110 acres of nature's beauty; the perfect backdrop for your celebration of love and commitment. Thank you for considering Dow Gardens to host your ceremony and congratulations! At Dow Gardens colorful flowers, rippling water features, and mature trees combine with historical charm to create the perfect backdrop for your celebration of love and commitment. Meet with a Representative Write your caption here Capacity 100 seated + standing room. **Please ask us about exciting updates to this location happening in the fall of 2016!** Capacity 100 seated + standing room Click to expand and read each How much is a Dow Gardens ceremony? $500.00 + a refundable $100.00 damage deposit. Up to 100 white garden chairs can be provided at $2.00 each. To reduce vendor traffic, we do ask that you allow us to provide the first 100 chairs. If you require more than 100 chairs (at our Peninsula location only) we would be happy to refer you to an outside vendor with a similar style.
A nonrefundable down payment of $200.00 is required to secure a date and is applied toward the total cost. The remaining balance is due no later than three weeks prior to the event. Included in the fee is admission for all guests, electricity at the wedding location, directional signage, a reservation for rehearsal one or two days prior, and a private changing room for the bridal party available 1.5 hours prior to the start of the ceremony. What if it rains? It is recommended that clients make a backup plan in case of inclement weather. There are several nearby venues that offer rain backup locations including The Midland Center for the Arts (989.631.5930) and The Grace A. Dow Library (989.837.3432). Both are located right next to Dow Gardens. Rain backup is a separate rental and is not automatically included. The reception site is often suitable. In the instance of a cancellation due to inclement weather, as determined by both the renting party and the Dow Garden's staff, a refund will be offered with the exception of the initial down payment.
Can we have music? Live or pre-recorded music is welcome. One 110-volt outlet will be provided. If you require additional outlets you are welcome to bring a power strip. A sound system with wireless microphone and CD player may be available for an additional fee of $30.00. Please inquire for availability. Decorations are welcome keeping in mind that vehicles are not permitted. Clients must transport additional items, on foot, from our visitor's center and/or service entrance. Wagons and dollies are welcome. Items may not be staked into the turf including shepherd's hooks. There is no exception to this rule. Free-standing decorations are welcome. Clients are welcome to hang items on the chairs. Tents are not permitted. Artificial petals/leaves, glitter, confetti, rice, fireworks (including sparklers), tiki-torches, and birdseed are not permitted for use in the Garden at any time. (Bubbles are a great alternative.) Hanging items on plants or trees is not permitted.
Real rose petals are acceptable but must be removed prior to the end of the rented time frame or the client will incur the cost of cleanup. Aisle runners are permitted, but may not be staked down and are not recommended for use on grass. Dow Gardens retains the right to refuse any item. Please touch base with us about any item you plan on bringing in. Is there a room to get ready in? A complimentary bridal touch room is provided upon booking. There is a limited amount of time, per rental, including the use of the bridal touch up room. Staff members work hard to provide a cleaned well-maintained area for events. Renting parties must leave any rental spaces as they find it. How much time do we have? The client is alloted three hours for usage of the wedding location and changing area. These areas must be vacated by the end of the rental period. Staff members work hard to provide a cleaned well-maintained area for events. Renting parties must leave any rental spaces as they find it.
Those using the grounds are liable for any damage to the site. Please keep in mind that plant conditions and blooms depend largely on Mother Nature. Photographs may only be taken within the area contracted for the wedding ceremony during the designated rental time. However, you may utilize the rest of the garden for pictures, before or after, for as long as you wish. Can we have a rehearsal? A rehearsal may be scheduled one or two evenings prior to your ceremony. We allot one hour for rehearsal times, and there is no extra charge. Please note that we do not set out chairs or provide electrical cord for rehearsals. Dow Garden's staff will not be present for this event. Can we use our own vendors? You are welcome to invite vendors in to help with your special day. Vendors (florists, photographers, videographers, musicians, rental company, etc) must adhere to the terms of our guidelines, and it is the client’s responsibility to share these guidelines with them. Set up for your event may not begin before the contracted rental time on the day of your event.