The Best Aquarium & Zoo Wedding Venues in Aurora, IL

The Best Aquarium & Zoo Wedding Venues in Aurora, IL

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4 Wedding Venues in Aurora, IL

Aquariums, zoos
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Pinstripes Oak Brook 

5.0

Oak Brook, IL
  • Up to 1000 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor

Whether you are hosting a wedding reception, ceremony, bridal shower or bachelor(ette) party our dynamic ballrooms and private event spaces provide an upscale yet relaxed space for your special day. We host truly unique events and deliver sophisticated fun through combining our from-scratch Italian-America menu with the classic games of bowling and bocce ball. Let our talented event team work with you on a customized event to suit your personal style and help you bring your dream wedding to life to create a perfect day that you and all your guests will be sure to remember!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Flexible event spaces
  • Romantic vineyard setting
  • Provides a dedicated team on-site

Venue considerations

  • Does not allow pets
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • No free parking
Awarded Best of Zola
We wanted a more casual wedding and pinstripes was perfect for that. The weather was perfect so we were able to have our ceremony outside on the patio and that area was perfect for the pictures! We had bowling during cocktail hour which our guests loved. The food was incredible and they did a great job managing our cake, decor, and everything we dropped off. The whole staff was so easy to work with and all of the meetings went so smooth.
Sonya S., a year ago
Quick responder
Pepper Family Wildlife Center (Lion House) 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 350 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $14,000

The Pepper Family Wildlife Center, more commonly known as the Lion House, has been newly renovated as of 2021 and is more beautiful than ever before. With glass exhibiting windows, your guests will have the opportunity to see our pride as they mingle, dine and enjoy in your big day. This space can accommodate 350 guests seated with room for dancing, bars and so much more.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Accommodates more than 200 guests
  • Full catering menu to choose from
  • Blends luxury with trendiness

Venue considerations

  • On-site parking not available
  • No on-premises lodging options
  • Not wheelchair accessible
Getting to photograph and film at the Lion House was a dream come true! We love Tigerlily Events and cherish the times getting to work with their team, and the new Lion House was no exception. From the unique environment the space provides to the luxurious service the staff provides, this venue is one of our favorites in Chicago. We're so excited to continue working together for future wedding days!
Elle Taylor Photography, 2 years ago
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Cafe Brauer at Lincoln Park Zoo 

4.8

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 230 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $12,000

Cafe Brauer at Lincoln Park Zoo combines historic charm with natural beauty, creating a magical wedding venue in Chicago. The venue’s grand ballroom features stunning architecture and views of the surrounding park and skyline. Guests appreciate the seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, perfect for ceremonies and receptions. The dedicated staff ensures a personalized and smooth event, from planning to execution. For couples seeking a unique and enchanting setting, Cafe Brauer offers a truly unforgettable experience.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Full catering menu to choose from
  • Blends luxury with trendiness
  • Offers full-service amenities

Venue considerations

  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
  • No built-in audiovisual options
  • No on-premises lodging options
Café Brauer was my absolute dream venue, and the entire experience exceeded every expectation. The space is stunning, the architecture and historic charm speak for themselves and hardly need additional décor to feel wedding ready. We had the pleasure of working with Ellen from our first tour to the day-of (and even after!) and she was incredible every step of the way. Ellen was extremely attentive, she answered every question and handled every request with such grace and care. I always felt supported, and she truly went above and beyond—coordinating seamlessly with our planner, florist, and other vendors to ensure our day was nothing short of perfect. It meant so much to feel like someone genuinely cared about our day through it all. We also used Café Brauer’s in-house caterer, Tigerlily, and the compliments haven’t stopped rolling in. Guests are still reaching out to us—as well as our parents—saying it was the most beautiful wedding they’ve attended and hands-down the best wedding food they’ve ever had. I couldn’t recommend Café Brauer and Ellen more. It was everything we dreamed of and more!!
Natalie F., 4 months ago
The Hotel Chicago Downtown 
Chicago, IL
  • Up to 200 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor

