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On WeddingWire since 2019
Magic lives in the form of exquisite, scenic backgrounds surrounding the museum’s rooftop terrace, the only one in Balboa Park! Your guests will be greeted by majestic mountains, stunning views of the harbor, and a romantic atmosphere as the sun sets over the San Diego city skyline.From the moment your guests are welcomed to our largest exhibition floor for your cocktail hour, they’ll be swept off their feet in astonishment. Elements showcasing our nature’s past and present create a memorable atmosphere, all with splashes of your style mirrored through the decor of your choice.The heart of our historic museum lies in the Sefton Atrium, where floor plans are tailored to your cherished experience. The Sefton Atrium is a show-stopping space with a 60’ four-story translucent ceiling and granite floor. Two magnificent staircases lead to this space, designed for a newlywed's grand entrance. Natural light fills this room, allowing for layers of lights to accent the romantic space at night. For intimate weddings, our rooftop terrace can be transformed from a ceremony to a dinner reception. Your guests can watch the stars come out as they celebrate your love, join you for a champagne toast, and dance under the night sky.
Complimentary Wedding Day Details
- Childcare room
- Themed scavenger hunt for cocktail hour
- An on-site venue manager and events team
- Save the Date & First Look Photoshoot Opportunity
- Pet-friendly wedding ceremony
- Customized, to-scale floor plans
- In-house sound system and microphone
- Personalized contracts and payments
- Complimentary parking
- 2 Hour Wedding rehearsal
- Wedding party room with private balcony
- Equipment set-up and breakdown
- Vendor green room and reference advice
- Checklist and wedding day resources
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Frequently asked questions
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Message vendorReviews of San Diego Natural History Museum
Best Museum to Hold a Wedding Reception in Town
We held our church wedding at a local parish on 09/30/2023, followed by our reception on the same day at The Nat. Our reception was four hours long, starting with a cocktail hour on the second floor of the museum, and followed by a dinner/dance on the first floor. The museum is very spacious. We held a wedding reception with 160+ guests, with room to expand to 200 and still have space for a dance floor. We also had the advantage of having a scavenger hunt all around the museum (coordinated by The Nat) during cocktail hour, which our guests loved. I highly recommend adding the bar services from The Nat to your event. We got the 3-hour unlimited drinks Paleozoic-Liquor-Beer-Wine-Soda and a 1-hour cashless bar -- to allow people to sober up before leaving the reception.
Overall, we are thrilled with how beautiful everything looked and the services provided at The Nat for our wedding reception. However, I recommend people be mindful that The Nat is a museum first and a wedding venue second. Communication was slow during our wedding planning/coordination period but sped up during our wedding month. Please be mindful of this and be patient with The Nat. They did a fantastic job on the day of our wedding, even gifting our catering team free tickets to visit the museum after our event, and I could not be more content with how incredible our reception was the day of our wedding.
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Events
Calling All Night Owls!
On the third Friday of every month, we'll be open until 10 PM so you can explore the museum after hours. Enjoy access to all exhibitions, programming and activities on select dates, and our rooftop deck for good views and great vibes. Admission is half-price after 5 PM (tickets are available at the door only). As always, members of The Nat and Explorer pass holders enjoy free general admission.
Our rooftop patio offers one of the best views in Balboa Park. It’s open to all visitors and serves beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks including kids’ beverages.
Pair your beverage with delectable small plates curated by Wolf in the Woods (more details below). Sip a signature cocktail as you leisurely explore the Museum—here's a map to guide your adventure.
Dates include:
- February 16, 2024
- March 15, 2024
- April 19, 2024
- May 17, 2024
Don’t worry! On May 24, 2024—Memorial Day weekend—Nat at Night will return weekly for the summer.
Getting here: We suggest taking the bus or ride-share—you'll arrive steps away from our front doors (plus, avoid parking hassles and minimize your carbon footprint to boot). Learn more about parking and directions here.
Not yet a member? Planning to frequent our rooftop oasis often? Or do you simply want to support conservation and nature in our region? Join us today.
Your purchases support our work to preserve this amazing place we call home.
Team
I am passionate about making your planning and special day unique and memorable! Our priority at The Nat is to ensure we make your dream wedding come true while providing the best resources and services. Unlimited site visits, an on-site venue contact, and tailored proposals are just a few of the exceptional details we provide to compliment your perfect day. I look forward to showing how the San Diego Natural History Museum makes for an unforgettable wedding experience for you and your guests!
With a friendly demeanor and composure during events, I love making our couples feel taken care of during their special day at the Nat. I work alongside a magnificent team to make sure you and your guests have the memorable experience you have been planning for and dreaming of.
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Request a visitSan Diego Natural History Museum frequently asked questions
- Bridal Suite
- Chairs
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- Event Planning
- Lighting/Sound
- Parking
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- Tables
- Cake Cutting
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- Server(s)
- Wedding Cake
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- Champagne Toast
- House Beer
- House Liquor
- House Wine
- Limited Bar
- Open Bar
- Premium Liquor
- Signature Drink
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- Art Gallery
- Banquet Hall
- Historic Building
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- Rooftop
- Indoor
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- Ceremony
- Reception
- Bridal Shower
- Engagement Party
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- Pet Friendly
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