Wedding Facility Rental
 Photo by A.C. Harralson |
Wedding Supervisor, Suzie Dodson Burch
501-262-9604 or 800-366-4664
sburch@garvangardens.org
Rental rates are based on 100 guests and include up to ten round tables, chairs, and two people/one hour each to set up and break down the event. Additional tables, chairs, tablecloths, A/V equipment, labor, etc., will be assessed a fee. Venues are reserved in 4-hour increments only.
Rehearsals are complimentary if held during regular Garden operating hours - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1 to October 31 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 1 to March 30. Extended hours of operation are implemented during the annual holiday lights festival scheduled from mid-November through December 31. After-hour rehearsals are charged $100 per hour.
Ceremony Only
Edmondson Great Lawn (300 to 400 guests)
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - $1,500*
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. - $2,000*
Garvan Pavilion (100 to 150 guests depending on set-up)
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - $500
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. - $750
Pratt Welcome Center (120 to 200 depending on set-up)
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - $500
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. - $750
Klipsch Amphitheater (300 to 500 guests)
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - $500
* Rola-Trac is required at an additional cost to protect the lawn from damage caused by tables, chairs, and foot traffic. See Equipment Rental List for fees.
*Garvan Woodland Gardens members at the $65 Dual and above levels receive a 10% discount on wedding ceremony facility rentals at the Anthony Chapel. This applies to immediate family members (sons/daughters) or bride and groom.
Ceremony with Reception
Lawn and/or Pavilion
10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. = $2,000*
5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. = $2,500*
*Rental fee includes installation of Rola-Trac to protect the lawn from damage caused by tables, chairs, and foot traffic.
Additional Reception Venues
Klipsch Amphitheater
10:00 a.m - 6:00 p.m. = $750
Millsap Bridal Hall (40 to 80 guests depending on set-up)
2-hour minimum - $500
($125 each additional hour)
Evans Celebration Garden (80 to 100 guests)
2-hour minimum - $350
($100 each additional hour)
No Frills, No Fuss Ceremony
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - $150
(No venue reserved. No set-up. Limited to 20 people or less including bride and groom. Price includes Garden admission.)
* Fee includes installation of Rola-Trac to protect the lawn from damage caused by tables, chairs, and foot traffic. See Equipment Rental List for fees.
Garden Wedding Guidelines
- The preferred dates and venue(s) can be reserved with a deposit equal to 50% of the rental cost and a signed agreement. If unforeseen circumstances result in a cancellation of the event, the full deposit will be refunded if the GWG wedding supervisor is notified with at least 120 days notice. One-half (1/2) of the deposit will be refunded if cancelled within 90 to 120 days. Inside the 90 day window, the deposit is non-refundable.
- When visiting the Gardens for consideration as the ceremony site, all members of the visiting party will be required to pay regular Garden admission on their first visit and must be accompanied by the GWG wedding supervisor. The cost of up to four admissions will be deducted from the final invoice.
- Absolutely no smoking is allowed in any Garvan Woodland Gardens venue, including the Gardens themselves.
- Designated times for rehearsals, ceremonies, and receptions will be strictly enforced.
- Garvan Woodland Gardens is open to the public 50 weeks of the year, meaning visitors will have access to areas of the Gardens where ceremonies and receptions are scheduled.
- Acoustical music is always welcome at Garvan Woodland Gardens. Strings and wind instruments can add to the enjoyment of the day. Taped and amplified music must not distract or be offensive to the Gardens' non-wedding visitors or be unreasonably loud.
- Due to heavy visitation at the Gardens during certain seasons, parking may become a problem. Wedding participants and guests are encouraged to car pool.
- All details relating to the wedding ceremony and/or reception must be conveyed to the Gardens' wedding supervisor at least two weeks prior to the scheduled event. This includes names of florists, caterers, the wedding planner, and the officiant.
- Absolutely no glitter or confetti is allowed in any Garden venue.
- If flower attendants drop petals preceding the bride's walk down the aisle, no matter which venue is being used for the ceremony, it is the responsibility of the wedding party to remove the petals at the conclusion of the ceremony or before departing the Gardens.
- The only celebratory item that can be thrown during the departure of the bride and groom is bird seed or wildflower seeds. Other options include a bubble machine or flower petals.
- If any venues are not left clean and litter-free, a $100 clean up fee will be assessed.
- Food service must be provided by a preferred Garvan Woodland Gardens caterer that is licensed by the State of Arkansas and holds required tax permits and liability insurance coverage. Wedding cakes and punch are the only exceptions. Glassware and china are NOT allowed in the Gardens or its structures, excluding glass flutes (one each) for the traditional wedding party toast at the reception and glass containers provided by the caterer for serving food.
- The use of alcoholic beverages must be approved by the Garvan Woodland Gardens' wedding supervisor *. Security may be required at the expense of the wedding party. Alcohol may be served but not sold. Garvan Woodland Gardens accepts no liability for the actions of the group or its guests at alcohol related events.
* The wedding supervisor is an employee of Garvan Woodland Gardens and should not take the place of a wedding planner. Supervisor responsibilities include event set up and tear down, coordination among florists, caterers, and other vendors. The wedding planner is the responsibility of the wedding party.
Garden Wedding Policies
Site Visit
When visiting the Gardens for consideration as the ceremony site, all members of the visiting party will be required to pay regular Garden admission on their first visit and must be accompanied by the GWG wedding supervisor. The cost of up to four admissions will be deducted from the final invoice.Weather Considerations
Indoor venues are not automatically held as a back up in case of inclement weather unless reserved by payment in advance.Food/Beverage
Food service must be provided by a preferred Garvan Woodland Gardens caterer, licensed by the State of Arkansas and with the required tax permits and liability insurance coverage. Wedding cakes and punch are the only exceptions. Glassware and china are not allowed in the Garden, except glass flutes (one each) for the traditional wedding party toast at the reception and glass containers provided by the caterer for serving food.Alcoholic Beverages
The use of alcoholic beverages must be approved by the GWG wedding supervisor. Security may be required, at the expense of the wedding party. Alcohol may be served, but not sold. Garvan Woodland Gardens accepts no liability for the actions of the group or its guests at alcohol related events.Equipment Rental & Labor
Additional equipment rental above and beyond the standard 100 guest set up must be arranged with the GWG wedding supervisor. Labor for set up or break down must also be contracted by the wedding supervisor. A complete equipment rental list will be provided upon request.Music
Acoustical music is always welcome in the Gardens. Strings and wind instruments can add to the enjoyment of the day. Taped and amplified music must not distract or be offensive to non-wedding visitors to the Gardens or be unreasonably loud for our neighbors.Smoking
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a smoke free, litter free establishment. This policy is strictly enforced.Clean-Up Fee
If rented venues are not left clean and litter-free as determined by the wedding supervisor, an additional $100 clean-up fee will be assessed and invoiced.* The Garden Superintendent will determine how many additional man-hours are necessary for set-ups requiring more than the standard one hour set-up and one hour break-down per 100 guests.