Why look for two separate venue locations for your special day when you can have ONE that offers both? McCrory Gardens is where dreams do come true. With over 25 acres of beautiful botanical gardens and 45 acres of arboretum, it truly is a breath taking view. The beauty of the outdoors and the views from the indoors is what makes McCrory Gardens a unique venue in Brookings.
Location: McCrory Gardens is located at 631 22nd Avenue in Brookings, SD right across the street from Walmart.
Indoor Capacity: Looking for a room with a view all year round? McCrory’s Great Hall is just that. With its vaulted ceilings and two large walls of windows, you will feel as though you are in the middle of the gardens, wandering through the wildflowers. With a maximum capacity of 250 people, the Great Hall rental includes the use of round, banquet style tables, that seat up to 8 guests. Chairs are also included in rental rate. (Special note: The chairs are extra-wide, so conventional chair covers won’t fit them. But you can order the extra-wide chair covers from Aramark, the linen and napkin vendor. Easy as that!)
When reserving the Great Hall for your ceremony and/or reception, there are a few other areas included.
- The foyer. Here, guests can sign your guest book, drop their off their gifts for you and enjoy a cocktail with some appetizers. It has windows on two sides, so it’s a large and well-lit space!
- The meeting room. This multi-function space can be used as one large room or divided into two separate rooms. Often times, the day begins with it divided, serving as spaces for you, your fiance and your wedding party to get glamorous. (Typically, the girls get ready on one side and the guys get ready on the other, but they are flexible and accommodating no matter the situation.) Then, once your ceremony has begun, the room is opened up fully and is used for your buffet meal. (Unless you choose a plated meal, which is an option too!)
- Terrace Gardens. Unique to McCrory Gardens, with your reservation comes free admittance to the grounds* and private access to the Terrace Gardens. Your guests may choose to enjoy a stroll through the wonders of the gardens or simply relax on the surrounding patio. The Terrace Lawns also make great spaces to set up your own yard games if you’d like. The Terrace Gardens is located directly south of the Great Hall and has a beautiful fountain in the middle with a sidewalk separating the two halves of the Terrace Garden. It’s also gated, so you can enjoy privacy.
*free admittance to the grounds begins one hour prior to the start of the ceremony/reception and ends at regular business hours
Outdoor Capacity: McCrory Gardens has 25 acres of botanical gardens that make a perfect spot for an outdoor ceremony. Come walk through the gardens to find the perfect place to say “I do.” The capacity of an outdoor ceremony is 250 guests. We do not provide the chairs for your ceremony, although we do have great contacts for chair rentals. There can be an option of having your reception outdoors that can be discussed further in detail. Celebrate your special day among the flowers and vibrant colors the gardens have to offer!
Reception Rentals Include: With the reservation of the Great Hall comes 25 five-foot round tables and 200 chairs for indoor use. A reception layout map of the room and timeline are made and approved between McCrory Gardens and the couple. Set up and take down of McCrory-owned tables and chairs will be done by our in-house staff. There is free parking right outside of the building, and our building is handicap accessible. We invite you to take your wedding photos throughout our gardens!
Ceremony Rentals Include: With the reservation of a ceremony location, you have 25 acres of beautiful gardens and 45 acres of arboretum to choose for your special day. There are electrical outlets in several of the gardens, but they are limited in certain areas. Additional options are dressing rooms and rental of a golf cart for elderly and handicapped guests to be transported. You also have access to rent the Strawbale House as an additional place to get ready in! It’s a charming little cottage that holds 10-15 people easily.
Catering/Alcohol Policy: McCrory Gardens is proud to have Aramark as the gardens’ sole caterer. Aramark has a selection of options to choose from to make sure your guests have a delicious meal. Once you book your wedding, Aramark hosts a wedding tasting for couples to come to McCrory Gardens see the Great Hall, dine on some delicious food, select your menu and discuss wedding details. As McCrory Gardens is a part of the SDSU campus, McCrory abides by its alcohol policy. All alcohol must be purchased through Aramark and served by their trained staff. Outside alcohol is not permitted in the building, the formal gardens, or the arboretum. Aramark has a huge selection of beer and wine to choose from. Liquor is not served or allowed at McCrory or on campus. Special requests are never out of the question. We all work together to provide you with the answers to your dreams.
Parking: McCrory Gardens offers free parking to you and all of the guests joining you on your special day. There are 96 parking spots, including handicaps spaces. Guests are able to park on both sides of the driveway coming into the Visitors Center, if more room is needed.
Handicap Accessibility: Our venue facility is very handicap accessible. There are sidewalks into the building, handicap accessible buttons, and tile flooring. Our gardens offer paved and paver pathways to selected gardens. McCrory Gardens does offer a golf cart rental. Our staff would be happy to transport your mobile-challenged guests to your ceremony.
Flexibility: At McCrory Gardens we strive to make your dreams come true. Once you have signed the contract and made a down payment, our home is your home. McCrory Gardens is open all year round for receptions and indoor ceremonies, and our gardens are open for outdoor ceremonies May through October. (Depending on our lovely South Dakota weather.) Our goal is to make your day as special as it can be!
Contact Info: Check out our website for more information at www.mccrorygardens.com or check out our Facebook page, McCrory Gardens Weddings. Or you can give Lori Puetz a call for questions or booking at 605-688-6707.
Do you have any other questions about McCrory Gardens? Feel free to reach out to Hitch Studio and we can help you book a wedding venue and other pieces of your wedding day!
