Gardens are by nature romantic, and everywhere you look at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens you’ll see the nature and the magic that can make your wedding special. We hope you’ll visit to experience firsthand the magnificent gardens and elegant building in which you can envision your own wedding. Here are some of the details.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is New England’s newest and largest botanical garden, located along tranquil tidal waterfront in the mid-coast Maine community of Boothbay. We would be delighted to share our 248 acres of pristine natural landscapes and ornamental gardens with you and your guests.

The Gardens offers a beautiful, natural setting with a wide variety of venues from which to choose. The Visitor Center (including the Great Hall, Library and Café), Rose Garden, Event Lawn and Ceremony Area are all available for rental. Since availability is limited, we encourage you to schedule as soon as possible.

If, after reading the following policies and information, you have any questions or want to discuss your plans in detail, please call our rental office staff at 207-633-4333 or e-mail rentals@mainegardens.org.

Areas Available for Weddings and Other Events
The following areas are available for your wedding or other event. Rental fees include a one-hour rehearsal during regular business hours, admission to the Gardens for guests, free parking and event signage.

Ceremony Area: This wonderful area of the grounds was designed specifically to be a private venue for events including wedding ceremonies. It is surrounded by ferns and lush perennial plants and is adjacent to the Event Lawn for receptions.
Rental fee: 0-75 guests – $750 per day, 76 or more guests – $1200 per day
Availability: On dates that the Event Lawn is not already scheduled for another event
Hours: Days and evenings until 11:00 p.m. Since on-site parking is only available after 4:00 p.m., you will have to provide shuttle service for guests if they arrive before 4:00 p.m.
Capacity: 192 guests in this 28 x 50 foot area, seated theater style with a 6-foot aisle, 12 seats per row in 16 rows.

Event Lawn (including the adjacent Ceremony Area): This open 80 x 200 foot area is surrounded with perennial borders. A tent is permitted on this area for a 4-5 day period to accommodate vendors. Water and electricity are available. A tent may be used in the Ceremony Area to weatherproof your ceremony but is only allowed to be up for 24 hours.
Rental Fee: $5,000 per event
Hours: Days and evenings until 11:00 p.m. Since on-site parking is only available after 4:00 p.m., you will have to provide shuttle service for guests if they arrive before 4:00 p.m.
Capacity: Maximum of 200 guests

Shoreland Gazebo: A remote location near the shore in our Maine woods setting.
Rental fee: $250 for a two-hour period. We do not have transportation available to this area
Availability: During regular operating hours for non-catered events
Capacity: 25 guests

Visitor Center and the Magnificent Central Gardens: Our stunning 9350 sq. ft. shingle-style building offers the Café and the Great Hall with a fieldstone fireplace.
Rental fees: 0-50 guests $1500, 51-100 guests $2000, 101-170 guests $2500
Availability: “public closing” until 11:00 p.m.
Capacity:
Café – approximately 60 guests standing or 36 guests at tables
Great Hall – approximately 110 guests standing or 60-70 guests at tables
Entire Building – Maximum capacity – approximately 170 guests standing
or 96 guests at tables

Rose Garden: The Rose Garden and Arbor with Pergolas located across the Great Lawn from the Visitor Center features a large granite rose “floor” beneath the Arbor that is a perfect site for a small standing ceremony.
Rental Fee: $750 per 2-hour block
Hours: Evenings 5:00 p.m. until dusk
Capacity: Maximum of 50 guests

Rhododendron & Perennial Garden: Our oldest and most mature garden offers flower-rich trails encircling a pond, a stone bench overlook, and broad, decorative stone steps that can easily accommodate a ceremony, reception or combination. Filled with more than 8,000 flowering bulbs each spring!
Rental Fee: $750 per 2-hour block
Hours: Evenings 5:00 p.m. until dusk
Capacity: Up to 100-150 guests (standing reception w/limited seating)

Kitchen Garden and Café Terrace: Adjacent to the Visitor Center and surrounded by low stone walls, the Kitchen Garden invites guests to meander through its beds of fruits, flowers, vegetables and herbs and relax in the terrace seating area.
Rental Fee: $750 per 2-hour block
Hours: Evenings 5:00 p.m. until dusk
Capacity: Maximum of 100 guests

