Wedding Ceremony Sites
A wedding altar is a sacred place where you and your significant other stand in front of one another and exchange vows. The Park District offers some of the most stunning outdoor wedding venues in Springfield at a very affordable price. Be sure to inquire about indoor reception venues as well.
(CAP– capacity, refers to seated guests)
Washington Park Botanical Garden
Washington Park Botanical Garden offers one of the most stunning settings for an outdoor wedding in the Springfield area. The Garden provides a scene of tranquility and beauty, an oasis of nature, within an urban environment. Visitors enjoy the color of annual and perennial flower beds, the fragrance of the Rose Garden, and the refreshing shade of our many evergreen and deciduous trees.
Botanical Garden Annual Display Bed CAP: 200+
The Annual Display Garden is one of the four beautiful locations on the grounds to host a Wedding Ceremony. This area can host 200+ guests for an outdoor ceremony. Rentals at this garden are for an initial 2.5 hour block of time and additional time can be added by the hour. See the fees listed on our Online Portal to find your rental price point. Link to that site below. To inquire more about rental opportunities and additional fees, call 217-546-4116.
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Botanical Garden Outdoor Plaza CAP: 200+
The Outdoor Plaza is one of our newer locations on the grounds to host an outdoor wedding ceremony. This area can host 200+ guests for an outdoor ceremony. Rentals at this garden are for an initial 2.5 hour block of time and additional time can be added by the hour. See the fees listed on our Online Portal to find your rental price point. To inquire more about rental opportunities and additional fees, call 217-546-4116.
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Botanical Garden Rose Garden CAP: 100+
The Rose Garden is one of four beautiful locations on the grounds to host a Wedding Ceremony. This outdoor ceremony location is a 3,500 plant rose garden, the largest of its kind in central Illinois. This area can host 100+ guests for an outdoor ceremony. Rentals at this garden are for an initial 2.5 hour block of time and additional time can be added by the hour. See the fees listed on our Online Portal to find your rental price point. To inquire more about rental opportunities and additional fees, call 217-546-4116.
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Botanical Garden Roman Cultural Garden CAP: 100
The Roman Cultural Garden is adjacent to the Garden Exhibit Hall and is flanked by the Conservatory and one of the Garden's greenhouses. The five ionic columns, situated behind a large fountain, were salvaged from the Springfield's historic Carnegie Library which was razed in 1974. This area can host 100+ guests for an outdoor ceremony. Rentals at this garden are for an initial 2.5 hour block of time and additional time can be added by the hour. See the fees listed on our Online Portal to find your rental price point. To inquire more about rental opportunities and additional fees, call 217-546-4116.
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE WASHINGTON PARK BOTANICAL GARDEN
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Washington Park
Washington Park on the west side of Springfield is a 150-acre site. This is one of the historic parks, developed as termini of the urban trolley line in use at the time. The park is said to by a reflection of local and national tradition as this was the time the nation began to preserve and maintain land for local, state, and national use.
Iron Springs
The Washington Iron Springs offers a great venue for any wedding. Rentals at this venue are from 7:00am-10:30pm. Rentals begin at a 2 1/2 hour block of time and additional time can be added. See the fees listed for Resident and Non-Resident to find your rental price point. For further information regarding rentals call 217-544-1751.
Please be advised that the non-refundable fee is due in full at the time the reservation is confirmed. No backup is available if inclement weather. Reservation is for the site only. Chairs and decorations are the responsibility of the renter and should be put up and taken down in a fashion not to harm the structure.
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Historic Gazebo
Washington Park Gazebo offers a great venue for any wedding. Rentals at this venue are from 7:00am-10:30pm. Rentals begin at a 2 hour block and additional time be added. See the fees listed for Resident and Non-Resident to find your rental price point. For further information regarding rentals, please call 217-544-1751.
Please be advised that the non-refundable fee is due in full at the time the reservation is confirmed. No backup is available if inclement weather. Reservation is for the site only. Chairs and decorations are the responsibility of the renter and should be put up and taken down in a fashion not to harm the structure.
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Lincoln Park Bridge
Lincoln Park, established in 1905 is one of the District's Historic Parks. It was first named North park but later changed to Lincoln Park with the adjacent cemetery housing Lincolns final resting place. In 1905 Lincoln Park was dubbed the prettiest drive in central Illinois. It was named after Present Abraham Lincoln who was from Springfield and the 16th president of the United States.
The Lincoln Park Bridge offers a great venue for a small wedding. Rentals at this venue are from 7:00am-10:30pm. Rentals begin at a 2 hour block of time and additional time can be added. See the fees listed for Resident and Non-Resident to find your rental price point. For further information regarding rentals please call 217-544-1751.
Please be advised that the non-refundable fee is due in full at the time the reservation is confirmed. No backup is available if inclement weather. Reservation is for the site only. Chairs and decorations are the responsibility of the renter and should be put up and taken down in a fashion not to harm the structure.
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Duncan Park Bandshell
Duncan Park was established in the park system in 1920. In November 2020, the park was renamed after Col. Otis B. Duncan (1873-1937), a Springfield native who was the highest-ranking black officer to serve in the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe in World War I.
The Duncan Park Bandshell offers another great venue for a small wedding. Rentals at this venue are from 7:00am-10:30pm. Rentals begin at a 2-hour block of time and additional time can be added. See the fees listed for Resident and Non-Resident to find your rental price point. For further information regarding rentals call 217-544-1751.
