Weddings                   2014 rentals start March 3, 2013

We are pleased you are considering Olbrich Botanical Gardens as your wedding ceremony site. Whether you are planning an outdoor, tropical or winter wedding, we have a site to fit your needs. Olbrich Gardens provides a breathtaking setting for your ceremony and receiving line.

There are up to three time frames to choose from for your ceremony on Tuesdays through Saturdays, or Sunday mornings. No matter which time is selected, your wedding is always the only wedding happening at the Gardens during that time, though other types of events may also be scheduled.

Outdoor weddings take place from approximately May 20 to October 1, depending on the weather. Indoor and Conservatory weddings are available year-round.

For information about wedding ceremonies and receptions, please contact:

Patti Jorenby, Rental Coordinator

(608) 246-4733

pjorenby@cityofmadison.com

Ceremony Sites

Outdoor Event Garden  (option with rental of Atrium - can not rent separately)
Outdoor weddings are held only in Olbrich's Event Garden, beautifully landscaped with seasonal annuals, large container gardens, and a dark wood pergola. All of your wedding photos may be taken in the outdoor gardens as well.

• A lovely room inside the Botanical Center called the Atrium is reserved for your ceremony use.  The Outdoor Event Garden is an extra option if there is good weather.
• There are up to three time frames to choose from for weddings on Tuesdays through Saturdays and Sunday mornings.
• 120 person capacity, including wedding party.
  

8 to 11 a.m. (Sat & Sun only) latest ceremony time is 10am

12 to 3 p.m. (Fri & Sat only) ceremony start time between 12:30 & 2:00pm

4 to 7 p.m. (Tues - Sat only) ceremony start time between 4:30 & 6pm

A changing area that is carpeted, climate controlled, secure and complete with a full-length mirror is also held for you on-site.  There are washrooms just outside the changing area.

Atrium
The Atrium is an open and airy room that features glass walls and a vaulted glass ceiling framed by oak beams. It serves as a beautiful indoor wedding site in the winter, and also in the summer during inclement weather. Potted plants draw the outdoors inside.

• There are up to three time frames to choose from for weddings on Tuesdays through Saturdays and Sunday mornings.
• 120 person capacity, including wedding party.
  

8 to 11 a.m. (Sat & Sun only) latest ceremony time is 10am

12 to 3 p.m. (Fri & Sat only) ceremony start time between 12:30 & 2:00pm

4 to 7 p.m. (Tues - Sat only) ceremony start time between 4:30 & 6pm

A changing area that is carpeted, climate controlled, secure and complete with a full-length mirror is also held for you on-site.  There are washrooms just outside the changing area.

Bolz Conservatory
The tropical Bolz Conservatory provides a truly exotic site for an early evening ceremony. Never worry about the weather; it's always beautiful! Enjoy a private, lush tropical setting, complete with a waterfall and free-flying birds!

• Weddings are available on Tuesday through Saturday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. only. (earliest cermony start time is 4:30pm)
• 30 person capacity, including wedding party.
• A changing area that is carpeted, climate controlled, secure and complete with a full-length mirror is also held for you on-site.  There are washrooms just outside the changing area.
  

Ceremony Rates

Atrium & Event Garden Wedding Ceremony Rates	2013	2014
Friday & Saturday; 12 - 3 p.m. OR 4 - 7 p.m	$750	$800
Saturday & Sunday 8 - 11 a.m.	$470	$500
Tuesday - Thursday 4 - 7 p.m.	$470	$500
Bolz Conservatory Wedding Ceremony Rates
Tuesday - Saturday 4 - 7 p.m.	$470	$500

 

Cancellation: There are no refunds for the cancellation of a wedding ceremony at Olbrich Gardens unless the reserved space is rented to another individual or group for the same spaces and time period, in which case an 80% refund will be accorded. Please refer to the Wedding Ceremonies brochure for all applicable rules and guidelines related to ceremonies held at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

availability calendar

2013 Availability Calendar   

2014 Availability Calendar  

 

Ceremony Guidelines

1. Rehearsals are scheduled on an availability basis only.
2. All activity related to your wedding ceremony must occur WITHIN your selected ceremony rental time.  This includes access to changing room, musicians setting up, etc...
3. Please do not use paper runners on the grass since they can shred. Cloth, hard plastic, or plastic-backed papers are acceptable.
4. Throwing rice, birdseed, rose petals, confetti, and releasing of butterflies, doves, and balloons is prohibited. Use of fireworks is prohibited. Bubbles are acceptable outdoors only.
5. For the convenience of all visitors, please keep the driveway free of vehicles at all times except during drop off and pick up.
6. Chairs, tables, podiums, electrical cords or the like are not provided by the Gardens. Lessees wishing chairs or other equipment may contract with a rental service. Chairs, musicians and all other equipment must be set out and taken down either by the rental service staff or the wedding party WITHIN the rental time. Chairs and all other equipment may be set up on paths and grassy areas. This is for the Atrium/Event Garden only. No chairs are allowed in the Conservatory.
7. Electrical outlets are available outdoors at the Event Garden and indoors at the Atrium and Bolz Conservatory.
8. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in any part of the Botanical Center.
9. When using the Atrium, the use of nails, tacks, screws, tape or the like to fasten materials to walls, doors, or from the ceiling is prohibited.
10. The Atrium is reserved as a wedding ceremony site only and cannot be used as a reception location. Information on wedding receptions at the Gardens is available on request.
11. Your wedding ceremony photographs may be taken in the Atrium or any outdoor garden area - following our Photography Guidelines. The Bolz Conservatory can be used as a photography site ONLY by those renting the Conservatory for their wedding ceremony after public hours.
12. Tents cannot be set up on the Botanical Gardens grounds.
13. Please note that Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a public garden. The Gardens remain open to the public during your reserved time. There will be no other wedding ceremony scheduled during your reserved time, but other types of events may be scheduled.
14. Olbrich reserves weddings for the following year beginning on the first Sunday in March. (Sunday, March 3, 2013 for 2014 rentals.)  
15. By making or authorizing payment to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Lessee agrees to be bound by all terms and guidelines of Olbrich's Facility Use Agreement, including its refund policy.

Photos of spaces

See photos of wedding ceremony and reception spaces

 

Wedding Receptions

Olbrich's Evjue Commons is a large room featuring a vaulted ceiling and a full glass wall providing beautiful views of the gardens. The Evjue Commons serves as the site for wedding receptions.

The Evjue Commons can accommodate up to 150 people for dining and dancing. All evening events must conclude in time for everything to be cleaned up no later than 11:00 p.m. Food service is available through local caterers that are contracted to provide food service at Olbrich Gardens. Please see the Approved Caterers section. You contract directly with the caterer of your choice from this list. Bar service is available upon request through Blue Plate Catering.

Evjue Commons Wedding Reception Rates		2013 & 2014
Friday & Saturday 5 - 11 p.m.		$665
Saturday 8 - 5 p.m.		$510
*Surcharge to rent Commons as early as 12 p.m.		$145

Wedding Reception Guidelines


Evjue Commons Setup Sheet
The Evjue Commons is a large meeting room featuring a vaulted ceiling and a full glass wall providing beautiful views of the gardens. Doors in the Evjue Commons lead directly to a terrace with garden furniture and the gardens beyond.