Facility Rental
The North Carolina Botanical has a number of indoor and outdoor spaces that are available for use. The information below details our rental policies, availability, and fees for the Education Center, Coker Arboretum, and Forest Theatre. If, after reading, you need additional information about prices and availability or wish to schedule an appointment, contact our Facilities Use Coordinator (919-962-0522).
Note: Important Information for professional/commercial photographers
Hold your workshops, conferences, meetings, lectures, weddings, and receptions at the North Carolina Botanical Garden! We offer a variety of spaces, including our new, green Education Center, designed to meet or exceed the highest standards for sustainability—the U.S. Green Building Council's Platinum LEED certification. This three-part facility embraces the North Carolina Botanical Garden's new display gardens (currently under development) and includes covered porches and breezeways overlooking our beautiful Piedmont Nature Trails natural area.
For an overview, print our Facility Rentals Brochure[PDF].
Or, jump to the relevant information by selecting, from the following list, the type of event you are planning:
- Meetings ↓
- Weddings ↓
- Special Events ↓
Meetings at the Garden
With the opening of our Education Center, we now offer many versatile spaces for your business’s meetings, conferences, workshops, and more! Our guiding mission is “to inspire understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants in gardens and natural areas and to advance a sustainable relationship between people and nature.” Decisions regarding the use of our facilities are made with these principles in mind. Our Policy and Procedures (see below) encourage "green practices" to reduce the environmental impact of your meeting or event.
Classroom I and Classroom II
Located in Building C, these classrooms are perfect for small meetings, workshops, luncheons, and breakout sessions. Both classrooms have built-in countertops and LCD projector with screen. Two walls of windows overlook the Education Center Conservation Garden (currently under development) and a covered deck faces the Piedmont Nature Trails. Classroom tables and chairs are included in the rental of the classrooms.
Capacity: 24 (classroom seating)
Combined Classroom
Located in Building C, this larger classroom is perfect for meetings, workshops, and luncheons. The classroom has built-in countertops and LCD projector with screen. Two walls of windows overlook the Education Center Conservation Garden (currently under development) and a covered deck faces the Piedmont Nature Trails. Classroom tables and chairs are included in the rental fee.
Capacity: 48 (classroom seating)
The Growing Classroom
Located at the far end of Building C, this classroom features impressive 22-foot ceilings and a window that stretches from floor to ceiling, overlooking the Piedmont Nature Trails. Equipped with cooking and plant propagation amenities, this room is ideal for workshops and luncheons. Classroom tables and chairs are included in the rental fee.
Capacity: 20 (classroom seating)
C. Ritchie Bell Seminar Room
Located in Building A, the seminar room offers a perfect location for intimate meetings and conferences, with its ample natural lighting and antique furniture. The seminar room has a built-in LCD projector and screen. A conference room table and chairs are included in the rental fee.
Capacity: 20 (conference seating)
Reeves Auditorium
Located in Building A, the Reeves Auditorium is an ideal venue for receptions, banquets, meetings, lectures, and more. Your guests will enter through the lobby and proceed through glass doors into this 1,595-square-foot room, which features 28-foot ceilings and an attached covered deck that overlooks the Piedmont Nature Trails. This space has a complete AV system with LCD projector, screen, and microphone. This space also includes the use of the Catering Prep Area, which is located directly across the hall of the side entrance. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the auditorium, but are available for an additional fee.
Capacity: 128 (banquet), 200 (lecture), 100 (reception)
Reeves Auditorium North or South
Located in Building A, the partitioned Reeves Auditorium is an ideal venue for smaller receptions, banquets, meetings, lectures, and more. Your guests will enter through the lobby and proceed through glass doors into this 1,595-square-foot room, which features 28-foot ceilings and an attached covered deck that overlooks the Piedmont Nature Trails. This space has a complete AV system with LCD projector, screen, and microphone. This space also includes the use of the Catering Prep Area, which is located directly across the hall of the side entrance. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the auditorium, but are available for an additional fee.
