Create Your Dream Wedding With All-Inclusive Botanical Garden Packages

Planning a wedding can be an incredibly exciting, yet stressful undertaking. From securing a venue to coordinating vendors, the numerous details involved often make couples feel overwhelmed. This is where botanical garden wedding packages come in! These all-inclusive offerings provide hassle-free wedding experiences in idyllic garden settings. Keep reading to learn why botanical gardens make such magical wedding venues and how their packages simplify coordination.

Why Choose a Botanical Garden for Your Wedding?

Botanical gardens offer gorgeous, one-of-a-kind venues that instantly elevate your wedding style. Here are some of the top reasons to host your big day at one of these scenic sanctuaries.

Gorgeous, Natural Settings

The sheer beauty of lush gardens makes botanical venues photogenic backdrops. Manicured lawns, vibrant flower beds, graceful trees--these natural details come together to create dreamy wedding scenery. The gardens supply gorgeous "decor" at no extra cost. Depending on the season, different plants may be in bloom, adding pops of color. Outdoors spaces like inviting lawns and garden paths make ideal ceremony and reception sites.

Unique Venues

Botanical gardens supply venues you won't find elsewhere, from historic mansions to exotic conservatories. Offerings like intimate chapels, whimsical pavilions, and reception halls with wall-to-wall windows provide singular wedding sites. The venues possess rustic charm and character you can't replicate at generic hotel ballrooms or banquet halls.

Built-in Decor

With diverse trees, shrubs, flowers, and greenery, a living botanical garden surrounds you in "decor." Take advantage of what's already onsite to minimize extra accents and let the natural beauty shine. The vibrant blooms make perfect backdrops for photos. Plus, gardens often limit additional decor to protect their environments, keeping setup simple.

Overview of Typical Botanical Garden Wedding Packages

Most botanical gardens offer all-inclusive wedding packages designed to simplify planning. Here's an overview of what these bundles usually entail.

All-Inclusive Pricing and Services

The best part of booking a package is that pricing covers all the major elements in one predictable bundle. The packages combine essentials like the ceremony and reception venues, tables/chairs, catering, and coordination services. This alleviates the stress of budgeting for individual details.

Variety to Suit Different Needs

Botanical gardens supply packages scaled to everything from elopements to large weddings. Couples can pick a package that fits their vision and guest count. Some gardens offer inclusive bundles while others provide a menu for mixing and matching customizable options.

Sample Package Inclusions

While specifics vary, most botanical garden packages feature:

• Venue rental for the ceremony, reception, or both
• Tables, chairs, linens
• Catering partnerships or recommendations
• Coordination for setup/teardown
• Referrals to florists, photographers, and other vendors

Botanical Garden Wedding Package Pricing

Costs for botanical garden wedding packages run the gamut based on location, services, and attendance. Here's an overview of typical price points.

Price Range Overview

Full-service botanical garden packages often start around $5,000 - $10,000 on average. More basic elopement-style packages generally span $1,000 - $3,000. Prices rise with extras like catering, bar packages, and elevated rentals. The specific venue and date impacts costs too. Popular locales and peak season weekends command higher prices.

Factors Affecting Cost

The main considerations determining a botanical garden wedding's price tag include:

• Location - Big cities and sought-after gardens hike rates
• Peak season - Summer weekends are most in-demand
• Guest count - More guests raise food, rentals, and staffing fees
• Inclusions - Catering, rentals, and more add cost
• Taxes and service fees - Often 20%+ extra

Managing Additional Expenses

On top of the package price, couples may encounter extra charges like:

• Overtime fees if the event extends beyond contracted time
• A la carte rental upgrades like chiavari chairs
• Added per head charges if guests exceed the package guest count
• Gratuities for coordinators, servers, and other staff

Finding the Right Botanical Garden Package

With so many gorgeous botanical gardens hosting weddings, how do you narrow your options? Follow these steps for success.

Assessing Needs

Start by outlining your ideal scenario. Consider essential factors like:

• Ceremony-only or full reception venue?
• Estimated guest count and wedding style
• Indoor, outdoor, or mixed spaces?
• Time of year and seasonality constraints

Researching Options in Your Area

Search for renowned gardens near you that offer wedding services. Peruse their websites for testimonials, photos, and packages. Catalog venue capacities, onsite amenities, preferred vendor lists, and more. Make a shortlist of promising picks.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

Before committing, inquire with your top choices about:

• What's included and customizable in their wedding packages?
• Do they require or recommend using certain vendors?
• What is their maximum ceremony/reception capacity?
• Is there a backup rain plan if weather derails outdoor plans?

Booking Tips and Timeline

If you have your heart set on a botanical garden wedding, don't delay on booking. Here are some tips.

In sought-after gardens, dates book up 12-18 months in advance for peak seasons. If flexibility isn't a concern, you may be able to score a fabulous space 6-12 months out instead. Once you pick a venue, put down a deposit to reserve your date ASAP.

Review contracts thoroughly and note payment schedules. Many gardens require 50% of fees paid 60-90 days out, and the balance due 2-3 weeks before the big day. Order any rentals at least 2-3 months ahead of time.

Bringing Your Dream Botanical Wedding to Life

After securing your perfect botanical garden package, it's time for the fun part--crafting your wedding vision! Here are some ideas for enhancing your natural setting.

Strategically placed lighting illuminates gardens for night events. Lanterns lining paths accentuate blooms. Arrange garden-grown floral displays in a palette inspired by what's in season. Discuss menus using herbs and veggies grown onsite.

Select decor and rentals that complement the garden, like wood chairs, natural linens, and leafy centerpieces. Display personalized elements like photos, escort cards, and place cards made using botanical papers and pressed flowers.

Many gardens have unique plant species and vast flower varieties that can be incorporated into floral designs and bouquets. Some gardens provide these services in-house, allowing you to carry the garden's essence into your flowers.

Sustainability is important at most gardens, so inquire about green initiatives you may wish to adopt like waste reduction, local food sourcing, energy conservation, and eco-friendly supplies.

Hosting your nuptials at a breathtaking botanical garden simplifies planning and provides built-in beauty. Expertly coordinated packages handle the heavy lifting of organizing decor, catering, and rentals. All that's left is for you to enjoy your big day surrounded by the splendor of nature. Research picturesque gardens in your locale, compare package inclusions and pricing, and book early at your top pick. With an all-inclusive botanical garden package, you're on the path to wedding bliss!