Open: 9am – 4:30pm (Admissions closes at 3:30pm)

Weddings and Proposals2026-08-26T15:58:17-05:00

Weddings & Proposals

Weddings & Proposals

The Knot Best of Weddings - 2023 Pick
The Knot Best of Weddings - 2026 Pick

At the Gulfarium, we provide a stunning backdrop for your wedding or proposal, where marine beauty meets unforgettable experiences. Exchange vows at Dolphin Oasis, featuring 2.2 acres of sandy dunes and breathtaking views of the emerald waters of the Florida Gulf Coast, with the lively presence of our resident bottlenose dolphins creating a magical atmosphere. We also offer versatile venues like the Living Sea Room, which boasts panoramic aquarium views, and outdoor options such as Seal Harbor and Gulf Overlook, perfect for intimate ceremonies. Our customizable wedding packages include optional enhancements like animal encounters and day-of coordination. With our dedicated team ready to assist, the Gulfarium is the ideal setting for creating cherished memories in a truly unique coastal paradise.

couple getting married in front of a penguin

Imagine what your wedding or event could look like here!

destination wedding with a couple kissing behind a penguin

Beach Weddings

Beach Weddings

Say “I do” on the sugar-white sands with the Gulf as your backdrop. Our Gulf Beachfront location brings the natural beauty and laid-back elegance of a true beach wedding to your ceremony — open sky, open water, and nothing between you and forever but the shoreline.

Say “I do” on a stretch of sugar-white sand reserved just for your celebration, with the open Gulf as your backdrop. Our Gulf Beachfront location gives you a dedicated ceremony space with room for up to 100 guests, so the focus stays on you, your favorite people, and the water.

Gulfarium owns the property all the way to the water, so there’s no beach-use permit to chase down or paperwork to worry about. Just choose your date and start planning the fun part.

Florida weather can be unpredictable — your wedding day doesn’t have to be. Every beach ceremony comes with a built-in backup plan: if the weather turns, we move your “I do” straight into the Living Sea Aquarium without missing a beat.

Turn your beach wedding into something truly unforgettable with a photoshoot alongside our dolphins. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime way to celebrate your love story, and one no other beach wedding venue can offer.

Proposal Packages

Proposal Packages

Create an unforgettable proposal at the Gulfarium, where romance meets marine magic! Picture popping the question surrounded by vibrant tropical fish or with our playful dolphins as your backdrop. With unique experiences and customizable options, our dedicated team is here to help you plan the perfect moment that begins your journey together.

Create an unforgettable moment beneath the waves with a surprise proposal in front of our stunning Living Sea aquarium. A SCUBA diver will help bring your vision to life by either presenting a classic “Will You Marry Me?” sign or revealing an oversized engagement ring from inside a giant clamshell, your perfect cue to present the real ring. Our on-site photographer will discreetly capture the proposal and celebratory moments that follow. You’ll receive a digital photo pass with full access to download all images from your special experience.

Make waves with a show-stopping proposal during a discover dolphins encounter. At the perfect moment, you’ll pop the question as a dolphin joins in with an exciting high-flying celebration. Our on-site  photographer will be positioned nearby to capture the surprise, joy, and excitement as it unfolds. This package includes a digital photo pass with downloadable images from the experience. For a more intimate moment, options are available to buy out a small group or the entire session, allowing for additional one-on-one time with the dolphins and your loved one.

Options:

  • Discover Dolphins Proposal – $275 (buys out the 5-person group spot)
  • Discover Dolphins Wave Proposal – $495 (buys out the entire 10-person session)

Delight your partner with a heart-warming proposal alongside one of our charming African penguins. This private Discover Penguins encounter is thoughtfully designed around your special moment, with our team sharing the story of how penguins mate for life and present their partner with a rock, your cue to offer your own “rock” to your special someone. An on-site photographer will capture the proposal and the moments that follow, and you’ll receive a digital photo pass with access to download all images from your unforgettable experience.

