Rental Rules

The Williamsburg Botanical Garden (“Garden”) is located within Freedom Park, a public park operated by the James City County Department of Parks and Recreation. Both the park and the garden are open every day of the year from 7:00 a.m. to sunset. Private Events in the garden may be scheduled as early as 9:00 a.m. but must conclude at least 1 hour before sunset.

The Garden will provide space for the Private Event by reserving the main patio and pavilion, placing appropriate signage at the entrance of the Garden, and notifying Freedom Park staff of the date and time of the event. The Garden is a public garden within a public park. This does not allow for the exclusive use of the Garden premises. The Garden has limited control over the presence or activities of Garden visitors or of the activities of Freedom Park personnel and park visitors during the event. Every effort is made by the Garden Representative to maintain a respectful quiet during your special event.

Seating for up to 30 people can be arranged in and around the main pavilion and patio using the existing garden furniture and benches. The Garden will arrange for at least one Garden Representative to be present for the duration of the event. The Garden Representative will be there to make sure questions are answered and to direct other visitors to the Garden away from the main pavilion and patio where the Private Event is being held. A sign will be placed at the entrance to the Garden to let visitors know there is a Private Event in the Garden.

Early set up is not allowed before the requested rental time. All set up, event and cleanup must be completed within the requested rental time. The maximum rental time is 3 hours. Existing tables, chairs and benches may be rearranged for the event but must be returned to their original position before the end of the requested rental time. Benches, chairs and tables may not block any path or walkway. No outside tables, chairs, tents, etc. may be brought into the garden. All trash must be bagged and removed from the Garden.

You may provide light refreshments for your guests, but elaborate receptions are not permitted in the Garden. Alcohol is not permitted.

Live or recorded music is allowed; however, the Garden does not have electricity so you must provide your own power source, if required. Sound levels must be moderate so as not to disturb others using the Garden and the surrounding area.

There is no charge for commercial photography during the event. Photographs are also allowed outside the reserved area of the main pavilion and patio, but please be aware of other visitors in the Garden. Photographers and/or videographers may not walk in the garden beds, place equipment within the garden beds and may not move decorative pots or other elements of the Garden.

Appropriate decorations may be set up as long as neither plant material nor Garden property or premises are damaged or destroyed by their placement or removal. All decorations brought in by any person for the event must be both placed and removed within the reserved time. Nails and screws are not allowed in the placement of decorations. 

Parking is limited to designated parking areas within Freedom Park. No parking is permitted on the perimeter road around the Garden. A brief stop of a vehicle may be made in front of the entrance gate to the Garden to discharge elderly or infirm passengers.

The following items and activities are prohibited in the Garden:

• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Candles and open flames of any kind
• Balloons of any kind
• Bubbles
• Confetti of any kind (including flower petals and rice)
• Birdseed

For complete terms and conditions for Rental of the Garden, read the Wedding Ceremony Contract or the Private Event Contract.