Let Green Bay Botanical Garden serve as the beautiful backdrop to your wedding ceremony or reception. With 47 acres of display gardens and natural areas, it is the perfect setting for your special day. The Garden features six unique outdoor venues including a brand new site in 2018, as well as an indoor venue, all with varying capacities and distinct atmospheres. Whether you choose your venue to be the intimate Johnson Woodland Garden or the elegant Kress Oval Garden, you’re guaranteed to make memories in these stunning surroundings.
Garden Angel members and above receive a discount on wedding site rentals. Please inquire about membership at the Garden for details. Discounts cannot be combined with other offers.
Preferred Professionals
Green Bay Botanical Garden is a 100% community supported non-profit organization with a mission to connect people with plants in an environment that engages, inspires and refreshes. When choosing the Garden for your event, your rental fees directly support Green Bay Botanical Garden’s operations and maintenance.
Garden tours by appointment only. For rental rates, availability or to set an appointment to see the venues at the Garden, please complete our request form.
There’s no question why the Kress Oval Garden is the most popular ceremony site at the Garden. This contemporary rose garden is enveloped with vibrant perennials and a lush green lawn. It’s surrounded by two brilliant white arbors, a peaceful water fountain and an exquisite Grecian Gazebo: the Stumpf Belvedere. The beauty of this garden is on display May through October but is especially stunning throughout its peak bloom from June through August.
Capacity: Approximately 250 seated (150 chairs included). Kress Oval Garden can be tented.
With its rustic and intimate atmosphere including a dry creek bed and flagstone staircase, Johnson Woodland Garden is a great alternative to the more formal gardens. Native trees, shrubs and wildflowers surround a bluegrass lawn, making it the perfect setting for a timeless wedding ceremony. Peak bloom takes place in early May, but the Johnson Woodland Garden also flourishes May through October.
Capacity: Approximately 230 seated (150 chairs included). Johnson Woodland Garden can be tented.
Situated in the Schneider Family Grand Garden, the Cowles Terrace is an impressive setting for a ceremony. Native trees, grasses and wildflowers envelop this new garden venue. The Cowles Terrace features a grand staircase and access to the Billie Kress Amphitheater stage. Peak bloom for the Cowles Terrace is May through October.
Capacity: Approximately 300 seated (150 chairs provided with rental). Cowles Terrace can be tented.
Your guests will enjoy the stunning atmosphere in the Matthew Schmidt Garden. Surrounded by native trees, magnolias, blooming shrubs and wildflowers, this site features a breathtakingly beautiful 130 foot living wall and the Wangerin Pavilion, a contemporary backdrop structure. Peak bloom for the Matthew Schmidt Garden is May through October.
Capacity: Approximately 250 seated (150 chairs included). Matthew Schmidt Garden can be tented.
Perfect for spring, summer or fall, the Kaftan Lusthaus is an exquisite gazebo with a Scandinavian design. It features an elegant entrance, impressive hand-painted rosemaling and charming chandeliers. A ceremony at the Kaftan Lusthaus would be surrounded by the beauty of the formal gardens.
Capacity: Approximately 50 seated.
Modeled after an early Grecian Gazebo, the Stumpf Belvedere is a gorgeous site for an intimate ceremony. What makes this structure distinctive are the shapes of stars, clouds, and the moon cut from its iron crown. These shapes create a beautiful and unique way to view the sky and the rest of the Garden.
Capacity: Maximum of 10 standing.
There is no access to electricity or dressing area available with rental of the Stumpf Belvedere.
All site rentals include the following:
Garden tours by appointment only. For rental rates, availability or to set an appointment to see the venues at the Garden, please complete our request form.
For an elegant indoor reception, Cornerstone Foundation Hall is the perfect space. It features stunning high-ceilings with organic tones that complement the exposed wood beams and large windows overlooking the scenic Garden. Guests may spill out into the adjacent K.C. Stock Foundation Lobby or onto the Roger C. Simurdiak Patio featuring Jan Wos Garden as music and laughter waft throughout the Garden.
Capacity: Maximum of 200 plated or family style and 150 buffet style.
Cornerstone Foundation Hall includes the following amenities:
The Garden does not have an area for the storage of personal belongings or rental equipment. All deliveries of supplies or equipment must be made the same day of the event with advance notice of time of delivery.
For an elegant outdoor reception, the Cowles Terrace is the perfect setting. Amongst the blooms and beneath the stars, you’ll be surrounded by your loved ones under an enchantingly lit tent. Guests can dance the night away on the Billie Kress Amphitheater stage or spill out into the adjacent WPS Foundation Plaza or Schneider Classroom with cocktails in-hand. Explore the adjacent magnolia collection and bask in the ambiance of this brand new garden venue.
Capacity: 175 guests for a plated or family style meal and up to 150 for a buffet. Possible options for higher guest counts; must be discussed with event planner.
Cowles Terrace includes:
Garden tours by appointment only. For rental rates, availability or to set an appointment to see the venues at the Garden, please complete our request form.
We encourage visitors to take photographs or shoot videos for their personal use and enjoyment! The photography guidelines outlined below are intended for all guests. However, a permit is necessary for those who wish to use the Garden’s setting as the background for posed photography or commercial videos. This includes wedding, family, engagement, senior photos, maternity, quinceañera or the like and all other commercial photography/videography.
