Ceremony + Reception

Unfortunately, no. You must always reserve a venue and date.

In order to maximize the number of events we can offer our clients, we have specific time slots in place that vary depending on the time of year and sunset times. These rental times are not amendable.

Daytime wedding ceremonies must wrap up, with all guests exiting and all decorations taken down, by the end of contracted rental period.

Evening wedding ceremony + receptions must end an hour before the end of the contracted rental period, with the last hour being reserved solely for cleanup of the reception venue. This would be 11pm, for weddings taking place in our 5pm-12am time slot.

Please reach out to us two months prior to your wedding date to schedule your rehearsal. We cannot schedule your rehearsal sooner than 2 months prior to your wedding date.

We can hold a date for 48 hours without a deposit. Thereafter a signed contract and deposit are needed.

Julia Morgan Hall Inventory

• Round Tables (60in diameter, 29in standing height): 12 available
• Rectangular Tables (6ft long, 2.5ft wide, 29in standing height): 10 available
• Small Rectangular Tables (4ft long, 2ft wide, 29in standing height): 2 available
• Deck Umbrellas: 4 available
• Microphone: 1 available
• Projector: 1 available
• Chairs: 82

The venue is also equipped with a mounted projector screen, 110v outlets, and a decorative gas fireplace.

Which items can the Garden not provide?

• Cocktail/high top tables
• Patio heaters
• Booster seats/highchairs for children or infants
• Wheelchairs

A rental monitor is a rental staff team member. They are there for any venue-related questions you may have. They check in with your caterer every hour, post event signs, unlock venues, help direct guests, and direct deliveries in/out of the Garden. They are not professional planners/coordinators. You are required to hire a professional planner or coordinator for your event

Candles or fire of any sort are not permitted outdoors in the main Garden, at the Julia Morgan Hall, or in the Redwood Grove.

No hanging of any materials on trees, light cables, walls, or ceilings. Renters can use lower panel hooks in Julia Morgan Hall for all hanging materials.

Battery operated LED lights/lanterns only. No flame, sparklers, embers, or candles.

No balloons, carpets/runners on paths/stairs, or posting of signs on trees or venue structures. Pets/animals, the release of birds or butterflies, use of rice, confetti, poppers, fake flower petals, or any other littering of materials also strictly prohibited. This includes all facilities and the parking lot. Client’s security deposit will be withheld for use of prohibited items.

NOTE: real flower petals are only allowed in the paved area/stage of the Redwood Grove amphitheater. All petals must be removed by your coordinator/planner by the end of the rental period.

Amplified music, DJ or live, is permitted anytime indoors and after 5:00 pm outdoors. The Redwood Grove has two outlets located at the base of the amphitheater, and music is permitted for all Redwood Grove rentals.

You must choose from our list of approved caterers.

All rental clients of our Julia Morgan Hall, Tour Deck, and Entrance Plaza may bring in beer, wine, and liquor. This can be secured through either your caterer or any retailer.

No alcohol is permitted in the Redwood Grove.

Yes, guests may walk around the Garden during regular open hours, which are 9:00 am–5:00 pm. After hours, your guests must stay within the vicinity of the rented venue. Children must be supervised at all times.

Unfortunately, no pets are allowed in the Garden or Redwood Grove at any time.

Advanced parking arrangements are necessary to ensure sufficient spaces for your guests. We are happy to place your reserved parking order with the UC Berkeley Special Event Parking office. They will generate an invoice of event parking fees for you, payable in advance. We will accept your parking reservation request no sooner than 3 months before your event. Please ask the Rental staff for current UC event parking fees.

The renter is responsible for removal of all items brought in with them, as well as disposal of all trash/recycling generated by their guests.

If applicable, your caterer is responsible for removal of catering-related trash/recycling.

All venues must be left as you found them.

Unfortunately, our full calendar of rentals and other Garden events make it impossible for the Garden to accommodate these special requests.

Please remember: The UC Botanical Garden is a living museum. In order to protect our priceless collection, stay on Garden paths. Do not enter the plant beds, remove anything from the plant beds, or disturb the contents of the plant beds at any point (including when taking photos).

No smoking is allowed anywhere in the main Garden, the Redwood Grove, or parking lot per UC Berkeley policy.

Ice must never be dumped into a plant bed.

As our client, you will take full responsibility for the actions of your guests and vendors. For this reason, it is imperative to communicate Garden policies to everyone during the planning of your event.