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Rent the Garden

Weddings & Special Events

Imagine exchanging vows under a majestic Live Oak, or dancing the night away beneath the stars on the Magnolia Allée. The Garden offers a variety of breathtaking venues for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and other special events.

Our dedicated Event Coordinator will help you find the perfect setting and create an unforgettable experience. Contact us today to schedule a tour and secure your date!

Weddings & Special Events

Contact Info

Todd Beasley

Director

Garden Rentals

For inquiries about renting the Botanic Garden for your wedding, reception, rehearsal dinner, or any special event, please reach out to our Facility Rental Coordinator at ktucker@georgiasouthern.edu.

Celebrate Your Special Day Surrounded by the Natural Beauty of the Garden

Imagine exchanging vows under a majestic Live Oak, or dancing the night away beneath the stars on the Magnolia Allée. The Garden offers a variety of breathtaking venues for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and other special events.

Our dedicated Event Coordinator will help you find the perfect setting and create an unforgettable experience. Contact us today to schedule a tour and secure your date!

Call 912-478-1149 or email garden@georgiasouthern.edu to learn more.

Garden Club

Membership Benefits

Exclusive Privileges for Member Clubs

Garden Clubs with an active membership receive:

  • One (1) complimentary on-site meeting annually at either the Pavilion or Bland Cottage
  • One (1) guided program or tour led by Botanic Garden staff

Meeting Details

  • Three-hour maximum (including setup and cleanup)
  • Available during standard weekday operating hours
  • Advance reservation required

Additional Services

  • Extra meetings: Standard rental rates apply
  • Additional guided programs: $40 per program
  • Extended time: Regular hourly rates

Important Notes

  • Complimentary three-hour limit is strictly enforced
  • All rentals subject to availability
  • Garden Club events exceeding three hours will be charged at standard rates

Meetings & Programs

With a Garden Club level membership, each Garden Club is entitled to one (1) on-site meeting* and one (1) Botanic Garden prepared program or tour.

Additional meetings are billed at $50 and must be held during Garden hours.
Availability may be limited to after 1PM due to school educational tours.

Call Kathy Tucker at 912-478-1503 for availability and scheduling.

*Use of the Pavilion or Bland Cottage is limited to three hours (including set-up & clean-up time) during the day of the meeting and only during standard weekday garden hours. This policy applies without exception. Garden Club meetings/gatherings over 3 hours are subject to the standard rental rates and policies, including fees for additional hours.

Two Week Meeting

Ensure your event runs smoothly by finalizing important details at the Two Week Meeting. This required meeting confirms event logistics, catering, music, alcohol policies, and seating arrangements, with any last-minute changes subject to additional fees. Proper planning helps maintain the Garden’s policies while ensuring a seamless experience for you and your guests.

Two-Week Meeting Form

Policies & Forms

Find specific rental information below.

To pay for event rentals, use the secure online payment link below.

Georgia Southern Affiliated Rental

Pricing is based on rental hours, number of guests and wear and tear on the Garden. Funds raised through facility rentals support the Garden and its programs.

Current Georgia Southern faculty staff, administration, students, and Georgia Southern departments receive a 10% discount on Monday-Wednesday rentals.  Not applicable to weddings or valid with other discounts.

Fundraising events by non-profits other than the Garden are not permitted.

Please call the Garden @ 912-478-1149 with any Heritage Pavilion rental questions.

Please call (912) 478-1149 for Fraternity and Sorority Facility Rental.

Georgia Southern Alcohol Policy

Heritage Pavilion Rental

The Heritage Pavilion is a beautiful open-air structure that opens onto the Native Plant Landscape Garden and provides a panoramic view of the arboretum. A catering kitchen, restrooms, and close to a service entrance make the Heritage Pavilion the perfect venue for a wedding, reception or other event.

Pricing Includes

  • The Garden’s Tables and Chairs
  • Use of Heritage Pavilion, Kitchen, Restrooms, and Farmyard
  • Garden Staff
  • Security Officer
Heritage Pavilion Rental Form

Booking the Garden for Photography

Professional photographers are welcome in the Garden.  Use of the Garden by a professional photographer requires a reservation, permit, and fee.   These will ensure that you and your clients will enjoy your time at the Garden and that photography will not conflict with needs of other Garden users, including field trips, tours, and rentals.

Garden Photography Policy

There are costs to creating and maintaining such a beautiful place, just as there are costs to maintaining a photography studio. Georgia Southern University provides about 60 % of the Garden’s annual operating budget, which pays for about 4 staff positions. As you might imagine, it costs much more to keep the Garden beautiful. Except for a few grants, private donations provide the remaining funds for seasonal plantings, maintenance, new construction, public events, and some educational programs. It is only fair that those who benefit from the Garden support it financially. A fee will cover the cost of caring for the Garden for your photographic purposes. This fee may be paid on a time-by-time basis or covered by either of two annual Photographer’s Memberships.

We hope you find your time here with your clients a relaxed and enjoyable experience. Thank you for understanding the needs of our growing Garden, and for helping us all work together to cherish and protect this unique resource.

Please follow the Garden Photography Policy.

We thank you for considering the Botanic Garden for your photography session.

The Garden is available for photographic use Monday through Friday during regular business hours when Garden grounds, facilities, and gates are open. Photography sessions must end 30 minutes prior to the Garden closing (6:30 pm April – October & 5 pm November – March). There are no Photography Sessions on Saturday or Sunday.

If you are receiving payment for your services, or are rendering services typically provided by a professional photographer, or are taking photographs of more than 5 people:

  1. Call the Garden at (912) 478-1149 to make a reservation.  Reservations should be made at least 3 days in advance. 
  2. Pay the Photography Fee, in advance ($50.00/hour).  Reservations and pre-paid permit fees must be paid over the phone, in person by cash, check, or credit card, or a secure online link can be emailed to you.
  3. Pick up the Photographer ID Tag and review and sign the Garden Photography Policy at our office (1201 Fair Road) prior to your shoot.  You must wear tag during your shoot to avoid interruption by Garden staff.
  4. Please follow Garden Photography Policy.

*For groups of more than 10, special arrangements are required.  Please call (912) 478-1149. Enjoy the Garden.

For all photographers:

  • DO remember that other people are visiting the Garden for beauty, solitude, and enjoyment. DO remember that even if a bed looks empty, something may be sprouting below the surface.
  • DO stay on the paths and out of planting beds.  When in doubt, please stay out!
  • DO keep in mind that this is a plant museum.  Do not pick flowers, leaves or any plantings growing in the Garden.