What you need to know

We ask that you adhere to the following rules while using the Davenport House Museum Gardens for your ceremony:

Parking:

• Parking is limited to a small lot (10 spaces) behind the gardens, with additional street parking and a paid lot next to the house. Carpooling with family and friends is recommended.

Food and Drink:

• Food & Drink are NOT permitting
• NO alcohol is allowed on the premises.

Decorations:

• NO loose materials (rice, confetti, glitter) are allowed. Bubbles are acceptable. Decorations must not damage the structure or affect its appearance.
• NO tape or adhesive materials are permitted.

Furniture:

• DO NOT move benches or urns in the gardens.

Cleanup:

• You are responsible for cleaning up and removing all trash. The venue must be left as you found it. Failure to do so will result in additional charges.
• All tables, chairs, and equipment must be removed the same day. No items may be staked into the ground.

Smoking:

• NO smoking is allowed on the premises.

Photography and Ceremonies:

• Photography and ceremonies are restricted to the garden area; the interior of the house is off-limits.

Rain Contingency:

• The museum does not have a backup space for rain. It is recommended that couples reserve a tent from a rental facility. The tent cannot be nailed into the ground and must be held with sandbags. A layout of the garden is available for tent dimensions.

Pets:

• Pets are allowed only on a leash in the garden.

Chairs:

• The museum does not provide chairs; please arrange rentals if needed.

Lighting:

• Garden lighting is minimal. Any additional lighting must be approved prior to the ceremony. Interior lighting of the museum house is not available.

Venue Hours:

• The venue opens at 4:30 PM for the start of ceremonies and closes at 8:00 PM. You may use the garden for up to 3 hours within this timeframe. Additional hours are available for $150 per hour.

Additional Notes:

• The time slot you have purchased includes setup, photos, guest arrival, ceremony, and teardown. Extra time will incur additional charges.
• As an active museum, there will be visitors in the house and gift shop unless you arrange a buyout.
• If the wedding party arrives early, they are welcome to wait in the Preservation Center/Gift Shop, which accommodates a maximum of forty people and includes a water fountain.

Important:

• DRONES: NO drones are permitted.
• Vehicles are not allowed to drive on any of the paths.
• All activities, including changing of clothing and large gatherings, are NOT permitted inside the Visitor Center Museum or Gift Shop.

Thank you for helping us preserve the beauty and integrity of this historic site.