Wedding Blog
Since a reception location in New Jersey wasn’t on our radar, Mr. Bruschetta and I didn’t think to visit Adventure Aquarium — a quick trip over the bridge from Philly, but a 45-minute drive from our ceremony location.
If we had, I’m still not sure I would have been able to muster up the courage to consider having our reception there.
Breathtaking? You betcha.
Can you imagine the potential for an aqua or lavender themed event?
But, a little bit creepy and unnerving? Um, yeah — those are live sharks.
Trust me, I love rejecting the “cookie cutter” approach to wedding planning. But I worry I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my meal while being sized up by Jaws, Bruce, and friends.
Would you? Could you? With some sharks? And, where was the most unique wedding you’ve attended?
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The most unique reception venue that I went to was in an old airplane hangar. They had even drapped parachute material from the rafters (ala Pearl Harbor movie) which was sooooooooo romantic and beautiful!
I’ve never been to an aquarium for a wedding reception, but I have been at corporate events at locations like this. I think they’re cool, and a great way to get conversation going. That is of course if your event isn’t scheduled during feeding time in the tanks! 
If my ceremony site was near a unique location like an aquarium, and the price was right, I’d go for it. Luckily for my shark fearing guests, it’s not an option for me.
i actually got married in the shark reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. so i’d absolutely love something like this! but my hubby and i are a bit out of the norm (we eloped). 
really cool idea though, i love it!
I would have loved that! I love diving around sharks, the best thrill EVER!!
I think it would be really cool to have a dinner there, but not sure about a wedding. If I go to a wedding, I want it to be all about having a good time with my friends, and celebrating the couple … with this wedding, I think everyone would be mostly going “ooh, look at the sharks!” the whole time!
awww Bruce-I agree unnerving bot totally cool! Guests would certainly talk about that for a long time!
i work at an aquarium and we have weddings all the time. both in front of our shark tank and our carribbean reef exhibit. it’s amazing to see all the different colors and decor that each bride come up with!
I was MOH at a wedding held at the Adventure Aquarium (then the old NJ State Aquarium). It was gorgeous and the guests loved being able to take a break from partying to wander around and look at the fish. There is also a beautiful view of Philly from the outdoor balcony and we got some great pics! We also had our senior prom there!
That is an amazing aquarium. On a trip to Philly a couple years ago we ventured over and loved it! We are getting married at The Louisville Zoo.
There were options to get married with animals around us, but my FI didn’t want people paying attention to the monkeys instead of the ceremony so we’re getting married in a more neutral tent location at the zoo. We’ve rented the zoo tram so guests can explore the zoo before the ceremony and during the reception and we’re looking into renting an animal or two to surprise our guests during the reception. Louisville’s hottest feature right now is a baby elephant so we’re attempting to have him make an appearance - we think it’ll give our guests and their kids a thrill and special experience and I’m dying for some wedding photos that would incorporate him!
We looked at an aquarium as well! The venue itself was gorgeous, but it just wasn’t us!
I think guests, of all ages, would really enjoy it though!
I swam in a shark tank with 10+ sharks! I would love love love to attend a reception in a venue as cool as that!
I went to a reception there! It was one of the most fun weddings ever. If I remember correctly, they put their head table right in front of the sharks. It actually is a pretty convenient location for a Philly wedding since it is right over the bridge. We all stayed at the Hyatt on Penns Landing.
They also have great views of Philly at night and an outdoor terrace.
If I wasn’t so against New Jersey I would have had my wedding there
omg- Adventure aquarium was one of my first fantasy venues. I’m actually very glad you decided not to go with it though, I would have been tres jealous!
A girl I went to college with got married at the aquarium in Niantic, CT. I know the New England Aquarium in Boston does weddings as well, and happens to be a little cheaper then other venues in downtown Boston.
I think if you really lvoe fish, its a cool option, but I don’t so its not the venue for me! I think it would be so fun to go to an aquarium wedding though!
that’s an awesome location and surely one everyone will remember.
I didn’t even think this could be an option! I think i would be a little scared and unnerved…eating while sharks swim around me!
I think that would be AWESOME to have a reception there!! I love nature, so the fish don’t scare me or anything. It just looks…awe inspiring, breathtaking, you name it!!
Most unique wedding location…on the deck of a ship. Yep. A ship.
Oh honey yes I could! I don’t think I’d pay any attention to our guests or anything because I LOVE sharks (but am still terrified of them!).
I would DEFINITELY with some sharks!!! How awesome. (And no, I would never actually get into water with sharks, but if they can’t get to me, then yay! I love under water stuff…it’s like The Little Mermaid!
We have one of those here in Omaha. If we were going to have our wedding in town this would have been on my list of venues to check out. I love hanging out in the shark tank when we go to the zoo!
My friend had her wedding at this exact venue! It was hands-down the BEST wedding I’ve ever been to. The ceremony was in a stadium-seating area in front of a tank with lots of fishies and dive-bombing turtles. The reception was in a big rotunda. She had some exhibits open so people could wander around and look at fish when they got tired of dancing. I wanted to pattern mine after hers but couldn’t find such a unique venue within a decent price range.
i went to a wedding there a couple of years ago and it was SO cool! the cocktail hour was spread out throughout the aquarium so you could look at all of the different tanks as you munched and drank the ceremony was held right outside on the terrace looking over the river — altogether, an awesome venue!
omg! that is so cool. maybe i can convince one of my sisters to do this! 
I would and could, but I’m not sure about some of my guest. One of my BM is deathly afraid of sharks and my sister hates isn’t so fond either. SisterCherri freaks out when she is in the water with fish, so I don’t think the shark tank dinner would sit well with her.
I am SOOOOO scared of fish, so I couldn’t be there. The only way it would work would be if I had a blindfold on, but even if I knew where I was I would have too much anxiety to be able to stay.
I went to a formal there when I was an undergrad at Villanova - it was fantastic….I would think it would be a great choice for a reception venue.
We had our end-of grad school party there! It was pretty unique
I would totally do a reception in an aquarium… sooooooo cool. Just don’t watch Jaws (2? 3? can’t remember which is the one where the glass breaks).
Oh, goodness— I’m also a Philly-area bride. My photographer, Kamila Harris, shot a wedding here. While I wouldn’t ever be able to do it, the photos were so cool.
Also, love your inspiration board!
Adventure Aquarium is soo my dream location! I love me some sharks!
Philly bride here - the adventure aquarium was on my short list (along with Moshulu & Independence Visitors Center).
The location was amazing! But in the end 2 things elimiated the aquarium-
1-You couldn’t start until 7pm or so. Which would be fine for someone having a wedding elsewhere, and just looking for a reception space. Unfortunatly, we were looking for a ceremony + reception location.
2- Caterer. There is only 1 caterer you’re able to use- and I was very disappointed by their communcation (or lack thereof).
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Mrs. Bruschetta, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 25, Communication Professional
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapy Graduate Student
Engagement Date: November 30, 2007
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Church & the F.U.E.L. House
About Me: I’m a self-proclaimed grammar geek who loves singing (like, really belting it) in the car. My mister and I are planning a vibrant summer soiree celebrating our passions – including food and Philly – and when we make it official, we’ll have been together for eight years! Being super competitive is in my nature, and talking excessively is in my genes. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, but can always easily find my way into Mr. Bruschetta’s arms.
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