Garden Weddings

Congratulations, and thank you for considering the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens for your wedding. We take pride in working with you to help make this day special for you and your guests.

Below are the answers to our most frequently asked questions about garden weddings at the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, we hope these will help you in the planning process.

Please note: Botanical Garden weddings are booked through the Headquarters office at 217/586-3360.

Best Time to Schedule a Wedding
Garden weddings may be scheduled from the last weekend in May through the first weekend in October. Peak flower bloom is mid-June through mid-September. The average date of the first heavy fall frost is around the middle of October, but can be highly variable.

Ceremony Locations Offered
You may choose from the waterfall/pond area or the gazebo. Staff can provide examples of previous weddings to help you make that decision.

Reservations
You may reserve the garden up to one year before your wedding. Summer weekends tend to book quickly, so call the District Headquarters at (217) 586-3360 to check availability.

Paying for Your Reservation
Simply return payment with the signed Rental Agreement and Wedding Information Form to the Headquarters Office. Checks should be made out to the Champaign County Forest Preserve District or CCFPD. MasterCard and Visa are also accepted.

Reservations Include

Three-hour time block (11am-2pm or 3:30pm-6:30pm)
One-hour rehearsal
Bridal dressing room
Extension cords
100 chairs that are set up & taken down
Guestbook stand
Wedding sign posted at Route 47 entrance gate
Staff present to assist your group

Other Services Offered

50 additional chairs - $89.25
100 additional chairs - $178.50
Use of enclosed pavilion as a rain backup at discounted price - $230.00
Use of enclosed pavilion as a reception location at discounted price - $590.00

Bridal Dressing Room

This private dressing room offers:

Air-conditioning
Dorm-size refrigerator
Shelf and counter space
Comfortable seating
Make-up mirror
Full-length mirror
Clothes rack
Private restroom

You may use the dressing room anytime during your designated three-hour time block. It is very possible there may be a wedding party following yours, so in consideration of the next group, it is imperative that all personal belongings be removed from the room by the end of your time block. Please designate this responsibility to someone in your party.

The facility is located in the rear of the Rayburn-Purnell restroom building. You will likely want to arrange for transportation from the dressing room to the wedding site. Be sure the driver knows where the dressing room is and when to be there. For your sanity, provide copies of District maps to all in your party so they know where the dressing room and wedding site are located.

Rehearsal
Most groups choose to have their rehearsal the night prior to the wedding. There will be a staff member present at the rehearsal to help with any questions. Please confirm your planned rehearsal time when making your reservation to avoid conflicting with another party.

Helping Your Guests Find the Location
We can provide a Lake of the Woods map that you are welcome to duplicate. There is also a detailed map of the garden available. Both maps are on our website.

A "wedding" sign will be placed inside the preserve entrance pointing to the site. You should note the museum parking lot is about two blocks north of the wedding site; your guests will have an unnecessarily long walk if they park there.

Parking should be head-in, on the parking lots and on the grass along both sides of the access roads to the garden. A staff member will be on hand to assist in getting the first arrivals parked. Please note that staff will be unable to continue to park cars, as they are to be available for the needs of the wedding party. If you have a large guest list and are anticipating a large amount of vehicles, you should plan to provide additional help to get everyone parked.

Handicapped Accessibility
Please feel welcome to drive in and drop someone off at the wedding site. we ask that you move the vehicle clear of the immediate site for the ceremony in case we would need emergency access. Staff will indicate nearby parking areas. Accessible restrooms are available about a block east of the garden.

Limousines or Horse-Drawn Carriages
Limousines and carriages have been used extensively in the garden. If your driver has not been here before, he or she should drive through ahead of the date to check clearances and the layout of the garden. Longer chassis limos may be restricted on the way they enter and depart the garden. There are entrances and areas behind the waterfall where they can wait, out of sight, to make a grand entry to pick up the wedding party. Please check with your horse-drawn carriage provider to make sure they have filed the proper insurance requirements with our Headquarters Office.

Visitor Interference
This should not be a concern. You will find that garden visitors immediately perceive a wedding is in progress and are quite respectful. Staff is also on hand to guarantee your reservation.

Decorations
You may decorate the garden as long as the decorations are removed promptly after the ceremony. There are trash cans near the entryway. Attachment of decorations is to be made with tape or floral wire; NO staples, tacks or nails, please.

Photographs
Many couples choose to take their photographs before the ceremony. This seems to work well, but it is your choice. There are many, many photo opportunities in the garden. Please take full advantage of them! You should also check with your photographer to make sure he or she has a District photographer's permit on file at our Headquarters Office.

Electricity
There are standard electrical outlets at the site. All are GFI-protected for your safety. Staf will indicate their locations. Sound systems, speakers, etc. are not provided by the District.

Telephone
There is not a telephone available. In the event of an emergency, you will need to use a personal cell phone to dial 9-1-1. The location address is 600 N. Lombard, Mahomet.

Music
You may certainly have music; we have had various types. Keyboards or recorded music may be used. The District reserves the right to limit volume of amplified music.

District Staff
Staff will stay in the vicinity to assist you and your wedding party should you have any questions as well as getting guests started parking, and monitor the garden entryway and bridal dressing room. Staff will be there until the ceremony is over and you are on your way.

More Information
For more information, visit our Headquarters, located at the HI-Tower in Lake of the Woods Preserve, call (217) 586-3360 or e-mail hq@ccfpd.org. Office hours are 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM weekdays.