The Wedding of Your Dreams
With over 100 acres of landscaped and wooded areas for you and your guests to enjoy, weddings at The Gardens are truly magical.
Wedding venue options
Celebration Pavilion
Symphony Garden
Romanian Garden
Chinese Bridge
Celebration Pavilion – Reception Only
Featuring stunning views of Lake Lucerne and its color-changing fountain, Celebration Pavilion is centrally located and is our most popular reception venue, accommodating up to 250 guests. It is also the only venue that can accommodate food trucks.
Select this option if booking a reception only. Ceremony + reception combo options are available for booking in conjunction with our ceremony venues: Symphony Garden, Romanian Garden, Chinese Bridge, Rose Garden, Gazebo Island, Scotland Garden, Tea House Garden, and Norway Garden.
Reception for up to 250 guests: $5,500
Table & chair rental available.
Symphony Garden
Featuring our stunning reflection pool and fountains, Symphony Garden boasts a wide variety of plant species and is among our most popular event venues.
Ceremony for up to 100 guests: $2,000
Ceremony for 101 – 250 guests: $2,500
Reception for up to 100 guests: $5,000
Rose Garden
Gazebo Island
Scotland Garden
Tea House Garden
Norway Garden
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Provides details about all our venues, pricing, and agreement fees
Our curated vendors we recommend to enhance your special day
The Bridal Cabin
Our Bridal Cabin offers a private, comfortable space for the bridal party to get ready, relax, and enjoy quiet moments before the ceremony, and to freshen up afterward.
Tucked within the peaceful surroundings of Friendship Botanic Gardens, it provides a convenient retreat close to your wedding venue while keeping preparations organized and stress-free.
From final touch-ups and photos to a calm place to gather with your closest family and friends, the Bridal Cabin helps make your wedding day experience even more seamless and memorable.
Venue Benefits and Booking Details
Friendship Gardens Package (included with each booking)
- Assistance of our wedding director & staff for the entire event
- Vendor Coordination
- Set up, cleaning, and tear down of all FBG rented items.
- Bridal Cabin
- Golf cart assistance for your entire booking
- 3 hours of venue rental (additional hours available)
- Preferred vendor list
- Ceremony chairs
- One-hour ceremony rehearsal
- Symphony ceremonies include a brick
- A yearlong membership to The Gardens
How Friendship Gardens staff enhances your day:
- Wedding director coordinates with vendor prior to and day of wedding
- All FBG rental items will be set up & torn down
- All FBG rental items will be cleaned the morning of event
- Freshly cleaned & prepared Bridal Cabin
- Directional and personalized signage for event
- Wedding director coordinates 1-hour ceremony rehearsal
- Provides golf cart service for duration of the event
- Trash removal provided throughout the entire event
Booking requirements:
- A non-refundable Reservation Fee of $250 is required at the time of booking to guarantee your date and venue.
- The venue rental fee must be paid in full 180 days prior to the date of your event.
- A damage deposit of $250 per venue is required 30-days prior to the date of your event. The damage deposit is refunded if no damage is observed or additional clean-up is required.
Milestone Brick
Remember your special day with a complimentary Milestone Brick placed in our Symphony Garden fountain terrace. Your Milestone Brick inscription can consist of three lines of text, with a maximum of 16 characters each line.
Available for clients who book The Symphony Garden.
Below is a sample Milestone Brick for your reference.
Complimentary Venue Tours
We get it…finding the perfect venue for your special day can be difficult, especially when you’ve only seen photos of the space.
We’re happy to give you a complimentary guided tour so you can see each venue option in person before making the big decision. Just fill out the form below to book your tour.
Tours take about an hour and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. All time slots are shown in Central Time.
ADD TO iCAL CALENDARMeet Your Wedding & Events Director
Kylie Sutter
Planning your special day can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with Kylie as your guide, the journey becomes a seamless and joyful experience. Each year, more than 65 couples celebrate their love at The Gardens. Spanning over 100 acres of landscaped gardens and serene wooded spaces, our ten distinct venue options provide a variety of breathtaking backdrops for your special day. With her in-depth knowledge of each space, Kylie will help you select and customize the perfect setting, ensuring your wedding is as magical and memorable as its surroundings.
Kylie first joined The Gardens in 2021, assisting with weddings and events, and returned in 2024 as a Wedding and Event Intern before stepping into the role of Wedding and Events Director. She brings a fresh perspective to The Gardens, paired with a solid foundation in event planning. A proud first-generation college graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreation, specializing in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management, from Indiana University. Through her education and internships, including her time with the FFA as a Convention Collegiate Assistant, Kylie gained extensive experience in planning, logistics, and crafting seamless event experiences.
Helping couples bring their unique vision to life is Kylie’s passion. She understands that every couple’s story is one of a kind, and she takes pride in guiding each couple with kindness, honesty, and meticulous attention to detail. With Kylie as your partner, you’ll feel supported every step of the way, allowing you to focus on enjoying your special day.
When she’s not planning events at The Gardens, Kylie enjoys spending time at Northwest Indiana’s beaches and hiking trails, exploring Chicago’s vibrant restaurant scene, cooking creative meals, and relaxing with her cat, Jordan.
We’re sure you have questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to hear your story and help you create memories that will last a lifetime!
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A simple reservation process
1. Select Your Venue & Wedding Date
Click here to begin
2. Our Wedding Experts will follow-up with you to help you customize your special day
3. Confirm your reservation and pay your deposit
4. Pay your balance 180 days prior to your wedding date
Click here to make a payment
Looking for more details?
Provides details about all our venues, pricing, and agreement fees
Our curated vendors we recommend to enhance your special day
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fees needed to book an event?
We require a non-refundable Venue Reservation Fee, a Venue Fee, and a refundable Damage Deposit.
What payment options do you accept?
You can pay your deposit and any payments toward your Venue Fee via credit card through our website, by cash, check or simply mail us a check.
Can I book a tour to come see the venue before I book?
Absolutely! We highly recommend booking a tour with our Wedding Director before making your decision.
Can I use outside vendors?
Absolutely, you are able to use whatever vendors you’d like. Of course, we have a preferred vendors list if you need suggestions.
How will my guests with limited mobility get to my ceremony or reception site?
We offer golf cart transportation to and from your venue locations for anyone who needs or wants a little help getting around. The bride and groom assume all liability for guests on golf carts
Can I decorate the day before my wedding?
No, you will have access to The Gardens at 9:00 AM CDT, the day of your event.
Is a rehearsal included with a ceremony?
Yes, a one hour rehearsal window is included with your ceremony venue booking.
Does the Venue Reservation Fee go towards the Venue Fee?
No, the Venue Reservation Fee is separate and is non-refundable. It is the first step in the booking process.
Can I have alcohol at my reception?
Of course! We just need the proper documentation in place and a police officer present. You can add bar service to your event from our rental add-ons page after booking your special day. Our Wedding Director can also help you with this. Bottoms up!
When is my balance due?
Your venue reservation fee is due when you book a date with us. The Venue Fee must be paid in full 180 days before your event date.
Do you have somewhere I can use to make last-minute preparations before my ceremony?
You can use our VIP Cabin to get ready and stay hidden from your guests.
Do you have restrooms at the venues?
There are two restrooms located on the Symphony Garden side of the property and there are porta potties available on the Celebration Pavillion side of the property. We’re happy to provide golf cart transportation to and from restrooms.
Got questions?
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Got questions?
Let's connect!
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