Wandering through peaceful gardens has to be one of life’s great pleasures. Eden Gardens has been designed as a pleasure garden full of nooks and crannies, different ‘rooms’ with water gardens, an orangery and even a woodland garden – to name just a few of its many lovely features. What a perfect place for a wedding. Not only are you and your guests treated to peaceful surroundings in nature, there are many secret spaces to explore and enjoy. A garden which has been created with love and passion, that is lush and beautiful in every season – it really is a garden of Eden. Add to that a recently renovated restaurant offering beautifully fresh seasonal food from the garden and local growers and you have the complete package to make your wedding day a memorable occasion. Let’s meet Alina who heads the team that will look after you during your wedding planning journey.

Where is Eden Gardens situated?

Eden Gardens is located in Macquarie Park (NSW). Only 20 minutes North West of the CBD.

Please describe Eden Gardens.

Eden is a holistic lifestyle centre, with retail outlets for garden and homewares, hospitality, 1.2 hectares of display gardens with water features, manicured lawns and art sculptures and installations.

Image by Perfect Moment Photography

Who designed the gardens? And how would you describe the style of the gardens?

Designed by Jon Shinkfield and our owner, Simon Ainsworth. Our gardens showcase a range of design styles in the seven exhibition beds. We have areas for entertainment, as well a secret areas for contemplation and a circular path via which to stroll and take in its pleasures.

What makes the Eden display gardens special?

Eden Gardens has taken a contemporary twist on this old style of garden, as well as including a green theatre, an orangery, bridal lawn, viewing tower, elaborate water gardens, grotto, native garden, forest and woodland garden. Perfect backdrops for wedding photography.

You have an extensive private art collection in the gardens. How does this add to the garden’s beauty?

Our art installations can certainly be a talking point, not to mention make for some great Instagram pics. We have a permanent art collection designed to enhance areas of the gardens. Then, every September, we launch “Eden Unearthed” which is a 6 month exhibition of outdoor art. We have found that the art has added surprises around each corner of the gardens, our customers don’t know what to expect next.

Image by Chalk and Cheese Photography

Is the garden beautiful at all times of the year – what are the special features of the garden during each season?

Each season brings something new to see in the gardens. Autumn would be my favourite when the leaves start turning into stunning autumn red and yellow hues. Winter can also be colourful, with 30,000 tulips bulbs springing to life throughout the gardens. Summer is lovely and green with seasonal flowers and spring – being our most popular wedding month – where the Gardens naturally look their best for photography.

What is the significance of the Daffodil Garden?

One of our chosen charities is the Cancer Council of NSW. We have dedicated a beautiful garden for remembrance for those who have been touched by cancer and it honours those who support the charity.

What is your role at Eden Gardens and how do you assist bridal couples? What do you love about your role?

As Events Manager, I look after a dedicated team who work with our bridal couples to ensure their wedding is tailored to their individual style and to make it a great success.

What features around the gardens do you particularly love for weddings?

We have two beautiful red arbours, which in spring and summer are covered in green vines. Our tower on the Wedding Lawn is stunning during any season, with the Ivy climbing to the top it makes for amazing photo backdrops. The Lily Terrace features a serene pond, where the waterlilies come to life in the summer months.

Image by Perfect Moment Photography

What times have been allowed for ceremonies in the garden?

Ceremonies can be booked at 10.30am or 3pm daily. We can also accommodate a 5pm ceremony if their Reception is also booked for the evening. Packages are based on 1.5 hours, with the option to offer catering for guests post-ceremony.

Where can they be held? Do you have indoor as well as the outdoor options?

We have a 200 seat outdoor Garden Theatre and a Wedding Lawn where we set up 50 white wedding chairs. We also include a wet weather back up location in the event of inclement weather. This gives many couples peace of mind, so they don’t need to worry about the weather on the day.

Image by Starr Photography

Is the bridal couple allowed to have their reception in the garden? What do you provide for this?

We can offer amazing receptions, from cocktail parties under the stars to sit down dinners for up to 120 guests. The Theater Terrace is our main outdoor location and features the stunning Eden Tree fountain as the centrepiece.

Please describe the indoor areas you have available for the reception.

We have recently renovated our restaurant, and have installed, through our roof, garden installations and an outdoor undercover Garden Bar where we can seat up to 200 guests for dinner receptions.

When booking the wedding can a bridal couple be assured of wet weather options?

Yes, any outdoor location automatically includes a wet weather venue as well. As we don’t take multiple wedding bookings at the same time, we have the luxury of having back up locations in case of inclement weather. The BOM is our favourite website for weather forecasts and we try to make the decision the day prior to allow enough time for set up.

Would you give us a brief description of the wedding packages you offer?

Jasmine package – 5 hour all-inclusive package, based on a 2-course reception. Includes food, beverages, DJ, standard reception set up.

Rose package – 5 hour all-inclusive package, based on a 3-course reception. Includes food, beverages, DJ, standard reception set up.

Cocktail reception – 3 or 4 hours cocktail party reception

Ceremonies in the gardens – Venue and set up for ceremony in one of our garden locations

Photo-only package – up to 2 hours use of the Display Gardens for wedding photography.

We also can assist couples with marriage proposals, bridal showers and when the time comes, baby showers, naming days and christenings. Our venue is very versatile for any occasion.

Image by Jay La Photography

How would you describe your menu? Is the menu changed seasonally?

Where chef and growers come together to produce a magical creation of honest ingredients served as a dish of warmth, love and creativity, making memorable food. Our menu is seasonal, sustainable and focuses on the plants we grow in our garden.

What is the chef’s favourite dish and matching wine/beverage for upcoming summer weddings?

Miso salmon with mushroom, water chestnuts, edamame, pickled baby corn, radish salad with an Angove Studio Series Sauvignon Blanc.

What do you like to do to relax?

I live on the national park, so to like to ride or walk through the park. Or just get lost in a good book in my own garden at home.

Thank you Alina for sharing the story of Eden Gardens. What a beautiful venue with lots of garden spaces and features to enthral. To find out more about Eden Gardens visit the website.

Headshot courtesy of Alina Martin.