How to Plan a Tower Hill Botanic Garden Wedding

Have you always imagined that your wedding day would look like a magnificent garden party straight out of Alice in Wonderland? Or dreamed of an elegant botanical wedding worthy of high tea in England? Look no further than the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill! 

Your wedding venue plays a big role on the quality of your wedding photos, so it is important to find a venue as picturesque as Tower Hill. Located in Boylston, Massachusetts, this unique wedding venue will truly take your breath away and leave all of your guests feeling like they just entered a luxurious European garden. Legit, there isn’t an ugly corner in the entire grounds. It is basically like you hired your own personal florist to decorate because the natural landscape and garden aesthetic is truly stunning. 

I could praise the botanic garden all day long on the beautiful grounds, (because it’s seriously jaw dropping stunning) but what I love most about this venue is more than just its looks. Read on to learn all of the ins and outs of planning your own wedding at Tower Hill Botanic Garden.

Pros of having your wedding at Tower Hill Botanic Garden:

• The entire event staff there is incredibly kind, helpful & insightful. Megan, the events coordinator, will be with you every step of the way, making the entire process stress free and relaxed. She is dedicated to helping you have the wedding day of your dreams and making your entire vision come to life. 
• Multiple choices for your ceremony location. Unlike other venues, they have the flexibility to accommodate a couple different locations for the ceremony. Making your entire day customized and accommodating your vision and needs. 
• I’ve mentioned this before, but the entire grounds are stunning location for photos. Plus they get some serious golden hour glows, so please make sure you schedule 20-30 minutes for some golden hour photos. 
• They are LGBTQIA+ affirming. Whatever your love looks like, it will be celebrated at Tower Hill. 
• It basically like you hired a second florist 

Cons of having your wedding at Tower Hill Botanic Garden:

• No onsite bridal suit. Unfortunately, you will have to get ready offsite because there is no bridal suit available. They do have a dedicated room where you can leave all your bags and extra stuff, but they dont allow you to get ready there.
• They are open during the day. Because they are an active botanical garden, they will be open on the day of your wedding. This limits ceremony times, and how early you are allowed to get there to begin set up. The garden closes at 4, so that is when you are allowed on site, but there will still be guests trickling out. 

Tower Hill Botanic Garden Pricing and Packages

The New England Botanic Garden offers a variety of packages throughout the year. 

On Season | May – September

Their on season packages can accommodate up to 120 guests and ranges start from $7,000-$10,000, with cheaper rates on Fridays or Sundays, versus Saturday. 

• Accommodates up to 120 guests
• Friday: $8,000*
• Saturday/ Holiday / Holiday Sunday: $10,000*
• Sunday: $7,000*
• On-Site Ceremony: $1,500*
• Extension Fee (additional half hour): $800
• Security Deposit, Refundable: $500

Off Season | January – April

Fall/Winter wedding date availability is extremely limited due to public programming and events hosted by the gardens. Accommodates up to 50 guests. Please note, however, for off season and weddings in the colder weather, they do put plastic covers on the plants to protect them from New England winters. 

• Friday: $3,500*
• Saturday/ Holiday / Holiday Sunday: $4,500*
• Sunday: $3,000*
• On-Site Ceremony: $500
• Extension Fee (additional half hour): $750
• Security Deposit, Refundable: $500

Elopement Pricing at Tower Hill Botanic Garden

Tower Hill Botanic Garden does offer Intimate Ceremonies for couples who aren’t wanting a big traditional wedding. Intimate Ceremonies are only available for members at the garden. There also aren’t changing rooms available so the couple and guests have to come ready for their ceremony. 

What is included? 

• One-Hour to conduct your ceremony in the garden of your choice followed by photography throughout the property. 
• Day of event staffing to help greet and direct guests, wedding party and family. 
• Indoor pan in case of inclement weather
• Optional white garden ceremony chairs for an additional rental fee
  • up to 15 chairs $75
  • up to 30 chairs &150

Elopement Packages at Tower Hill 

Mornings 10-11AM

• Couple & up to 10 guests — $1000
• Couple & 11-20 guests — $1500
• Couple & 21-30 guests — $2000

Evenings: 6-7PM 

• Couple & up to 10 guests — $1500
• Couple & 11-20 guests — 2000
• Couple & 21-30 guests — $2500

Ceremonies at Tower Hill Botanical Garden

There are multiple gardens at Tower Hill where you can hold your ceremony, making it super customizable and fit your aesthetic. Below are the different gardens and some quick photo tips to consider when choosing your location. 