Elegant and avant-garde, this downtown Chicago hotel serves as a hub to the pulsing Marina City playground. The hotel has preferred partnerships with all Marina City outlets, which include House of Blues, SPiN, Harry Caray's, Smith & Wollensky, Yolk and 10Pin. The hotel offers a total of 354 rooms, including 9 Studio King Suites and 11 King Suites, along with 2 Penthouse Suites. This design hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Chicago and within walking distance of State Street Shopping, Michigan Avenue, the Theater District, Merchandise Mart and Millennium Park. It has recently been renovated, and the hotel is an ideal choice for business or leisure. Chicago Midway International Airport is roughly 10 miles away and Chicago O'Hare International Airport is approximately 16 miles from the property.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides a dedicated team on-site
  • Rustic yet refined style
  • Designed for grand celebrations

Venue considerations

  • Not for you if you are looking for something nontraditional
  • Does not allow pets
  • On-site parking not available

Location flexible? Discover venues near Aurora, IL

About wedding venues in Aurora, IL

Aurora wedding venues offer exceptional value at $10,665 on average, a significant savings compared to downtown Chicago prices. You'll appreciate the stunning Fox River views and historic architecture that make this city special, plus the diverse venue options that accommodate different wedding styles while keeping you conveniently close to the metropolitan area.

What Makes Aurora Wedding Venues Stand Out?

Aurora features an impressive range of wedding spaces from the elegant Meyer Ballroom at Paramount to rustic settings like Venue 5126, with capacities spanning from intimate 50-person gatherings to celebrations for over 300 guests. Most venues give you flexibility with both indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces. You'll love the picturesque river views and historic architectural details that create perfect photo backdrops, and many venues offer customizable all-inclusive packages that take the stress out of planning your special day. A typical Aurora wedding runs about $24,093 for 50 guests and scales up to $40,625 for 100 guests $56,164 for 150 guests $70,046 for 200 guests $83,928 for 250 guests and $97,810 for 300 guests. Your venue will represent around 19% of your total wedding budget which is actually better than the national average of 25% meaning you're getting great value for your celebration dollar.

Which Aurora Venues Are Fully Accessible?

Paramount's Meyer Ballroom delivers stunning riverfront views and gives you multiple ceremony options for up to 250 guests. You'll work with their professional team who ensures seamless communication throughout the planning process and the venue is fully accessible so all your guests can comfortably participate in your celebration. Venue 5126 brings elegant rustic charm across 7 acres of picturesque farmland with both indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces that accommodate 201-250 guests. You should connect directly with the venue for specific accessibility features as these can vary by location and your specific needs.

How Do Aurora Venues Support Remote Participation?

Most Aurora venues provide basic streaming capabilities for your ceremony but if you're looking for enhanced remote experiences you'll want to discuss custom technology integration directly with your chosen venue. Nearby options like The Haley Mansion and The Emerald Acres offer spacious settings that can easily support customized audio-visual setups allowing your remote guests to feel fully included in your special day.

Where Can You Find Outstanding Culinary Experiences in Aurora?

Belle Salle Banquets sits on a beautiful six-acre private estate and delivers upscale catering experiences. You'll work with professional chefs who create memorable wedding menus tailored to your tastes and preferences. Mesón Sabika in nearby Naperville offers refined catering in an elegant mansion setting. Your guests will appreciate their highly praised culinary offerings that combine sophisticated presentation with exceptional flavor. Aurora Country Club and Blackberry Farm both feature excellent food quality with highly regarded in-house catering teams. You'll enjoy their focus on fresh well-crafted menus that can be customized to match your wedding vision.

How Much Should You Budget for Your Aurora Wedding?

Wedding ServiceAverage CostPercentage of Total Budget
Venue$10,66519%
Catering$8,53215%
Florists$7,46613%
Bar Services$6,82612%
Photographers$4,8359%
Videographers$4,4088%
Planners$3,8517%
Bands and DJs$1,7503%
Hair & Makeup$4001%
Cakes and desserts$6681%

When Should You Book Your Aurora Wedding Venue?

Most couples secure their Aurora venue about 16 months before their wedding date with November being the peak month for inquiries. You'll need to book earlier for summer weddings between June and August as well as early fall dates since these have the highest demand. Popular venues like Paramount's Meyer Ballroom fill up especially quickly so reaching out as soon as you set your date will give you the best chance of securing your dream location.

How Can Zola Help With Your Aurora Wedding Planning?

