The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe is 385 acres of gardens, water, and Japanese-inspired landscapes, one of the most naturally beautiful wedding settings in the Chicago area. Its mix of formal gardens and open pavilions gives couples an outdoor ceremony and reception experience without leaving the region.
A Chicago Botanic Garden Wedding Film
Watch Taylor & Elan’s summer wedding: an English Walled Garden first look, Rose Terrace vows, and a McGinley Pavilion reception.
The Spaces
The Garden offers several distinct settings across its grounds: the English Walled Garden for intimate first looks, the Rose Terrace as the most popular ceremony site, the Japanese Garden and its bridge and waterfall for portraits, and McGinley Pavilion for receptions. Couples have also used The Overlook for golden-hour portraits before the party begins.
Ceremony Options
The Rose Terrace is the Garden’s signature ceremony spot, used by all three couples we’ve filmed here. It works equally well for a traditional processional, a Jewish ceremony under the chuppah, or a Persian ceremony centered on the sofreh, the traditional wedding spread.
A Jewish Wedding at the Botanic Garden
Jennifer & Josh’s wedding brought a full Jewish wedding to the Rose Terrace: a ketubah signing, chuppah, circling ceremony, and the Hora, with cocktails in the English Walled Garden and a reception in the Pavilion. The couple got ready in part at The Langham Chicago before heading north to the Garden.
An Indian-Persian Wedding at the Botanic Garden
Nikou & Anuj’s celebration blended traditions across the week: an Indian wedding celebration, followed by a Persian sofreh ceremony on the Rose Terrace, a first look on the Japanese Garden bridge, and the knife dance at their McGinley Pavilion reception. Their portraits also continued at Cantigny Park the same week.
What a Chicago Botanic Garden Wedding Costs
Pricing depends on guest count, chosen spaces, season, and catering package. We recommend contacting the Garden’s event sales team directly for current rental and catering figures.
Filming Weddings at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Few venues in the Chicago area give us this much natural variety in one day: the Walled Garden’s intimacy, the Japanese Garden’s water and greenery, the Rose Terrace’s open-air ceremony light, and the Pavilion’s evening energy. We’ve filmed traditional, Jewish, and Indian-Persian ceremonies here and know how to move between the Garden’s spaces as the light changes.
FAQ
What is the most popular ceremony spot at the Botanic Garden?
The Rose Terrace, where all three of our couples exchanged vows, whether under a chuppah, over a sofreh, or in a traditional ceremony.
Is the Chicago Botanic Garden good for a Jewish or Persian wedding?
Yes. We’ve filmed a full Jewish wedding with chuppah and Hora, and an Indian–Persian celebration centered on the sofreh and knife dance, both on the Rose Terrace.
Where do couples take portraits at the Garden?
The English Walled Garden, the Japanese Garden bridge and waterfall, and The Overlook for golden hour are all favorites.
Do couples pair the Botanic Garden with other North Shore venues?
Yes, some couples continue portraits or celebrations nearby; Nikou & Anuj’s week also included Cantigny Park.
Who films weddings at the Chicago Botanic Garden?
We do, across multiple traditions and ceremony styles. Check your date →