10 Amazing Zoo and Safari Wedding Venues in the UK for a Wildly Unique Day
Explore the most unique and unforgettable zoo and safari wedding venues across the UK, from Chester Zoo to London Zoo and beyond
If you’re looking for an unusual wedding venue for your upcoming nuptials, how about opting for a zoo wedding? An animal-themed wedding venue is a great way to add some fun to your big day, not to mention that it will give you some amazing photo opportunities. Have lots of guests with young kids?
If so, then zoo and festival venues are also a great way to ensure that the little ones are amused - and distracted - while the adults enjoy the more refined aspects of the festivities.
It you're an animal-lover who wants to be close to your favourite critters, or if it's important to you to celebrate at a place that gives back to your community, then we have some incredible spots for you - from traditional zoos to endangered species wildlife parks.
We’ve rounded up the best zoo and safari park wedding venues that will allow you to share your special day with all your loved ones - even your furry friends.
10 Best Zoo Wedding Venues UK
If you want a wedding at the zoo then look no further. We've rounded up our top ten spots for zoo weddings in the UK that will delight you and your guests for years to come...
1. Mansion House, Edinburgh Zoo – Edinburgh
The beautiful Mansion House at Edinburgh Zoo is an elegant location for your wedding, with all the fun of the zoo a short stroll away. The building is steeped in over 200 years of history and will provide a charming backdrop to the proceedings. You can also have a religious, civil or humanist ceremony there in the beautiful Macmillan Room, which features striking blue décor and views across the gardens.
You and your guests can take advantage of the location and wander around the zoo on the day – pose for photographs as the penguins parade past, or visit one of the most famous couples in the UK – the pandas Yang Guang and Tian Tian. What could be more fun?
- Hitched couples say: "From the beginning to the end, all the event staff were great. The catering was fantastic with many guests saying how great the food was, the mansion house and grounds were great. Could not fault anything."
- Pricing: menus from £129
- Capacity: 30 - 120 guests
- Deals: Hitched couples can benefit from 10% off venue hire!
2. Chester Zoo - Cheshire
Add a few hundred animals to your wedding party by celebrating your big day at Chester Zoo. Your wedding ceremony could either take place at the zoo's charming Oakfield Manor House or The Square, with a large private courtyard that overlooks the gardens.
After the ceremony is over you and your guests can embark on a ranger led zoo tour before your reception begins. And don't worry if you're planning a big celebration - they have the capacity to host up to 200 guests.
- Hitched couples say: "We had our wedding at Chester Zoo and it was absolutely perfect! From start to finish, the experience was seamless thanks to the fantastic wedding co-ordinator who kept in regular contact."
- Pricing: menus from £65
- Capacity: 40 - 200
3. West Midlands Safari Park – Worcestershire
You’re spoilt for choice with West Midlands Safari Park. Animal lovers will adore Spring Grove House, which is set within the grounds of West Midlands Safari Park. The Georgian building is a luxurious backdrop for your big day, but if you’d prefer something a little more quirky, what about Treetops Pavilion, which is licensed to hold civil ceremonies and has a glamorous marquee venue feel, with capacity for 450 guests.
Third and final event space is Cellarz, a contemporary venue that provides a chic blank canvas for your party. Whether you’re going for celebratory drinks in the Rhino House or you want to pose for photos next to the elephants, there are plenty of unique ideas for couples who want a wedding venue that will reflect their personalities.
- Hitched couples say: "We can't thank West Midlands Safari Park enough for giving us the most wonderful day. It exceeded all of our expectations and our guests have said that it was the best wedding they have ever been to."
- Pricing: from £11,000
- Capacity: 60 - 320
4. Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and Mansion – Kent
Want to share your wedding day with lots of rare species? Consider hosting your wedding at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, which offers a beautiful mansion building with three rooms to choose from for your wedding ceremony and four to pick from for your wedding breakfast and evening reception.
If your guests weren’t amazed enough by the gorgeous setting, wait until you reveal to them that you’ll all be going on a VIP safari around the Wilds of the African Experience and the gorilla enclosure where you can say hello to the famous gorilla Ambam.