• Secret Garden- Depending on the time of year & your ceremony time, this garden could be in the direct sunlight during your ceremony. The sun would be to the backs of the guests, but you and your partner would potentially be looking directly into the sun. 
• Lawn Garden- This garden offers more shade and the sun sets to the right and back, depending on what time of year you get married. 
• Limonaia Conservatory – This is a great option if the forecast is looking like rain on your wedding day. 

Weather at Tower Hill Botanical Garden

In the event of rain or in-climate weather on your wedding day, Tower Hill Botanical Garden has an indoor Conservatory, the Limonaia Conservatory, that you can hold your ceremony in. This arboretum has glass windows, so you still get the experience of being married outdoors, in nature, but without the rain. 

Accessibility & Wheelchairs 

Tower Hill Botanical Garden is dedicated to making its grounds accessible for everyone. Which is why they are ADA compliant and offer universally accessible design. 

From their website

• Service animals are always welcome at New England Botanic Garden.
• Some areas, such as the woodland trails of our Inner Park, are not wheelchair accessible. Other areas, while accessible, include uneven surfaces that may affect visitors who prefer a smooth surface. Upon arrival, our Visitor Services staff will be happy to clarify accessible paths and routes.
• Wheelchairs that can be used in the buildings and the gardens around the buildings are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Please inquire at the Visitor Services Desk when you arrive.
• We do not offer motorized wheelchairs or scooters.

Hiring Other Vendors for Your Tower Hill Botanical Garden Wedding

One of the ways to make your New England Tower Hill Botanical Garden your own is to hire your vendors who share your same vision and values. Here are a list of vendors you might want to consider, depending on your wedding day goals and vision.

Tower Hill also offers a list of preferred vendors you can work with. 

Catering

Peppers Artful Events works exclusively at Tower Hill, making your catering decision easy for you. All you have to do is pick out the menu. They also offer bartending & cakes, making it super simple to coordinate, without having to hire a variety of vendors. 

Peppers Artful Events

Florist

While Tower Hill is a gorgeous garden and it is basically like you hired your own personal florist, below are some very talented florists who service Tower Hill Botanic Garden. 

• Petal & Wren
• Flou(e)r Specialty Events 
• Apotheca Flowers 
• Primrose Floral Design

Officiant or Justice of the Peace

To make your wedding day official, you want to make sure you hire an officiant or Justice of the peace who is legally registered in the state of MA. You can search for a variety of options depending on your faith background. 

• Justice of the Peace Stoddard Melhado
• Pricilla Geaney
• Weddings by Juliet
• On Day Designation –  Another option is have one of your friends or family members get a One-Day-Designation. 

Photography

You want to make sure you hire a photographer who can capture all of the beauty and intention that you put into your wedding day plans! Below are some awesome photographers who have worked at Tower Hill and can make your Botanic Garden Wedding Dreams come to life!

• Tessa Klingensmith Photography
• Rebecca Cee Photography

DJ or Entertainment 

Whatever kind of wedding you are planning, it is always important to hire someone who can

• Make a Mark Entertainment 

Hotels Near Tower Hill Botanical Garden

Because you can’t get ready at the garden, here are some local hotels that are close by where you, your wedding party, and guests can stay at. There are so many hotels in the area, but here are some favorites in Worcester.

• AC Hotel in Worcester
• Beechwood Hotel in Worcester
• Homewood Suits in Worcester

Transportation

Finally getting to a from, your venue. There is plenty of parking located at the garden, but if all of your guests are traveling in and staying at the same hotel, or you are having an open bar, you want to make sure everyone gets home safely. Below are some transportation services that service Tower Hill Botanical Garden.  

• Rockstar Limo
• Grey’s Limousine
• Black Tie Limousine
• Knights Limo Service

I hope this blog helped you as you start planning your wedding day! 

Contact your Tower Hill Botanic Garden Photographer Today!

Still looking for your perfect photographer for your Tower Hill Botanic Garden Wedding? Reach out today to schedule your free consultation!