FAQs

The questions we are asked most, answered.

Your Day

What time can my wedding take place?

Wedding ceremonies may start at 4pm or later and may not begin earlier than 4pm. This ensures there is plenty of parking for all of your guests.

What is your maximum guest capacity?

Our recommended guest count is 100, but we can host up to 120 for a seated meal reception and up to 150 for a cocktail-style reception.

What is a cocktail-style reception?

Instead of every guest having their own seat for a sit-down meal, there is a mix of regular tables and high-top cocktail tables, to encourage walking around and mingling.

Will Rockledge Gardens still be open to the public during my event?

Rockledge Gardens is open to the public until 5pm, Monday through Sunday. If your ceremony begins before we close for the day, we will place signs at all of the entrances to the event area so that you will have your privacy. You and your guests are welcome to stroll the entirety of the gardens for pictures and fun.

What if it’s really hot or really cold?

We do not host weddings during the hottest part of the year. Our wedding season begins the third weekend in October and runs through the end of May, and we have fans in the pavilion. In the event of a chilly Florida evening, we can provide portable standup heaters in the pavilion on request.

Do you host same-sex weddings?

Absolutely. Love is love is love is love!

Food And Drink

Can I bring my own caterer?

Yes, you can use any caterer you choose. You can even do food trucks, as long as they carry insurance and have a valid, state-issued business license, and documents must be provided to us prior to the event. Please be aware that we require all caterers to offer full service, which includes providing staff to set up, serve, and ensure the space is clean upon departure. We are happy to recommend catering companies we know and love.

For safety and liability purposes, all food served, including appetizers or hors d’oeuvres, must be sourced from a licensed catering company. Catering staff must be present during food distribution to oversee proper handling and service. Drop-off catering without catering staff present is not allowed.

What is your alcohol policy?

You are welcome to provide your own alcohol; however, a licensed and insured bartender must be hired to serve all alcohol within your rental timeframe. Self-service is not permitted. Your special event insurance must include host liquor liability for open bar services. In the event of a cash bar, the bartending company must have an offsite liquor license for all transactional sales.

What equipment is included in the outdoor bar?

Our outdoor bar, under the reception pavilion, has:

  • A mini-fridge
  • A triple-compartment sink, and a dedicated hand-washing station with hot and cold water
  • A kegerator, available to rent, taking two 1/6 barrel kegs with dual taps

Beer Runnerz handles keg purchase, delivery, installation and retrieval.

Can we roast s’mores by the fire pit?

Yes. When planning your event, we can arrange for a table with linens to be set up near the fire pit. Please note that we do not provide the ingredients or the roasting sticks.

Vendors And Flowers

What about the florist, DJ, photographer, officiant?

We are a BYOV (bring your own vendors) venue, and we’re delighted for you to make your wedding uniquely yours by choosing exactly the vendors you want to work with. For your protection, please make sure your vendors are licensed, insured, and have signed a formal contract that clearly outlines the scope of services and any limitations before you make a deposit. If you have any questions about vendors, reach out to our events team at events@rockledgegardens.com.

Can you do centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres?

We are unable to provide cut flower arrangements, but we are delighted to suggest exceptional florists who offer this service. We do specialize in centerpieces and favors made with live plants, like container gardens and mini succulents, with a wide range of options tailored to your style, season and budget.

On The Day

What does the onsite venue representative do, and what am I responsible for?

Our dedicated on-site representative and day-of events team stay on the property at all times to help with questions or security concerns. They will:

  • Set up all tables and chairs to your pre-approved floor plan
  • Meet your vendors as they arrive and direct them where to set up
  • Receive wedding-related deliveries such as flowers and cake
  • Turn on all lighting
  • Set up yard games, if requested
  • Start, maintain and extinguish the fire pit
  • Empty trash cans during and after the event
  • Refill paper goods in the restrooms
  • Break down tables, chairs and linens at the end of the event

Your designated coordinator handles:

  • Tablecloths and centerpieces
  • Setting up and removing personal decor
  • Setting up the bar, unless prearranged with your bartender
  • Table displays for the guestbook, favors, cards and gifts
  • Lining up the wedding party for the processional and the grand entrance
  • Announcing the wedding party, the first dance, releasing tables for the buffet
  • Managing guest transitions between ceremony, cocktail hour and reception
  • Cutting and distributing the cake
  • Boxing up leftover food
  • Bussing tables and clearing food, trash and disposable decor

We highly recommend hiring a professional day-of coordinator or wedding planner. Our contract requires a designated point of contact to run your event from start to finish, so the tasks above do not fall to your friends, family or you. We are happy to suggest coordinators and planners we love.

Are there adequate restroom facilities?

There are two sets of public restrooms in separate buildings. Stall-style restrooms are in the Market, and the Boutique has two wheelchair-accessible family restrooms.

Booking And Policies

What is the deposit to hold the date? Is it refundable?

To reserve your date we require a 30% deposit of the total rental value on signing. That retainer is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due 60 days before your event. Full reservation policies are in our rental agreement.

What is special event insurance, what does it cost, and where do I get it?

Special event liability insurance, also called CGL, commercial general liability or spectator liability, protects you if you have to defend against a lawsuit or pay damages for injury or property damage to a third party. A slip and fall, or a damaged floor, would be covered. Host liquor liability is included where there is no transfer of money for alcohol. The policy also protects the venue by adding us as an additional insured. Exclusions do apply.

A wedding policy costs somewhere between $60 and $200, depending on guest count and alcohol service. We recommend The Event Helper or WedSafe.

Do you have an off-season discount?

No. We are closed for weddings during our off-season, June through the second weekend in October. We do offer smaller, less expensive packages Monday through Thursday in that period in our indoor venue, the Riley room. Our Friday package is discounted against our Saturday and Sunday pricing.

Are there any restrictions we need to know about?

Noise. Because of a city noise ordinance, music and alcohol service must end at 10pm.

Smoking. Smoking of any kind is only allowed in designated areas outside the venue. Although we are an outdoor venue, nicotine is highly toxic to plants, and mulch and fertilizer are extremely flammable.

Send-offs. For safety reasons we do not allow sparklers, lanterns, fireworks or similar, because of the flammable materials throughout the nursery. Anything thrown at the newlyweds must be biodegradable. Rice and birdseed are prohibited: rice is harmful to birds, and birdseed may sprout weeds in our gardens. We recommend bubbles or biodegradable confetti.

Still Have A Question?

Email events@rockledgegardens.com or call 321.636.7662

Prices are on the packages page, and the rooms and lawns are on the spaces page.