atlantis marine world questions

Hi, I am recently engaged and was considering having my wedding reception at Atlantis Marine World. I have not gotten a chance to go look at it yet but have attended a sweet 16 there a few years ago and thought it was really nice. I was just wondering if anyone had any idea of the price quote per person for the months of June or October (if not these months, then what were you quoted for other months)? My minimum will probably be between 150-175 so I do not know how much that will help. Also, I have been reading some people's complaints about the dance room being separate from the table area and was just wondering if there was anything that could be done about this in terms of seating? Any information about this venue in general would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Re: atlantis marine world questions

There is an 09ner getting married there...maybe you can FM her.

Re: atlantis marine world questions

I am having my reception there in August. It is expensive thou...130 a person for a sit down on a saturday night. I know it is like 30 dollars cheaper for the buffet thou. I just loved the idea of getting married there so price was not an issue. Also, I went to a bridal expo there ( there is one coming up if you want to look into it) and the dance floor separate from the main room is honestly not that big of a deal. I will have a TV in the main room so people in there can see what is going on. Also, there are alot of tables around the dance floor so people can sit there as well. Hope this helps...let me know if you have any more ques

Re: atlantis marine world questions

I was in a wedding party that had the reception there a few years back and the buffet was Awesome!!! It went around the tanks and was really nicely laid out. I loved it there. Unfortunatly I do not have a price for you.
Good Luck!

Re: atlantis marine world questions

I know there are a few reviews floating around on the review board. Do a search with the name. I know a few '07 and i think maybe one '08 bride.

Re: atlantis marine world questions

I booked the aquarium for Halloween next year--I'm pretty excited. The person above was correct, I was quoted at $100 for the most excellently-reviewed buffet ever, and $130 for a sit down dinner. Their prices include cake, cocktail hour and a five hour, top shelf, open bar. Hello!

If you've been to the aquarium, the reception seating area is in the big room with the shark tank, main tanks, and octopus and the dance floor is below the shark (ha) in that first main room with the rope style bridge. Slightly cheesy, but I'm betting on my pretty-trashed guests having the best time ever.

Ron Issacs, the guy that took over the wedding coordination a couple years ago, brings in his own Sushi chef on request and for about an extra $1000. I think the min. person req. is 150 and they give a discount for kids under a certain age. He seems to love this business and loves to outfit the aquarium with candles, seashells (if requested--I personally told the dude no shells) and whatever you'd like. He really is willing to do practically anything to make you happy and makes himself available to talk to you whenever.

If you're planning on having the ceremony there, they have a million different options for the ceremony location and will work with whatever you want.

Other perks: Aquarium entirely open to you and your guests only--they will have the full run of the place, no exceptions. If you go with a sitdown dinner, they have one server per table and another just to make sure everyone is satisfied. Love these guys. They have fantastic food options and a great chef. The cocktail hour has an unbelievable amount of passed food options and there are enough options for both the cocktail hour and buffet/seated dinner that you can create any type of reception you'd like.

Concerns: Cheesiness, drunk grandmothers trying to swim with sharks, fish odor. (I personally don't care about any of these, but I hear the main complaint is the fish smell--I don't think I could expect anything else in an aquarium)

Oh! They have (I'm sure you may have seen it if you've been there recently) a permanent tent structure that you have your indoor/outdoor cocktail hour in. It's kind of like a tent, but it has a much better structure and they do an incredible job decorating it. It's included in the per-person cost, so...bonus!

Good luck with your choice, if you're looking for October of 2009, I know that they've booked all weekends. No idea about 2010, though.

Re: atlantis marine world questions

Dont have any info about this hall but I did go to a wedding there 2 years ago it was really different and def a nice touch with all the fish. I loved how it was the normal wedding there were so many things to see.
Good luck!

Re: atlantis marine world questions

We looked at this venue and on paper it was a front-runner. But we decided not to do it for a few reasons.

1) The cost - for an off-season wedding, they were the HIGHEST quote we received (and that includes the hotels we looked at too). In fact, for the price we are paying for a giant CH and a full sit-down dinner, we would have gotten the buffet.

2) The menu had a lot of food but some of it was stuff we didn't care for.

3) The arrangements - while I thought it was nice to dine besides the fish, I wasn't totally thrilled with the place itself. We wanted to do something simple and classy, and I think it would have gotten lost in there.

4) The location - I am not sure where you live so I don't know if this is an issue, but most of our guests are in NYC and Nassau County. We drove out there from Queens and I felt like we were driving forever... I didn't want to ask my guests to do that.

Re: atlantis marine world questions

I really like the idea of having my wedding there - until I got the price.

They tack on an 18% service charge - then they add tax and another 15% tip. So the price you are quoted goes up like 50% once you realize they are adding service charge, tip, and tax.

If money is not an issue then go for it. I really liked the idea of having my wedding there. You can get married anywhere - and they have a nice indoor chapel in case of inclement weather. You have the entire place to yourself. I would imagine it would be something guests would be talking about for YEARS.

Re: atlantis marine world questions

thanks for all the helpful info!