By Erin Frank

There’s no doubt you’ll find your wedding unforgettable.  But what about your guests?  One of the big realizations my husband and I had when we were planning our nuptials is that while this day seems like it’s all about you, what you’re really doing is planning a fabulous party for your loved ones. It’s an opportunity to treat them to something truly memorable, so why not set the scene somewhere unusual?  Here in San Francisco there is one museum that has out-of-the-ordinary weddings down to a science.

The California Academy of Sciences is a wedding venue with a major wow factor.  I like the Academy’s honesty— they tell you up front on their site that you’ll need to drop a cool $18,500 for an all-access pass to the museum for the night. You and your guests get exclusive use of the Academy from 7pm until you turn into pumpkins (or simply head home) at midnight. Have your wedding in the middle of the rainforest, in front of a live coral reef in the aquarium, or bring a new meaning to the phrase “white wedding” when you tie the knot in front of an albino alligator.

The Academy knows you want things to go off without a hitch (other than actually getting hitched…). They have an exclusive Wedding Consultant, Jess Flood Event Design and Management. Let Jess worry about the details while you get dressed in a private, decorated wedding ready room.

Your guests will remember not just the vows, but also the sea creatures, mammals, butterflies, and more.  The California Academy of Sciences offers anything but a cookie-cutter wedding, and it could be just right for the Bay Area Bride looking for something that amazes.

California Academy of Sciences

55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 379-8000

www.calacademy.org