Unforgettable Weddings, Down to a Science

We invite you to celebrate your wedding at the California Academy of Sciences, one of the most spectacular and unforgettable venues on earth. Nowhere but the Academy will you and your guests have the opportunity to set foot under one “green” roof to experience stunningly meaningful settings, world-class planning expertise and access to the San Francisco Bay Area’s most acclaimed caterers and vendors. By choosing the Academy for your wedding you will receive a veritable palette of options for painting a wedding which exceeds your wildest dreams. The result will be a beautifully sacred experience, inspired by the wonders of science and nature, which you, your family and guests will recall fondly for generations to come.

The Academy Exclusive – It’s All Yours

When you host your wedding at The Academy, the environment we’ve taken great care to create is all yours. You and your guests will have exclusive use of the Academy and a passport to work with our seasoned wedding specialists who will help you bring your wedding vision into rich, immersive life. The possibilities, mixed with your inspiration and our attention to every detail, are truly endless.

We have several wedding packages available for you to choose from:

• Entire museum for $18,500
• Ceremony only in one of our event spaces for $4,000
• Rental of individual event spaces. Please contact Special Events for pricing.

Event Spaces

We have 10 event spaces available for your ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing.

Rainforest
Aquarium
Swamp
Piazza
African Hall
East Pavilion
West Pavilion
Main Lobby
Forum
Planetarium (ceremony only)

*Note: Excluding the Boardroom and Living Roof.

Wedding Ready Room

A private, furnished and beautifully decorated wedding ready room.

Equipment

Top of the line equipment to meet essential wedding needs: AV services and charges will be determined after a walk-through with wedding consultant and AV Technician.

Additional Services

We provide our guests with on-site security, coat check and custodial staff, and docents for Academy living exhibits (as available).

Sustainability

Our assurance that your wedding in the Academy treads lightly on the planet yet shines with elegance.

Entire Museum Wedding Package Includes:

As our wedding gift to couples, you will receive a complimentary one year Individual Level membership. This membership allows two adults complimentary unlimited daily admission to the museum, 10% discount at the Academy Store, 15% discount on dinner at The Moss Room, and more. For the full list of membership benefits click here.

Docents are available to explain and highlight the Academy’s collection to your guests. Some Docents are trained animal handlers and can bring snakes, lizards and other interactive exhibits out (based on availability). Docents in the Aquarium will open and staff the interactive Tide Pools.

Access to the Living Roof for wedding party photos from 5:30 PM until 6:30 PM.

The $5 per person service fee is waived with the rental of the entire museum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Academy require a wedding coordinator/planner/consultant to oversee my event?
A: Yes. Your coordinator will be the central point of contact for all your vendors from beginning to end. Your coordinator should not be someone who is in your wedding party, an invited guest, or a representative from your caterer. We would be happy to provide you a list of coordinators who have facilitated events at the Academy.

Q: Can I have my wedding ceremony and reception at the Academy?
A: Yes, we have 10 amazing settings to choose from. Please contact the Special Events team to discuss what combination of spaces would work best for you and your guest count.

Q: What is the maximum capacity for a wedding at the Academy?
A: The Academy can accommodate up to 280 guests for a ceremony, cocktails, dinner, dancing and exploration.

Q: Can I use my own caterer?
A: No, the Academy has a list of preferred caterers for you to choose from. Academy preferred caterers are committed to bringing you and your guests the delicious bounty of the Bay Area and are ready for your most creative requests.

Q: What does the rental fee include?
A: : Your rental fee includes complimentary coat check, use of the museums tables and chairs if desired, a private, well appointed wedding ready room for the couple and much more.

Q: Can our wedding start earlier in the day?
A: The Academy opens to private events only after closing to the public. This gives you the chance to have one of the world’s most exciting museums all to yourself!

Q: Can we get ready there before 7:00 pm?
A: Yes, the private wedding ready room is available to you beginning at 5:00 PM.

Q: What about parking?
A: Parking is available in the Music Concourse Parking Garage. This is not covered in the venue rental fee. If you are interested in hiring a valet service for your wedding guests, your wedding coordinator can arrange this with the Music Concourse Garage.

Q: Can we rehearse our ceremony at the Academy?
A: Yes! The Special Events team at the Academy will be happy to arrange this for you.

Q: Do Academy members get a discount?
A: Unfortunately not; however, please keep in mind that all proceeds from events directly benefit the The California Academy of Sciences.

Q: When can I arrange for a site visit?
A: Please contact the Academy at (415) 379-5868 or to schedule an appointment for a site visit.

Contact Our Wedding Team

Questions? Please fill out our inquiry form here.