Clark Gardens — Attraction in Mineral Wells

Clark Gardens in Weatherford, TX is undeniably beautiful. The gardens are lush, spacious, and well-maintained, with several lovely water features and scenic backdrops that make for stunning photos. The property feels peaceful and clean, and on our event day, the staff worked diligently to keep the main floor dry and safe despite steady rain.

However, there are some important things future guests and couples should know. While the venue sets up the essentials — such as tables and chairs — you’re largely responsible for ensuring all additional items and details are taken care of. Unfortunately, the gardens don’t hold rainwater well. Even under the tented areas, puddles lingered, leaving the bottoms of dresses and pant legs wet and muddy. Outdoor walkways quickly turned to soft mud, and accessibility was especially difficult for anyone using a wheelchair or stroller.

Another challenge is navigation. The website and Airbnb listings provide very limited instructions, and because cell service can be spotty in the area, GPS often struggles to lead guests to the correct entrance. There are multiple entry points — some private or gated — and with minimal lighting at night, it’s easy to get lost. Guests, especially older ones unfamiliar with digital maps, found this particularly confusing. It’s highly recommended to map out directions before losing daylight, as signage and visibility at night are limited.

The on-site cottage is charming, complete with beautiful peacocks wandering nearby, which adds to the charm of the gardens. However, guests should be aware that a copperhead snake was spotted on the cottage porch during our stay, so it’s wise to be cautious when walking the property at night. Additionally, while the cottage address is listed as the same as the main venue, there are multiple buildings and homes on the property — and no clear directions provided to distinguish which one is the cottage, adding to the navigation confusion.

The cottage host was incredibly kind, responsive, and helpful, which we greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, interactions with the venue’s day-of manager, Janet, were not as pleasant. While she was efficient and ensured key tasks were completed, her demeanor toward guests and wedding party members felt abrupt and unwelcoming at times. The bride and several guests experienced interactions that came across as dismissive rather than understanding, which added unnecessary stress to an already emotional day. For example, when there was confusion about use of the nearby kitchen area, instead of calmly clarifying, Janet corrected the bride sharply in front of others, leaving her embarrassed and uncomfortable. Later, the bridal suite was locked before cleanup was finished, which made the party feel rushed out.

While some staff were kind and hardworking, the overall experience — particularly due to inconsistent communication, confusing logistics, and tone of guest interaction — made the day more stressful than it needed to be.

That said, Clark Gardens remains a lovely location for photos and nature-filled celebrations. With clearer directions, improved accessibility, and more thoughtful communication from staff, it could easily become a top-tier...

I loved Clark Gardens. This was my pick from the very beginning because we wanted our wedding to feel ethereal and secret garden inspired, lush, romantic, and full of life. We were also going for a touch of Tuscany since that is where we were headed for our honeymoon, and Clark Gardens’ baroque details and Mediterranean inspired landscaping fit the vision perfectly. There are even trees in the White Garden that are the same species found in Italy, and it felt like a little piece of Europe tucked away in Texas.

The planning staff was incredible from start to finish, responsive, kind, and truly invested in making our day special. Every question was met with patience and professionalism, and they went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly. The venue itself is beyond magical: peacocks roaming the pathways, butterflies fluttering through the gardens, and sparkling fountains around every corner. It is pure enchantment.

The wedding party stayed at The Retreat at Clark Gardens, the guest house on the property, which provided an absolutely calm and serene place to gather during the wedding weekend. It was the perfect escape, quiet, cozy, and surrounded by nature. I felt relaxed and rejuvenated the entire time, and it made the weekend feel even more special and connected.

Clark Gardens is truly a hidden gem in the DFW area. The property feels private and peaceful, like you have stepped into another world, and every inch of it is breathtakingly beautiful. Our guests could not stop talking about how stunning it was, and it is no surprise they have now been featured on the cover of British Vogue.

If you are dreaming of a fairytale garden wedding, this is the place. I will sing their praises forever. Clark Gardens made our day everything we imagined and more. Book them and make your dream...

My husband and I live in Dallas and had been talking about bringing his Mother here for years - she lives in Mineral Wells and we never make enough time to walk the gardens whenever we come to town to visit her. Well, a few weekends ago, we made time as a surprise for Mother's Day and made a "day" of it.

The love that is in these gardens is so very evident in every step that you take. From the employee in the ticket shop that was so kind to tell us about his favorite spots in the garden - and you could tell how much he loved the garden - to the immaculate presentation, care and grooming of the grounds itself. Being able to walk around and get lost within the paths and see native Texas plants, flowers, and herbs is just breathtaking.

There are benches here and there for those that have trouble walking so you are able to rest - and even some places that have tables and chairs under shade. We found ourselves at one of those very tables close to closing on the day of our trip when one of the Gardens employees came to let us know they would be closing soon, and when my Mother in law made a joke that she didn't know if she could make it back to the front gates in 30 minutes (we were quite a distance at that point) he came back to get us in a 6 seat golf cart, even driving us to our car in the parking lot. I was so very impressed by that - everyone that we talked to during our visit was very attentive - they really seemed to care about their job. That was awesome.

I'm very glad that we came - this is a hidden gem that I will be back to for a lovely stroll in a beautiful...