Capacity: 64 (banquet), 100 (lecture), 50 (reception)
Eleanor Smith Pegg Exhibit Hall
Located in Building B, the Exhibit Hall is the main lobby of the Education Center. This 1,561-square-foot room features 28-foot ceilings and the ever-changing DeBerry Art Gallery. The open floor plan and glass windows and doors make this hall ideal for a spacious reception. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the Exhibit Hall.
Capacity: 100 (reception)
Hours of Availability
The above described Education Center meeting facilities are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm; Saturday from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm; and Sunday from 1:30 to 5:30 pm—except for the Eleanor Smith Pegg Exhibit Hall, which is only available Monday through Saturday 6:00 to 10:00 pm.
If you are interested in renting any of these spaces for your meeting, please read the Policies and Procedures for Facility Use.
Weddings at the Garden
The North Carolina Botanical Garden is now booking wedding ceremonies and receptions. An outdoor, garden wedding ceremony can be held in one of our beautiful display gardens, at Battle Park’s Forest Theatre, or in the Coker Arboretum. Or, for an outdoor-feel indoors, you can have your ceremony or reception in the Reeves Auditorium.
Our guiding mission is “to inspire understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants in gardens and natural areas and to advance a sustainable relationship between people and nature.” By agreeing to hold an environmentally responsible, sustainable wedding, you can honor the beauty of our spaces and support a healthy earth. With the opening of the new Education Center in November of 2009, the garden now provides a unique location for wedding receptions and ceremonies.
Please read the Policies and Procedures for Weddings. Note that policies and procedures specific to Coker Arboretum and Forest Theatre are included under those venues, below.
Reeves Auditorium
Located in Building A, Reeves Auditorium is an ideal venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Your guests will enter through the lobby and proceed through glass doors into this 1,595-square-foot room, which features 28-foot ceilings and an attached covered deck that overlooks the Piedmont Nature Trails. This space has a complete AV system with LCD projector, screen, and microphone. Rental of this space also includes the use of the Catering Prep Area, located directly across the hall of the side entrance. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the auditorium, but are available for an additional fee.
Capacity: 128 (banquet), 200 (ceremony), 100 (reception)
Reeves Auditorium North or South
Located in Building A, the partitioned Reeves Auditorium is an ideal venue for smaller wedding ceremonies and receptions. Your guests will enter through the lobby and proceed through glass doors into this 1,595-square-foot room, which features 28-foot ceilings and an attached covered deck that overlooks the Piedmont Nature Trails. This space has a complete AV system with LCD projector, screen, and microphone. Rental of this space also includes the use of the Catering Prep Area, located directly across the hall of the side entrance. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the auditorium, but are available for an additional fee.
Capacity: 64 (banquet), 100 (ceremony), 50 (reception)
Outdoor Conservation Gardens
The Education Center gardens and the historic display gardens surrounding the Totten Center offer a number of exquisite locations for a garden wedding ceremony. The Education Center Conservation Garden & Patio (currently under development) offers a venue for large outdoor wedding ceremonies, while the Totten Center display gardens offer various locations for smaller ceremonies. Tables and chairs are not included.
Capacity: 50 - 200 (ceremony), dependent on venue
The Growing Classroom
Located at the far end of Building C, this room features impressive 22-foot ceilings and a window that stretches from floor to ceiling, overlooking the Piedmont Nature Trails. Equipped with cooking and plant propagation amenities, this room is ideal for a small reception or ceremony. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the Growing Classroom
Capacity: 50 (ceremony), 35 (reception)
Eleanor Smith Pegg Exhibit Hall
Located in Building B, the Exhibit Hall is the main lobby of the Education Center. This 1,561-square-foot room features 28-foot ceilings and the ever-changing DeBerry Art Gallery. The open floor plan and glass windows and doors make this hall ideal for a spacious reception. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the Exhibit Hall.
