When I asked Lena and Nick to describe themselves as a couple, they replied, “Committed, supportive, and artistic.” Their Buffalo Botanical Gardens wedding illustrated each of these descriptors perfectly. As lovers of all things Halloween, they knew they wanted their intimate celebration to take place on their favorite holiday. Their themed details struck the perfect balance of gorgeous goth and campy fun.
A Buffalo Botanical Gardens Wedding
The greenhouse of the Buffalo Botanical Gardens is pretty iconic with its elaborate domes. Many people choose to have outdoor ceremonies in the courtyard outside, but there’s something magical about a little ceremony in the greenhouse. The lush plants create an enchanted garden atmosphere that everyone loves.
As you might expect, spring and summer are popular times for a Buffalo Botanical Gardens wedding. Lena and Nick’s Halloween wedding is proof that the grounds are beautiful pretty much year round. The green house is worth a visit and could host a micro wedding in the winter, too.
Site rental costs for a Buffalo Botanical Gardens wedding are relatively low. For a six-hour event, fees range between $2,380 and $4,300. If you just want to do a ceremony at the gardens like Nick and Lena did, it only costs between $800 and $1,800. Whether you go big or small, this Buffalo wedding venue can accommodate you. It has capacity for 100 guests for a seated dinner and 200 guests for a cocktail-style reception.
If you’ve got a very specific vision for your ceremony and reception, there are a few things you should consider when planning a Buffalo Botanical Gardens wedding. The venue includes a large parking lot and advertises as being accessible. (Reach out to the gardens about specific needs, though.) In terms of restrictions, the gardens forbid throws like confetti and rice. The venue also has to approve all decorations. The gardens are so beautiful that you may decide you hardly need any decor anyway.
A Halloween Wedding with On-theme Details
Having a Buffalo Botanical Gardens wedding on Halloween felt just right for Lena and Nick. Originally, they wanted to elope to New Orleans. With COVID concerns still looming, they decided to keep their micro wedding close to home. Fifteen of their closes loved ones joined them for a Halloween-themed celebration.
Lena once described herself to me as an “80s goth wannabe with a passion for all things Halloween.” She really leaned into her authenticity with her incredible black dress. Its bustle and lace sleeves along with her Old Hollywood-style hair brought the glam.
Since the Buffalo Botanical Gardens are so full of life, Nick and Lena didn’t have to add many details for their ceremony. They added a small table with some black candles and a sign. Other than that, they let Lena’s bouquet and the botanical gardens set the mood. The dark green plants, fairy lights, and foggy windows were the perfect backdrop for this micro wedding.
An Intimate Handfasting
On the morning of Nick and Lena’s Buffalo Botanical Gardens wedding, I met them at the gardens for a first look. I set Nick up to face away from where Lena would enter. Little did he know that Lena had cut off a full twelve inches from her hair that afternoon. She arrived with her hair perfectly styled and in a drop-dead gorgeous black dress. It was such a fun first look with that extra element of surprise!
Then we spent a good hour exploring the botanical gardens. Since they were closed, we could take photos all along the way until it was ceremony time. Their friend Peter officiated, and Nick and Lena read personal vows. They were so moving that everyone got emotional. Their friends performed music as Lena walked down the aisle and again during the ceremony. With the help of more loved ones, they performed a handfasting to officially “tie the knot.”
Are you planning a fun wedding in the Buffalo area? I’d love to document your wedding day with vibrant, personality-filled photos. Reach out to me here!
Thanks you to the vendors who made this Buffalo Botanical Gardens wedding so magical:
Venue: Buffalo Botanical Gardens
Photography: Kelly Kaz Photography
Dress Store: Bridal Chateau
Tailors: Tom & Luigi
Jewelry: Brilliant Earth and Rings by Lux
Faux Flowers: Kochetova Floral Accessories
Hair: Arrowhead Salon & Architect for Men
Makeup: Briana Ronan Beauty
Videographer: Seeloff Photography