Please be advised that the non-refundable fee is due in full at the time the reservation is confirmed. No backup is available if inclement weather. Reservation is for the site only. Any additional chairs and decorations are the responsibility of the renter and should be put up and taken down in a fashion not to harm the structure.
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Southwind Park
The Edwin Watts Southwind Park, popularly known as Southwind Park, is an 80-acre park within the Springfield Park District in Springfield, Illinois.
Babbling Brook
The Park District offers some of the most stunning places to host your next special occasion. Whether it is a wedding, birthday, anniversary, event or graduation party, the Springfield Park District has a place just for you.
The Babbling Brook is located adjacent to the Treeless Treehouse in Southwind Park . It consists of an artificial stream set in a reservoir liner with a waterfall spillway created from natural rocks utilized from the grounds at Southwind Park. The border around the Babbling Brook is landscaped with bushes and native plantings and a sidewalk that has been installed which connects to the original walking path in the park.
All park shelters, features, and gardens are non-refundable/ non-transferable rain or shine. For further information regarding rentals call 217-585-2941.
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Erin's Pavilion Terrace
The terrace is available for hosting ceremonies, with the reception following in the pavilion. The park grounds are available for wedding photography, with the natural beauty of the area acting as a stunning backdrop.
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Southwind Gazebo
The gazebo offers a panoramic view of the lake and Erin's Pavilion, all surrounded by beautiful native landscaping. It is an area for tranquil reflection and quiet conversation.
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Historic Selvaggio Arches
The Selvaggio Arches can be seen all the way from I-55 South and are reminiscent of the old Trolley Turnarounds that used to be in downtown Springfield. They are LED lit at night to showcase a wonderful light show. The columns are equipped with music during our summer season. This venue makes a beautiful spot to have a wedding ceremony, propose, or enjoy a Springfield Municipal Band concert. See the fees listed for Resident and Non-Resident to find your rental price point. All park shelters, features, and gardens are non-refundable/ non-transferable rain or shine. To inquire more about rental opportunities, please call our business office at 217-585-2941.
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Southwind Treehouse
The Park District offers some of the most stunning places to host your next special occasion. Whether it is a wedding, birthday, anniversary, event or graduation party, the Springfield Park District has a place just for you.
This unique feature at Southwind Park was completed in the summer of 2011. It is a tree house fabricated from large tree logs and is fully accessible. There is a ramp system and railing that leads up to the deck of the tree house. This structure creates a great lookout point over the entire park. Just below the tree house are benches where you can take respite and get shade from the afternoon sun.
It is a gorgeous wedding ceremony and photograph location. All park shelters, features, and gardens are non-refundable/ non-transferable rain or shine. For further information regarding rentals, please call our business office at 217-585-2941.
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Unique Locations
Reception & Special Event Venues
The Springfield Park District has a wide array of beautiful and affordable indoor settings to host your wedding reception, birthday parties, family gatherings, or corporate events.
Erin's Pavilion
4965 S. 2nd Street, Springfield IL
The Pavilion’s 5,000 square foot main hall can be arranged to accommodate up to 300 guests and has all the table and chairs you would need to host a successful event. It can be sectioned off into four separate meeting rooms, each hosting access to the beautiful terrace with a panoramic lakeside view. Brides have successfully staged their weddings on our terrace and then come right inside to host an elegant affair for the evening. Erin’s has one of the best audio visual systems and projectors to enhance any event or meeting.
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To view more details about this facility click here:
ERINS PAVILION
Franklin Room
Nelson Center, 1601 N. 5th Street, Springfield IL CAP: 200
The Franklin Room is located on the second floor of the Franklin P. Nelson Recreation Center. The room overlooks an NHL sized sheet of ice and has access to a large balcony/sun deck. The area can be used for family reunions, wedding receptions and parties. Amenities include elevator access, second floor restrooms and a full-service kitchen with serving window.
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nELSON CENTEr details
Lincoln Greens Banquet Hall
700 E. Lake Shore Drive, Springfield IL CAP: 130
Set in the beautiful Lincoln Greens Golf Course, overlooking Lake Springfield, this banquet hall offers a truly unique setting for any event; business meetings to rehearsal dinners or maybe even a graduation party.
Lincoln Greens is the perfect location to host your Wedding Reception! Ample space for your guests, décor, and food staging areas. Full service bar with bar attendant during your event. Tables and chairs provided. Not to mention beautiful views overlooking the lake off the back patio.
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LINCOLN GREENs detailS
Lincoln Park Pavilion
Lincoln Park, 1601 N. 5th Street, Springfield IL CAP: 130
Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall
1740 W. Fayette Avenue, Springfield IL CAP: 120
Washington Park Pavilion
Washington Park, 1501 South Grand Ave West, Springfield IL CAP: 85
The Washington Park Pavilion was built around 1900 as an elegant cobblestone event lodge complete with a banquet room, kitchen and dining room. This historic pavilion has an open, oversized portico with a scenic view overlooking the park and a scenic waterway.
To view more details about this facility click here:
WASHINGTON PARK PAVILION
Henson Robinson Zoo
1100 E. Lake Shore Drive, Springfield IL CAP: 200 *Outdoors, Tent Not Provided
The Henson Robinson Zoo provides a unique location for your private, corporate event, or wedding.
Event hours vary - contact the Zoo to learn more!
To view more details about this facility click here:
HENSON ROBINSON ZOO