Thank you for your interest in weddings at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Couples say weddings here are magical … like a fairy tale!

To inquire about weddings, (or venue rental, outdoor or indoor space), please email GWGweds@uark.edu or call 501.262.9608.

Digital Wedding Brochure

Whether you have your heart set on an elegant wedding in a stunning chapel with vaulted glass ceilings that reach to the sky or an intimate romantic outdoor ceremony in our lush gardens – you will find the perfect setting at Garvan Woodland Gardens.

We are the 210-acre botanical garden of the University of Arkansas located on the shore of beautiful Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, just 45 minutes southwest of Little Rock. The Ouachita Mountains surrounds us.

With breathtaking bridges, waterfalls and cascades, stunning architectural features, and beautiful flowers year round, the gardens offer the perfect setting for making lifetime memories.

As soon as you enter our botanical oasis, you’ll see why Garvan Woodland Gardens has been recognized as one of the most spectacular gardens in America.

We invite you to tour the gardens and discover the many venues available for weddings, as well as social, non-profit or for corporate events. Call 501-262-9608 to schedule a tour.

Garvan Wedding Pricing

ANTHONY CHAPEL WEDDINGS – CAPACITY 200

	Monday – Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Afternoon & Evening	$3,500	$4,000	$5,000	$4,000
Morning	$3,500	$3,500	$4,500	$3,500
1-hour Up to 15 guest 16 to 50 guest	$1,000* $1,500*	N/A	N/A	$1,000* $1,500*

WHAT’S INCLUDED with 3-Hour Rental

• 1-hour rehearsal prior to wedding, usually the day before
• 3-hour rental of Anthony Chapel, Millsap Bride’s Hall & Evans Groom’s Quarters
• Property manager, security guard, sound support
• Entry into Garvan Woodland Gardens on the day-of for all wedding guests
• Complimentary Bridal Portrait Pass for the Gardens (must be reserved)

*Anthony Chapel – 1-hour rental (Sunday – Thursday, daytime only) NOT INCLUDED In 1-hour rentals: Millsap Bride’s Hall, Evans Groom’s Quarters, rehearsal, sound support, and Garden admissions. 50 person maximum strictly enforced. Discounted Garden admissions for your guests are available when booked 30 days in advance.

RECEPTION VENUES – 8 HOUR RENTAL

	Price	Area	Capacity	Notes
Garvan Pavilion & Terrace	$3,000	60’ x 40’ under pavilion	160	Open-air Fay Jones & Maurice Jennings Architecture, inside the Gardens
Magnolia Room	$1,500	45’x 30’ main room	75	Fully climate-controlled, inside the Welcome Center
Millsap Bride’s Hall	$1,250 (Monday -Thursday only)	23’ x 21’ main room	48 (indoor + covered breezeway)	Closest to Anthony Chapel, with private restrooms and kitchen

OUTDOOR GARDEN WEDDINGS

$500 | 1 Hour Monday – Friday only	$1,000 | 1 Hour Monday – Friday only	$2,000 | 4 hours Monday-Friday Only	$1,500 | $2,250 Monday – Thursday Only
Waterfall Koi Pond MeadowFull Moon Bridge Canopy Bridge Falling Leaves Plaza Celebration Garden (8 people maximum) Includes property manager, 8 admissions to the Gardens, and photography pass no chairs 8 -person maximum .	Dooley Pergola at the Great Lawn Southern Inspiration Garden Includes property manager, 20 admissions to the Gardens, and photography pass. Ten additional discounted guest tickets may be purchased. 20 chairs 30-person maximum .	Perry Point Overlook Includes one golf cart shuttle, property manager, photography pass, and 35 admissions to the Gardens. Ten additional discounted guest tickets may be purchased. 35 chairs 40-person maximum .	Evans Celebration Garden wedding $1,500 – 1 Hour May add: Millsap Bride’s Hall.- $750 – 4 hours Includes property manager, photography pass. NOT INCLUDED: Admission to the Gardens. Discounted guest tickets may be purchased. 48 chairs 48-person maximum

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the capacities of each venue?

Anthony Chapel – 200

Garvan Pavilion & Terrace – 160

Magnolia Room – 75

Celebration Garden – 48

Millsap Bride’s Hall – 40/48 (indoor only/indoor+outdoor)

Perry Wildflower Overlook – 40

What is the first step to book a wedding?

We’ll need to draft a contract and send to you through DocuSign via email. We don’t accept payments until the signed contract is returned to us. When you are ready to book your wedding or reception, we place a courtesy hold on your date and time and send you the contract. You’ll have 48 hours to review the contract, sign it and return it through DocuSign. (It’s super easy.) For us to draft a contract, here’s the information we need:

• first and last names of couple and the Financially Responsible Person (FRP)
• mailing address of FRP
• TWO phone numbers, including FRP
• email addresses, including FRP
• preferred date and time with 2nd and 3rd choice noted
• estimate attending
• actual ceremony time
• reception at GWG or off site

You’re welcome to send the above information to our email GWGweds@uark.edu or call 501-262-9608. Either way you choose to communicate to us, we’re also happy to answer questions about any details you might need. When calling and leaving a message for us to return your call, please be patient with us, as the volume of daily calls is high and sometimes we’re out of the wedding office on tours. Please know, all calls will be answered by the order in which they were received.

