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Wedding FAQ

Here are some questions we are commonly asked about holding wedding ceremonies, receptions and photography at The Australian Botanic Garden.

Frequently asked questions for other events can be found here.
For wedding ceremonies, hire includes use of your chosen location for two (2) hours. This includes set-up and pack-down time. Please note: Connections Garden is the only site that is an exclusive hire for ceremonies.

To have your wedding photography at our site, you will need to purchase a permit. If you are holding your ceremony or reception at the Garden, this permit is included as part of that hire. If you are only wanting to have photos taken here, you must have a permit - YOU MUST SUPPLY YOUR OWN PHOTOGRAPHER.

Please remember that the Garden is for all our visitors and therefore we cannot guarantee exclusive hire except for the venues where this is indicated. 
Each site has a maximum capacity that is detailed in the information for each location. We recommend that you inspect the sites to ensure you are comfortable that your preferred area is well suited for the size of your group.

Please be aware that due to the ongoing pandemic, capacity numbers at all of our venues can change rapidly and we have to comply with the Public Health Orders at the time of your event and as the event organiser, you must comply with the orders as well.
Up to two tables.

Seating for up to 60 people.

Up to two 3m x 3m shade structures - such as chuppas, mandaps, gazebos, wedding covers or similar. Please note, marquees or tents with sides are not permitted and all structures must be weighted, not pegged.

Bridal arch, flower displays or columns.

Carpet or runner.

Please note Garden regulations do not permit the attachment of decorations, balloons, signage, banners or other items to trees, buildings, heritage features or other fixed structures.

Vehicles are not permitted off-road therefore all furniture and equipment must be carried to the ceremony location.
If you are holding your wedding reception at the Garden, then yes you can dependant on the venue you have booked.
No, stages and podiums are not permitted.
Petals are permitted (except at the Connections Garden), but a cleaning fee applies.
No petals are permitted at the Connections Garden under any circumstances as they cause issues with the pond.
The following items are NOT PERMITTED under any circumstances:
  • sparklers,
  • confetti,
  • glitters,
  • sprays,
  • poppers,
  • rice.
Power is available for certain sites. All electrical items and equipment must be tested and tagged prior to use and they must display the certification tag. Please speak with staff for details.
You may use a low-volume, battery powered portable speaker or amplifier for the wedding celebrant. Please position speakers towards your area to minimise impact on other Garden users.
You may have a live acoustic ensemble of up to four people. Please note that bagpipes, drums and pianos or other amplification systems (e.g. electric guitars or keyboards) are not permitted. You may have low-volume pre-recorded music.
Fire and/or flames are not permitted this includes in any way for cooking (i.e. woodfired pizza ovens).
Yes. The Garden is a public garden and other activities may be occurring at the same time. The public will be notified by signage of your ceremony, but we can only guarantee exclusive hire at the venues indicated.
There is free parking throughout the site, but please be aware that the general public also have access to this parking. 
For ceremonies at Connections Garden or Lakeside Lawn, there is short term drop off and collection zones, but a parking permit must be obtained from our venue team and displayed on the vehicles whilst on site.
Please speak with staff for details.
Free car parking is available throughout the Garden and is available to all garden visitors on a first come first service basis.
A coach parking bay is available on Yandelora Drive.
No, the Garden closes to all vehicles each night.

If a car has broken down, or cannot otherwise be moved due to mechanical fault, your guests should please notify a Garden ranger on 0409 122 953 in order to avoid a fine.
You will need to order a taxi/Uber using your own mobile phones. If you are stuck, please go to our visitor centre which operates from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm each day.
Please remember if you are booking one of our outdoor venues your event will be exposed to all weather including rain.

There is no permanent shelter for wedding ceremonies in the Australian Botanic Garden, however there is a wet weather back up option that you might like to book just in case (this is subject to availability and additional fees apply).

Please indicate on your booking form if you wish to book this space as it is very popular and we cannot guarantee that it will be available if you try to book it at a later date.
Upon confirmation of your booking, we will email you a map showing the location of your wedding ceremony site.
No, due to the wildlife that call the Garden home, pets are not allowed.
The Garden accepts payment for wedding ceremony bookings via: 
  • Direct deposit
  • Credit Card (MasterCard or Visa) over the phone or at the visitor centre.
Please note that a booking is only confirmed once we have received payment and you have received a confirmation email.

We reserve the right to make the site available to another party if we do not receive payment following issue of the invoice and payment by the due date on the invoice.
If you wish to cancel your booking, it must be made in writing to: mtannan.events@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

In the event of cancellation, the following fees will be retained by the Garden: 
  • Cancellations received more than one month prior to your booking will be given a 50% refund of the total fee received.
  • Cancellations received less than one month prior to your booking will not be given a refund.

Cancellation due to inclement weather: 

A 50% refund of the venue hire fee will be given if you have notified the Visitor Centre on 02 4634 7935 before 9.00 am on the day of your booking, a message must be left on the voicemail.

To process your refund we require a written cancellation (as above) which must be received by the Visitor Centre no more than 7 days after your booking date.

You should be aware that the Garden is a community venue and that other non-related activities may be occurring throughout the Garden at the time of your booking. This may include concerts and large community events that are booked throughout the year.

We will endeavour to limit bookings on the day of a major event. If a confirmed event booking exists, we will make the potential impacts known to you at the time of booking. For bookings made well in advance, notification may not be possible at the time of booking.

The Garden reserves the right to cancel bookings up to six months in advance of the booking date or relocate a booking up to three months in advance of a booking and will refund any payments in full upon cancellation.

No further compensation will be payable.
We accept bookings up to 18 months in advance.
Our gate opening and closing times change depending on the season. You can see our current opening times here.