Capacity: 100 (reception)
Coker Arboretum
The Coker Arboretum, on the UNC Campus, is now booking weddings for 2010 (Note: ceremony only; no receptions). Please review the Coker Arboretum Policies and Procedures [PDF] before contacting Arboretum staff. If you have additional questions or wish to book your wedding, please contact the Arboretum Curator, who will provide you with an application.
Forest Theatre
The Forest Theatre, on the UNC Campus, is currently booking weddings from mid-May through July (Note: ceremony only; no receptions). Please review the Forest Theatre Weddings Policies and Procedures [PDF]. If you have any additional questions, or would like to reserve the location for your wedding, please contact the Forest Theatre Manager directly.
Hours of Availability
The North Carolina Botanical Garden wedding venues are available during hours the gardens are closed to the public: Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, Saturday from 6:30 to 10:30 pm, and Sunday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Special Events at the Garden
The North Carolina Botanical Garden is the perfect location for you next event—be it a party, reception, banquet dinner, or bar/bat mitzvah!
Our guiding mission is “to inspire understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants in gardens and natural areas and to advance a sustainable relationship between people and nature.” Bringing green special events to the North Carolina Botanical Garden allows us to share our mission with you. By agreeing to hold an environmentally responsible, sustainable special event, you honor the beauty of our spaces and reduce the environmental impact of your event.
Reeves Auditorium
Located in Building A, Reeves Auditorium is an ideal venue for banquets, parties, receptions, and more. Your guests will enter through the lobby and proceed through glass doors into this 1,595-square-foot room, which features 28-foot ceilings and an attached covered deck that overlooks the Piedmont Nature Trails. This space has a complete AV system with LCD projector, screen, and microphone. Rental of this space also includes the use of the Catering Prep Area, located directly across the hall of the side entrance. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the auditorium, but are available for an additional fee.
Capacity: 128 (banquet), 200 (ceremony), 100 (reception)
Reeves Auditorium North or South
Located in Building A, the partitioned Reeves Auditorium is an ideal venue for small banquets, parties, receptions, and more. Your guests will enter through the lobby and proceed through glass doors into this 1,595-square-foot room, which features 28-foot ceilings and an attached covered deck that overlooks the Piedmont Nature Trails. This space has a complete AV system with LCD projector, screen, and microphone. Rental of this space also includes the use of the Catering Prep Area, located directly across the hall of the side entrance. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the auditorium, but are available for an additional fee.
Capacity: 64 (banquet), 100 (ceremony), 50 (reception)
Outdoor Conservation Gardens
The Education Center gardens and the historic display gardens surrounding the Totten Center offer a number of exquisite locations for a special event in the garden. The Education Center Conservation Garden & Patio (currently under development) offers a venue for large outdoor events, while the Totten Center display gardens offer various locations for smaller events. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental fee.
Capacity: 50 - 200 (ceremony), dependent on venue
The Growing Classroom
Located at the far end of Building C, this room features impressive 22-foot ceilings and a window that stretches from floor to ceiling, overlooking the Piedmont Nature Trails. Equipped with cooking and plant propagation amenities, this room is ideal for a small reception or ceremony. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the Growing Classroom
Capacity: 50 (ceremony), 35 (reception)
Eleanor Smith Pegg Exhibit Hall
Located in Building B, the Exhibit Hall is the main lobby of the Education Center. This 1,561-square-foot room features 28-foot ceilings and the ever-changing DeBerry Art Gallery. The open floor plan and glass windows and doors make this hall ideal for a spacious reception. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental of the Exhibit Hall.
Capacity: 100 (reception)
Hours of Availability
The North Carolina Botanical Garden special event venues described above are available during hours the gardens are closed to the public: Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Saturday from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and Sunday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
If you are interested in renting any of these spaces for your special event, please read the Policies and Procedures for Special Events.
Last updated by NCBG Editor on December 15, 2011 at 01:55:51 am.