We ask that you follow a few guidelines that will allow us to maintain the Garden for all visitors and future patrons.
We ask that you comply with our Garden policies to ensure a safe, enjoyable visit for all guests. Visitors who do not comply with these policies may be asked to leave the Garden.
Use of the Garden for photography is open to the public during regular Garden hours. Posed photography is not allowed after hours, on days the Garden is closed, or during specific special events. The Garden is a public facility and privacy cannot be guaranteed. Areas in the Garden cannot be reserved for the exclusive use of any group.
For just $100 you receive admission for up to 25 people and a two hour block of time to take photos.
A photography permit covers the photographer or videographer’s admission into the Garden, as well as, one assistant photographer/videographer. At each visit, all photographer or videographer’s guests (clients) are subject to general admission.
Annual Photography Memberships can be purchased online in advance. One Day Permits can be obtained during regular Garden hours or by contacting our Sales Team at 920.491.3691 ext. 113 or rentals@gbbg.org.
For more information about wedding or group photography sessions, please complete our request form.
“I will say that I have absolutely no regrets in selecting the Green Bay Botanical Garden for our venue. Simply put, it was amazing! I thought the pricing was very reasonable and I felt good about paying a non-profit instead of a reception hall. [The Garden Team] was extremely helpful and are very experienced in event planning. I really enjoyed working with people who clearly take pride in their work. Even small details, they were able to help out and make suggestions along the way. I really appreciated their help. We had a small wedding with 49 guests. The Kaftan Lusthaus building was perfect for our needs. Technically we were ‘inside’ but with the windows and doors open it was like we had an outdoors ceremony. It was really perfect. The next best part, you really cannot beat the beautiful setting of the gardens. All of our guests commented on how lovely the grounds were and how perfect the setting was. This also made it easy and convenient for our photos. We didn’t need to run to various locations – there are so many different ‘areas’ within the garden for photo settings. We really had a perfect wedding day and that certainly had to do in part to our selection of the Green Bay Botanical Garden.”
“It was a simple decision to host our wedding at the Garden simply because of the location and beauty it provided, what we didn’t expect was that the best part of having our wedding there wouldn’t be the venue, it would be the people there. From our first meeting with you and your staff, we felt cared for. You listened, provided advice, were honest and never felt like you were selling us anything, simply trying to help us create the wedding we wanted. From the numerous e-mails and phone calls with random questions, to taking the lead on the actual ceremony day and making sure entrances were on time and uninterrupted – that our “first look” went off without a hitch, you and your staff were always present, always willing to serve, and always seemed so happy to be a part of our day. Thank you hardly seems like enough, but we are so thankful to have had our wedding there, and to have had the opportunity to work with you. Thank you for all you did, and for caring for us the way you did!”
“Thank you for all your hard work preparing for our BIG day! Your attention to detail & quick communication made this process so fun & easy! Keep up the amazing event planning that you do! We feel very lucky!”
“Thank you so much for all of your help to make our wedding perfect and so special. Everything came together so perfectly – I keep telling everyone, I wouldn’t change a thing about it – that’s how perfect and special you all made our day- We can’t say it enough – THANK YOU!!!”
“Jeff and I couldn’t be more grateful that you were a part of our big day! We could not have asked for a more beautiful setting to say our vows and commit to one another in front of all of our friends and family. It was perfect! We also had such a great experience working with the staff at the gardens! Everyone made it a fun and stress-free experience from the rehearsal to the day of the event. Thank you! We look forward to visiting often, as you are now a part of our family too!”
“The staff at the botanical gardens was awesome to work with! They were always more than willing to help with anything we needed! The gardens are absolutely beautiful and we had many guests comment on the venue! Thank you so much for all of your help making our ceremony site everything we had wanted. You were absolutely great to work with and we received many compliments on the beautiful venue!”
“Thank you so much for being a part of our special day. It was truly the best day of our lives and we loved every minute of it. Thank you for working with us and helping us create the perfect day. We have so many unforgettable memories!”
“Craig and I wanted to thank you for all your help in coordinating our wedding at the [Garden]. After our first visit we knew it was perfect for us and our wedding and that you’d be great to work with. Abby was awesome the weekend of our wedding and everything flowed without a glitch! Thank you guys for that!”
“Thank you so much! Everything went absolutely perfect! We were very pleased with everything at the [Garden]. Thank you very much for helping me plan one of the best days of my life! I’m very glad we chose to have our wedding there!”
“We were impressed by their ability to hold multiple weddings in one day, while still feeling like we were given their attention. They were also very helpful during the rehearsal, explaining where things were located and giving suggestions regarding the logistics of the ceremony.”
“Thank you!! You were wonderful to work with and we appreciated the quick responses and feedback that you provided throughout the entire planning process. Everything went absolutely perfect and even the weather cooperated for the ceremony.”
“Mat and I would like to thank you for all your help with our wedding! You were so helpful through everything, I greatly appreciate that! We just wanted to let you know how wonderful it was to work with you! Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Congratulations on your engagement! Your dream wedding awaits and there’s no better place to celebrate than Green Bay Botanical Garden. Please contact us for a private tour or to check availability by completing the request form below. Sites are available for rent two years in advance of the event date. A 50% non-refundable deposit and signed rental agreement is required to reserve a site.