Kim Hymes Photography is a documentary wedding photographer rooted in Atlanta and travels to destinations around the world.

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Newlyweds dance as a band plays under a real dinosaur skeleton and their guests look on

Venues

A Unique Jurassic Park Wedding at the Fernbank Museum in GA!

There’s a reason the Jurassic Park franchise is one of the most popular in the world. Its sense of wildness and adventure has created a world where anything is possible – even living amongst dinosaurs. Throw in a little romance, some epic thrills, and remarkable special effects, and it’s no wonder it’s such a beloved cinematic classic that continues to entertain with new chapters of its story. 

These things, plus a dash of appreciation for science, make Jurassic Park an innovative inspiration for a wedding. From small details like dinosaur groomsmen socks to arrangements of lush, wild, tropical foliage and florals, Jurassic Park weddings have plenty of personality. You can even walk down the aisle to the Jurassic Park theme song! But a wedding full of pop-culture whimsy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice elegance and sophistication. 

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta is a dream venue for anyone hoping to host a Jurassic Park wedding. Its dinosaur exhibits and themed garden spaces make it the perfect spot for a sophisticated event, with the bonus of having dinosaurs built into your décor. It doesn’t get much more Jurassic Park than that! 

Details of a garden with dinosaur statues walking across rocks in a pond Newlyweds dance alone on a balcony in a museum overlooking dinosaur skeletons Newlyweds walk down a large museum staircase holding hands Newlyweds kiss under the hands and bouquets of their guests A groom in a blue tuxedo stands with with his groomsmen in black tuxedos in front of large windows of a museum Details of a wedding reception table setup with green linen in front of a dinosaur skeleton Details of dinosaur statues in a pond in a garden at a museum Details of a dinosaur theme cake with ferns and colorful flowers

About Your Jurassic Park Wedding at The Fernbank Museum of Natural History Venue

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History has a story that begins not unlike the Jurassic Park story…okay, except for the dinosaurs. Emily Harrison, a young woman living in the area during the late 1800s, recognized the importance of Atlanta’s shrinking woodlands. Inspired to protect the area’s natural resources, she led the charge to preserve 65 acres of forest, saving it from urban development. She named the land after one of her favorite forest spots, a fern-covered creek bank that she affectionately called “Fernbank.” 

In 1939, the nonprofit Fernbank was established to further protect the woodlands and use the space as a “school in the woods.” Just over 50 years later, in 1992, the Fernbank Museum officially opened to the public, fulfilling Harrison’s dreams of preserving the land while helping others discover its beauty and potential. 

Today, Fernbank Museum is home to extraordinary exhibits, immersive programming, and educational adventures. In its history, it’s even won awards like Top 10 Museum for Dinosaurs in the World and Best Museum in Atlanta! Its giant screen theater shows films about the importance of environmental preservation, and the Fernbank Forest is still open for exploration. And, with several incredible event spaces, it’s also the perfect place to hold a wedding or special event!

A bride taps the shoulder of her groom for a first look as he looks out a window with his back turned to her Newlyweds kiss while standing by large windows in a museum Details of a wedding ceremony setup with white chairs and ferns for decorations A father presents his daughter as a bride to her groom during a wedding ceremony with ferns for florals NEwlyweds walk hand in hand while looking at each other through a museum lobby by a railing A wide view of a wedding reception set up in a garden surrounded by dinosaur statues Newlyweds stand cheek to cheek under a flock of flying dinosaur skeletons Details of wedding ceremony table set up with green linen under a dinosaur skeleton at a jurassic park wedding

Details of the Grounds

Depending on the extent of your guest list, there are several ways to host a dynamic Jurassic Park wedding at Fernbank Museum. 

If you plan to host a smaller event, consider having your ceremony in a more intimate space like the oval Star Gallery. This room has dramatic lighting and a fiber-optic ceiling that showcases the night sky. You’ll truly feel like you’re saying “I do” beneath the stars! Up to 100 guests can be seated in this space. 

An outdoor ceremony option is the Dinosaur Plaza, a beautiful and spacious patio with a spectacular dinosaur fountain. You can also use Dinosaur Plaza for your cocktail hour, and it will practically look like the giant bronze dinosaur statues are mingling amongst your guests. This is a great space for up to 150 guests to witness you say “I do.” 

Details of a wedding reception table setup under a large dinosaur skeleton next to a band on a stage at a jurassic park wedding A bride stands smiling with her bridesmaids in green dresses alll holding bouquets flourished with ferns for a jurassic park wedding Newlyweds stand on a boardwalk in a forest looking at each other at their jurassic park wedding Details of a wedding ceremony set up under a large dinosaur skeleton in a tall museum lobby at a jurassic park wedding Above view of two dinosaur skeletons walking around wedding reception table and a band on a stage at a jurassic park wedding A groom dips his bride and kisses her as their band plays during their first dance in front of a dinosaur skeleton at their jurassic park wedding reception Details of a wedding reception table assignment board in front of a dinosaur skeleton at a jurassic park wedding Newlyweds kiss under a fern arch during their jurassic park wedding ceremony

If you’re hosting a larger group and looking for an indoor ceremony space, the beautiful Stephensen Hall is a great option. It has beautiful two-story columns, adding a formality to the space and a high ceiling. Huge floor-to-ceiling arching windows bring in views of the museum’s grounds and some beautiful natural light. 