Zola's Aurora-specific venue tools include guest count calculators that match perfectly to venue capacities and budget planning features aligned with local pricing. You can create integrated wedding websites that showcase your chosen venue while providing your guests with essential details about transportation nearby accommodations and special venue features. This makes planning easier for you and attending more enjoyable for everyone on your guest list.

Aurora wedding venues offer exceptional value at $10,665 on average, a significant savings compared to downtown Chicago prices. You'll appreciate the stunning Fox River views and historic architecture that make this city special, plus the diverse venue options that accommodate different wedding styles while keeping you conveniently close to the metropolitan area.

What Makes Aurora Wedding Venues Stand Out?

Aurora features an impressive range of wedding spaces from the elegant Meyer Ballroom at Paramount to rustic settings like Venue 5126, with capacities spanning from intimate 50-person gatherings to celebrations for over 300 guests. Most venues give you flexibility with both indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces. You'll love the picturesque river views and historic architectural details that create perfect photo backdrops, and many venues offer customizable all-inclusive packages that take the stress out of planning your special day. A typical Aurora wedding runs about $24,093 for 50 guests and scales up to $40,625 for 100 guests $56,164 for 150 guests $70,046 for 200 guests $83,928 for 250 guests and $97,810 for 300 guests. Your venue will represent around 19% of your total wedding budget which is actually better than the national average of 25% meaning you're getting great value for your celebration dollar.

Which Aurora Venues Are Fully Accessible?

Paramount's Meyer Ballroom delivers stunning riverfront views and gives you multiple ceremony options for up to 250 guests. You'll work with their professional team who ensures seamless communication throughout the planning process and the venue is fully accessible so all your guests can comfortably participate in your celebration. Venue 5126 brings elegant rustic charm across 7 acres of picturesque farmland with both indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces that accommodate 201-250 guests. You should connect directly with the venue for specific accessibility features as these can vary by location and your specific needs.

How Do Aurora Venues Support Remote Participation?

Most Aurora venues provide basic streaming capabilities for your ceremony but if you're looking for enhanced remote experiences you'll want to discuss custom technology integration directly with your chosen venue. Nearby options like The Haley Mansion and The Emerald Acres offer spacious settings that can easily support customized audio-visual setups allowing your remote guests to feel fully included in your special day.

Where Can You Find Outstanding Culinary Experiences in Aurora?

Belle Salle Banquets sits on a beautiful six-acre private estate and delivers upscale catering experiences. You'll work with professional chefs who create memorable wedding menus tailored to your tastes and preferences. Mesón Sabika in nearby Naperville offers refined catering in an elegant mansion setting. Your guests will appreciate their highly praised culinary offerings that combine sophisticated presentation with exceptional flavor. Aurora Country Club and Blackberry Farm both feature excellent food quality with highly regarded in-house catering teams. You'll enjoy their focus on fresh well-crafted menus that can be customized to match your wedding vision.

How Much Should You Budget for Your Aurora Wedding?

Wedding ServiceAverage CostPercentage of Total Budget
Venue$10,66519%
Catering$8,53215%
Florists$7,46613%
Bar Services$6,82612%
Photographers$4,8359%
Videographers$4,4088%
Planners$3,8517%
Bands and DJs$1,7503%
Hair & Makeup$4001%
Cakes and desserts$6681%

When Should You Book Your Aurora Wedding Venue?

Most couples secure their Aurora venue about 16 months before their wedding date with November being the peak month for inquiries. You'll need to book earlier for summer weddings between June and August as well as early fall dates since these have the highest demand. Popular venues like Paramount's Meyer Ballroom fill up especially quickly so reaching out as soon as you set your date will give you the best chance of securing your dream location.

How Can Zola Help With Your Aurora Wedding Planning?

Zola's Aurora-specific venue tools include guest count calculators that match perfectly to venue capacities and budget planning features aligned with local pricing. You can create integrated wedding websites that showcase your chosen venue while providing your guests with essential details about transportation nearby accommodations and special venue features. This makes planning easier for you and attending more enjoyable for everyone on your guest list.

What types of wedding venues are in Aurora, IL?

What other Aurora vendors will I need?

What other wedding venues are nearby?

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