- Hitched couples say: "We had the most amazing wedding day here! Everyone was so helpful, the space was absolutely beautiful, and the food was amazing. We haven't heard a single comment from any guest that was anything less than hugely positive and we got to just enjoy such a magical day."
- Pricing: menus from £199
- Capacity: 2 - 140
5. London Zoo - North West London
Iconic landmark, London Zoo, is perfect for couples who want to embrace their sense of adventure right in the heart of the city.
There are a few different venues to choose from but one of our favourites is the Mappin Pavilion. It's situated right in the centre of the zoo and has it's own Aussie exhibit with kangaroos , emus and wallabies hopping about while you say, "I do". When it comes to your reception you can pick from one of the animal houses.
Toast to love in the Tiger Territory or hit the beach with a colony of adorable penguins!
- Hitched couples say: "We had a day which we will be able to remember for the rest of our lives and the best bit is we can always go back and visit our favourite extra guests - the meerkats!"
- Pricing: menus from £177
- Capacity: 50 - 250
6. Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park – Suffolk
If you fancy a rustic-chic farm and a zoo wedding, then Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park is the place for you. This charming, 17th-century farm not only features quaint buildings and a manicured herb garden, but has a wildlife park that houses traditional, exotic, and rare animals.
Ahead of the celebration, you and your wedding party can get ready in The New Hay Barn before hosting your ceremony in The Celebration Tent, a marquee that sits among the leafy greens of the herb garden. Everything about this venue exudes freshness and seasonality, including the bread that is homemade for you using ingredients from the farm.
Throughout the festivities, you can explore the adjacent zoo, where you will find everything from guinea pigs and capybara to crocodiles and camels. In the WonderWood area, kids (both young and old) can create their own dens, and for those interested in ancient history, an exhibit on East Anglia's prehistoric animals - the dinosaurs - is available.
- Hitched couples say: "Had a fantastic day for my son's wedding. The staff were really friendly and helpful. Food was amazing, and the food arrived at the table altogether and hot and presented perfectly!"
- Capacity: up to 150
7. Milton End Farm - Gloucestershire
So this one isn't quite in keeping with the zoo and safari theme, but if you want to incorporate animals and still keep it super chic, why not take a look at Milton End Farm? Located in Gloucestershire, this family-owned dairy farm is the modern couple's dream venue.
The farm can house anywhere from 25 to 250 guests, so any size wedding can be held here. If you browse through their photos, you'll find llamas, ducks, and even pigs trotting about during wedding events. There's also options for accommodation if you prefer to keep the celebrations all in one place.
- Hitched couples say: "Milton End Barn was everything we hoped for and more. The venue itself is absolutely stunning – the perfect mix of rustic charm and relaxed elegance."
- Pricing: from £6,995
- Capacity: 25 - 150
- Deals: this venue is offering £1000 off remaining 2025 dates for Hitched couples.
8. Safari Lodge - Woburn
You can get wed amongst tigers, lions, elephants and giraffes at Woburn Safari Lodge.
There's a stunning south-facing veranda where you can say your vows with views over the swan lake and desert springs. With indoor and outdoor space available, all styled with calming neutral tones yo can easily make the space your own.
- Hitched couples say: "Our day was perfect from start to finish and the communication throughout our planning was on point. We had every confidence in Adi and knew our day was going to be a truly wonderful experience."
- Pricing: from £1,900
- Capacity: 80 - 160
9. Marwell Hotel - Hampshire
Marwell Hotel is set on edge of the Marwell Wildlife park so the soundtrack for your special day will be roaring lions and chirping parrots.
Immersed in 60 acres of woodland and lush greenery, it's the perfect tropical oasis for adventurous nearlyweds. There's also 68 rooms so yo guests don't have to rush off - you might even be tempted to indulge in the spa pool and sauna the night before.
- Hitched couples say: "We had a brilliant day at Marwell. The venue was stunning, the food was delicious, and everything worked seamlessly."