Wedding and Event Rental Guidelines

1. No pets are allowed outside of the parking area with the exception of service animals.
2. Smoking is not allowed on Gardens grounds.
3. Please remember that the grounds are generally open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with some variations), and visitors have access to all areas of the Gardens, including your reserved event area. Our visitors have always shown respect for weddings and events held on our grounds, so please respect their enjoyment of the Gardens in return.
4. Garden displays and art exhibits will change by season, and the scenery you see on your initial visit may not reflect what exists on the day of your event.
5. To protect our environment, please do not release birds, balloons or butterflies as part of your ceremony. Please use bubbles or fresh flower petals in place of confetti, birdseed, rice or potpourri.
6. Decorations and signs cannot be attached to any part of the Visitor Center interior or exterior, any Garden structure, or plant material. Remember we are a natural garden and landscape for all to enjoy.
7. Gardens signage, fixtures and sculpture cannot be moved or covered.
8. The fireplace in the Great Hall is available but must be maintained only by Gardens staff.
9. Candles are allowed in approved glassware or luminarias only.
10. Events management services are provided at each event to ensure the site is in good condition and the integrity of the Gardens is upheld during your event.
11. The Gardens requires that caterers be selected from the list of approved caterers we will provide.
12. Set-up may take place no more than 2 hours before the event (the Ceremony Area and Event Lawn are the only exceptions).
13. Deliveries are accepted only on the day of the event (the Ceremony Area and Event Lawn are the only exceptions). We are happy to coordinate your deliveries through our Rental Office. Vendors should coordinate with our Rental Office no later than 2 weeks prior to the event to arrange delivery and set up.
14. Outdoor lighting is limited. Any additional electricity or lighting must receive approval in writing by our rental office.
15. Amplification levels (70 decibels maximum) are allowed until 10:00 p.m. The Gardens staff reserves the right to adjust the volume at any time.
16. The Gardens staff, equipment and vehicles are not available to help load/unload, move or deliver items for your event. We suggest your equipment vendor provide dollies or pull carts for use during set-up and cleanup.
17. A fee of $500/hr. will be charged to clients for every hour or portion thereof that the event runs longer than the contracted time period. The ending time is meant to be final; this hourly rate is not to be interpreted as permission to run the event longer.
18. Clean-up is the client’s responsibility when renting outdoor garden spaces, including removal of trash. The rental party is requested to provide trash receptacles with bags for their use.
19. With the exception of the Event Lawn, bars and tables must be set up on hard surfaces.
20. Rental equipment (tables, chairs, etc.) must be removed immediately following the event. For a Saturday event, the Ceremony Area and Event Lawn are allowed pick-up through Monday to accommodate the vendors that cannot remove rental items until then.
21. Portable toilet rentals are required during catered events on the Event Lawn. They are the client’s responsibility.
22. Rental fees include a visitor service staff person for oversight during after-hour events.

Reservation and Confirmation Policy
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the rental rate is required to hold the date. This deposit and a signed contract will confirm your use of the facility. Final payment is due two weeks before the event.

Security Deposit
A $500 security deposit is required at the same time as final payment, two weeks before the event. Your security deposit will be refunded based upon the condition of the facility and grounds following your event. In cases of property damage or overtime charges, a full refund will not be granted.

Change and Cancellation Policy
Every effort will be made to accommodate changes to your reservation.

Photography/Video Policy
The Gardens requires a permit for formal photography and videography done on the grounds for weddings not held on our grounds. The permit fee is $100 for a 1.5 hour session during regular business hours. Applications should be submitted as early as possible since there is limited availability for these highly desirable areas of the grounds. The permit entitles all members of the wedding party to free admission to the Gardens and parking.

The permit fee is non-refundable, but a rain date will be granted.

Wedding or event photographers/videographers without a permit will be asked to leave the grounds.

Additional Features To Enhance Your Garden Event
Take full advantage of the Gardens’ beautiful setting by offering guests private tours of the gardens and grounds led by our professional staff and volunteers. Rates begin at $50.

Golf cart service is available at a rate of $35/hr.

Offer a horticultural activity, such as planting a container garden, herb or fresh produce cooking demonstration, etc. Contact our rental office for program availability and fees.

The Gardens gift shop may stay open for your guests at a rate of $20/hr.

Gardens General Use Policies
Facilities are not available for fundraising use by other organizations.

Facilities are not available for political or religious functions (other than wedding ceremonies or memorial services) or commercial promotion.

Facilities are not available for events conflicting with the Gardens’ mission.

The Gardens reserves the right to refuse to rent to any individual, group or organization.

The Gardens reserves the right to review invitations or announcements regarding events.

Events must conform to all Gardens rules, policies and procedures.


Thank you!

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