Olbrich Botanical Gardens Wedding Venue Guide

There are dozens of gorgeous, nature-inspired wedding venues in Madison, Wisconsin, but the Olbrich Botanical Gardens are simply the best. Say your vows surrounded by expertly curated native plants and gorgeous flowers. The Olbrich Botanical Gardens also feature room rentals as well as intimate wedding options. Read this post for your ultimate Olbrich Botanical Gardens Wedding Venue Guide!

Location

How to get to Olbrich Botanical Gardens

The Olbrich Botanical Gardens are located on the east side of Madison at 3330 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704.

Use this link to get directions via car.

If you’re not local, it’s best to fly in to Dane County Regional Airport. From the Airport: Follow International Lane until it ends. Turn left onto Packers Avenue, which becomes Pennsylvania Avenue. Turn left at the traffic lights onto First Street. Turn right onto East Washington Avenue. Follow the directions from East Washington Avenue (listed above).

If you’re up for a drive or bus ride, you can fly into Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport, which is about 90 minutes away. You can travel to downtown Madison via Badger Bus and from there request an Uber or local taxi.

You can also easily fly into Chicago’s Midway Airport or Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. From there, take the Van Galder Bus to downtown Madison and from there, call an Uber or local taxi to take you to the Gardens.

There is also an Amtrak Station in Columbus, Wisconsin, which is roughly 25 minutes from Madison’s east side via car.

Where to park

Upon arrival, you’ll notice a large parking lot at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. They offer 210 free parking spaces including 12 fully accessible parking spaces near the main entrance. However, with local events, the parking lot can fill up at times.

Across the street at Olbrich Park, there are a few parking lots that may be an option. It’s best to always plan ahead and have a few locations in mind for parking if you are worried.

It’s recommended to travel via ride share apps like Uber or Lyft or book a shuttle service for guests. Eliminating parking struggles is always appreciated

Where to stay

If you are selecting room blocks for your wedding or event at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, I recommend looking into the following hotels:

Hilton Madison – In the heart of downtown Madison, Hilton Madison is a great choice for your guests. They offer parking on site, have beautiful views, and are right next to all the action Madison has to offer.
AC Hotel Madison Downtown – Right off the Capitol square, the AC hotel is one of the most popular for events in Madison. There’s even a restaurant on the top floors which is sure to stun your guests!
Madison Concourse Hotel – The Madison Concourse Hotel is perfect for those who want to stay close to all of the nightlife Madison has to offer.
Best Western Premier Park Hotel – The Park hotel is close to some of Madison’s best restaurants and has gorgeous capitol views!
Embassy Suites by Hilton Madison Downtown – Just a short walk away from the Madison Club is the newly-opened Embassy Suites.
AmericInn by Wyndham Madison South – On the south side of Madison, just off the Beltline, is AmericaInn. They offer large rooms as well as a conference room for getting ready. It’s a great option for those looking for something further away from downtown.

For a unique local option, consider staying at these boutique hotels in Madison:

Governor’s Mansion Inn – This historic mansion is a great choice for those looking for a weekend away without the crowds and with a bit of history. Bonus is that there’s plenty of room for getting ready the morning of.
Hotel Ruby Marie – Madison’s best kept secret! This bed and breakfast offers breakfast, happy hour, late night food options and free parking on the premises!
Mansion Hill Inn – Steps away from the Capitol and Lake Mendota, the Mansion Hill Inn has an attentive staff, breakfast daily and all the comforts of home in Wisconsin’s Capitol City.
The Dylin – For those wanting modern luxury, The Dylin is for you. This stylish space is sure to make your trip to Madison special.
The Saddlery – With lake views and exposed brick throughout, The Saddlery is an excellent choice for anyone’s trip to Madison. Plus, it’s within walking distance to the Tinsmith.
The Livingston Inn – If you’re looking for Victorian charm, look no further. The Livingston Inn provides breakfast, Wi-Fi and additional modern day conveniences.

Where to have your rehearsal dinner

Known as a spectacular location for foodies, Madison has dozens of highly-rated restaurants that are perfect for hosting your rehearsal dinner!

