Weddings at the Dixon
Garden Elopements | Micro-Weddings | Weddings and Receptions
Garden Elopements
Skip the courthouse and exchange your vows in the enchanting gardens at the Dixon, a setting designed for couples seeking a personal and unforgettable experience. For just $300, your garden elopement includes:
- Stunning photography opportunities surrounded by natural beauty.
- Parking for up to 15 attendees.
- Access to restrooms in the main museum building.
- You're the host! This is a self-guided experience for you and your guests.
*Please note that the gardens remain open to visitors. Music is not permitted for garden elopements to ensure the enjoyment of all guests.
Whether you’re tying the knot with your closest family and friends or looking for a beautiful alternative to the courthouse, the Dixon provides the perfect, picturesque setting to mark the beginning of your new chapter.
Booking: Garden Elopements can only be booked within (3) three months of your date.
Pricing: $300.00, which includes a Sponsor-level Dixon membership.
Time: Two (2) hours of time during regular museum hours (Tues.-Sat., 10:30 am- 4:30 pm & Sun., 1:30 pm- 4:30 pm).
Location: Various garden locations available across the property, with limited covered options available.
Size: Up to 15 people, including the couple, officiant, and photographer.
Flexibility: Can take place anywhere in the Dixon Gardens.
Micro-Weddings
A micro-wedding is an intimate wedding with your (50) fifty closest loved ones. For $1,850, enjoy:
- 3-Hour venue access in a temperature-controlled space with bathroom access.
- A champagne toast for 50 guests with a sweet wedding treat.
- Furnishings provided: 50 chairs arranged for an indoor ceremony, one 6-foot table and two cocktail tables (for post-ceremony treats), and white poly linens.
The 3-hour rental is meant to keep things intimate and stress-free! Like a Garden Elopement, but with the benefit of a temperature-controlled space, restrooms, and a celebratory toast! Micro-Weddings take place inside the Hughes Pavilion (no alternate layouts or locations). Outside food and beverage are not permitted. No outside vendors, with the exception of a coordinator, ceremony musician, and a florist/rental company for deliveries.
A typical flow might look like this for a 1 - 4 PM time slot:
- 1:00–1:30 PM: Couple/party arrival; Set up of florals/linens; ceremony musician arrives and prepares
- 1:30–2:00 PM: Guest arrival and seating
- 2:00–2:30 PM: Ceremony
- 2:30–3:30 PM: Photos in the gardens, toasting in Hughes Pavilion
- 3:30–4:00 PM: Breakdown and exit
Booking: Micro-weddings can only be booked within three (3) months of your date.
Pricing: $300.00, which includes a Sponsor-level Dixon membership.
Time: Three (3) hours of time during regular museum hours (Tues.-Sat., 10:30 am- 4:30 pm & Sun., 1:30 pm- 4:30 pm).
Location: The Hughes Pavilion
* Please feel free to take photos in the gardens
Size: Up to 50 guests.
Weddings | Receptions | Rehearsal Dinners
Say “I do” at the Dixon with a full wedding experience that combines our stunning ceremony locations in the gardens with the charm of our garden venue, the Hughes Pavilion.
Begin with tying the knot on the Bowlin Stage, with stacked stone walls, garden sculptures, and lush greenery, or opt for the South Lawn! Follow with cocktail hour in a beautiful garden space or at the Hughes Pavilion.
The reception will take place at the Hughes Pavilion, which offers floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive skylights, and paved patios.
Booking: Wedding ceremony-and-reception, reception-only, or rehearsal dinner bookings may take place up to eighteen (18) months in advance of the event date.
Prime Location: The Dixon is conveniently located in the heart of East Memphis, with nearby hotels, dining, and entertainment.
Flexible Timing: Weddings are available Friday-Sunday.
Included Amenities: Tables, 100 chairs, private parking, and a parking guard for the duration of your event.
Seasonal Tenting: Mid-March through mid-November, a crisp white tent covers the largest patio at the Hughes Pavilion.
*Clear top or side tenting is available for an additional fee.
Exclusive On-Site Catering: Delicious food and exceptional service by Savor Catering by Chef Philip Dewayne.
Vendor Flexibility: Bring in vendors that match your style and budget.
Exclusive Benefits: The Dixon ensures exclusivity by hosting only one bride per rental period.
WEDDING SPACES:
ceremony-and-reception | reception-only | rehearsal dinner
Ceremonies may take place at the Bowlin Stage or South Lawn. Both areas can accommodate up to 200 guests.
Cocktail-style receptions accommodate up to 200 guests, while seated options vary based on the use of indoor, outdoor, or combined spaces, and the type of meal service.