After-Hours Package Options

  1. Private Park Time — $300
    • Enjoy the park all to yourselves for 30 minutes after the doors close to the public.
    • Includes up to 4 people. $40 for each additional person (up to 6 additional allowed)
    • Complimentary Champagne/Sparkling Cider to Toast
  2. Private Tour & Proposal — $400
    • Pop the question during a 1-hour private guided tour of the park. There is also a surprise reptile encounter along the way.
    • Includes up to 6 people. $40 for each additional person (up to 6 additional allowed)
    • Complimentary Champagne/Sparkling Cider to Toast
  3. Dolphin Dockside Photo Session (subject to availability) — $750
    • Get up-close and personal with one of our Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins.
    • Only 4 people, along with a photographer will be allowed on the dock.
    • Complimentary Champagne/Sparkling Cider to Toast

After-Hours Package Add-Ons

  1. Penguin Ring Proposal — $300
    • One of our African Black-Footed Penguins will bring the engagement ring on a ribbon as you pop the question.
  2. Living Sea – Sign Diver — $250
    • Surprise them with a visit from one of our divers in our Living Sea Aquarium. They will be holding a custom sign that asks the question.
  3. Living Sea – Shell Diver — $250
    • Our diver will open a giant clam shell, in front of our Living Sea Aquarium window, with a larger-than-life engagement ring inside, signaling you to take a knee.
  4. Dolphin Snapshot (subject to availability) — $400
    • Capture the moment with our Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins jumping behind your proposal.
  5. Dolphin Group Shot (subject to availability) — $550
    • Strike a pose in front of our acrylic viewing window with some of your friends/family. Includes 3 poses with dolphins jumping in the background.

Note:

  • All prices are subject to 20% service charge & tax
  • Time Slots are subject to availability
  • Start times vary seasonally. Please inquire for details.
  • Photographer not included
destination wedding with a couple kissing behind a penguin
destination wedding with a couple kissing behind a penguin

Wedding Packages

Wedding Packages

Our wedding packages at the Gulfarium are designed to provide you with a seamless and extraordinary experience on your special day. With customizable options that include everything from beautiful venue spaces to unique animal encounters, we aim to make your vision a reality while ensuring every detail is perfectly executed. Let us help you create a celebration as unique as your love story, filled with cherished moments in a stunning marine setting!

Rates

  • Pricing varies based on guest count, hourly duration, event date, and specific location
  • 4 site locations based on availability & guest count
  • Duration – 2 hour minimum
  • Included: Tables, white padded chairs, trash service, & security
  • Audio/visual capabilities dependent on location choice
  • Additional services available upon request

Rates

  • Prices vary based on date and availability
  • 5 site locations based on availability & guest count
  • Duration – 1 hour
  • Included: White padded chairs, arch, sand ceremony table, 30-minutes of rehearsal time based on calendar availability
  • Audio/visual capabilities dependent on location choice
  • Additional décor items available to rent

Rates

  • Prices vary based on date and availability
  • 4 site locations based on availability & guest count
  • Duration – 4 hours
  • Included: Tables (variety of sizes), white padded chairs, trash service, & security
  • Audio/visual capabilities dependent on location choice
  • Additional services available upon request

Additional Information

  • Prices vary based on date and availability
  • A non-refundable deposit of 25% of base rate (+ tax) is required to secure the date for your event. Balance is due no later than 14 days prior to event.
  • A 20% service charge applies to all after-hours events.
  • Any time past contracted hours will be charged at $400 per hour.
  • All prices are subject to Florida sales tax.

Elopement Packages

Elopement Packages

Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate “I do” by the sea or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure surrounded by marine life, our Gulfarium elopement packages are designed to make your day unforgettable. Every package includes the guidance of a dedicated Ceremony Coordinator to ensure your celebration flows flawlessly and a 50% off encounter voucher for the couple to enjoy on a future visit. From the moment you arrive to the moment you say “forever,” we make every detail magical.

Seas the Moment with our Micro-Wedding package, which gives you exclusive, after-hours access to say “I do” in a one-of-a-kind setting, anywhere in the park — whether under the stars, with the dolphins as your witness, or surrounded by glowing aquariums in our Living Sea room. With dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life just steps away, your big day becomes an unforgettable experience.

This all-inclusive package includes everything you need: ceremony seating and simple decor, reception tables, chairs, linens, and simple centerpieces — so you can focus on the moment, not the details.

Includes:

  • After-hours admission for up to 30 guests (including the couple)
  • Ceremony at any location in the park (30 mins)
  • Reception (2 hours), includes time for dining, toasts, first dances, & celebration
  • Ceremony decor (arbor, aisle markers, ceremony chairs)
  • Reception set up (tables, chairs, linens, simple centerpieces)
    *You are welcome to bring your own decor, and setting up decor does not count towards your rental time.

Say “I do” with the emerald waves as your witness. Ideal for couples looking for a short, sweet, & stunning celebration that’s all about the two of you (& a few loved ones).  After exchanging vows in your chosen setting, enjoy a guided stroll to capture once-in-a-lifetime photos with dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life just steps away. It’s romance with a splash of adventure!

Includes:

When the park closes to the public, the magic is all yours. Our Sunset & Champagne package gives you exclusive, after-hours access to say your vows anywhere in the park, then linger for unforgettable photos without the crowds. Toast to forever with champagne or sparkling cider while surrounded by marine life and moonlit waves.

