Photography in the gardens

   Garden visitors are welcome to take photographs in the gardens and greenhouse as long as they remain on the paths (to avoid damaging plants). 

   Our policies for professional photographers who wish to take portraiture in the gardens are as follows:

• Please visit our site before scheduling your shoot, to be sure it is appropriate.  The gardens are designed on an intimate scale and do not contain areas able to accomodate groups of more than a few people.  There are no restrooms in the gardens, and therefore, nowhere for brides or other subjects to change into special clothing.
  
  
• If you would like to plan a shoot, please call 704-687-0719 to let us know the day and approximate time.  This is to avoid conflicts with other events, irrigation, or significant horticultural tasks.
  
  
• Our professional photography site fee is a $25 donation and should be made to "UNCC Gardens".  You may give this to a greenhouse staff person the day of your shoot or mail it to: Paula Gross, McMillan Greenhouse, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223.
  
  
• We are not able to "reserve" portions of the gardens for your exclusive use.  It is critical that your subjects remain on paths and out of planted areas, as it is easy to overlook and damage plants underfoot. Thank you for respecting the gardens & our policies.

Ceremonies in the gardens

    We are often asked about holding weddings (and other ceremonies) in the gardens.  The gardens are designed on an intimate scale and are not able to accomodate groups of more than a few people gathering at once (in a particular location).  Therefore, weddings are generally not feasible.  However, the gardens may be appropriate for some small, brief ceremonies.  Our policies and recommendations are as follows:

• You must first visit the gardens to see if there is a site appropriate for your planned ceremony.
  
  
• Group size should be no larger than 15 people.
  
  
• Be aware that we do not rope-off or "reserve" parts of the gardens and visitors may be present nearby during your ceremony. Also know that there is no electricity, water fountains, seating (other than scattered benches), or restrooms in the gardens.  There are restrooms and a water fountain at the McMillan Greenhouse.
  
  
• If you have visited, believe the gardens are appropriate for your small ceremony and would like to schedule a day and time, please call Paula at 704-687-0719.  This is to avoid conflicts with other events, irrigation, or significant horticultural tasks. 
  
  
• Our site fee for a ceremony is a $50 donation and should be made to "UNCC Gardens".  You may give this to a greenhouse staff person the day of your ceremony or mail it to: Paula Gross, McMillan Greenhouse, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223.
  
  
• Weekdays, participants may park in the 6 visitor parking spots across from the greenhouse.  On weekends, visitors may park in parking lot 5 and enter the Harwood Garden at the Asian Garden entrance to avoid having to walk down the gravel slope on the "greenhouse side".  see campus parking map.

   Since the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens are not designed for most ceremonies, here are a few recommendations for other outdoor/garden sites in Charlotte that host weddings (and other events):

Historic Rosedale Plantation

3427 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206

704-335-0325  http://www.historicrosedale.org/

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012

704-829-1258   http://www.dsbg.org/wed_corp_social.php

The VanLandingham Estate

2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205

704-334-8909  www.vanlandinghamestate.com

The Betty Little House (Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs)

1820 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204;  704-375-4373

http://www.charlottecouncilofgardenclubs.org/about_us.html

The Nancy Reid House (Matthews Women’s Club)

134 W. John Street, Matthews, NC 28105; 704-849-7368

http://www.matthewsreidhouse.org/rental.htm

St. Mary’s Chapel

1129 E. 3^rd Street, Charlotte, NC

704-333-1235   http://www.stmaryschapelcharlotte.com/