Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of my favorite wedding venues in the entire city. When I lived in Brooklyn I could practically walk there — 52 acres of gardens, greenhouses, and extraordinary outdoor spaces tucked into the middle of one of the world’s most densely urban environments. I’ve photographed here many, many times. The portrait variety is unmatched, the spring cherry blossoms are extraordinary, and the cocktail hour outside the Palm House is one of the most beautiful reception experiences I’ve witnessed at any New York venue. More at bbg.org.
About Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Founded in 1910, Brooklyn Botanic Garden spans 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn — one of the oldest urban botanic gardens in the United States. The garden contains over 14,000 plants across dozens of distinct collections, from the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden to the Cherry Esplanade, the Rose Garden to the Osborne Garden. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it’s also one of the most mission-driven venues in the city.
The Event Spaces
The Palm House
The crown jewel of the venue. A glass-walled dome set inside the garden with a grand patio and reflecting pond directly outside. The dome illuminates at night, adding an extraordinary quality to evening receptions. Accommodates up to 250 seated guests. The cocktail hour on the patio outside the Palm House — particularly in spring when the garden is in full bloom — is one of the most beautiful pre-reception experiences of any New York wedding venue.
The Lillian and Amy Goldman Atrium
A state-of-the-art, ecologically sustainable building with a full wall of glass looking directly onto the Cherry Esplanade and an outdoor terrace. A living roof of native grasses and wildflowers tops the structure. Accommodates up to 125 guests. More intimate than the Palm House and architecturally extraordinary.
Outdoor Ceremonies
Early morning ceremonies — beginning at 9 AM and completing by 10 AM — are available in several garden locations including the Water Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Osborne Garden, and Plant Family Collection. Two ceremonies are permitted daily on Saturdays and Sundays. Ceremonies are stand-up — no chairs, tables, or decorations — and are held rain or shine. The booking fee includes photography. Portrait sessions extending beyond 10 AM require a separate permit.
The Portrait Locations
This is where Brooklyn Botanic Garden is genuinely unmatched as a New York wedding venue. The variety and quality of portrait locations across 52 acres means no two weddings here look alike.
The Cherry Esplanade
The most iconic BBG portrait location — rows of yoshino cherry trees in full bloom in late April and early May. The pink canopy overhead is extraordinary. Spring weddings at BBG are booked early specifically for this.
The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden
One of the oldest Japanese-inspired gardens in the United States. The pond, the stone lanterns, the arched bridge, the carefully composed plantings — it photographs with a stillness and beauty that is completely distinct from anywhere else on the property.
The Rose Garden
Peak season in June. Formal garden structure, vibrant blooms, classical garden layout. The Osborne Garden adjacent to it extends the formal garden portrait space significantly.
The Greenhouses
The Desert Pavilion, Tropical Pavilion, Warm Temperate Pavilion, and Aquatic House offer controlled-light portrait environments unlike anything available outdoors. Lush, specific, and visually extraordinary — particularly useful when weather requires an indoor alternative.
The Overlook
Elevated above the garden with sweeping views of the entire property. One of the most dramatic vantage points for wide portraits and wedding party shots.
The Water Garden, Herb Garden, and Rock Garden
Beautiful outdoor exhibits with natural light and varied textures — perfect for spontaneous candid moments and relaxed couple portraits.
Catering
Patina Events at Brooklyn Botanic Garden handles all catering — social events, weddings, rehearsal dinners, and engagement parties. A dedicated culinary team with genuine hospitality and creative design.
Frequently Asked Questions: Brooklyn Botanic Garden Weddings
Where is Brooklyn Botanic Garden located?
990 Washington Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn — adjacent to Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum, easily accessible by subway. More at bbg.org.
What makes Brooklyn Botanic Garden distinctive as a wedding venue?
52 acres of diverse garden environments in the middle of Brooklyn — the portrait variety is unmatched by any other New York wedding venue. The Palm House dome illuminated at night is extraordinary. The cocktail hour on the Palm House patio in spring, when the garden is in full bloom, is one of the most beautiful reception experiences in the city. And the cherry blossoms in late April and early May are genuinely unlike anything else.
What are the ceremony options at Brooklyn Botanic Garden?
Early morning outdoor ceremonies (9-10 AM) in several garden locations — Water Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Osborne Garden, Plant Family Collection. Stand-up ceremonies only, rain or shine. Two ceremonies permitted per day on weekends. The booking fee includes photography. Portrait sessions extending beyond 10 AM require a separate permit.
What is the best time of year for a BBG wedding?
Spring — late April and early May — for the cherry blossoms on the Cherry Esplanade. June for the Rose Garden at peak bloom. The garden is beautiful in every season but spring is when the portrait opportunities are most extraordinary. Summer evenings in the Palm House with the dome lit and the garden glowing outside are equally stunning. Book early — spring dates fill up significantly in advance.
What are the best portrait locations at Brooklyn Botanic Garden?
The Cherry Esplanade in spring. The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden year-round. The Rose Garden in June. The Osborne Garden for formal garden portraits. The Overlook for dramatic wide shots. The greenhouses for controlled-light interior portraits. The Water Garden for reflective, quiet moments. The variety is genuinely extraordinary — no two BBG weddings look the same.
What is the Palm House?
The primary reception venue at Brooklyn Botanic Garden — a glass-walled dome set inside the garden with a grand patio and reflecting pond outside. Seats up to 250. The dome illuminates at night, and the cocktail hour on the patio directly outside — surrounded by the garden in full bloom — is one of the most beautiful pre-reception experiences at any New York venue.
What is the Goldman Atrium?
A smaller, architecturally extraordinary reception space — a full wall of glass looking onto the Cherry Esplanade, an outdoor terrace, and a living roof of native grasses and wildflowers. Accommodates up to 125 guests. More intimate than the Palm House and particularly beautiful for spring weddings.
Do you photograph weddings at Brooklyn Botanic Garden regularly?
Many, many times. BBG is one of my favorite venues in the city — I lived in Brooklyn for years and know the garden in every season. If your wedding is here, I’d love to hear about it. And for more on my Brooklyn work, my Brooklyn wedding photographer post covers the full picture.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the great New York wedding venues. If yours is here, I’d love to be there for it.
