jaimie and Kyle did an absolutely amazing job with their photography!!! All the photos are stunning! They were highly organized and professional. I would highly recommend them!”
Debbie A.
The habitat lighting also follows the natural rhythm of the day outside. Once the sun sets, the tanks go dark as well, which supports the health of the animals, and whether they are lit makes a remarkable difference in both the ambiance and your photos. Because of this, sunset is worth considering early in your planning, ideally before your ceremony and reception times are set, so your ceremony and gallery portraits can take place while the water is still glowing. Once your schedule takes shape, we fine-tune every detail together during photography timeline planning.
Receptions in the Oceans Ballroom
Receptions in the Oceans Ballroom feel both elegant and immersive, with tables set beside windows into the water. The room rental includes tables, chairs, linens, glassware, flatware and your choice of ceiling lighting, so your florals, candles and centerpieces can take center stage.
We like to photograph the reception room before guests enter, while every table is untouched and the candles are freshly lit. From there, we capture your grand entrance, welcome, toasts and dances as the evening unfolds.
Planning Tips for a Georgia Aquarium Wedding
- Consider sunset early. The habitats go dark after the sun sets, so check the sunset time for your date before you set your ceremony and reception times, and plan the ceremony and gallery portraits while the tanks are still lit.
- Allow extra travel time. Downtown traffic, especially on Friday evenings, can slow guests down, so ask the event team how late arrivals are handled before the processional.
- Confirm vendor load-in. The aquarium’s event team sets load-in and load-out times and locations, so share those details with your florist, DJ and other vendors early.
- Know the in-house partners. Wolfgang Puck Catering provides all food and drinks, and the aquarium works with an exclusive audio-visual partner. You can still bring your own florist, DJ and entertainment, as long as they follow the contract guidelines.
- Keep the music animal-friendly. The aquarium has an 85-decibel sound limit to protect its animals, so let your DJ or band know ahead of time.
- Ask about gallery access. Aquarium admission for guests is offered as an add-on, so your guests can explore the galleries during your celebration.
FAQ: Georgia Aquarium Weddings
Can You Get Married at the Georgia Aquarium?
Yes. The Georgia Aquarium hosts wedding ceremonies, receptions and other private celebrations in spaces like the Oceans Ballroom and its galleries, including ceremonies in front of the Ocean Voyager window.
Can You Have a Wedding Reception at the Georgia Aquarium?
Yes. The Oceans Ballroom can host up to 1,200 guests and can be divided into the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic rooms for smaller receptions. Wolfgang Puck Catering provides the food and drinks.
Is There Parking at the Georgia Aquarium?
Yes. The aquarium has a parking deck, and its website lists 357 Luckie Street NW for direct navigation to the deck. Couples hosting an event can ask their sales manager about prepaying for guest parking.
Can You Use Flash Photography at the Georgia Aquarium?
The aquarium restricts flash around some of its animals, and the rules vary by exhibit. Our team knows these guidelines and balances natural light, constant lighting and flash depending on the space, so your photos look beautiful while the animals stay comfortable.
Planning a Georgia Aquarium Wedding?
If you are planning a Georgia Aquarium wedding, we would love to be part of your day. Our team knows how to work with the glass, the lighting and the timing at the aquarium, so your photos feel as magical as the celebration itself. Learn more about our Atlanta wedding photography, view our wedding photography collections, or contact us to check your date.
Planning portraits at the aquarium without the full wedding day? Take a look at our Georgia Aquarium engagement photos, book a stand-alone wedding portrait session, or browse more indoor portrait locations in Atlanta. For more venue ideas, explore our guide to Atlanta wedding venues, including Ventanas, a rooftop venue just steps from the aquarium on Baker Street.
