Union Square Events at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

As the exclusive culinary partner of Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Union Square Events is honored to help bring your wedding to life. With an unwavering commitment to hospitality, our teams will thoughtfully guide you through the planning process with personalized attention to detail and seamless execution to ensure your celebration is as effortless as it is unforgettable.

Founded in 2005 by Danny Meyer and the principles of Enlightened Hospitality, Union Square Events is an industry leader in delivering events by partnering with clients to create customized, memorable celebrations and experiences in a variety of cultural, corporate, entertainment, and private venues.

FAQ

CAN I PLACE DATES ON HOLD

We do not offer date holds to provide the best experience for all interested parties. An in-person tour is required to host a wedding at the Garden. One date is held when a contract is requested and will be released if the contract is not fully executed within seven days of receipt.

DO I HAVE TO HIRE AN EVENT PLANNER TO HOST A WEDDING AT THE GARDEN?

Yes, an insured, professional Event Planner is required for weddings, regardless of guest count, with services beginning at least one month before your event date. Your planner will be responsible for vendor communication, client and vendor COIs, floor plans, timelines, event equipment rentals (if applicable), onsite coordination, and oversight of load-in and load-out for all third-party vendors. To ensure expectations are met for the catering portion of your event, Union Square Events will be focused on food and service.

WHAT IS A COI?

A COI (Certificate of Insurance) is a document provided by you and your wedding vendors – including event planner - that verifies you all carry the required insurance coverage to host an event at the Garden. All COI ensures all parties are protected in the event of an accident, injury, incident, and/or property damage caused by your contracted third-party vendors and/or guests.

DO I HAVE TO HAVE EVENT INSURANCE?

Yes, you as well as all third-party vendors contracted for your event must provide valid COIs to load in and work on Garden premises. Our sample COI shows required insurance coverage details and can be sent to your insurance broker and your vendors.

AM I ALLOWED TO BRING IN AN EXTERNAL CATERER?

Union Square Events is the exclusive caterer at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. We only allow buyouts for events requiring kosher catering, which is provided by our exclusive kosher catering partners Foremost and Simply Divine.

DO YOU HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE OR PREFERRED VENDOR LIST?

Our preferred vendor list includes third-party vendors who work the most often at the Garden. 

DO YOU OFFER TASTINGS?

We offer group tastings once a quarter, approximately 2-3 months before your confirmed wedding date.

ARE TABLES AND CHAIRS INCLUDED IN THE VENUE RENTAL?

Yes, our in-house equipment available for your event is as follows:

White Folding Ceremony Chairs
Tall Cocktail Tables and Cafe Tables
6’ and 8’ Rectangular Tables (various sizes in limited quantities)
60" Round Dinner Tables (seats up to eleven guests each with in-house Reception chairs)
White Table Linens and Dinner Napkins
White Chiavari Reception Chairs
16’ x 28’ Dance Floor
Bar Setup for Cocktail Hour and Dinner
Standard Glassware, Silver Flatware, White China (no chargers)

IS THERE A LOUNGE INCLUDED IN THE VENUE RENTAL?

Yes, each of our event spaces includes a small lounge that can accommodate 6 adults comfortably at one time. You may access the lounge attached to your contracted event space two hours prior to the invite time for guests.

DOES THE GARDEN ALLOW TWO WEDDINGS TO TAKE PLACE ON THE SAME DAY?

Yes, the Garden can host two weddings per day as the Garden offers multiple distinct event venues. Each wedding is thoughtfully scheduled and fully separate, with dedicated guest entry points, staff, and exclusive ceremony locations reserved only for the applicable venue. All areas contracted for your event - including your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces - are reserved exclusively for your celebration.

IS THERE A MICROPHONE OR SOUND SYSTEM TO PLUG INTO?

There are no in-house sound systems in either event space. All audio-visual needs must be provided by an approved vendor. The Garden will provide, at no additional cost, one Honda 6500 generator with (2) 20 amp/120 V outlets to use for outdoor ceremonies only. Generators provided by third party vendors are not permitted to be brought into the Garden without written preapproval.

