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The Gardens at Heather Farm

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Walnut Creek Wedding Venue
1540 Marchbanks Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
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Contact: Facility Rentals
Phone: 925/947-1678
www.gardenshf.org
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The Gardens at Heather Farm

Why We Like This Place

Something is always in bloom at this nonprofit garden education center. Covering six landscaped acres, it features a series of paved footpaths that wind their way through a colorful variety of flowerbeds, herb and rock gardens and water features. Off in the distance there’s a pond with two fountains, and beyond that a view of Mt. Diablo.

Anyone who equates romance with roses will want to tie the knot beneath the fragrant, rose-covered gazebo, surrounded by rose bushes that bloom continuously from spring through fall. Afterwards you and your guests can stroll through the gardens, admiring the wide range of floral and herbal displays on your way to the patio. This large terrace, like the rest of the garden center, offers an abundance of olfactory and visual treats. Concrete-and-tile planters border the patio and are filled with a horticultural riot of textures, scents and hues. A caterer-friendly pavilion—complete with sink, electrical outlets, lighting and a beautiful granite countertop—is great for a buffet setup or as a serving station for a cocktail party.

Receptions are usually held upstairs in the Camellia Room. Light and airy, it has a high beamed ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows that afford a commanding view of Mt. Diablo and the gardens. With its neutral walls and light-colored floor, this pleasant space is easy to decorate.

A spacious wraparound deck gives guests access to the outdoors; to explore the gardens they simply take the ramp or stairs from the deck to the patio and pavilion below. The nearby Meadow Garden, with its expansive lawn, is also available for outdoor receptions.

Since they were first established in 1968, the Gardens at Heather Farm have become one of Walnut Creek’s most popular venues. When you have your event here, you not only get to enjoy this delightful (and educational!) garden setting, you’re supporting a living museum and wildlife habitat.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 150
Max. Seated Outdoors: 150 		Max. Seated Indoors: 150
Max. Seated Outdoors: 300
Max. Standing Indoors: 300
Max. Standing Outdoors: 300 		Max. Seated: 300

CEREMONY CAPACITY: The site holds 150 seated guests indoors or outdoors.

EVENT/RECEPTION & MEETING CAPACITY: The facility accommodates 150 seated guests for dining or 300 standing indoors, and 300 seated or standing outdoors on the patio or in the garden.

They offer customized floor plans that include dining, dancing and auditorium styles as well as standing formats for cocktail receptions, special events or company mixers. Some larger groups may be accommodated with custom floor plans utilizing their outdoor areas and wraparound deck.

Fees & Deposits

A nonrefundable deposit of 50% of the rental fee is required to reserve your date; a $500–800 security deposit and the balance of the rental fee are due 6 months prior to the event. A garden ceremony setup is an additional $300 charge; use of the pavilion and patio is an additional $250 charge. Weekday rental fees, Monday 9am–Friday 2pm, range $75–200/hour with a 2-hour minimum. Rental fees Friday 2pm–Sunday 10pm and holidays range $800–2,300 depending on the space rented and time of year. Extra hours are available.

Availability

Year-round, daily. Weekdays, 9am–10pm; weekend times vary.

Catering

Choose From List

Alcohol

BYO

Location Uses

Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Rehearsal Dinners

Services/Amenities

Catering: select from list, additional fee for off-list catering, by approval
Kitchen Facilities: moderately equipped
Tables & Chairs: provided, including chairs for a gazebo ceremony
Linens, Silver, etc.: BYO
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: yes
Bride’s Dressing Area: yes
Meeting Equipment: podium, PA, projection screen
Parking: lot and on-street
Accommodations: no guest rooms
Telephone: emergency use only
Outdoor Night Lighting: yes
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: BYO BBQ
Cleanup: caterer or renter
View: gardens, Mt. Diablo and pond

Amplified Music

Indoors

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Fountain/Water Feature
Garden
Garden Patio/Courtyard
Lagoon/Pond
Landscaped Grounds
Mountains
Panoramic

Venue Type

Banquet Hall/Events Facility
Conference Center
Garden
Museum
Park

Restrictions

Alcohol: BYO
Smoking: outside only
Music: amplified OK indoors only
Wheelchair Access: yes
Insurance: proof of liability insurance required
Other: no confetti, rice, birdseed, flower petals, butterfly or balloon releases


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