Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an 83-acre scientific garden in Coral Gables devoted to the conservation and display of tropical plants, offering some of the most botanically rich and visually spectacular ceremony settings in Florida. The Amphitheater Lawn, shaded by a soaring canopy of Royal Palms and surrounded by flowering tropical specimens, is the garden's signature ceremony site. The Garden House provides climate-controlled reception space for up to 200, while the vine garden and rainforest exhibit create extraordinary photo settings throughout the property. Evening buyouts allow exclusive access to illuminated garden paths, the butterfly and orchid houses, and the lakeside tram road.
Best seasons to marry here
Plan your day here
When are you getting married?
Pick a day and I'll work out the light for it — sunset here, when golden hour opens, and the ceremony time that puts you inside it.
Planning your timeline
| Month | Sunset | Ceremony | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:51 PM | 3:51 PM | 2.3″ |
| February | 6:14 PM | 4:14 PM | 2.3″ |
| March | 7:29 PM | 5:29 PM | 2.0″ |
| April | 7:43 PM | 5:43 PM | 2.6″ |
| May | 7:59 PM | 5:59 PM | 4.6″ |
| June | 8:13 PM | 6:13 PM | 8.7″ |
| July | 8:14 PM | 6:14 PM | 4.2″ |
| August | 7:57 PM | 5:57 PM | 5.8″ |
| September | 7:25 PM | 5:25 PM | 7.3″ |
| October | 6:53 PM | 4:53 PM | 6.0″ |
| November | 5:32 PM | 3:32 PM | 2.6″ |
| December | 5:32 PM | 3:32 PM | 2.5″ |
Sunset times are calculated for this venue's coordinates, shown in EDT for the 15th of each month in 2026. Golden hour is the 60 minutes before sunset. The ceremony start is my rule of thumb — about 2 hours before sunset, so a short ceremony and family photos still leave the two of you in golden light. Adjust it to your own timeline. Average temperatures and rainfall are NOAA 1991–2020 normals from MIAMI WSO CITY, 3.2 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Catering
Approved caterers only
Bar / Alcohol
Licensed bar service; garden-approved vendors
Music Curfew
10:00 PM
Rental Hours
5 hrs included
Vendors
Strict approved vendor list; botanical garden protocols
Rain Backup Plan
Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion and covered event spaces
Hurricane Season Note
June–November; outdoor garden; storm protocols coordinated with Fairchild
Verify Before You Book
Very popular for elopements and micro-weddings; confirm capacity limits and approved vendors
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Sunset Direction
West-facing lake; dappled sunset light through palms
Shade Coverage
Extensive tropical canopy throughout 83 acres
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
Royal palm allées, exotic palm collections, serene tropical lake, rain forest wing, vibrant rare orchid blooms, lush fern gully pathways
10901 Old Cutler Rd
Coral Gables, FL
Parking
Large on-site lot
Nearest Airport
Miami International Airport (MIA) · 14 mi
Guest Hotels
Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables, Marriott Dadeland, Sonesta Miami
