Weddings, Parties, Meetings & More
Now booking for 2025-2026
Get started by completing our Private Event Inquiry Form and we will get back to you within two weeks to arrange a tour, discuss pricing, availability and other details about your special event, or email us at rentals@ruthbancroftgarden.org. Please note that events can’t start until 4PM when the Garden closes. Complete the form below and our Events Team will reach out to arrange an exclusive tour of the Garden.
Weddings at the Garden
The Ruth Bancroft Garden features 3.5 acres of succulents and drought-tolerant plants that make for stunning photos and a one-of-a-kind setting for your special day. Wedding receptions can be setup either outdoors or indoors in the Coit Visitor and Education Center. Voted “Best Wedding Venue in the East Bay” by Diablo Magazine editors and readers in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Details
- Maximum capacity for an indoor or outdoor event is 102
- Private events start after 4PM
- Events must end by 9PM on weekdays and 10PM on weekends
- Catering prep kitchen is available on site
- Free wifi available
Pricing
Pricing is dependent on event type, day of the week, and guest count. View details below.
Book Your Wedding Here
Rent our Space
Party
Sunday - Thursday
“My favorite local venue to capture magic in” – Kelly L.
Book Your Private Photo Shoot at the Ruth Bancroft Garden
Photo sessions must take place after Garden hours and need to be made at least two weeks in advance. No walk-up requests will be granted. Requests made less than 2 weeks in advance are subject to a $10 rush fee.
Photography Session Request Form
Members $500 / Non-members $550
(2-hour maximum)
Professional Photo Session Details:
- Availability: Sessions are offered from March through October, on the first Wednesday of each month only.
- Advance Booking: Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Requests made less than two weeks in advance will incur a $100 rush fee.
- Photographer Limit: We allow up to five professional photographers in the Garden simultaneously. When multiple photographers are present, we ask that you do not stay in one location of the Garden for longer than 15 minutes, so all groups are able to photograph in their desired locations.
- Session Duration: Photo sessions can last a maximum of two hours and are scheduled from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Pricing:
- Members: $500
- Non-Members: $550
GENERAL POLICIES:
- Courtesy to Garden visitors must be observed by all photographers and their clients at all times.
- All aspects of a photo shoot must remain on the pathways at all times. No person may walk, pose or set up photography equipment except on such areas.
- Obstruction of Garden paths should be as limited as possible to allow for visitors to pass through. If obstruction is unavoidable limit the timeframe to 15 minutes.
- No photographer, clients, or equipment will be allowed in plant beds at any time.
- The Garden will not accept deliveries or be responsible for any personal property belonging to photographer or photographer’s client(s).
- The Garden reserves the right to monitor a photo shoot to ensure compliance with these policies.
- Climbing of trees and walking into shrubbery or plant communities is forbidden.
- No plant may be removed or permanently modified in any manner under any circumstances.
- Tieback of foliage must be approved and done by an RBG gardener. Under no circumstances are guest allowed to alter plant foliage.
- No decorations, temporary fixtures, or other objects may be affixed to plants, trees, woodwork, buildings, or any architectural feature unless specifically approved in advance by the Events Manager.
- No rice, aerosol streamers, rose and other flower petals, Spanish moss, pampas grass, plastic or confetti of any kind may be thrown or placed anywhere on the premises. Anything brought onto the premises including in the Garden-must be taken back without leaving a trace.
- Smoking is not allowed in the Garden under any circumstances.
- Recreational consumption of alcohol associated with the photo shoot is prohibited.
- Fireworks of any kind or any open flame devices are prohibited.
- Nude photography or its near equivalent is prohibited.
- Excessive noise or other objectionable behavior that hinders other visitors’ enjoyment of the Garden is prohibited.
- RBG is not responsible for lost, mislaid or stolen property.
- Violation of the terms of this agreement may result in cancellation of the photo session, in which case fees will not be refunded. Significant violations may result in the denial of future photography privileges.
CANCELLATIONS
In the event of rain, the photographer may choose to reschedule or cancel the shoot. If canceled due to weather all fees will be refunded. RBG reserves the right to cancel any photoshoot reservation in case of emergency or Garden operational situation, as determined by the Event Coordinator. In such case, all fees will be refunded.
Reserve your spot today and create beautiful memories in the serene and picturesque Ruth Bancroft Garden. Book a photoshoot.