Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory — Attraction in Fort Wayne

I am rating this from a wedding/reception point of view, not general admission. The idea of the Botanical Gardens for my wedding reception sounded like a dream, but turned into a nightmare. I will start by saying there is construction going on that we were NOT informed about when we booked. We rented a room at the conservatory for myself and my bridesmaids to get ready in during the day and during that time there was a power outage. One of the staff members barged into our room, without knocking (keep in mind we were all females getting ready...what if someone was changing), screaming at us that we tripped a breaker and caused an outage. I’m sorry but two curling irons plugged in vs. all of the construction equipment that was being used did NOT cause the outage. He continued to come in and out of the room and was extremely rude throughout the time until they restored the power. The outdoor venue is beautiful but due to a large storm that rolled in very last minute, we were forced to tear everything down and move it inside last minute (literally 1.5 hours before guests were to arrive). We managed to make that happen, but the staff at the Conservatory was the rudest I have ever experienced. There was no event coordinator present which is stated to be available and I could not handle the attitude of the guy on staff. It was crowded, the ceiling was leaking our our guests, and overall I feel like my dream wedding was sort of ruined mainly by the attitude of the staff. To make matters worse, during clean up we forgot to grab some charger plates that I purchased and they were stowed in the event coordinator’s office (Nate) and he was extremely rude when my family called while we were on our honeymoon to ask if they could pick them up. I would never recommend this venue for your dream day....

I'm sharing my experience with booking the venue for 12/12/2020. I put a deposit down in Sept 2019 to reserve the venue. I was told that December is the slowest time of year but wanted to make sure I had my spot reserved. Come January we had to make the decision to cancel our venue and wedding 11 1/2 - months before the date. I asked if it was possible to get some type of refund since it's so far out and unlikely to get booked. The contract does state after 1 month of booking it will only be refunded if it can be booked by someone else. This is highly unlikely to get booked on my date - they didn't miss out on business by me putting my name down for December.This could be use towards unforeseen expenses that are accruing. I was told no and then told they would send my request to the appropriate parties and would get back to me, took 2 weeks after asking for an update and Nate said I was denied. I'm assuming he didn't ask and didn't have any intentions of getting back to me. They will not tell me what will be done with the money I put down if it's unable to be refunded. I've asked several times with no response. I'm very disappointed in the Botanical Gardens for being so heartless. And especially Nate for being so heartless and inconsiderate of my request. Again, I know I signed the contract but for being 11 months out during the unpopular booking time there is absolutely nothing that can be done?! Very...

Forefinger Friman Botanical Garden: Small but mighty. This hidden gem in Indiana packs a powerful punch of biodiversity into a surprisingly compact space. What I loved: Diversity: The variety of plants is astounding, from exotic flowers to towering trees. Every turn reveals something new and fascinating. Layout: The garden is thoughtfully designed, with winding paths that lead you through different ecosystems. It's easy to get lost in the beauty. Education: Informative plaques throughout the garden provide interesting details about the plants and their ecological importance. Atmosphere: The garden is peaceful and serene, making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Hidden gem: Despite its incredible offerings, it wasn't overly crowded, allowing for a truly immersive experience. Who should visit: Plant enthusiasts Nature lovers Families looking for an educational outing Anyone seeking a peaceful retreat Overall: Forefinger Friman Botanical Garden is a hidden gem that exceeded my expectations. It's a must-visit for anyone who appreciates the beauty and diversity of the...