Weddings
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 15 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
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.
- For your benefit, a lovely room inside the Botanical Center called
the Atrium is held for your ceremony use should the weather be
inclement the day of your ceremony.
- 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) |
12 to 3 p.m.
(Fri & Sat only). |
4
to 7 p.m.
(Tues - Sat only) |
A changing area that is carpeted, climate controlled, secure and complete with washrooms and a full-length mirror is also held for you on-site.
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) |
12 to 3 p.m.
(Fri & Sat only). |
4
to 7 p.m.
(Tues - Sat only) |
A changing area that is carpeted, climate controlled, and secure is held for you on-site. The changing area also includes washrooms and a full-length mirror.
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.
- 30 person capacity,
including wedding party.
- A changing area that is carpeted, climate
controlled, and secure is held for you on-site. The changing area
also includes washrooms and a full-length mirror.
Ceremony Rates
| Atrium
& Event Garden Wedding
Ceremony Rates |
| Friday & Saturday; 12
- 3 p.m. OR 4 - 7 p.m |
$675 |
| Saturday & Sunday 8 - 11
a.m. |
$425 |
| Tuesday - Thursday 4 - 7
p.m. |
$425 |
| Bolz Conservatory Wedding Ceremony Rates |
| Tuesday - Saturday 4 - 7
p.m. |
$425 |
availability calendar
2008
Availability Calendar 
2009
Availability Calendar
Ceremony Guidelines
- Rehearsals are scheduled on an availability
basis only.
- All activity related to your wedding ceremony
must occur WITHIN your selected ceremony rental time.
- Please do
not use paper runners on the grass since they can shred. Cloth,
hard plastic, or plastic-backed papers are acceptable.
- 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.
- For the convenience of all
visitors, please keep the driveway free of vehicles at all times
except during drop off and pick up.
- 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
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.
- Electrical outlets are available
outdoors at the Event Garden and indoors at the Atrium and Bolz
Conservatory.
- Smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited
in any part of the Botanical Center.
- 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.
- 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.
- Your wedding ceremony photographs
may be taken in the Atrium or any outdoor garden area. The Bolz
Conservatory can be used as a photography site ONLY by those renting
the Conservatory for their wedding ceremony after public hours.
- Tents cannot be set up on the Botanical
Gardens grounds.
- 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.
- Olbrich
reserves weddings for the following
year beginning on March 1. Example, 2009 rentals would start on March 1, 2008.
- 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, skylights, 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 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 |
|
| Friday & Saturday
5 - 11 p.m. |
$600 |
| Saturday 8 - 5 p.m. |
$475 |
| *Surcharge to rent Commons as early as 12
p.m. |
$130 |
Wedding Reception
Guidelines
Evjue Commons Setup Sheet
The Evjue Commons is a large meeting room featuring a vaulted ceiling, skylights, 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.
