Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

l (reminded me of my home in India), and with all the amenities you can ask for- locked bridal suite, audio equipment, free parking for guests, special gardens for photo shoot, beautiful chivari chairs included in the venue rental! The event planning staff were great at communicating, planning down to the details and showing us around multiple times. They were also very accommodating of any special requests (we wanted to be as COVID-safe as possible, and they let us be the only event in the whole garden that day!). These are the words that our guests used for the venue on our wedding day: marvelous, makes you forget you are in Iowa, breath-taking…If you are having a winter wedding (or even summer), I strongly recommend the Conservatory as the venue!

ing location, we hardly needed any decorations. Because they do events often, they are ready to answer any questions and accommodate any requests.

few minutes). I was told that Shannon would assist me but she never replied after being cc’d in. I reached out again on 1/7 to follow up about scheduling a tour so that I could choose the space I wanted. I never received a response. I reached back out a week later via “the knot” and still no response. I’ve decided to search elsewhere for my venue space with this experience coupled with other clients reviews. It just seems like a foreshadowing of the unprofessionalism to come, and I don’t want to have to worry about chasing anyone around to make sure my big day runs smoothly.

ery time we needed something. They charge weekend prices on Friday. I would unfortunately NOT recommend this venue.

ERY slow response times on emails (I believe this is due to them being short staffed, so just be prepared), some small details were missed that had been discussed before (closing the black drape behind the arch so that the equipment behind is hidden in pictures, the flow of guests, etc.), also unclear on certain roles - like who controls the lights? we had to find the light switches to be able to turn down the lights for dancing, etc.

quite pricey (and cannot bring in outside alcohol), there are only a select few restaurants you can use for catering, your wedding cannot start until close (5:00 pm), you cannot set up until 10 AM the day of your wedding, lots of rules (no balloons, no fake flower petals, etc), you have to pay extra to be able to rent the space beyond 11PM, the botanical center conservatory doesn’t use air conditioning so weddings can get VERY hot (10 degrees warmer in dome than outside), and a very small bridal suite with no place for the groom to get ready. Also, if you use the dome to have your wedding in, the ceremony space is small and only allows for less than 70 seats (44 on the floor and some above), and guests cannot go into the gardens unless you have rented it (but bridal parties can take pictures in it without renting it). While there are some downsides, I would still choose it again. The dome at night is magical at night, the gardens are beautiful during this time of year, the DuPont room was a wonderful space for 90 people, and the staff was really helpful. We loved our special day! Thank you, GDMBG!

iety in spaces for different components of your event (rooms to get ready, serve food, cocktail hour, and reception dining with dance floor). Great experience overall- only concern during the planning process was the continual changes in staffing within the events staff making communication and planning early on a bit frustrating. Wedding day was a big success nonetheless!

te, and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. Free parking for guests was a definite plus, and with the venue being so close to downtown I felt it was easy for our guests to travel to. Thanks DMBG!

winter, the warm, open-air dome made for memorable photos. The Events staff was fantastic throughout the process in responding to our needs and allowing for some personal touches - shout-out to Brenna! We could not be happier with how everything turned out.

estion, helped our vendors and guests find their way on the day of, and supportive of us as we begin our marriage. We love their mission, too! All around fabulous experience, couldn't recommend highly enough!

ect. Michelle Williams and the event planning team are so incredibly professional, helpful, organized, and friendly and they made the planning process easy and painless. Michelle always responded to my communications in a very timely manner and she took extra care to make sure my concerns were addressed and that all details were noted and followed through with. Beyond that, I can't think of a more beautiful setting! I would highly recommend the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden to any couple looking for the perfect venue.

st minute changes. Even with Michelle on vacation the week before my wedding, I felt confident that everything was organized and ready for our day. The day of, I did not have to worry about making sure my vendors knew where to go. Michelle and her team had everything under control from beginning to end. Not to mention, the facility is gorgeous! I would highly recommend renting the entire facility, which allowed our guests to have the full experience and enjoy the gardens on the nice summer evening. The GDMBG is a unique, one-of-a-kind venue in Des Moines perfect for a guest size of about 170-180.

with and were very accommodating. The setting was beyond beautiful and the food was amazing and was a huge crowd pleaser. Everyone who worked there went out of their way to make us feel special and to help us create the perfect day. Michelle and Jen from the Botanical Garden and Jake from Trellis are the best!!!

present before and during the wedding to help out with anything to make my life easier. Our wedding in the Garden dome was absolutely gorgeous! And wow, what a great place for pictures! We also used their back reception hall and it was perfect. On top of all of this, very affordable. I would highly recommend it for Des Moines brides.

owers. It was also very convenient to have our ceremony and reception and one location.

tizer tables around these paths where people could sit on benches, in the cafe, around the dance floor, or on the balcony. It was a very peaceful, intimate, and romantic atmosphere which I highly recommend to future brides and their families.

SOME!), to speaking with the catering staff (Food choices are amazing and tastes great!), to the actual day-of preparations, the Botanical Center staff was absolutely amazing. So helpful, they took care of the set up and tear down of the ceremony, the catering staff did their set up and tear down of the reception. Everything was perfect and I cannot thank them enough! It was a perfect day and a perfect place for my husband and I to share our union with our family and friends.