Location: 300 N. Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
If you are searching for a wedding venue that will wow your guests and feel like a tropical oasis in the middle of Chicago winters or the lush getaway and city escape we all want in the summer, you’ve found it at Garfield Park Conservatory.
History of Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory was built between 1906 and 1907 by Jens Jensen. This observatory was built to be the largest in the world at the time, and to replace three smaller greenhouses that dated back to the late 19th century. Since it’s been built, it has been one of the most beautiful, and secret botanical treasures in the United States and is a Chicago crowd favorite. Although not as much green space surrounding the Conservatory exists, Garfield Park Conservatory is significantly bigger than Lincoln Park Conservatory, at 10,000 square feet for the indoor area alone.
Venue Details
This uniquely beautiful botanical conservatory is one of the largest and most remarkable locations imaginable with thousands of plants from around the world, from colorful orchids to cactuses to giant palm trees and endless types of ferns. You can walk through an assortment of climates like the 10-acre outdoor gardens which include an artists’ garden, city garden, sensory garden, and more, or stay inside the conservatory to experience individual unique “houses,” each with its own different climate. These houses include the Aroid House which includes a variety of indoor houseplants, the Show House, which showcases spectacular flower shows (see a wedding during the spring flower show below), and the Fern Room, with a lagoon and lush ferns throughout. The Fern Room is the most popular view of Garfield Park Conservatory, and a favorite place for a dramatic photo.
The conservatory has various rooms that can be utilized depending on the number of guests you’re expecting, but capacities range from 72-300 depending on the room and its use.
The Conservatory has an inventory of tables and chairs that are completely free to use. Seating includes 22 round tables measuring 60” each, 18 rectangular tables that measure 6 ft long each, 6 Bistro sets, and 220 natural wood folding chairs. Other seating is available depending on the room used and the number of guests.
The venue location requires the use of their Preferred Professional List for all food and beverage needs.
As the Conservatory is open to the public daily from 10 am-5pm, public spaces are not available until 5pm on Thursday through Sunday.
Cost of a wedding at Garfield Park Conservatory
Pricing options vary between $6000 and $6750 and do not include the catering costs. Catering must be completed by those on the Preferred Professional list. The cake, however, may be done by an outside company.
The $6000 rental fee is to rent the entire site. The site may be rented Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday for the $6000 fee. The fee for Friday or Saturday is $6,750. Prices cover 8.5 hours of rental time. Additional hours will be charged for $1000 per additional hour.
Parking/Security
Street parking is available, however, there is a parking lot south of the conservatory which can hold up to 150 vehicles.
At least 3 Chicago Park District Security officers are required to be on-site for evening rentals. Rental fees include the security officers, depending on the event.
For a wedding venue in Chicago that’s sure to wow your guests and stand out from the crowd, Garfield Park Conservatory is a wonderful option! The combination of indoor and outdoor space, affordable venue fees, and landscapes you don’t get anywhere else in Chicago sets this wedding venue apart from the rest.
