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Weddings

About

The Luthy Botanical Garden features a variety of unique settings, and one is sure to be perfect for your wedding, shower or party. Whether you celebrate under the blossoms of Crab Apple Cove or in the heart of the Woodland Garden, you are sure to create an event remembered for its beauty and distinction. Each Garden setting offers its own unique ambience and benefits. Whether you are planning a wedding for ten or 300, the Garden staff is happy to help you find the location that best suits your individual needs. Each of these romantic garden settings creates an elegant and natural backdrop for your festivities. Photos and videos are enhanced by the beauty of Luthy’s floral setting.

Conservatory
Featuring an extensive collection of tropical plants, the Conservatory provides a lush, tropical backdrop for your wedding -- a destination wedding without the air travel! Though limited to after-hours rental, the seasonal floral displays at the Conservatory will create a fabulous setting for your ceremony. The seating capacity is 75 people.

Rose Garden
The Rose Garden, at the heart of the Garden, features a grand arbor, All-America rose selections, classic roses and floral displays that provide season-long color. Its seating capacity is 300 people.

Crabapple Cove
Crabapple Cove is defined by an enclosure of flowering crabapples that bloom in April Its seating capacity is 100 people. The west side of this garden has an intimate arbor nestled up to a magnificent Fernleaf Beech. Seating in this area is limited to about 30 people.

Learning Circle
Featuring a circular flagstone amphitheatre shaded with an arc of American Yellowwood trees, the seating capacity of Learning Circle is 125 people. .

Gazebo
A classic gazebo, echoing a Victorian garden, is located near the fountain and serves as an intimate setting for a small wedding. Its seating capacity is 10-20 people.

Woodland Garden
Capturing the spirit of our native Illinois woodland in spring, summer or fall, this location features majestic trees, wooded paths and a verdant glade. The Woodland Garden provides a lush, shaded backdrop for your ceremony. Its seating capacity is 200 people.

Wildlife Garden
A cascading waterfall, extensive planting and a wooded clearing characterize the Wildlife Garden. Its seating capacity is 50 people.

The Orangery Greenhouse

Outdoor weddings are wonderful, but we live in Illinois with it's unpredictable weather. We now have a renovated greenhouse to serve as a rain back-up for weddings up to approximately 150 - 170 people.

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Evening Floral Show Weddings in the Conservatory
Picture an intimate evening wedding in our flower-filled Conservatory! Yes, you can now use the backdrop of one of Luthy Botanical Garden’s beautiful floral shows for your wedding. Be among the first to make reservations for an evening wedding during one of three annual floral shows (see below). You and your guests will remember the soft, warm glow of a floral wedding at the Garden for years to come.

Spring Weddings during the Lily Show
Date can vary from year to year; please confirm dates with the Luthy wedding coordinator. The Lily Show runs from 16 days prior to Easter through 7 days after Easter.

Fall Weddings during the Chrysanthemum Show
Date can vary from year to year; please confirm dates with the Luthy wedding coordinator. The Chrysanthemum Show usually runs during the month of October. We have also had a "Harry Potter" theme in the Conservatory during this show as well.


Holiday Weddings during the Poinsettia Show
Date can vary from year to year; please confirm dates with the Luthy wedding coordinator. The Poinsettia Show runs from the last Friday in November through the month of December. (Note: Friday and Saturdays before 12/25 are reserved for our Candlelight Walks)

Formerly Luthy Botanical Garden

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

No

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$500

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
Parking
Set Up

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

7

Describe your venue:

Garden
Park

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower

What event services do you offer?

Event Planner

What transportation and access is available?

Parking

Reviews of Luthy Botanical Gardens

A
Amanda Sent on 07/29/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Luthy was the perfect backdrop for our laid-back ceremony.
C
Cheryl Sent on 06/03/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Realize that if it rains there is a backup greenhouse that can be used but only up to 150 guests. Otherwise, the garden is beautiful.
A
Amanda Sent on 09/15/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Leading up to the day we were able to get in and look at the area free of charge, our photographer was able to see exactly what she needed as well. It poured during our rehearsal so we used the indoor space to practice and it worked out great. The day of there is a small cubby in the main lobby that the bride and bridesmaids can stay in to "hide" while guests and groom go into the gardens. They were very helpful getting things set up and letting us use their tables and lacy tablecloths the day of!
S
Samantha Sent on 09/03/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Luthy botanical garden was perfect place for our wedding ceremony. The weather was amazing, and everyone matched the scenery especially the wedding party. Connie went above and beyond her job description of helping us out with payment arrangements and organizing our special day. I couldn't have thanked her enough.. I recommend this place to anyone who is looking to have fabulous wedding.
Thank you Luthy botanical??????????
Samantha & Jimmie James
JackieDewitt16
Jackie Sent on 07/09/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Such a Beautiful venue and the staff is beyond helpful and attentive. They are quick in responding to calls/emails as well.
S
Shannon Sent on 11/01/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Our wedding was an absolute amazing evening! Yvonne and her team did more than expected.
A
Amanda Sent on 07/17/2014
5 out of 5 rating
I had my wedding reception at the Peoria Zoo in June, 2014. Overall, it was great! Below are some things you should know:

