Weddings at the Arboretum
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The Lyon Arboretum is a research and educational unit of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. It also serves as a public botanical garden and recreation area. The Arboretum is one of the most beautiful settings on the island of O'ahu with lush rainforest trees and surrounding mountains. Weddings have been held in a number of locations in the Arboretum including the Great Lawn, the Herb and Spice Garden, the Hawaiian Ethnobotany Garden, and Inspiration Point. Many other settings are possible.
There are some serious limitations that should be considered:
- Facilities: The Arboretum does not have formal wedding facilities and the space that does exist is often in use for classes and community meetings. A limited amount of space can be reserved if enough notice is given. No restaurant, catering facilities, janitorial service, nor trash collection are provided.
- Staff: The Arboretum staff consists of researchers, educators and grounds maintenance personnel. There are no wedding coordinators available on staff.
- Environment: The Arboretum receives one of the highest levels of rainfall on O'ahu (this is why it is so beautiful) which can limit outdoor activities. Because of heavy rains, mosquitos can also be an annoyance. Wedding planners using the Arboretum should prepare contingency plans for rain.
- Scheduling: The Arboretum has a regular schedule of classes, tours, meetings and other public activities that occur throughout the grounds and facilities. Weddings need to be scheduled during times when other activities are light. The Arboretum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9AM-4PM. Visitors are not restricted from any part of the Arboretum so will sometimes pass by weddings that are in progress.
- Parking: The Arboretum has a limited number of parking spaces available. Wedding parties should be prepared to car pool and only use the number of spaces reserved for the wedding.
It is recognized that the Lyon Arboretum is still thought to be a desirable location for weddings and that requests will be made from time to time to hold wedding ceremonies on the site. This policy sets forth the conditions under which such requests will be considered.
- Facilities: Only the wedding ceremony may take place at the Arboretum; the reception must be held elsewhere.
- Staff: A staff member is available to provide limited assistance for weddings.
- Scheduling: Weddings should in no way interfere with the regular programs of the Arboretum, thus dates and times should be requested well in advance to avoid conflict with any scheduled activities or programs. In order to schedule a wedding, contact seamon@hawaii.edu or call 988-0456 and leave a message.
- Parking: Due to parking limitations, the total number of people in the wedding should be 20 or fewer, including members of the wedding party unless special arrangements are made for guests to arrive and depart with four or fewer cars being parked in the Arboretum parking lot.
- Cost: A donation of $350.00 to the Lyon Arboretum by the organizers of the wedding is requested.
- Photos: The Lyon Arboretum may be used for taking wedding photos even if the wedding is held elsewhere. Inquiries should be made in advance to facilitate scheduling, and requesters may be asked to make a donation to the Lyon Arboretum.
Requests to hold weddings at the Lyon Arboretum will be reviewed and approved or rejected by the Director or the Director's designee.