UC Botanical Garden wedding photographer · Berkeley, California
Botanical Garden
Get married in the redwoods.
- Location
- Berkeley Hills
- Ceremony
- Up to 200 guests
- With reception
- Up to 82 guests
- The garden
- 34 acres
UC Botanical Garden wedding venue · Berkeley, California
A redwood grove above Berkeley.
The UC Botanical Garden sits in Strawberry Canyon above the UC Berkeley campus. It was founded in 1890 and covers 34 acres. For weddings there are two spaces: the Mather Redwood Grove, five acres of coast redwoods around a stone and wood amphitheater, and Julia Morgan Hall, a 1911 redwood hall moved to the Garden in 2014.
You can do just the ceremony in the Grove, just a reception in the hall, or both. The Garden also runs micro-ceremony and elopement packages for 12 to 25 guests.
I photographed Zoya and Jack's wedding here. Below is what the Garden says you need to know, plus what I'd tell a friend.
UC Botanical Garden wedding venue · The details
What it’s actually like.
Redwood Grove · Amphitheater · Julia Morgan Hall
UC Botanical Garden
at Berkeley
Coast redwoods, filtered light and a real amphitheater for the ceremony. Then a short walk to a historic redwood hall with a fireplace and a deck over the California plant collection.
- Address
- 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Ceremony
- Mather Redwood Grove amphitheater, up to 200 guests
- Reception
- Julia Morgan Hall, up to 82 guests (72 from November through March)
- Rental window
- 5:00 to 11:00 pm for ceremony and reception. Start times move up an hour November through March.
- Catering
- Approved caterers only. Event insurance required.
- Alcohol
- Allowed at the reception. Not in the Redwood Grove.
- Not allowed
- Pets, open flames, candles, drones, balloons, bubbles, confetti
- Parking
- 50 reserved spaces with the ceremony and reception package
- My favorite spot
- The Grove right before the ceremony, when the light comes through the redwoods
Four ways to do it · Prices as of November 2026
12 to 25 guests
Micro-ceremony
$2,000 to $2,500
An elopement or very small ceremony in the Redwood Grove.
Up to 200 guests
Ceremony only
$3,500 to $4,500
The Redwood Grove and amphitheater for your ceremony. Reception somewhere else.
Up to 82 guests
Ceremony + reception
$8,500 to $9,500
Redwood Grove ceremony and Julia Morgan Hall reception, 5:00 to 11:00 pm. $8,500 Monday to Thursday, $9,500 Friday to Sunday.
Up to 82 guests
Reception only
$2,500 to $5,500
Julia Morgan Hall and its deck. Four-hour minimum.
Pricing comes from the Garden and can change. The Garden asks couples to attend a Rental Open House before booking.
UC Botanical Garden · The spaces
Redwoods, a hall and 34 acres.
Mather Redwood Grove
Five acres of coast redwoods planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s, named for Stephen T. Mather.
The amphitheater
Stone and wood tiers in the middle of the Grove. Seat cushions are set out for your guest count. Amplified music is allowed.
Julia Morgan Hall
Designed by Julia Morgan and built in 1911 as the Senior Women's Hall. Moved to the Garden in 2014 and listed on state and national historic registers.
The deck
Overlooks the California collection. String lights and umbrellas. This is where the dancing happens.
The main garden
Plants from all over the world on 34 acres. The ceremony and reception package includes access for day-of portraits.
Cocktail hour
The Entrance Plaza or the Tour Deck, as a $500 add-on from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Getting to the UC Botanical Garden
Up the hill. Plan for it.
The Garden is up Centennial Drive above campus. The lot across the street from the entrance is $1.50 an hour and limited, so the 50 reserved spaces in the ceremony and reception package matter. Push carpools and rideshare for everyone else.
On Cal home football game days, Centennial Drive below the Garden closes four hours before kickoff. Check the schedule before you lock a fall date. Grizzly Peak Boulevard stays open.
UC Botanical Garden wedding gallery
See it in real life.
Zoya & JackA real UC Botanical Garden wedding
See the gallery
UC Botanical Garden wedding planning tips
Things nobody tells you.
01
Count your guests first.
With a reception, the cap is 82 including the two of you, and 72 from November through March. Decide the list before you fall in love with the Grove.
02
Do portraits before the ceremony.
The package includes the main garden for photos. Use it early, while the light is good.
03
Plan for the Grove light.
Redwoods make soft, filtered light with bright spots coming through. It looks amazing. Ask your photographer how they handle it.
04
Check the football schedule.
Centennial Drive closes before Cal home games. A fall Saturday can turn into a parking problem fast.
05
Go to the open house.
The Garden asks couples to attend a Rental Open House before booking. Walk the Grove, the hall and the parking lot while you are there.
UC Botanical Garden wedding FAQ
Questions couples actually ask.
How many guests can the UC Botanical Garden host for a wedding?
According to the Garden, the Mather Redwood Grove holds up to 200 guests for a ceremony. Ceremony and reception packages are limited to 82 guests, including the couple, from April through October and 72 from November through March, because that is what Julia Morgan Hall holds.
How much does a wedding at the UC Botanical Garden cost?
As of November 2026 the Garden lists ceremony only packages from $3,500 to $4,500, ceremony and reception at $8,500 Monday through Thursday and $9,500 Friday through Sunday, micro-ceremonies and elopements for 12 to 25 guests from $2,000 to $2,500, and reception only from $2,500 to $5,500. Confirm current pricing with the Garden.
What is included in the ceremony and reception package?
A six-hour rental from 5:00 to 11:00 pm with the Redwood Grove closed to the public, Julia Morgan Hall with tables and chairs, 50 reserved parking spaces, a private dressing room, rental support staff, rehearsal time in the Grove based on availability and main Garden access for day-of photos. A cocktail hour on the Entrance Plaza or Tour Deck is a $500 add-on.
Can you have alcohol at a UC Botanical Garden wedding?
Yes, at the reception. Renters of Julia Morgan Hall, the Tour Deck and the Entrance Plaza can bring beer, wine and liquor through their caterer or a retailer. No alcohol is allowed in the Redwood Grove.
Do you have to use an approved caterer at the UC Botanical Garden?
Yes. The Garden requires caterers from its approved list, and event insurance is required either through your own policy or a UC Berkeley approved vendor.
What is not allowed at UC Botanical Garden weddings?
The Redwood Grove and Julia Morgan Hall are part of the Garden's living museum collection, so pets, open flames, candles, drones, balloons, bubbles, confetti and other hard-to-clean items are not allowed. Dancing happens on the Julia Morgan Hall deck.
Where do guests park for a UC Botanical Garden wedding?
The ceremony and reception package reserves 50 spaces in the Garden lot across the street from the entrance. Public parking there is $1.50 an hour and limited. On Cal home football game days, Centennial Drive below the Garden closes four hours before kickoff, so check the schedule before you pick a date.
Can you take wedding photos in the main garden?
Yes. The ceremony and reception package includes main Garden access for day-of photography. For Zoya and Jack we made portraits around the garden before the ceremony, then moved to the Redwood Grove.
Does Wade Snider photograph UC Botanical Garden weddings?
Yes. I photographed Zoya and Jack's wedding at the UC Botanical Garden and I travel from Truckee to Berkeley and the rest of the Bay Area for weddings and elopements. Send your date through the contact page and I'll tell you if I'm free.
Planning a Botanical Garden wedding?
Let's get you to the redwoods.
Send your date and your guest count. I'll tell you if I'm free and how I'd plan the light around the Grove.
Check availability See pricing