Adelaide Botanic Gardens

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens are an expansive green oasis in the heart of the city. Opened to the public in 1857 with the intention of ‘connecting plants, people and culture,’ it is the perfect central location to hold a picturesque wedding ceremony. There are nine dedicated ceremony venues throughout the gardens, as well as options for receptions in an open-air, marquee or indoor setting. The award-winning Botanic Gardens Restaurant is a destination in itself, featuring a classy round room with floor to ceiling windows looking out at exotic trees on one side and a pretty lake on the other. White wooden pillars and pastel green furniture provides a breezy, romantic feel to the brightly lit restaurant.

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens was made for stunning photography opportunities – the array of native and exotic gardens and water features change distinctively throughout the seasons. For something a little different, urban scenes of the city and the river Torrens are only a short walk away.

Due to the large scale of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, several weddings may occur here at the same time at around 9 different locations, and public visitors are free to roam throughout. Each location has its own unique charms and varying degrees of privacy:

Summerhouse – A historic rotunda enclosed with light-filtering latticework can house small to medium wedding congregations. Five surrounding lawn areas can also be utilised with the rotunda as a backdrop. This is the closest option to North Terrace and is only a short walk from amenities.

Cycad Collection – Large Cycad plants and the Kauri Pine protect this scenic space from too much public foot traffic. The sweeping lawn area gently slopes to allow excellent views over the Main Lake. Located between North Terrace and the restaurant, this is a popular yet intimate site.

Palm House Lawns – The heritage-listed Palm House is an exquisitely restored Victorian glasshouse imported from Germany in 1875. Thought to be the only one of its kind in existence, having this as a ceremony backdrop is a worldwide unique opportunity.

Barbershop – This sweet little rotunda is perfect for small ceremonies, located by the stunning wisteria arbours which are a favourite for photos. Behind it are a creek and private lawn, shaded by a beautiful large tree that makes for great group shots.

International Rose Garden – In the foreground of the grand Bicentennial Conservatory dome sits the manicured rows of the International Rose Garden. When in bloom, there are lines of colour to surround large wedding parties or more intimate affairs.

Araucaria Avenue – A gentle sloping walkway is beautifully framed by majestically towering Araucaria (Hoop Pines). When the timing is right, beams of sunlight shine directly down the centre of the path, creating stunning backlighting for photographs.

Northern Palm Garden – Near the Friends Gate on Plane Tree drive to the north of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, this creek-side location has sweeping tree-lined lawns that become filled with a beautiful golden glow in the late afternoon sun. In Autumn, surrounding leaves turn magical shades of yellow and orange.

Economic Garden – The Boy and Serpent fountain stands as the centrepiece of this European manor-style garden. It is named for its display of plants used for food, medicine, oils, dyes and ceremonies – anything of historic economic importance.

Sunken Garden – Well hidden by surrounding hedges, a quaint reflecting pool houses a variety of water plants in this intimate location. A grassy area allows space for a small number of guests to congregate, nestled into the side of a gentle hill.

There is ample information online to further investigate the many superb choices available for weddings at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. The central location makes it a breeze for the wedding party and guests to stay nearby or travel to, and there are plenty of handy surrounding spots for pre-wedding events, photoshoots and afterparties.