There are garden weddings, and then there are garden weddings. The Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando is a horticultural paradise with acres of themed gardens surrounding a beautiful historic estate. It’s a wonderful venue for a quiet wedding ceremony surrounded by rose gardens, unique artwork, or tropical plants. If you’re looking for a majestic garden setting, consider a Leu Gardens wedding!
About The Leu Gardens Wedding Venue
1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
The Leu Gardens is a 50-acre botanical oasis in Orlando with a rich history. Amidst the spectacular gardens is a stately home built in 1888. What once served as a private residence to four different Orlando families is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by the City of Orlando. In the 1930s, Harry P. and Mary Jane Leu owned the home, bringing back seeds and plants from their worldly travels to plant in their gardens. This legacy of horticultural beauty lives on decades after the Leus left their gorgeous estate to the city, which now tends to the property and shares it with the public.
Details of the Grounds
The Leu Gardens offers several wedding ceremony sites that can be used for your vow exchange. One of the most popular is the Rose Garden, which is typically in full bloom around mid-April. In the midst of the rose bushes is a tiered fountain, the anchor of a circular paved area that is a lovely landing spot for a ceremony. You can also say “I do” beneath a large, elegant white trellis or on the open event lawn. You’ll definitely want to visit the wedding site in person to see which one sings to you the most (and just a heads up, in order to visit the wedding sites, you’ll need to pay daytime garden admission to get in.)
The Historic Leu House Museum is home to several event spaces reminiscent of banquet halls where you can host an intimate reception (or a ceremony on a rainy day.) These spaces are neutrally decorated to accommodate any color palette or decor you envision. Some couples also opt to host just their ceremony at Leu Gardens and celebrate at another nearby venue.
Photography Opportunities
Wedding photo ops are where the Leu Gardens truly shines. Its meticulously landscaped gardens, curated artwork, and beautiful water features are all irresistible for romantic photos. Some of the best spots for romantic portraits include the beautiful rose garden, the lush and colorful butterfly garden, and groves of towering bamboo. Various pathways throughout the gardens feature rich, verdant tropical foliage that makes you look like you’re crawling through a jungle. Moss and fern-covered trees, flowering shrubbery, and lively greenery are all gorgeous when featured in photos, too. It’s no doubt that the photogenic gardens are the biggest draw to this venue!
Wedding Details
Weddings at the Leu Gardens can be as large as 200 guests or as small as an intimate elopement for under ten people. A lot of their rental policies concerning seating and ceremony setup are in place to protect their gorgeous gardens, so be sure to inquire about restrictions and regulations before letting your imagination wander too far. Also, if you’re planning on hosting your reception at the Leu Gardens, just know they do have a list of required vendors for catering. However, there are 8 trusted vendors from which you can choose, so you still have control over the selection of food you serve at your wedding!
Create A Magical And Stunning Leu Gardens Wedding
Garden lovers and photo enthusiasts alike will absolutely love a Leu Gardens wedding. If you’ve never been, treat yourself to a morning or an afternoon at the Gardens to see what makes them such an incredible venue.
Finding your dream wedding venue in Florida can be such a challenge! There are just so many incredibly beautiful and unique locations across the state. So, if Leu Gardens doesn’t check all your boxes, stop by the blog links below! But before you go, I would love to chat about venues and your dream wedding photos!
