California Science Center Offered As Wedding Venue For LA Couples

LOS ANGELES, CA — If finding love in a pandemic is a challenge, then planning a wedding during a shutdown is like running the gauntlet. But the love that blossoms amid hardship deserves its own unique celebration, and that's why the shuttered California Science Center in Exposition Park is now offering its facilities for wedding ceremonies.

The museum on Wednesday offered its Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Pavilion and Wallis Annenberg Building for bookings. As couples plan for a future after the pandemic, venues all over Los Angeles are booked due to pent up demand. The museum venues offer a unique setting for Los Angeles couples especially appealing for lovers of science.

"We were motivated to provide a service to couples who had to postpone their weddings due to the pandemic, and who, now may be encountering a shortage of venues from the pent-up demand," said Christina Sion, vice president of event services at the Science Center. "We'd like to assist by opening a portion of our events calendar so couples will have a safe, unique venue to consider."

Couples can begin reserving tentative dates as the Science Center awaits permission to reopen from health officials. Weddings and other events will be subject to the local health guidelines. The Science Center also provides a list of vetted wedding planners and caterers and additional options such as access to Science Center exhibit galleries and furniture.

Tentative date holds can be made as the Science Center awaits a confirmed reopening date from local health agencies, according to Sion. Once permitted to reopen, all events will adhere to current local and state agency guidelines, she said.

"The wedding planners and caterers with whom we have mindfully partnered are a purposeful reflection of Greater Los Angeles; they connect organically with Los Angeles' rich and diverse landscape of cultures, faiths, LGBTQ communities and values. Diversity is in the DNA of the Science Center culture and our Event Services team strives to make sure inclusion is a deliberate part of our discussions and decision making while building our network of vendors to support our events," said Sion.

Couples looking to book an event can email the Science Center at eventservices@californiasciencecenter.org, calling 213- 744-7523 or going to events.californiasciencecenter.org.