*The majority, if not all, of the reviews below concern Preston. However, Preston left the zoo at the end of 2013 and there is a new coordinator in place. Carol was great at responding to emails, helping us finish things up the last few months, and keeping things going the day-of.

*I found the rental price for the lodge to be very fair. If you want to have the animals left out for guests to view, it is $400 an hour.

*The zoo is very much a do-it-yourself sort of venue. You will need to rent your own linens (we bought them online) and find your own caterer, etc. We used Hickory River and they were amazing--tons and tons of food for everyone, and they even packed up the leftovers. We did appetizers through them and rented the china from them as well. Super responsive and easy to work with.

*There is no sales tax on the rental, drinks, alcohol, etc., which helped save a good amount of money.

*One important thing to be aware of involves set-up. The lodge is a concession stand by day and doesn't close down until 3:00. There is no where to store all the linens, decorations, etc, so you either need to bring them that morning (which wouldn't work, because all the family and friends were at the wedding ceremony) or have a van or suv loaded with them and park it at the zoo overnight. We ended up renting a small moving truck, parking it at the zoo friday night, and leaving the keys with them. The zoo has a staff to help set up, but it is probably a good idea to have a wedding coordinator or hire a few people (as we did) especially if you are doing anything more elaborate, like a candy table, etc.

Overall, it's a really unique venue and we absolutely loved it!
M
Michelle Sent on 05/20/2013
5 out of 5 rating
Luthy Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful outdoor locations to be married in Central Illinois. The people there were great to work with and tried their best to help with everything I needed. Everything was set up perfectly when we arrived the day of the wedding. Ann is very flexible and a pleasure to work with as well. She went above and beyond to help me out with all of my concerns. If you are wanting an outdoor ceremony I highly recommend Luthy Botanical Gardens, and Lodge at The Peoria Zoo is right next door and makes a GREAT reception site!
R
Retha Sent on 04/17/2013
5 out of 5 rating
Our daughter and son-in-law's wedding at the Peoria Zoo/Zambezi River Lodge was a wonderful experience all the way through from start to finish. We are from out of town and are not familiar with vendors in the area or companies to rent items from for the wedding. Preston Waters (guest services manager) with the Peoria Zoo was wonderful! He went above and beyond to make the event an evening the couple will always remember. Preston asked what kind of budget we had and the kind of evening the couple wanted. He gave suggestions on caterers, rental vendors and even linens for the night to keep us on budget. The event went off like clockwork. Everyone was friendly and knew exactly what to do and when. Preston was even on site for the entire event in case anything had to be addressed. We had numerous compliments from family members for the great staff.






V
Virginia Sent on 12/03/2012
5 out of 5 rating
The Peoria Zoo was an awesome venue to hold our wedding reception! The Peoria Zoo is very unique and not just your traditional banquet hall. The Peoria Zoo staff was wonderful to work with and very accommodating to our wishes and large 300+ guests. The Peoria Zoo offers both indoor and outdoor facilities with the option to have the animals stay out in their habitats for guest to walk around and enjoy. I am very pleased with the entire staff and could not have asked for a better, more unique location to hold our wedding reception. I would recommend the Peoria Zoo to any bride and groom planning their big day.
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Awards

39

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Happily Ever After Weddings and Special Events Happily Ever After Weddings and Special Events Wedding Planners

Beautiful venue for an outdoor ceremony, highly recommend Luthy Botanical Gardens! I have done many weddings there in my 5 years, and it's always a pleasure working with them.

Map

Luthy Botanical Gardens frequently asked questions

Luthy Botanical Gardens includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Parking
  • Set Up
The space offered by Luthy Botanical Gardens for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Park
Luthy Botanical Gardens offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Luthy Botanical Gardens offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
Luthy Botanical Gardens offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Planner
Luthy Botanical Gardens is recommended by 92% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.7 in quality of service, 4.6 in flexibility, 4.6 in professionalism, 4.6 in value and 4.5 in average response time.
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