Dow Gardens Wedding Information
Thank you for considering The Dow Gardens for your wedding site. Here is some information to help you with your planning. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.
Facilities
All weddings are held at our wedding area which is a pleasant grassy spot. The wedding area is surrounded by our pond with views of two bridges. It is secluded and quiet so you will not be bothered by other visitors at The Gardens. Directional signs will be set out on the day of your wedding to help your guests find their way.
Weddings are scheduled for a two-hour period. Note that ceremonies are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 5 p.m. For example, if your wedding is at 2:00 p.m., the wedding area will be reserved for you from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. You may have a wedding rehearsal a day or two before the wedding at no extra charge. Your wedding rehearsal will be scheduled for one hour.
There is electricity available at the wedding area. Plan on bringing approximately 300 feet of extension cord for any electrical items that you may need.
Twenty chairs will be provided at no charge on the day of the wedding. You may rent up to eighty additional chairs from us at one dollar per chair. Requests for more chairs must be made prior to your wedding day. We will be happy to set up the chairs for you if you choose one of our three set up options. Otherwise, we will place the chairs in the general area, and you will be responsible for final set up. You may bring more chairs, but they will have to be carried in by hand.
We have two wheelchairs as well as two Amigos available at the Visitor Center if you need them for your guests. They may be reserved ahead of time to ensure availability.
Guests
There is no limit to the number of guests that you may have. Your guests will not need to buy admission. After the wedding, your guests are welcome to explore the gardens.
Fees
The cost for a wedding at The Dow Gardens is $400.00 ($350.00 plus a $50.00 damage deposit).
$100.00 is required at the time of booking. This is non refundable should you cancel. Wedding dates are not guaranteed without a deposit. The remaining $300.00 is due six weeks prior to the wedding. This should be paid by the date on the bill or we will assume that you do not wish to rent The Dow Gardens for your wedding.
The $50.00 damage deposit is due to people driving on the grass. When hiring outside companies, it is your responsibility to make it clear to them that they must park just outside the West St. Andrews gate and may not drive directly to the wedding area. The $50.00 damage deposit will be mailed to you following the wedding if no one has driven on the lawn or caused any damage.
Rain
Dow Gardens has no indoor facility for when it rains. If it does rain and you do not hold the wedding at Dow Gardens, you will be refunded $300.00.
A popular choice in the event of rain is to hold the wedding at your reception area. You may wish to state in your invitation an alternative rain day location.
Tents are not allowed.
Other considerations
Make sure you do not use the Dow Gardens office address in your invitations. Instead, your guests should be directed to the Dow Gardens Visitor Center at 1809 Eastman Ave, Midland, MI 48640. It is located at the corner of Eastman Avenue and West St. Andrews Road, next door to the Midland Center for the Arts.
Fabric or paper runners are not allowed. However, tulle may be used (mesh with holes, which can be bought by the yard at most fabric stores). Birdseed may be thrown. Flower petals may also be dropped on the ground.
Scheduling
If you would like to schedule a wedding or if you have questions about our facilities and policies please contact our wedding coordinatoor, Ben Tierney. Call Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. If you would like to arrange a tour of the wedding site please call to schedule a time at least one week in advance. You may tour the wedding area on your own, but you will be asked to pay Dow Gardens admission when you come to the Visitor Center.
- Contact Information -
Contact Ben at 989.837.8299 or tierney@dowgardens.org
Dow Gardens mailing address: 1018 W. Main St. Midland, MI 48640