WHAT IS THE INITIAL DEPOSIT REQUIRED?

100% of the room rental fee and garden membership plus 50% of the estimated catering total before sales tax.

CAN I TENT PART OF THE GARDEN AND HOLD MY ENTIRE EVENT OUTDOORS?

Tents of any kind or size are not allowed in the Garden.

CAN OUR GUESTS THROW BIRDSEED OR FLOWER PETALS AS WE WALK DOWN THE AISLE?

The Garden is an outdoor living museum and birdseed, rice, confetti, glitter, real and artificial petals, balloons, plants and flowers with roots, and aisle runners are not permitted to be used.

CAN OUR DOG BE PART OF THE CEREMONY?

The Garden does not allow visitors to bring pets. BBG does allow service animals onto the premises, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and NYC Human Rights Law. Service animals are defined by the ADA as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.”

I AM INTERESTED IN ADDING AN AFTER-PARTY AT THE GARDEN – HOW LATE CAN OUR GUESTS STAY?

All events must end at 1:00 a.m. There are no exceptions. All local sound ordinances apply, and the Garden may ask that amplified sound be turned down at their discretion.

ARE THERE NOISE RESTRICTIONS?

All use of microphones, speakers and other audio equipment must be at a reasonable volume and is subject to the control of the on-site management staff. All noise must cease at the event end time. Subwoofers are not permitted.

ARE CEREMONY REHEARSALS PERMITTED AT THE SPACES OR GARDEN GROUNDS?

The Garden does not permit rehearsals for ceremonies.

WHAT TIME CAN WE ARRIVE ONSITE THE DAY OF THE EVENT?

The immediate Wedding Party may access contracted event spaces for photography two hours prior to the invite time for guests. We encourage all to arrive photo ready.

CAN MY GUESTS ARRIVE EARLY TO VISIT THE GARDEN?

Guests should arrive at the designated invite time.

IS THERE PARKING NEARBY? 

Paid parking by GGMC is available at 900 Washington Avenue (718) 501-6399. Valet services are available through GGMC as well. Please pay close attention to their terms and conditions, as well as closure dates, as the lot is operated by a third party.

IS THERE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY?

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is easily accessible by subway and bus. The LIRR at Atlantic Terminal also provides easy transfers to close by subways.

SUBWAY:
2 and 3 lines to Eastern Parkway (accessible station)
4 and 5 lines to Franklin Avenue (no elevator)

BUS:
B43 to Washington Avenue
B45 to Washington Avenue
B48 to Eastern Parkway

DO YOU PROVIDE SIGNAGE OR PRINTED ITEMS?

We provide bar and tabletop signage for Crafted Cocktails and Cocktail Food Stations, if applicable to your event. Please note we are unable to create custom signage outside of our standard templates. You will need to provide any additional signage needed (i.e. menu cards, table numbers) and are welcome to bring in your own signage for Crafted Cocktails and Cocktail Food Stations. All food and beverage signage and printed menus must be approved by Union Square Events.

CAN WE DROP OFF ITEMS PRIOR TO OUR WEDDING?

We cannot accept items prior to your event day. Larger items like floral arrangements, chuppahs, etc. must be provided and set up by an insured vendor and removed promptly at the conclusion of your event. The disposal of large items will incur a fee that will be deducted from your security deposit.

CAN WE PICK UP LEFTOVER FAVORS AND SIGNAGE THE NEXT DAY?

We are unable to store items post-event. Any items left on premises will be disposed of that evening.

ARE THE VENUES AIR CONDITIONED?

Yes, The Palm House and The Atrium both have air conditioning, in addition to heat in cooler months.

DOES THE VENUE PROVIDE OUTDOOR HEATERS AND UMBRELLAS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER?

Outdoor heaters are not permitted. Umbrellas are permitted and are the responsibility of the client to provide for their guests, if desired.