Regarding the real show-stopping venue space, the Great Hall is definitely where you want to be. With windows that look out over the surrounding woodlands and a spectacular glass ceiling nearly four stories overhead, it’s a dramatic space with a lot of personality. But the real jaw-dropping feature is the towering dinosaur skeletons parading through the room. 

Up to 400 guests can gather in this space amongst an Argentinosaurus measuring nearly 123 feet long, a Giganotosaurus nearly four feet longer than a T-Rex, and other imposing dinosaurs. It’s a true showstopper for any wedding, particularly a Jurassic Park wedding. 

Newlyweds walk up the aisle together after their ceremony under a fern arch at their jurassic park wedding Newlyweds cheers their drinks while standing together in front of a dinosaur garden at their jurassic park wedding A bride and groom stand cheek to cheek in a garden filled with dinosaur statues at their jurassic park wedding A groom dips and kisses his bride while standing in a dinosaur garden at their jurassic park wedding Newlyweds stand in front of life size dinosaur statues in a garden at their jurassic park wedding Newlyweds kiss while under the veil outside at their jurassic park wedding A bride hangs onto her husbands arm as their stand in a garden holding a large fern and colorful flower bouquet at their jurassic park wedding Newlyweds sit on a bench in front of a stegosaurus statue at their jurassic park wedding

Photography Opportunities

Fernbank Museum offers many unique photo opportunities, both indoors and outdoors. Outside, we can use the bronze dinosaur fountain in the Dinosaur Plaza for dramatic and unmistakably Jurassic-style photos. We can wander the canopy walk in the woods, posing with the “tree pods,” which are massive wooden egg-like structures that make for some dramatic and modern pictures. 

Indoors, we can wander through some exhibits to incorporate unique backdrops and features. We’ll also try to capture photos with the dinosaurs in the Great Hall before your guests arrive. The Great Hall’s sweeping spiral staircases are also great for pictures, and some of their terraced balconies overlooking the dinosaurs below are perfectly intimate spots should you decide to do a first look on your wedding day. 

A bride stands looking out a wall of windows as her mom buttons up her dress A bride walks up a set of stairs smiling over her shoulder in a museum holding her fern and colorful flower bouquet A bride stands in a room of windows as her bridesmaids spread her train behind her A bride stands in a tall stairway looking over her shoulder with her train flowing behind her holding her colorful bouquet in a museum A bride stands looking out a window holding her fern and colorful flower bouquet and lace veil A bride stands in a window in a silk dress holding a bouquet of ferns and colorful flowers Newlyweds stand nose to nose in a blue tux and white silk dress on a balcony lined with windowsA bride and groom dance alone in an empty reception room under a giant dinosaur skeleton A groom smiles while leaning on a railing outside in a blue tuxedo jacket at his jurassic park wedding

Wedding Details

When it comes to a Fernbank Museum wedding, they have made things a little easier for their couples when it comes to serving guests. They offer full beverage services, including hosted and cash bars, a full bar, and a limited beer and wine bar. As far as your first meal as a married couple, they’ll provide you with a list of their approved caterers that have proven reliable and utterly delicious. 

Their events team will help you ensure every detail of your wedding day has been accounted for and that your event runs as smoothly as possible, down to the last dinosaur footprint. 

A groom smiles while leaning on a railing outside in a blue tuxedo jacket at his jurassic park wedding Details of a groom's T-Rex cufflinks under a blue jacket at his jurassic park wedding Details of a groom's dinosaur socks under his black pants for his jurassic park wedding Newlyweds share their cake behind the desert table with champagne and in front of large ferns towers at their jurassic park wedding Newlyweds dance on the dance floor in front of a real dinosaur skeleton at their jurassic park wedding A bride and groom kiss and dip under a shower of sparklers being held by their guests A Red Jurassic Park Jeep leaves a wedding as the bride waves to her guests with sparklers A red Jeep with a Jurassic Park tire cover leaves a wedding with the newlyweds in the back

Jurassic Park Wedding

Your wedding should be a fun reflection of your and your partner’s personalities. Whether that’s including your dog in your ceremony, gifting a clever personalized favor to your guests, or hosting an all-out Jurassic Park-inspired wedding, the world is your oyster. If you’re considering a Jurassic Park wedding, I hope you’ll look into Fernbank Museum as your venue, and I definitely hope you’ll consider having me as your wedding photographer. Let’s chat! 

Finding the perfect venue always brings lots of joy and excitement! Both luckily and unfortunately, Atlanta has so many incredible venues! But it makes it hard to choose one that is perfect for you! So if you are still on the hunt for the dream Georgia wedding venue, browse the blog links below! Then let’s chat about your dream wedding photos!

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Journalist. Documentarian. Artist


As a documentary wedding photographer, my photography style embodies connection and draws couples with a deep love for family.