Includes:

  • Penguin Ring Bearer 
  • Photos with penguins, dolphins, sea lions and more
  • Champagne or Cider to Toast 
  • Mini Cake
  • Beach ceremony
  • Additional Decor 
  • Park Time
  • Exclusive Preferred Vendor List: Couples who book with our venue receive access to our carefully curated list of trusted wedding professionals, including professional photographers, officiants, florists, live musicians, and more.

Wedding Services

Wedding Services

Animal Add-ons

Bring your celebration to life with unforgettable animal encounters that will delight your guests!

Event Coordinators

Enjoy a stress-free day with our expert coordinator, ensuring every detail is perfectly executed!

Private Park Time

Elevate your experience with exclusive access to the park, creating memorable moments in a serene setting!

Dive into Our Breathtaking Venue

Dive into Our Breathtaking Venue

Our locations offer a captivating blend of marine beauty and unique experiences, making your wedding or special event truly unforgettable. Conveniently located on Okaloosa Island between Fort Walton Beach and Destin, the Gulfarium provides easy access for both you and your guests. From the enchanting views at the Living Sea Aquarium to the picturesque outdoor settings of Seal Harbor and the captivating Dolphin Oasis, each of our locations provides the perfect backdrop for your celebration. Dive deeper into our venue options and discover the ideal space for your big day!

Living Sea Aquarium

The Living Sea Room immerses guests in vibrant aquarium views, creating a breathtaking backdrop for your ceremony and reception. This enchanting indoor venue ensures an unforgettable experience surrounded by marine life.

Seal Harbor Beachfront

Seal Harbor provides a picturesque outdoor setting for intimate ceremonies, featuring stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. Exchange vows in a tranquil atmosphere that captures the essence of coastal romance.

Dolphin Oasis

Dolphin Oasis combines lush sandy dunes and sparkling waters, offering a unique backdrop for your celebration. With playful dolphins enhancing the experience, your event becomes an extraordinary adventure in a stunning coastal paradise.

white table setting with flowers in front of an aquarium
couple getting married in front of a penguin
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Discover more about Your special day!

Discover more about Your special day!

Speak with Our Event Planner

Let our events team contact you by completing the form below. We look forward to hearing about your special day.

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How to Get Here

Find directions to our stunning venue, conveniently located between Fort Walton Beach and Destin with easy access to Okaloosa Island’s amenities. Your journey starts here.

Wedding & Proposal Questions

Can I have catering services for my private event at Gulfarium?2026-08-21T15:52:27-05:00

The Gulfarium does not provide in-house catering for after-hours events, but we do have a list of preferred catering vendors. We are also open to working with outside vendors as long as they meet our requirements and guidelines. Our team can provide additional information and help coordinate vendor arrangements.

Can we schedule a tour of the aquarium before booking our wedding?2023-09-11T17:37:00-05:00

Yes, we offer the opportunity to schedule tours before booking your wedding. This allows you to explore the venue, get a feel for the ambiance, and discuss your wedding vision with our event coordinators. A tour can help you make an informed decision and envision the possibilities for your special day.

Are there any restrictions on decorations or items that can be used at an aquarium wedding?2023-09-11T17:34:15-05:00

Yes, we have specific guidelines regarding decorations to ensure the safety and well-being of marine life and exhibits. It’s essential to discuss your decoration plans with the our event coordinators to understand any restrictions and to ensure that your chosen decor aligns with their guidelines.

Can we have a rehearsal dinner or other pre-wedding events at the Gulfarium?2023-09-11T17:30:40-05:00

Yes, we offer event spaces for pre-wedding events such as rehearsal dinners, welcome receptions, or bridal showers. These events can be held in designated areas within the venue, allowing you and your guests to enjoy the unique surroundings before the wedding day.

Can we have live entertainment or music at our aquarium wedding?2023-09-11T17:26:56-05:00

Yes, live entertainment and music are allowed at a wedding at the Gulfarium! However, certain restrictions or guidelines may be in place regarding noise levels and the type of entertainment allowed. It’s important to discuss your plans with our event coordinators to ensure compliance with any regulations.

What is the cost of having an aquarium wedding?2023-09-11T17:24:55-05:00

The cost of an aquarium wedding varies depending on factors such as the location, venue, guest count, chosen amenities, and additional services. It’s best to discuss your budget and specific requirements with the aquarium’s event coordinators to receive a personalized quote for your wedding.

More questions?

See full FAQs page or contact us at specialevents@gulfarium.com

destination wedding with a couple kissing behind a penguin
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