Payments?

We accept credit cards or debit cards, by phone. Please call 501-262-9604, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM. You may pay by check, but should you ever need a refund – please know it can take 90 days for refunds by check, including for the Damage Deposit.

What is the difference between my initial deposit and my security deposit?

Initial deposits reserve the desired space and date. It is half of the total price and must be paid upon booking. The security deposit is $750 and is due with the final payment. It is completely refundable after your event – given that no damages are incurred and all policies are followed. Policy violations will forfeit this refund.

When is my final payment due?

All payments and additions (golf cart shuttles, candelabras) must be made 30 days before your event. Nothing may be changed or added within 30 days of your day.

What if my event is during Holiday Lights?

Our Holiday Lights show runs from mid-November through December 31. (For 2024, this will be Nov. 23 through Dec. 31.) During this time, all events must be completed by 3 pm. In other words, the latest wedding during Holiday Lights is noon – 3 PM. Admission to the Gardens is not included during Holiday Lights. Additionally, no receptions are held at GWG during Holiday Lights. The Gardens will also be decorated for the holidays as early as November 1st, meaning some venues may have decorations that cannot be removed for your event. Examples of this would be Christmas trees at the Pavilion, a Christmas Village in the Magnolia Room, or a 20-ft Christmas tree decorated with only white lights in Anthony Chapel.

Golf cart parking shuttle pre- and post-ceremony not available during Holiday Lights. Photo sessions limited to Garden brides only during Holiday Lights.

The entrance to GWG will be at the service road during this time period.

Garvan Gardens is closed each year the entire month of January.

What additional items and services are available from GWG?

For additional fees, GWG offers some items and services, including golf cart shuttle or photo shuttle, candelabras, or outdoor sound support. All items and services require 30-days’ advance notice and payment. Please note: a sound tech is a $250 add-on for the 1-hour wedding at Anthony Chapel.

What are the 3-hour wedding times at Anthony Chapel?

Morning: 10 am – 1 pm

Afternoon: 1:30 – 4:30 pm

Evening: 5 – 8 pm

*1-hour wedding times available from 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday through Thursday only*

Are any discounts offered?

We offer a 10% discount toward Anthony Chapel for GWG Members at the Patron level and above – up to $500 off!

For new bookings of 3-Hour weddings held in July or August, there is a 25% discount.

Which holidays are subject to holiday pricing?

Holiday bookings on Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, Eclipse Day (April 8, 2024) are an additional $500. Garvan Woodland Gardens is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, along with the entire month of January (events will not be booked on these days).

Why is a professional day-of wedding coordinator required?

Your professional wedding coordinator is responsible for the planning and timing of your event. Garvan Gardens will provide a property manager to protect and make available the venue. Your coordinator will conduct the moving parts of the event, including the rehearsal and ceremony. For small weddings of less than 15 (including officiant and photographer), the coordinator is not required. Please note that the coordinator or staff person must be on site for the entire booked time and each venue.

What does my professional coordinator need to provide to GWG?

Your professional coordinator must provide GWG with proof of commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 with University of Arkansas and the Board of Regents as named insured.

For the wedding, an event timeline and vendor list with contact information is due at least 14 days prior to the event. The timeline should include details for the order of your ceremony.

Can I reserve a golf cart for use at my event?

Golf carts can be reserved for an additional fee of $150 for one hour. 30-days’ notice and advance payment is required. A driver is included and golf carts can carry 5 people at a time. They cannot be used to carry equipment, cake, or flowers. Examples of golf cart rental include:

• shuttle for bridal or engagement photo pass (Garden brides only during Holiday Lights)
• pre-ceremony guest shuttle and post-ceremony guest shuttle (not available during Holiday Lights)
• bride & groom post ceremony photo shuttle

Are Tours of Anthony Chapel and other venues available?

Yes, tours of our beautiful facilities are available Tuesday thru Saturday.

The times will depend on wedding rentals of the Chapel. Keep in mind that the Chapel is often fully booked on Saturdays and tours will not be available then. Complimentary tours for up to 5 persons must be booked in advance by emailing GWGweds@uark.edu or by calling 501-262-9608. Please leave detailed information as to date and time and what areas you wish to view.

If you don’t have an appointment, you are welcome to view the Chapel on your own when it is not booked (see ‘Calendar of Events’) during our regular hours of admission. For the venues inside the Gardens, admission of $20 per person will apply.

More questions?

Please send an email to GWGweds@uark.edu or call 501-262-9608.