Rooted.
The roots of our Southern Wisconsin prairies run deep and create black soil ripe for growth. The prairie’s deep roots keep it grounded, thriving through droughts and fires, and coming back brilliantly. There are potentially over 700 species that only call the prairie home. The prairie is unique, survives through hard times, and is firmly rooted in our natural surroundings.
We believe that you and your loved ones live in your own prairie. The events and emotions that brought you together run deep, along with the family and friends that are unique to your social circles. No matter what happens when things go wrong, you come back brilliantly because you are rooted in each other.
At ALNC, we want to celebrate the deep roots that tie you and our community together. Our Rooted Weddings are designed to support you as you establish your personal ecosystem with those who matter most to you and those that are doing so much good work in Dane County.
More Than Just A Celebration…
Having your wedding at ALNC is more than celebrating together: it’s also a way to support children’s environmental education throughout Dane County. Because of this, we absolutely love people that get married with us. You are supporting our mission, so we want to support you. We include chairs, tables, cocktail tables, outdoor and indoor sound systems, staff on-site throughout your reservation, covered outdoor areas, as well as string lights to light up a choice of areas. Rentals include Friday night set-up to 10pm (rehearsal dinners are more than welcome), Saturday access from 9am to midnight, and Sunday access between 10am and 4pm for clean-up and… Maybe a little brunch and gift opening?
Your wedding can go on and on (in a good way). Large events can create a large amount of waste, but they don’t have to. ALNC includes all compostable dinnerware and reusable cups with your wedding so your union continues providing love through rich soils used in the area. Fully reusable dinnerware is the most sustainable choice, but we do not have the staff or facilities needed for upkeep. Instead, we offer a $400 discount to anyone who forgoes our compostable ware for fully reusable dinnerware with an outside organization (caterer or rental company).
One of the most important things is your peace of mind. As an essential childcare center, ALNC follows a heightened level of safety guidelines, from cleaning to room capacities, and we’ll be more than happy to work with you to plan a safe and memorable weekend. We like to say our staff is included in your rental, and you can always reach out with any questions. For added flexibility, our grounds are fully capable of hosting an all outdoor event. We have hosted over 100 weddings and are more than happy to lend what we have learned over the years.
During the pandemic, your local businesses have been affected as well. To help celebrate our roots, we are working closely with our Community Caterers to offer local, seasonal food that supports our Dane County family. We are encouraging couples to use Community Caterers for Rooted Weddings. Don’t worry about specific tastes or budgets; there are a huge variety of styles to choose from. We will gladly connect you with these local chefs and invite you to try their flavors by dining or carrying out with them.
In our commitment to sustainability and supporting our neighboring community, we are also encouraging couples to use only locally crafted beers, ciders, wines, and spirits. All of these local crafters also have tasting options you can explore during your engagement.
As always, we will work with you to make your wedding as sustainable as possible. We are currently updating our Green Wedding Guide, but are happy to introduce you to sustainable vendors we work with and answer any questions you might have.
Your wedding should celebrate your unique love and our unique community. Feel free to reach out to Ben at rentals@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org with any questions.
2024 Pricing* (175 Person Max Capacity):
Peak Season (June-October): $5,675
Off Season (November-May): $4,175**
*Pricing good for weddings occurring during 2024. A $400 discount is available when using all reusable dinnerware.
**With the exception of Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day weekend is considered peak season.
ALNC is currently taking reservations through December 2024.
Please contact us for available dates and with any questions you may have!
ALNC Wedding Photo Gallery
“Choosing the location is one of the most important and potentially one of the most difficult decisions you’ll make with your partner when planning your wedding. If the unbelievable beauty of the prairie, the masterfully renovated building with the incredible chandelier, the secluded feeling the trees of this nature preserve, or how professional and helpful Duncan and his team are, aren’t enough of a reason to make the decision to book this venue for your wedding, consider that the money you’ll be spending goes directly back to the children of the community to help with the recently opened preschool and field trip programs. Not only will you have the PERFECT location for the most special day of your lives, you’ll also be doing an act of goodness, so you’ll feel good about your decision as well. I can’t imagine having a wedding in any other location.”
– Spencer Schoate, married on 9/28/2019
Featured image courtesy of Kral Photography.
