Weddings, functions and photography

Opening and closing times.

Choose from five outdoor spaces and enjoy the ambience of a wedding or civil union in our breathtaking natural surrounds.

Azalea and Magnolia Garden

Cockayne Memorial Garden

Daffodil Woodland

Pinetum

Water Garden

Seating and music

To maintain the beautiful, natural setting of these locations we ask that you please refrain from using chairs, props, amplified music or decorations such as confetti and petals. Acoustic or a small portable music player is acceptable, but please consider other visitors to the Gardens while you are there. 

While chairs for all your guests are not permitted, twelve chairs for elderly or disabled guests are allowed. A small table for signing the register is also acceptable.

It is essential that you book your wedding or photo session. Please note that payment must be made at the time of booking. 

Access

Vehicle access is not allowed. For elderly or disabled guests, the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre has three mobility scooters and two wheelchairs available for free for up to three hours. They must be pre-booked by calling the Visitor Centre on (03) 941 7590 prior to the day to ensure availability, and must be returned by 4:45pm the same day.

The closest parking to the Visitor Centre is the Armagh Street car park.

This stunning, light-filled space is the perfect location for your corporate, private, or community event.

Corporate and private events

• Price and availability on request.

Community events

• A minimal fee for community use is charged in line with other Christchurch City Council venues. Price and availability on request.
• Set up and pack down must occur within booking times. Please note that if for any reason this is not adhered to or extra cleaning is needed then additional charges will apply

All enquiries

If you are interested in booking the Botanic Gardens function room and require more information on prices and availability, please contact:

(external link)Daniela Yankov-Reid
Good Company
sales@goodcompany.nz
03 338 8339 ext. 2

All year round the Gardens make an idyllic backdrop to capture your wedding memories.

Other beautiful garden settings can be found at Mona Vale and other garden and heritage park locations.

Book

Fees and charges may apply for wedding photography at the Botanic Gardens, and a booking must be made. For all bookings and further information, please contact us(external link).

Printed confirmation of your booking must be carried by your photographer on the day.

Some areas are off-limits for photographs. These are:

• Conservatories
• Central Rose Garden
• Areas booked for other wedding ceremonies.

When taking photos, please remember the Botanic Gardens is a public place so the rights of all visitors must be respected. Photo sessions should not obstruct visitors, for example when people move across bridges and along pathways.

Terms and conditions of use [PDF, 841 KB].

Conditions for the use of facilities and/or grounds of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale apply to wedding and civil union ceremonies and photos:

• No vehicles are permitted beyond the public car parks, walking access only.
• At the Botanic Gardens, no photographs are to be taken in the Conservatories, the central Rose Garden or other sites in the Gardens which have been booked for other wedding ceremonies.
• At Mona Vale, no photographs are to be taken in the Fernery, Rose Garden, Bath House or other sites in Mona Vale which have been booked by other wedding ceremonies.
• No amplified sound or music unless authorisation is sought and approval given.
• All ceremonies are limited to 12 chairs and a small signing table only.
• No decorations, balloons, rice, birdseed or confetti are allowed.
• All people (includes photographers) must keep to the pathways and lawn areas and must not stand on or among any of the plant collections.
• Items must not be attached to trees, buildings or other fixed structures.
• Marquees and other structures (including free standing umbrellas) are not permitted.
• Christchurch City Council bylaws apply across the the Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale under all conditions.

Important information

• We advise all wedding and civil union ceremony and photo session parties to book alternative back-up wet weather venues.
• Please note that as the Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale are public gardens, no part may be hired exclusively.
• As a site hirer or user, the organiser should be aware that other non-related activities may be occurring in or in close proximity to the booked area during your period of use.
• Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale staff aim for a high standard within the grounds. However, sometimes there may be maintenance work within or close by the areas booked.
• Last minute bookings may mean that the area booked might not have been recently maintained. 

Cancellations

• No refunds will be issued unless severe weather conditions, natural or other disasters (as determined by Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale staff) prevent your ceremony taking place.
• The Christchurch City Council also reserves the right to cancel any bookings due to circumstances beyond its control. In the event of severe weather conditions – particularly high winds, the Botanic Gardens or Mona Vale may be closed at short notice.
• To receive confirmation of any cancellation you must contact the Call Centre within 24 hours of your booking time.

Contact

Phone (03) 941 8999 or email info@ccc.govt.nz.

Printable version of the Botanic Gardens map and terms and conditions [PDF, 844 KB].