Celebrate with Us

Imagine your wedding, gala, or other festive event in our historic facility set on the St. Johns River in the desirable and conveniently located Riverside neighborhood. The Garden Club of Jacksonville makes the perfect venue for your waterfront wedding or any other kind of event.

How Do Rentals Work?

Is my date available?

We are working to get a calendar up on our website for you to browse for an available date. In the meantime, please call 904-355-4224 so we can check availability.

What is the Garden Club’s pricing?

We have multiple packages for small, medium, and large events throughout the week and at different times. We have a rental package to match your budget! Rentals of the Club Room start at $1,300, rentals of the Ballroom start at $3,700, and Campus rentals start at $4,900, depending on the day of the week and time of day. The Garden Club also provides discounted rates for nonprofits and military clients on certain packages.

What does my package include?

We have Intimate, Elegant, and Grand rental packages available to accommodate almost any size event you’re planning. Each package comes with an amount of tables and chairs designed to fit your event. All packages include our private parking lot with parking for more than 60 cars.

Does the Garden Club have recommended vendors? What services does the Garden Club provide?

We have an extensive list of recommended vendors covering a wide variety of services; we are happy to share them upon a contract. 

How do I book?

To secure your date, 30 percent of the rental fee plus a $1,000 damage deposit (refundable three weeks after the event) is due at the signing of the rental agreement. The final payment is due 90 days prior to your event. Payment of sales tax along with any additional rental hours and amenities needed is due approximately four weeks prior to your event. Any events booked within 90 days are paid in full at reservation.

The Garden Club Has a Venue to Fit Your Needs

Ballroom

Our grand Ballroom boasts elegant, neutral decor, brightened by six exquisite crystal chandeliers. A grand stage at the front is available for ceremonies or performances. Spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with light during the day—and a dramatic view of the Courtyard and St. Johns River. Our enormous catering kitchen provides ample room for your vendors. Multiple restrooms are available for your guests’ comfort. Table seating for 350 people. Theater seating for 400 people.

Club Room

Our historic Club Room offers inviting, classical decor perfect for any occasion, lit by a graceful brass chandelier. Windows can be easily covered for slideshows on our smart TV. A small separate kitchen enables catering for the room. Two restrooms are accessible for your guests’ comfort. Table or theater seating for 65 people.

Courtyard

Our Courtyard offers picturesque flagstone steps with a wrought iron gate and lush greenery for outdoor ceremonies or cocktail events. A refreshing three-tier fountain accompanies the scenic St. Johns River view. A direct vendor entrance offers easy access for your caterers. The Courtyard is available as an extension of your Ballroom or Club Room rental.

Schedule a Tour

We typically provide half-hour tours Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with occasional nights or weekends as available. Please call 904-355-4224.

Need More Details?

What kinds of events can be hosted at the Garden Club?

Weddings, galas, fundraisers, business meetings, retirement parties, baby showers, graduations, religious services, concerts, proms, and more! We have decades of experience hosting amazing events of all types.

Are there other items available for my event?

We have 48-inch rounds, 60-inch rounds, six-foot banquets, eight-foot banquets, and high-top tables, white folding chairs, padded banquet chairs, and a stage platform available for rent. We also have a wedding arch and backdrop available by request. You are welcome to rent other items from an event rental company such as speciality chairs, tents, etc.

Do you host rental events on holiday weekends?

Events on most holidays and holiday weekends will be charged at the weekend rate plus a 25 percent charge based on availability.

What forms of payment are accepted? 

The Garden Club accepts payment by ACH bank transfer (preferred method), credit card, Apple Pay, check, or cash. 

Is there a deposit?

To secure your date, 30 percent of the rental fee plus a $1,000 damage deposit (refundable three weeks after the event) is due at the signing of the rental agreement.

Once I reserve my date, what happens next?

We’ll reach out with a blank floor plan and vendor list for you to start planning your event. If you have a planner, we’re happy to connect with them directly. Once your final payment is received, we’ll schedule a venue walkthrough for you to share your vision for the big day in person and create a digital floor plan to share with you and your vendors. About six weeks before your event, we’ll ask you to send your vendor list to us so we can confirm event details with them. Then we’ll compile a final event timeline to make sure everyone’s on the same page for the big day. Need help along the way? No problem! We’ve got experienced staff happy to point you in the right direction for anything that comes up.

How much time do I have to decorate and clean up?

Rental times include time for decorating and cleanup. If your event will require more time, please schedule additional hours at the time of the contract.

Is cleaning after my event provided?

You or the vendors you hire are responsible for cleaning and removing any food, beverages, or decorations you bring for your event. The Garden Club provides plenty of trash bags for your vendors to remove debris to the dumpster outside. Garden Club staff will take care of storing tables and chairs after your event.

Do I have to use specific vendors?

You can use any caterer, decorator, rental company, band, disc jockey, or other vendors you choose. The Garden Club can provide a few preferred vendors we have worked with in the past. There is no fee to choose your own vendors (with proof of insurance), and we’ll make sure we answer any questions they have well in advance.

May we serve liquor?

If you plan on serving beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages of any kind, you must obey all state and local laws. Beer kegs must be confined to the Courtyard area. Coolers in the Ballroom and Club Room must be placed on absorbent mats. Bartenders must pour bottled beer into cups because of the hazards of broken beer bottles around campus.

What kind of license or insurance am I required to have?

All rental clients are required to have event insurance (plus liquor liability if applicable) naming the Garden Club as an additional insured 10 days prior to your event. You can purchase event insurance through your home or renter policy, or by searching “event insurance” online. If you plan on selling beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages of any kind, you must provide a copy of certified liquor liability insurance naming the Garden Club as an additional insured. For activities involving fire or acrobatic equipment, the person performing must provide liability insurance for themselves and their equipment.

Do I need to provide security?

Depending on the kind of event, the Garden Club may require you to provide security, particularly at events where alcoholic beverages are going to be sold.

Is smoking allowed?

The Garden Club is a tobacco-free facility. Smoking, tobacco use, or vaping is only allowed in the designated areas of the parking lot behind the building or in the loading area between the garage and the kitchen—not inside any of the buildings, at the Riverside Avenue or Post Street entrances, in the breezeway, in the Courtyard. Cigarette butts may only be disposed of in the designated containers—not on the grounds, in the gardens, or in the river.

Are there noise restrictions?

Amplified music is allowed indoors and outdoors, though the outdoors music must end by 10 p.m.

What happens if I’ve planned an outdoor event and it rains?

We work with all of our rental clients to create a rain plan that works for their event. If you were planning to hold an outdoor ceremony, we can arrange tables in the Ballroom to create an aisle for the wedding party to enter.

Will someone be on the property to help me with my event?

Our staff of skilled Event Ambassadors will be on hand to help you.

Are there any special rules for teen events?

A principal or the sponsor must sign the rental agreement for the event. Decorations must be done under the supervision of one or more adults. One week prior to the event, the Garden Club must receive a list of the names, email addresses, and mobile phone numbers of all chaperones. Teens are not allowed to drink alcohol, smoke, or use other substances on the premises. Chaperones must be on the premises at all times, and they must regularly check all of the bathrooms and the parking lot throughout the event.

How is decorating handled?

Garden Club staff will have all your tables and chairs set-up ahead of time based on the floor plan we create with you. When you arrive, all you have to do is add any tablecloths or decorations that you provide.

Ready to Book?

Please call 904-355-4224, and we will be happy to pull together a rental agreement for you.