Shakespeare Garden

Great
Cut.
Very
Secluded

I held my small, very intimate wedding ceremony here because the size was perfect for my 30-​some guests and I love me the Bard. Though the garden was in full bloom and gorgeous that day, I have to say there were definitely some disappointments with the experience. First of all, contrary to some older reviews posted, it is no longer free to get married here. The «reservation fee» was $ 350, which is not bad at all considering what the Chicago Park District charges BUT it was actually NOT «reserved» in any way because there were handfuls of people strolling around visiting the garden and some of these very considerate folks even stood around and watched the whole thing. This was annoying, but it was nothing to what happened as we stood in front of our pastor listening to his spiel — what sounded like a field trip of 8^th graders whooping, laughing, and talking loudly was suddenly VERY audible just beyond the garden hedges. A couple of my guests actually snuck out to try to get them to quiet down, but to no avail. So, I did not by any means get the private ceremony I thought I was paying for. Worst of all, the woman who handles weddings at the garden is a volunteer and couldn’t really be bothered with anything. I asked her beforehand if there would be signage preventing other patrons from being in the garden the day I reserved and she said it wasn’t necessary. I would not recommend getting married here, but do come to enjoy the flowers.

I had my wedding last July at the Shakespeare Garden. My wedding photos turned out beautiful. We hired a professional photographer, Jessy, from Embracing Moments. It was clean, and the grass and flowers were beautiful! I could not have asked for anything better.

Beautiful! A semi-​hidden garden great for studying, a romantic rendezvous or just a great place to escape from the burden of classes. I wish I got to see it during the summer when I’m sure it’s in full bloom.

A beautiful, secluded outdoor room on the campus of Northwestern University. I can hardly add anything to Ellen S.‘s concise review except to note that my wife and I held an outdoor wedding here in September 2012. The flowerbeds and hedgerows formed a beautiful aisle, and two trees made a perfect canopy to be married under. If you’re looking for an inexpensive stage on which to set an intimate event, the Shakespeare Garden is an off-​the-​beaten-​path treasure.

Tucked away between Northwestern’s science building and Garrett Evangelical Seminary lies one of Evanston’s best kept secrets.
Around since 1916, it features (like all other Shakespeare gardens) flowers and plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays. It’s open to the public and open year round. It’s pretty easy to get lost in, and offers more privacy than one would expect for something so close to the middle of campus…