Weddings at Aldo Leopold Nature Center For availability and more information about weddings at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center or to set up a tour, please contact: Event & Rental Coordinator 330 Femrite Drive, Monona, WI 53716 rentals@naturenet.com
Congratulations on your engagement and thank you for considering the Aldo Leopold Nature Center to host your special day! Located in beautiful Monona, Wisconsin - just minutes from downtown Madison - the Aldo Leopold Nature Center offers convenient, unique and scenic indoor and outdoor options for your wedding. Our professional staff will customize a rental package for an unforgettable wedding to meet your needs and wow your guests! Best of all, your rental helps to support critical environmental education initiatives at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center! Credit: Arbor Photographic Cover photo credit: Althea Dotzour Photography
Unique Amenities Iconic photo ops in front of the Children s Shack, our replica of the original Leopold Shack where Aldo Leopold wrote A Sand County Almanac. Scenic views of reclaimed prairie, wetlands, an oak savanna and woodlands. From vibrant fall colors, to serene blankets of fresh snow to beautiful spring and summer blooms, each season offers an unforgettable view! High-definition projector and theater to screen videos, digital collages and more! Interactive exhibits and immersion theaters for guests to enjoy during your reception. Convenient parking for up to 80 cars in the ALNC main parking lot and bus parking lot. Consultation and walk-through with experienced Aldo Leopold Nature Center rental staff to ensure a successful and unforgettable day! Credit: Errin Hiltbrand Photography
Wedding Packages THE SUGAR MAPLE PACKAGE Capacity: 150 This is the perfect option for DIY brides! This rental package includes: Exclusive use of the entire building and grounds including the Lobby, Conference Room, Orientation Theater, Grand Lawn, and Classroom. 1 half-hour planning consultation with ALNC professional staff. Use of ALNC grounds and facilities for engagement photos. SATURDAY OR SUNDAY PEAK SEASON* OFF-SEASON** Half Day (5 hours including set up and clean up) $1,365 $900 Full day (10 hours including set up and clean up) $1,950 $1,000 THE WHITE PINE PACKAGE Capacity: 150 For large or small weddings, this package offers low-stress convenience in our beautiful Monona space! This all-inclusive rental package includes: Exclusive use of the entire building and grounds including the Lobby, Conference Room, Orientation Theater, Grand Lawn, Classrooms and Exhibits. Use of ALNC grounds and facilities for engagement photos. Onsite staff assistance with set up, coordination and clean up (setting up and moving tables, moving chairs, etc.). 1 half-hour planning consultation with ALNC professional staff. Use of the fireplace in lobby and firepit. Use of the Science Exhibit Hall, including shows on the Science on a Sphere, and interactive exhibits to inform and entertain. Use of twenty-two 6ft tables and two 8 ft tables. Use of microphone and portable speaker. Use of two standing cocktail tables. Pre-rental rehearsal. Personalized slide show set-up on Lobby Screen SATURDAY OR SUNDAY PEAK SEASON* OFF-SEASON** Half Day (5 hours including set up and clean up) $1,865 $1,200 Full day (10 hours including set up and clean up) $2,950 $2,000 *Peak Season runs May 1 - October 31 **Off-Season runs November 1 - April 30
Our Spaces CLASSROOM The Classroom is a fully customizable space that can either accommodate large groups or be partitioned into thirds to provide more intimate gathering spaces. The Classroom looks out onto the prairie and is ideal for small or large wedding ceremonies or receptions, dances, sit-down dinners and buffet lines. LOBBY The Lobby, framed by beautifully repurposed timber from local barns, provides a grand multi-purpose space for cocktail hours, dancing and mingling. The Lobby features a majestic stone fireplace, an elegant antler chandelier and two doors which open onto the back deck overlooking the scenic Nature Center grounds. THE GRAND LAWN The Grand Lawn of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center provides a one of a kind experience for your guests as they enjoy native flora and fauna and the beauty of the lush prairie, woodlands and wetlands. The Grand Lawn is the perfect spot for outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions of all sizes. ORIENTATION THEATER The Orientation Theater provides a versatile space for the bridal party to get ready or for slideshows or musical entertainment. The room has carpeted graduated seating, large picture windows looking out into the prairie, retractible high-definition projection system and in-house audio equipment.
The Wedding Packages at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center include various equipment and amenities to help make your day picture perfect! Please see the lists below to see what is included with each rental package (indicated with a ). Items not included in your package can be added a la carte (pricing as indicated). COMPLIMENTARY EQUIPMENT & AMENITIES SUGAR MAPLE WHITE PINE Wireless Internet Wooden 8 ft Tables (2) Wooden Benches for Seating (up to 20 benches) Lobby Screen for Custom Photo Display One 30-minute planning consultation with ALNC Staff Use of ALNC Grounds for Engagement Photos ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT & AMENITIES Microphone and Speaker Portable Speaker On-site staff assistance during rental (clear tables, etc) $50/hour Use of firepit $50 6 ft tables (22 available) Standing cocktail tables (2 available) Pre-rental rehearsal in ALNC space $100/hour Personalized Sound/Film in the Orientation Theater $50 Use if Climate Science Center $100/hr Fee if post-rental clean up is needed $50/hour $50/hour Early set-up (based on availability) $100/hour $100/hour On-site storage of supplies/materials (staff s discretion) $100/day $100/day MONONA RENTAL GUIDELINES In addition to the guidlines and recommendations listed on the last page of this guide, here are a few notes about our Monona space to help ensure you and your guests have the best event possible. Reservations are required for all rentals and are available until Midnight. Wedding set up may begin at 2pm. Earlier set up may be available depending on public programming (please check with ALNC staff). Our approved caterers are: Blue Plate Catering* Bunky s Catering Catered Cocktails* Dickey s Barbeque Pit Food Fight Catering* Fresh Madison Market Catering Hyvee Catering Roman Candle Catering Working Class Catering* Alcoholic beverage service must be arranged through one of the caterers indicated with a * above. Please note: Our licensing does not allow for a cash bar. A 12% facility fee payable to the caterer will be included with all catering fees.
Credit: Errin Hiltbrand Photography
Rental Guidelines We are so pleased that you are considering the Aldo Leopold Nature Center to host your special day! The following guidelines and notes will ensure that we can help you to have the best event possible. ALNC is available for rental during times that do not interfere with the Nature Center s regular programming. Events are not confirmed until we receive a signed copy of the event contract and a deposit of 50% of the total amount due. An ALNC staff member will be on-site during the event in case of emergencies. One half-hour onsite visit and tour of facilities with an ALNC staff person is included with the cost of each rental. The storage of any equipment or other accessory items belonging to the users prior to the event day and specified rental time is not permitted. A fee of $50 a day will be charged for any items left at the facility outside of the specified rental time. ALNC is not responsible for any equipment or other accessory items left at ALNC. In keeping with the Aldo Leopold Nature Center s environmental regulations, we maintain a smoke-free campus policy. The use of nails, screws, tape, tacks or other adhesives to fasten decorations or other materials to walls, doors or from the ceiling is strictly prohibited. Glitter, rice, birdseed, confetti and the like cannot be used as tabletop decorations or for throwing. Please see our list of approved caterers for beverage & food service options. Credit: Errin Hiltbrand Photography