The Bowlin Stage, South Lawn, or Cutting Gardens can be rented for an additional $500 per location. Chairs, tables, etc. for garden areas must be rented. These spaces have specific capacity limits and time restrictions—contact the venue coordinator for details.
All food and beverage questions may be addressed to Savor Catering.
Pricing by Event Type
1. Garden Elopement
Total Venue Investment: $300
This includes:
Membership Fee (Due at Contract Signing)$150
Initial Venue Rental Fee (Due at Contract Signing)$150
Remaining Venue Rental Fee (Due 6 Months Prior) N/A
Refundable Damage Deposit (Due 6 Months Before Event Date) N/A
2. Micro Wedding
Total Venue Investment: $1,850
This includes:
Membership Fee (Due at Contract Signing) $250
Initial Venue Rental Fee (Due at Contract Signing)$1,600
Remaining Venue Rental Fee (Due 6 Months Prior) N/A
Refundable Damage Deposit (Due 6 Months Before Event Date) N/A
3. Reception Only, or Rehearsal Dinner
(In the Hughes Pavilion)
Total Venue Investment: $8,500
This includes:
Membership Fee (Due at Contract Signing) $1,000
Initial Venue Rental Fee (Due at Contract Signing)$2,000
Remaining Venue Rental Fee (Due 6 Months Prior) $5,000
Refundable Damage Deposit (Due 6 Months Before Event Date) $500
4. Full Wedding
(Ceremony at Bowlin Stage or South Lawn + Reception at Hughes Pavilion)
Total Venue Investment: $9,000
This includes:
Membership Fee (Due at Contract Signing) $1,000
Initial Venue Rental Fee (Due at Contract Signing) $2,000
Remaining Venue Rental Fee (Due 6 Months Prior) $5,500
Refundable Damage Deposit (Due 6 Months Before Event Date) $500
Details
Peak Season Months: Additional $500 (March-May, September, October)
Additional Event Spaces: $500 per space (e.g., for a cocktail hour)
FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions
In the event of inclement weather, weddings take place under the Hughes Pavilion tent wth a room flip required by your vendor team. During mild inclement weather, many weddings prefer to provide their guests with umbrellas at the entrance for a ceremony on the South Lawn.
All setup/delivery and break-down/pick-up times must be confirmed and coordinated with the Dixon in advance. Setup and deliveries may start no earlier than 10:30 AM on a Friday or Saturday, or 11:30 AM on a Sunday.
All evening weddings and rehearsal dinners must end by 11 PM Friday and Saturday and 10 PM Sunday in accordance with Memphis City ordinances and Dixon rules. Clean-up and break-down may take place until midnight.
- Hughes Pavilion Dimensions:
- Inside: Approximately 30’x 50’
- Largest Patio: Approximately 30’x 65’
- Side Patios: Each approximately 15’x 65’
- Maximum Capacity:
- Weddings and rehearsal dinners can accommodate up to 200 guests (for a cocktail-style reception) using both indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Seating Capacity:
- Inside Only: 80-120 guests (varies by table size and space for food, drinks, cake, etc.)
- Combined Indoor and Outdoor Spaces: Up to 175 seated, depending on table setup and arrangement.
WEDDINGS
Example 1: A Garden Elopement, from 11:00 AM - 1 PM, a two-hour rental. There is a
$150 Initial Venue Rental Fee (due at contract signing)
$150 Young at Art membership (due at contract signing)
That brings the total investment to $300!
Example 2: A Micro-wedding, from 1 PM - 4 PM, a three-hour rental. There is a
$1,600 Initial Venue Rental Fee (due at contract signing)
$250 Donor membership (due at contract signing)
That brings the total investment to $1,850!
Example 3: A reception in August, from 12 PM - 12 AM, a twelve-hour rental. There is a
$7,000 Venue Rental Fee ($2,000 due at contract signing, $5,000 due 6 months prior),
$1,000 Donor membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total investment to $8,500!
Example 4: A reception in October, from 12 PM - 12 AM, a twelve-hour rental. There is a
$7000 Venue Rental Fee ($2,000 due at contract signing, $5,000 due 6 months prior),
$1,000 Donor membership (due at contract signing),
$500 Peak season Fee (March - May, September, October),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total investment to $9,000!
Example 5: An April wedding, from 12 PM - 12 AM, a twelve-hour rental. There is a
$7,500 Venue Rental Fee ($2,000 due at contract signing, $5,500 due 6 months prior),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
$500 Peak season Fee (March - May, September, October),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total investment to $9,500!
