1.      A contract indicating the location, time, date, names, and all other pertinent information concerning the wedding ceremony must be signed prior to reserving the date.  Any changes in time, location and/or date must be submitted in writing.  Please contact Tricia Check at (608) 265-8502 in advance to clear proposed changes.

2.      Garden wedding area can be reserved for the exclusive use of the party.  However, the public cannot be excluded from viewing other gardens.  All activity related to your wedding ceremony must be started and completed within your selected ceremony rental time.

3.      Volume on musical equipment must be maintained at a low level so as not to interfere with the enjoyment of the Gardens by others.

4.      Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in the Gardens without a permit, UWS 18.06(13), Wis.Adm. code, & UW-Madison Specific Alcohol Beverage Regulation B. Alcohol permits are obtained from the Department of Horticulture, Room 385.  Food and non-alcohol drinks must be served at the time alcoholic beverages are served.  Signer of the permit should be present at all times.  Underage or intoxicated persons are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages are not to be sold.  Food served cannot be full meals, but finger foods, as the Gardens are not equipped to handle meals.  Due to UW liability issues, it is requested that food and beverages be provided by a licensed caterer and/or bartender.  It is suggested that catering be contracted through UW Housing-Catering.  To contact, call 262-5577.

5.      Smoking is not permitted in the Gardens or surrounding buildings.

6.      Aisle runners are permitted if they are contained under a tented area.  (They should not be exposed to the sun as this damages the turf under the runner.)  Throwing rice, birdseed, confetti, and other items is prohibited.  Bubbles are acceptable.

7.      The driveway of the Agricultural Dean’s Residence shall not be used for parking.  The driveway shall be kept free of vehicles at all times except for loading and unloading.  Parking for wedding guests must be arranged through University of Wisconsin Transportation Services.  Phone Special Events Department at (608) 262-8683.

8.      During football Saturdays the parking office sells all campus parking lots, therefore leaving no available parking for wedding ceremony attendants.  However, if the wedding party can make arrangements to provide transportation (i.e. bus, limousine, shuttle, etc.) for all wedding party members and guests, wedding ceremonies can be allowed to take place in the Gardens on those Saturdays.  Please be aware that the sound system from Camp Randall is loud enough to be heard in the Gardens and may be a disturbance during a ceremony.

9.      Deliveries to the Gardens are accepted one hour prior to your reserved time.  University of Wisconsin staff are not responsible for receiving, handling, and safe guarding of deliveries.

10.  A building service worker is assigned to the building while the wedding is in progress.  This staff person will be in charge of the site.

11.  The Allen Centennial Gardens do not provide tents, tables, chairs, podiums, electrical cords, etc.  Electrical outlets are available.  If you bring your own equipment or public address system, you are responsible for the transport, set up and removal of equipment.  All equipment must be removed within one hour of the wedding conclusion.  Bring carts to transport equipment to the wedding area.  Carts are not available at the Gardens.  Please use cart service area gates in parking lot 32.

12.  Upon completion of the wedding ceremony, the area shall be returned to the condition in which the wedding party lessees found it, including removal and restacking of chairs from the turf area.  At no time shall tables, chairs or other items be left overnight.  Trash must be collected and secured immediately following the wedding ceremony and placed in the dumpster near the service building.
 

13.  Tent rental dimensions—the lawn (turf circle) garden can accommodate up to a 40’ x 40’ tent.  The English Perennial garden uses a 20’ x 20’, 20’ x 40’, or 30’ x 30’ tent.  Only licensed tent rental companies may erect tents on Garden sites.  Tents must be up before 9 AM on the day of the wedding or the day before for a morning wedding.  Tent removal from the site must occur within 24 hours following Monday through Thursday weddings and 48 hours following Friday through Sunday ceremonies.
 

14. Changing room at Short Course Dorms—you may make arrangements with Mary Vance at Dorm Reservations, (608) 262-2270 (press 0 when voice mail begins) for rental of a dorm room for approximately $32.   Dormitory restrooms may be used for wedding guests - male guests should use first floor bathroom in Jorns Hall or Humphrey Hall and female guests should use bathroom at bottom of stairwell in the basement of Jorns Hall.  There are water fountains on first floor as well as in Jorns basement.

15. While the house on the Allen Gardens site is a working office, there is a small room available to the Bride and her attendants, and immediate elderly or infant relatives that may be used as a gathering location prior to the wedding ceremony.  The space is intended for those people only, not wedding guests in general.
 

16. Allen Centennial Gardens reserves weddings ONE YEAR in advance.  Reservations for the following year begin on January 1.  Reservations for 2007 can be made starting January 2006.
 

17. Refund policy.  There will be a 20% of total fee withheld, including the security deposit, for cancellation of weddings.
 

18. If there is a conflict between parties having a wedding on the same day or unexpected horticultural problems within the selected garden site, Management will have the final say and an alternate garden site may be provided.
 

19. Contact information for couples sharing the same wedding weekend will be made available in the event that those couples may wish to share the cost of a tent and/or chairs.  Please notify the Horticulture office if you do not wish to have your contact information shared.
 

20. For any other questions/concerns about the Garden sites, please contact Head Gardener, Bill Hoyt (email)  wrhoyt@wisc.edu or (phone) 608-262-1549 and leave a message.  He will respond to inquiries as soon as possible.

Revised 2/2006

2006 Wedding Reservation Form
(Click here to view copy of receipt.  You will need to download Acrobat Reader if your computer doesn't have it installed.  Use the link below.)
This form should not be returned to the Horticulture Department until contact has been made with Tricia Check regarding Garden availability on the date desired.