Weddings at Selby Gardens

Daytime Wedding Options Now Available

Call 941.366.5731, ext. 230 for further information.

Helpful Information

All of the wedding overview information on this page can be found in Selby's Weddings Brochure (pdf file). For current rates and other detailed information, please review Selby Wedding Rates(pdf file). Our directory of Event Service Providers may also be helpful.

If you have questions or to schedule events, please call 941.366.5731 - ext. 230

Special Offer from the Private Events Department

Book your wedding and/or Reception on any available Friday or Sunday evening and receive 20% off the entire rental fee.

Book your business meeting from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., receive your second business meeting at half price.  Must be booked within 12 months of each other.

Special Summer Rates:  25% off any rental of $1,000 or more during June, July, August and September.  No additional discounts apply.

Discounts available from February 5, 2009 through January 1, 2010.

Please mention these specially reduced rates prior to signing contract to receive appropriate discounts.


Thank you for considering Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as the site for your wedding. With its beautiful tropical and subtropical plants, serene sunsets over Sarasota Bay, and its proximity to downtown Sarasota, Selby Gardens has become a favorite location for weddings. For brides and grooms, the most difficult decision is not whether to have their wedding at Selby Gardens, but rather where in the Gardens to have the wedding.

WEDDING SITE OPTIONS

Weddings may be held anywhere on the grounds. The most popular areas are the Schimmel Wedding Lawn and Pavilion and the Bayside Oak adjacent to the Mansion. Other areas include the Great Room by the Bay and the Mansion Museum.

Indoor receptions are generally held in the Great Room by the Bay and the Mansion. The Great Room by the Bay is a 3,600 square-foot room and it has 60-feet of glass windows facing west for spectacular bay and sunset views. It seats approximately 175 persons at round dinner tables or up to 250 people theater style. The Mansion will accommodate 45 guests for a sit down dinner or up to 75 for a cocktail reception.

Duration of Events

The following time periods are provided as part of the contract the day of your event unless previously approved by a Selby Gardens Manager.

• Set up time (Receptions; 3 hours, Wedding Ceremony; 1 hour)
• Wedding Rehearsals, 1 hour maximum
• Wedding Ceremony, guest arrival to departure, 2 hours
• Receptions, Parties, Dinners, etc., as noted on your contract
• Dressing Rooms (if available after 3:00 p.m.), 2 hours prior to ceremony until 1 hour following ceremony
• Cleanup, removal of decorations, caterer clean up, etc., 1 hour

Catering

Catering services are available. We have a selected caterers list for you to choose from. Any caterer not on the list must provide the required insurance certificates and damage waivers. All caterers are required to pay a 10% facilities fee to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Bar Services

Due to liability insurance requirements, all bars providing alcohol must be handled through a licensed caterer.

Parking

The Gardens has parking for approximately 220 vehicles in three paved lots and in the mulched areas east of the Administration lot. Parking is limited and there may be more than one event held at the Gardens.

Tents

To ensure a peaceful, tranquil setting for our guests and to preserve and maintain the Schimmel Wedding Lawn, it is the Gardens’ policy to restrict the use of tents on the South Lawn to Selby Gardens fundraising events. Tents are allowed in other select areas of the Gardens.

Facility Rental Times

The Gardens outdoor facilities and the Mansion are available for private events during hours when the Gardens is closed to the public, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Great Room by the Bay is available from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The Mansion is available for private events from 5:00 through 11:30 p.m.

Reservations

Reservations will be processed when a signed contract and the appropriate reservation deposit are received and countersigned by a Gardens representative. For weddings and receptions the reservation deposit is 25% of the pre-taxed total. Verbal reservations will be held for ten days to allow a client to submit a credit card number or check. Due to the volume of requests, dates will not be held more than 10 days. Should the Gardens receive a request within 10 days for the same date, you will be given 48 hours to sign your contract and secure a deposit. The balance of the event fee is due (30) thirty days prior to the scheduled event.

Cancellation and Reservation

Refund Policy

The Contracting Guest may cancel a reservation at any time. All cancellations must be in writing. If a Contracting Guest cancels a reservation more than 16 weeks (112 days) prior to the event, 10% of the deposit will be refunded.

Security / Damage Deposit

In addition to the agreed upon rental fee and sales tax, a refundable Security/ Damage deposit of $300.00 is required for all private events where food and/or alcoholic beverages are served. Visitor damage to the Gardens’ property and facilities, failure to meet all requirements of the Contracting Guest, additional hours beyond those provided in this brochure for each type of event, or contracted for and/or additional services will be charged against the Security/Damage deposit.

Final Payment

The balance of the event fee and the security/damage deposit are due (30) thirty days prior to the scheduled event. If the balance due is not received, the Gardens may, without liability, and at the discretion of a representative of the Events Department, cancel the event.

Inclement Weather

Cancellation of events or damages to clients due to inclement weather is the responsibility of the client. The Gardens suggest that alternative preparations and plans be made as insurance against cancellation due to inclement weather. The Gardens will cooperate with a brief delay of outdoor events due to rain, and will make every effort to provide an indoor location if weather prevents a scheduled outdoor event from taking place. If a client is having both their wedding and reception at the Gardens, and the wedding must be moved indoors because of rain, the wedding will be held in the building reserved for the reception. Because the Gardens sometimes host more than one event at a time, a suitable alternate area may not be available in the event of inclement weather. Damages to rental equipment, decorations, etc. due to inclement weather are the responsibilities of the client