Norfolk Botanical Garden — Attraction in Norfolk

It’s 52 days later and we (and our guests) are still absolutely gushing over our outdoor, tented reception in the Renaissance Rose Court location at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens; it was the perfect venue for our wedding! Between their phenomenal staff and stunning views, they had it all! We could not have asked for better! They truly make you feel like VIPs throughout the entire process, from beginning to end. During our initial tour of the venue, the NBG team emphasized that they were always happy to answer any email or call that we sent their way (and boy did they mean it), so we knew we were in good hands the day of the wedding! Their level of communication is impeccable and I promise you will be left feeling like they will do anything to help you achieve your perfect wedding day! The NBG team are not only masters in problem solving, but they are also true professionals. They maintained a friendly and approachable demeanor, and helped all our vendors work together to make every small detail look perfect. The NBG team provided many different ideas and suggestions to make sure we could bring our vision to life in the best and most efficient way possible. They asked an abundance of great questions throughout the process to get a feel for what were our absolute “must haves” and even suggested some things we hadn’t thought of. We hosted our ceremony on the brick in front of the fountain at the Renaissance Rose Court location, cocktail hour at the Statuary Vista location, and then the reception was under a dreamy twinkle light tent on the first grassy tier at the Renaissance Rose Court location. Guests were in awe of the view (and we also lucked out with absolutely perfect, albeit slightly hot, weather)! They were also true champions (and professionals) to help our other vendors set up and break down through our outdoor wedding, on July 12th, in Virginia! Working with the staff at the Norfolk Botanical Garden has been an absolute pleasure from first contact until the end of the wedding day (and the next day when we stopped by to pick up a few forgotten items). Their exceptional talent, professionalism, and dedication to their craft makes them a stand out choice in the world of wedding venues! We could not recommend the Norfolk Botanical Gardens enough, and can’t wait to return to celebrate future life moments! It’s definitely well-worth the investment for a beautiful, love-filled weekend! -...

Beautiful place to visit, but I would strongly advise against using it for a wedding! If it rains, it does not feel like they work with you. Paid $10,000 for 3 locations (Renaissance Court Package), only utilized 1. No compensation was offered. Pressured and pretty much given no other alternative than to marry in our reception setup, in front of sweetheart table. I expressed numerous times that was unacceptable. Would have preferred intentional planning to at least provide a ceremony form that flipped into a reception after. Failed to provide an adequate rain plan for couples in our situation. The gazebos are their rain plan that they put in their contract, turned out it was not a rain plan at all! The rain soaked inside area of the gazebos and would drench guest inside as well. So if it rains too hard, sideways, or storms (thunder or lightning), their locations and contractual rain plan cannot be used. It poured on my wedding day and we were provided every excuse not to honor their rain plan, were even told they couldn’t go down to get the chairs in the rain. Temperature failed to adjust in a timely manner after asking 5 times. Due to heat and discomfort, a family member fainted (providing me with emotional trauma) and other guests had to leave. Wedding DIYs damaged and ruined due to no one proactively securing them before the storm. Wedding day was a chaotic disaster. Now afterwards, I'm convinced that because their balance was paid in full prior to our event that they will not be open to compensating us for their inability to adapt/inflexibility, lack of preparedness, or failure to mitigate preventable issues because of their contact wording. Many times it felt like money was their primary focus. Their exclusive vendor costed more than the venue itself. Be aware, the info sheet of the vendor’s pricing did not allude to what the true total would be close to, it only provided price per dinner plate, not the cost for the chef, staffing, alcohol, etc. So we were taken back once we saw the total but felt as if we had to continue forward since we learned this after signing the Garden’s contract. The service and spaces that I received was ultimately not worth the money paid. The one hall that we could use has office tiles as the ceiling. Not with $10,000 alone. Local competing venues are priced way less and offered more than what I...

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Norfolk Botanical Garden, located in Norfolk, Virginia, is a historic and expansive botanical garden that spans 175 acres. Established in 1938 as a Works Progress Administration project, it has grown into a premier nature experience, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a world of beauty and tranquility.

The garden is home to more than 60 themed gardens, each showcasing a diverse array of plants and landscapes. These include the stunning Rose Garden, the serene Japanese Garden, and the vibrant Butterfly Garden, among others. The garden also features a variety of seasonal displays, with over 13,000 bulbs planted for seasonal beauty and more than 32,000 annuals.

Norfolk Botanical Garden is not just about plants; it is also a haven for wildlife. It hosts 95 species of birds and 30 kinds of butterflies, making it a perfect spot for nature enthusiasts and photographers. The garden's mission is to conserve plants and habitats, cultivate beauty, and inspire protection of nature through education and connection to the environment.

Visitors can explore the garden by foot, tram, or boat, offering different perspectives and experiences. The garden also provides a range of educational programs for both adults and children, including workshops, classes, and special events. These programs aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

Norfolk Botanical Garden is powered by 100% renewable energy, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability. It has been recognized nationally for its beauty and innovation, including being named the #3 best botanical garden in the United States by Fodor’s Travel in 2023.

Whether you are a local resident or a visitor, Norfolk Botanical Garden offers a peaceful retreat and a chance to connect with nature in a meaningful way. It's a place where beauty, education, and conservation come together to create a truly unique...