Weddings in Yerkes Arboretum!

Have the wedding of your dreams on our Olmsted South Lawn with the trees of Barnard’s Bluff and our famous steps as your frame. Weddings of up to 60 people can be done inside. For larger weddings, our grounds are a botanical and festive setting for a guest list of up to 300. We are now an official arboretum. We also have private rentals for rehearsal dinners or cocktail parties in our restored Hagenah Rotunda and the Anne M. Drake Family Library. As a science and arts institution, we only do a few weddings per year so we can focus on our mission and give pinpointed focus to each wedding.

These are general guidelines for event rates. If necessary, each quote will be tailored to the specific event. Private events must be held before or after public tour times or on a day with no public tours. If you wish to have an event during public tour times, Yerkes will add the compensation rate of $1,000 for each canceled tour to the total. All private events include mini-tours by Yerkes staff if you want to impress your guests even more.

4 hour indoor wedding ceremony + cocktail reception (not a full reception)
55 people maximum
Drake Library + Hagenah Rotunda
Caterer of your choice for hors d’oeuvres + drinks > price not included
Graceful Events services already included (option to upgrade Graceful package)
Rehearsal with Graceful Events and Yerkes staff the evening before
$4,000 (+5.5% tax)

Wedding ceremony + cocktail reception (not a full reception)
300 people maximum
South Lawn (recommended tent for rain plan)
3 hour window
Vendors of your choice > prices not included
Graceful Events services already included (option to upgrade Graceful package)
Rehearsal with Graceful Events and Yerkes staff the evening before
$5,000 (+5.5% tax)

Wedding and Full Reception
300 people maximum
South Lawn
Tent required for rain plan. Tent price not included.
9 hour wedding-day window for getting dressed, pictures, wedding, and reception
Graceful Events services already included (option to upgrade Graceful package)
Rehearsal with Graceful Events and Yerkes staff the evening before
Vendors of your choice > prices not included
$10,000 (+5.5% tax)

Private Dinners and Business Gatherings, Inside and Outside

Yerkes Observatory is an ideal environment for company meetings, receptions, and celebrations of all kinds. We offer a variety of spaces, both inside and on the grounds, for gatherings up to a hundred people indoors and three hundred people outdoors. Food and beverage service can be arranged with the caterers and bar service of your choice.

These are general guidelines for event rates. If necessary, each quote will be tailored to the specific event. Private events must be held before or after public tour times or on a day with no public tours unless you wish to rent only our Programs Gallery room. If you wish to have an event during public tour times, Yerkes will add the compensation rate of $1,000 for each canceled tour to the total. All private events include mini-tours by Yerkes staff if you want to impress your guests even more. With provided documentation, we’re certainly happy to provide a discount for not-for-profit groups.

3 hour sit-down dinner (rehearsal dinner or family / friends / business dinner) 
30 people maximum
Drake Library + Hagenah Rotunda
Caterer of your choice > price not included
$1,500 (+5.5% tax)

3 hour dinner and drinks (not a wedding or reception)
100 people maximum
Hagenah Rotunda  + Drake Library + South Lawn
Food stations, high top tables, and service areas for food and bar service
Caterer of your choice > price not included
$2,500 (+5.5% tax)

4 hour sit-down meeting in Drake Library or Programs Room
Programs Room may be used even on public tour days at no additional cost
30 people maximum
Caterer of your choice > price not included
$1,500 (+5.5% tax)

8 hour sit-down meeting in Drake Library or Programs Room
Programs Room may be used even on public tour days at no additional cost
30 people maximum
Caterer of your choice > price not included
$2,800 (+5.5% tax)

*Please inquire further about larger attendance numbers for daytime business meetings or any hour adjustments to listed rates.