- Pricing: from £360
- Capacity: 6 - 200
10. Twycross Zoo - Warwickshire
Your wedding ceremony at Twycross Zoo would take place in the excellently named ‘Windows on the Wild’ room, which overlooks a wading birds aviary and boasts its own private entrance that will give your celebrations an exclusive feel.
Post ceremony you can enjoy drinks in the Uda Walawe classroom, which looks out over the elephants, or you could venture outside and mingle with the penguins. If you’re planning a big party, there’s the option of hosting your wedding in a marquee within the zoo.
All the profits from booking your wedding at the zoo go towards helping the running of the zoo and conservation efforts around the world, and you can also enjoy a private tour and the chance to feed some of the creatures who live at the zoo.
- Hitched couples say: "I fully recommend Twycross to anyone looking at a zoo wedding, and if you can I would suggest booking an animal feed. We fed the otters and they are so adorable up close!!"
- Pricing: menus from £115
- Capacity: 50 - 100
Zoo Wedding FAQs
Hosting your wedding at a zoo or safari venue isn't something you see everyday and so you might have a lot of questions. To help you make the right decision we've answered some of the most commonly asked...
Can you get married at a zoo in the UK?
Yes - several UK zoos are licensed for civil ceremonies, meaning couples can hold legally binding weddings there. All the venues we have featured above are licensed for your special day.
Which zoos offer wedding venues in the UK?
Some of the UK's largest zoo's, including London Zoo and Chester Zoo, all offer wedding packages for nearly weds with a sense of adventure! You can find more zoo's that are available for weddings by scrolling to the top of this article.
How much is a wedding at Chester Zoo?
A wedding at Chester Zoo can start from £8,822 if you take advantage of their Twilight Wedding package. For more accurate pricing that takes into account everything you want out of your day we recommend getting in touch with the vendor via their listing.
How much does a wedding at Port Lympne cost?
The cost of a wedding at Port Lympne starts at around £11,000. For a more accurate cost break down we recommend getting in touch with the venue.
Is food included in zoo wedding packages?
Most zoo wedding packages include food and drink and each venue will have a slightly different offering. Make sure to explore all the options with your chosen venue to find a package that works for you.
Are zoo weddings legally binding?
Yes - all the venues listed above are licensed for civil ceremonies and so are legally binding in the UK. The only thing to take into account is that a registrar or celebrant fee may be added on top of your final bill.
What are the pros and cons of a zoo wedding?
Pros:
- Having an unforgettably unique experience surrounded by animals and foliage.
- Access to the zoo between the ceremony and the reception makes for great entertainment for your guests and incredible photo locations.
- They often offer all-inclusive packages that help simplify planning.
- Many venues support conservation efforts.
Cons:
- Potential concerns around smells and proximity to animals.
- Higher costs than other venues due to all inclusive packages.
- Options for decor and external vendors maybe limited.
- Restrictions on things like fireworks or having pets.
What animals can you meet at a zoo wedding?
While animals usually stay in their enclosures, couples and guests can typically enjoy photo opportunities with wildlife in the gardens or designated areas.
At Chester Zoo, you may see endangered species around the zoo grounds. Twycross offers optional animal encounters with giraffes, penguins or meerkats and at Port Lympne, weddings often include a private safari tour, where you can see gorillas, rhinos, lions, giraffes, zebras etc. and meet gorilla Ambam in the experience.
How do you plan a zoo wedding?
Most zoo venues have an experienced in house planning team that can direct you through all the different stages of planning your dream day. The first step is to contact the venue to request a viewing or a pricing pack to get an idea if it's the right place for you. They'll then guide you through the rest of the process with the help of their expertise and experience.
What time do zoo weddings typically end?
Typically zoo weddings finish around midnight, however some venues offer extensions for an extra fee. If you want a party that lasts until the early hours of the morning then make sure to discuss this in your initial calls with your venue!
If this has got your imagination going but you still haven’t found your dream wedding venue, don’t miss our edit of the best unusual wedding venues – handpicked for quirky couples!