Turn Key Supper Club – Featuring multiple areas depending on the size of your dinner party, Turn Key Supper Club will be sure to exceed your expectations and handle everything. You just have to sit back and enjoy!
The Harvey House – This modern supper club is sure to impress even the biggest foodies. For your private event, The Harvey House will provide a custom menu, attentive staff and one of the best meals of your life!!
Cooper’s Tavern – With amazing Capitol views, Cooper’s Tavern’s upper level is perfect for hosting your rehearsal dinner. They will work with you to create a menu and provide bar staff for your private bar. They’re also a quick walk from any hotel on the square!
Lucille – With multiple spaces available for your party, Lucille is one of the best options! They’ll provide a private bar and dedicated staff to ensure your experience is perfect.
The Edgewater – With gorgeous views, The Edgewater will provide the perfect backdrop for your rehearsal dinner.
Eno Vino – Located at the top of the AC Hotel, Eno Vino is a tapas-inspired restaurant known for their craft cocktails and city views.

rental options

Olbrich offers three rooms inside their botanical center available year round. Each room offers a spectacular view of the gardens as well as options for outdoor spaces as well. The Bolz Conservatory is available as an add on for evening rentals and as a ceremony for intimate, early evening weddings with under 30 guests.

During peak wedding season (April 1 – October 31), ceremony and receptoin spaces must be booked together as a Friday and Saturday package. By doing this, they are able to prioritize your event. This means you and your guests will be the only event on site.

Throughout the rest of the year, rental spaces may be booked à la carte: the Atrium or Conservatory for weddings and the Evjue Commons for receptions.

The Spaces

The Atrium

With the ability to accommodate up to 64 people for dinner, Olbrich Botanical Garden’s Atrium is a dream intimate reception space. With vaulted ceilings and glass walls, you won’t have to worry about weather of any kind. The potted plants throughout the space make it feel like you’re still in the gardens!

Evjue Commons

Evjue Commons is the perfect place for your indoor ceremony (if weather doesn’t cooperate) and is able to accommodate up to 150 guests for dinner. The space also features a full glass wall overlooking the gardens and a connected space to the Lussier Terrace with garden furniture. Perfect for cocktial hour!

Upstairs Meeting Room

Get ready in a gorgeous space featuring wooden wall details and windows letting in beautiful natural light. It’s also a great spot to catch a breather after your ceremony, or have a quiet minute alone with your partner.

The Bolz Conservatory

Arguably the most stunning feature of Olbrich Botanical Gardens is the conservatory. With it’s ability to accommodate up to 30 guests, it’s the perfect spot for intimate celebrations in the winter months. Bonus, after your ceremony, you can wander the gardens for portraits! Please note, no chairs are allowed and there are ramps throughout the conservatory.

Event Garden

If you’re getting married anytime from May through September, consider hosting your ceremony in the Event Garden. Enjoy seasonal flowers such as lilacs and peonies and sunshine to set the scene for the rest of your life together!

Amenities

The Olbrich Botanical Gardens provide a variety of amenities to make your wedding day a success!

Event spaces
Up to 120 white chairs for your ceremony (inside or outside based on rental season)
Tables and chairs set up for your reception as you prefer
One-hour rehearsal (scheduled in advance)
Photo opportunities throughout the gardens (permit included)
Fully handicap accessible
Garden access for your guests
One-year Garden Family Membership
September & October – special reduced ticket rate for Olbrich’s GLEAM: Art in a New Light exhibition for your guests on the evening of your rental
Wifi, Microphone, Microphone stand, floor podium and tripod easels (3)
Additional equipment available for rent including smart TV, risers, Projector screen and cart

Olbrich Botanical Gardnes Wedding Photography Packages

Hey!! I’m Anya! I’m a wedding photographer based just outside of Madison and I specialize in helping my couples capture the real, unscripted moments of their love story with true to life color and timeless imagery. My work goes beyond being the girl with the camera. I will help you and your partner create a timeline that allows you to enjoy your wedding day at gorgeous Olbrich Botanical Gardens and spend the maximum amount of time with your guests while also taking full advantage of the gorgeous scenery. I’ll also help by providing vendor recommendations local to Madison and who have worked at the gardens before. By guiding you every step of the way, I’ll be a photographer that you can count on throughout this entire process.