Nelson Shrub Rose Garden (250 Guests)

Take your ceremonial walk down a path of majestic white firs to the Nelson Shrub Rose Garden featuring hundreds of colorful, continuous-bloom rose bushes. The garden is arranged in a circular pattern around the granite tiles of an exquisite reflecting pool. Up to 200 guests may be seated in the spacious lawn area between the rose beds and pool. The garden is flanked by a native sugar maple woodland. Arrangements can be made to bring in chairs one hour prior to your wedding, and picked up one hour following the wedding. Rental rates are $850 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $750 for Sunday-Thursday evenings.

Clotilde Irvine Sensory Garden (200 Guests)

The Sensory Garden is composed of model displays of beautiful container plantings, miniature rock garden and bird and butterfly garden engages the senses and refreshes the spirit. In the center of this garden there is a spacious lawn area where up to 200 chairs can be arranged. Arrangements can be made to bring in chairs one hour prior to your wedding, and picked up one hour following the wedding. Rental rates are $850 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $750 for Sunday-Thursday evenings.

Palma J. Wilson Rose Garden (150 Guests)

This beautiful garden features hundreds of hybrid garden roses attractively displayed on a hillside in beds connected by stone walkways and steps. The garden, screened by wooden trellises of climbing clematis vines, features a small pool with fountains and gazebo with inside seating. The magnificence of the rose garden makes it a popular site for summer weddings. It has a capacity for 150 standing guests (or 17 guests may be seated on benches). Rental rates are $850 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $750 for Sunday-Thursday evenings.

Elizabeth Carr Slade Perennial Garden (150 Guests)

This spacious oblong garden is modeled after traditional European formal gardens. Flowerbeds are positioned around the perimeter and set off against a background of brick retaining walls and trees. Ceremonies are conducted near the pool which graces the center of the garden and is surrounded by beds of blue and gray perennials, creating the illusion of a larger pool. Perennials bloom from late March until frost. Standing capacity for 150 guests (or 12 guest may be seated on benches). Rental rates are $850 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $750 for Sunday-Thursday evenings.

Sarah Stevens MacMillan Terrace Garden (150 Guests)

This wonderful garden represents a model northern perennial and annual garden, featuring a refreshing color palette of pinks, whites and blues throughout the growing season. The garden is partially encircled by a 4-foot brick wall with lanterns adorning each end. At its center is a circle of lawn-a perfect position for the bride and groom, with guests gathering around the walkways or seated on the spacious Morgan Terrace. A beautiful lighted gazebo graces the garden during the winter months, for a beautiful evening ceremony. The garden is conveniently located behind the Snyder Building and close to the Oswald Visitor Center. It has standing capacity for 150 guests (up to 9 may be seated on benches). Rental rates are $850 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $750 for Sunday-Thursday evenings.

Mary L. Griggs Annual Garden (100 Guests)

This extraordinary garden, opened in 2005, encompasses more than 75,000 plants, featuring a changing color palette and plant selection each year. Circular stone walls, walkways, and a large Victorian-style fountain grace this beautiful summer garden. Rental rates are $850 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $750 for Sunday-Thursday evenings.

Francis de Vos Home Demonstration Garden (50 Guests)

Composed of nine smaller gardens, including an herb knot garden, rock garden, cutting garden, and garden landscaped for outdoor living. All are surrounded by ornamental fences, hedges, decks, walkways, walls, patios, terraces or trellises-offering a private setting for 50 standing guests (up to 5 guests may be seated). Rental rates are $600 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $600 for Sunday-Thursday evenings.

Seisui-Tei Japanese Garden (12 Guests)

Seisui-Tei means Garden of Pure Water. Designed by nationally renowned landscape architect Koichi Kawana, this traditional Japanese wet garden features a waterfall and pond symbolic of a great river. The rock at the base of the waterfall represents a climbing carp, a symbol of strength; the rock isolated in the water represents a ship, a symbol of the wish for an easy journey to paradise; and the island represents a turtle, symbol of immortality. The garden contains a small outdoor teahouse built of wood, bamboo and stone. Wooden entrance gates look as ageless as the water, rocks and trees. This uniquely designed garden is ideal for a small, intimate wedding with standing room for 12 (up to 6 guests may be seated). Rental rates are $500 for Friday and Saturdays evenings and $500 for Sunday-Thursday evenings.

Gardens and indoor spaces may be reserved up to 18 months in advance.

For more information or to make reservations e-mail us at matso024@umn.edu or call 952-443-1411.