11030 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 721-1600
With ten beautifully landscaped acres of formal and natural gardens, the Cleveland Botanical Garden offers a wide array of unique and amazing spaces for weddings. The garden is located in the heart of University Circle near The Cleveland Museum of Art, Wade Lagoon, Severance Hall, The Museum of Natural History, The Western Reserve Historical Society and The Glidden House.
Creative Portraits
While this is an excellent location for your ceremony or reception, you can also book an hour of time for photos with your bridal party. For $200 per hour, you can bring in five to eighteen people. For $125 per hour, you can bring in up to four people including your photographers. This would be perfect if you just wanted photos of you and your spouse at the gardens on your special day. Arrangements must be made with the garden staff and a time slot chosen ahead of time so this option does require some upfront planning.
The outdoor gardens are comprised of 11 distinct and unique gardens:
- Campsey Stauffer Gateway Garden
- C.K. Patrick Perennial Border
- Elizabeth and Nona Evans Restorative Gardens
- Hershey Children’s Garden
- Inspiration Gardens
- Japanese Garden
- Katherine Philipp Geis Terrace
- Mary Ann Sears Swetland Rose Garden
- Paula and David Swetland Topiary Garden
- Western Reserve Herb Society Herb Garden
- Woodland Garden
In addition to the outdoor gardens, there is an expansive Glasshouse that is divided into two main sections; Madagascar and Costa Rica. The Costa Rica glasshouse provides lush greens and lots of vegetation as well as some rock formations and water features.
Ceremonies
We have seen ceremonies take place in the Japanese Garden, the Sunken Garden and the walkway between the Herb Garden and the Rose Garden.
The Japanese Garden and Sunken Garden provide ample shade in the hot summer months. Be aware you and your guests will be walking and standing on the grass to reach these locations. This may be an important factor if the ground is very wet or if you or your guests have any mobility issues. You are completely surrounded by tall trees and lush vegetation, so while you are still in the middle of University Circle, you feel quite secluded.
While the Herb Garden walkway is more exposed to the sun, it’s perfect for late afternoon or evening ceremonies. The sun will set right behind you if you time it right. The walkway also provides a concrete aisle for you and your guests to walk down which can be a benefit for some people.
Receptions
We have photographed wedding receptions inside Clark Hall and on the Geis Terrace.
Clark Hall is an indoor space with a cocktail capacity of 300 and a dinner capacity of 200. The floor to ceiling windows overlook the Herb Garden and the room fills with the light of the setting sun in the evening hours.
The Geis Terrace is a beautiful outdoor architectural space with a reflecting pond and fountain. We have photographed outdoor open-air receptions and tented receptions on the terrace. The Geis Terrace has a cocktail capacity of a whopping 530 people and a seated dinner capacity of 280.
Conclusion
The Cleveland Botanical Gardens truly are one of Cleveland’s crown jewels and we feel quite honored every time we get a chance to photograph there. There are so many unique and interesting spaces that photographic inspiration abounds. If you are thinking of having your wedding at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, we would love to be a part of it. Contact us now to check availability for your wedding date!
Maja & Jim
Tommy & Grace
Phil & Simona
Carlton & Kim
Rebecca & Jim
Julie & Bryan
Chris & Sara
Meagan & George
Oliver & Kaila
Katie & Kevin