Example 6: A July wedding, from 12 PM - 12 AM, a twelve-hour rental. There is a
$7,500 Venue Rental Fee ($2,000 due at contract signing, $5,500 due 6 months prior),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total investment to $9,000!
Example 7: An April wedding with the ceremony on Bowlin Stage, a cocktail hour on the South Lawn, and the reception in Hughes Pavilion, from 12 PM - 12 AM, a twelve-hour rental. There is a
$7,500 Venue Rental fee ($2,000 due at contract signing, $5,500 due 6 months prior),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
$500 peak season fee (March - May, September, October),
$500 additional location fee (March - May, September, October),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total investment to $10,000!
Example 8: A December wedding with the ceremony on Bowlin Stage, a cocktail hour on the South Lawn, and the reception in Hughes Pavilion, from 12 PM - 12 AM, a twelve-hour rental. There is a
$7,500 Venue Rental fee ($2,000 due at contract signing, $5,500 due 6 months prior),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
$500 additional location fee (March - May, September, October),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total investment to $9,500!
PRIVATE EVENTS
Example 1: For a daytime Tues.-Thurs. rental for 4 hours, 10 AM - 2 PM, there is an
$800 rental fee ($200 an hour),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total to $2,300!
Example 2: For an evening Tues.-Thurs. rental for 4 hours, 5 PM - 9 PM, there is a
$1,700 rental fee ($425 an hour),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total to $3,200!
Example 3: For a daytime Friday rental for 4 hours, 10 AM - 2 PM, there is a
$800 rental fee ($200 an Hour),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total to $2,300!
Example 4: For an evening Friday rental for 8 hours, 3 PM - 11 PM, there is a
$3,400 rental fee ($200 an Hour from 3-5 PM and $500 an hour from 5-11 PM),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total to $4,900!
Example 5: For a daytime Saturday rental for 4 hours, 12 PM - 4 PM, there is a
$1,800 rental fee ($450 an Hour from 12-4 PM),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total to $3,300!
Example 6: For an evening Saturday rental for 8 hours, 3 PM - 11 PM, there is a
$3,900 rental fee ($450 an Hour from 3-5 PM and $500 an hour from 5-11 PM),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total to $5,400!
Example 6: For a daytime Sunday rental for 5 hours, 12 PM - 5 PM, there is a
$2,250 rental fee ($450 an Hour from 12-5 PM),
$1,000 Sustainer membership (due at contract signing),
and the $500 (refundable) damage deposit.
That brings the total to $3,750!
The Dixon’s on-site caterer will clean their areas and dispose of service-related trash (e.g., cups, plates, napkins).
Clients must remove all personal items, including leftover food, alcohol, and décor.
Vendors and rental companies are responsible for removing their items and any trash or mess from setup and breakdown (e.g., flowers, zip ties).
*The damage deposit may be withheld if terms are violated.
While the Dixon does not have a bridal suite, the Leatherman Studio is available at noon on the day of your event for the wedding party as a waiting area after photos and before the ceremony. It can also serve as a private space for the couple to enjoy a meal before the reception or as a green room for vendors, such as bands.
Wedding groups should plan to get ready off-property, but the Leatherman Studio may be used for changing, personal storage, and as a pre-ceremony waiting area.
We recommend bringing your own bottled water and snacks for your bridal party!
Please note that the Dixon is not responsible for items left in this space.
Send-offs involving tossing/scattering any item may not take place inside the Hughes.
ALLOWED: Bubbles and bubble machines, natural flower petals, and handheld items (i.e., ribbon wands, glowsticks, etc.)
PROHIBITED: Sparklers, confetti/glitter/eco-fetti, rice, bird seed, and other items that could cause harm to the gardens or wildlife, or create excessive clean-up.
Guests and rental clients may leave vehicles overnight for next-day pick-up.
The Dixon property is open to the public:
- Tuesday- Saturday, 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday, 1 pm-5 pm
The Dixon is not responsible for the safety of vehicles or any items left in vehicles or on property.
Garden Elopements and Micro-weddings require full payment at the time of booking.
For full weddings, a $3,000 deposit (Membership Fee: $1,000 and Initial Venue Rental Fee: $2,000) is due at contract signing, and final payments (remaining venue rental fee and refundable damage deposit) are due 6 months out from your date.
Payment options include cash, check, or credit card (details on the payment form). You can pay in increments, and the damage deposit may be refunded after the wedding, pending inspection with no damages or going past the contracted time.
No, but the Dixon's venue manager will assist your wedding planner with any questions regarding the venue.