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Pricing information

Price range: $11,550 - $14,850 Price range: $11,550 - $14,850
Couples usually spend $13,200 Couples usually spend $13,200
Reception
$1,500 starting price
Ceremony
$500 starting price
Bar service
$34 per person
Reception
$1,500 starting price
Ceremony
$500 starting price
Bar service
$34 per person

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Attributes highlighted by couples

Unique aesthetic style
Quality catering
Guests comfort
Amenities

About

On WeddingWire since 2012

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a wedding venue destination in Powell, Ohio that caters to the needs of couples getting married in the Greater Columbus area. This venue is located 20 minutes northwest of downtown Columbus and right on the Scioto River. You can host a truly remarkable event with your family and friends in one of the best zoos in the country.

Facilities and Capacity

Couples are able to host wedding receptions for up to 400 people and on-site ceremonies for up to 200. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has three unique event spaces offering different views and locations throughout zoo grounds. Each space has its own capacity, rental pricing, and catering minimums.

Services Offered

This venue's staff offers all-inclusive catering packages to make booking convenient for you. These packages include amazing animal encounters and the setup and use of tables, chairs, linens, and catering items. This team also offers bartending services and cleanup of your event. These facilities include complimentary guest parking and wheelchair access to add comfort for all visitors.

Catering

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium partners with The SSA Group, LLC which provides all of your on-site food, beverage, and bar options. There are multiple wedding packages to choose from. Clients can choose from a buffet, a seated dinner, or tasting stations. Hors d'oeuvre selections, bar packages, and late-night bites are some of the other items you can select and consider when planning your big day. As a part of the catering packages, an array of complimentary linen color options are included.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$1,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$1,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$500

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$34

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Park
Waterfront
Zoo

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
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4.7 out of 5 rating
35 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
85% Recommended by couples
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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The Africa Event Center at the Columbus Zoo is highly recommended for weddings, with multiple reviewers praising the beautiful outdoor space, stunning views, and unique experience of being able to see and feed the animals. The staff, particularly event coordinator Kaylie, received high praise for their helpfulness and professionalism. Guests also complimented the delicious food and reasonable prices for the quality of the event. Overall, many reviewers described their wedding at the Africa Event Center as amazing and unforgettable.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

The Africa Event Center at the Columbus Zoo is highly recommended for weddings, with multiple reviewers praising the beautiful outdoor space, stunning views, and unique experience of being able to see and feed the animals. The staff, particularly event coordinator Kaylie, received high praise for their helpfulness and professionalism. Guests also complimented the delicious food and reasonable prices for the quality of the event. Overall, many reviewers described their wedding at the Africa Event Center as amazing and unforgettable.

K
Kathleen T. Sent on 10/15/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Columbus Zoo Wedding July 2023

We had such a wonderful experience at my daughter's wedding at the Africa Event Center at the Columbus Zoo. Working with Kaylie was easy. Her communication skills were great; she was able to answer all of our questions in a timely manner. We still have people talking to us about how great the wedding was. The outdoor space cannot be beat! All of the guests could fit on the deck at the same time and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the African Savannah and enjoy seeing the animals and the amazing sunset. We did opt to have the giraffe feeding which gave the guests something to do during cocktail hour and everyone loved the animal visits, too. The food was good and stayed hot throughout the buffet line. It also went very quickly so no one was waiting too long to eat. The room was large and did not feel crowded with our 185 guests. We loved the idea that it was an indoor/outdoor space and yet it stayed cool inside even in July.
T
Tyler G. Sent on 09/28/2023
5 out of 5 rating

The Best Day of my Life!

When my husband and I started looking for a venue for our wedding, we wanted something that would be memorable not only for us, but for our guests as well. We found that with the Columbus Zoo. However, we also found a staff of hard working individuals dedicated to helping us create the most amazing day of our lives. It was so much fun and far exceeded all of our expectations! Kaylie, you are AMAZING!
J
Jake M. Sent on 09/27/2023
5 out of 5 rating

The perfect wedding venue

Beautiful, one-of-a-kind venue with responsive staff, delicious food and very reasonable prices for the quality of event! All our guests loved all the Zoo had to offer
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Awards

35
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
DJ Flair DJ Flair Wedding DJs

Can't ask for something more fun than a zoo wedding. Great location and staff.

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Map

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Columbus Zoo and Aquarium frequently asked questions

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
The space offered by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet Hall
  • Park
  • Waterfront
  • Zoo
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Wifi
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Tables
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is recommended by 95% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in flexibility, 4.8 in professionalism, 4.8 in value and 4.7 in average response time.

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