This week’s Featured Venue post was written by Disneymooner Debbie. To read more about Debbie’s wedding please visit our Disneymooner Forums and read her recaps.

Ever dream of having a garden wedding in sunny Southern California?

If so, the Rose Court Garden is the perfect venue! It is located between the Adventure and Frontier towers at the Disneyland Hotel. Although the swimming area and water slide are a little behind it, the tall greenery around the garden and waterfalls behind it muffle the sound of families having fun in the pools. We didn’t hear a peep during our midday weekend wedding!

One thing I love about the Rose Court Garden is that it’s open and airy, but still private. It will work for a wedding with 25 guests or over 200! The large gazebo is the perfect backdrop for a ceremony. It’s so pretty that it doesn’t really need any decoration. Some brides opt to add some floral in their wedding colors to help tie in their overall theme. The garden itself isbeautiful all year long, whether or not the roses are in bloom. The bushes are very green and always expertly trimmed. The flowers in the bed at the back of the garden (the entrance) change seasonally but usually contain a bright pop of color. The only concern we had with this location was the possibility of rain. Fortunately Southern California doesn’t tend to have a lot of rainy days so this isn’t a huge issue unless you are planning a wedding in the winter months. Be sure to talk to your planner about backup locations just in case.

Logistically, the Rose Court Garden gazebo worked out really well for our ceremony vendors. Our harpist was able to set up on the pathway to the left of the gazebo. He was out of the way for photos but in the perfect spot for our music. And the pathway that runs around the gazebo was ideal for our photographer to run around and take pictures, but still be hidden from our guests. She got some great shots from different angles and most people didn’t even notice her!

There are several neighboring lawns nearby that are ideal for an outdoor cocktail reception. The garden is also close enough to the available reception locations that you will not have to worry about transporting guests from one location to another. Our guests loved the Cast member escorted stroll through Downtown Disney as they walked from the Rose Court Garden to our cocktail reception at the Grand Californian. (Note that if any of your guests are disabled and cannot make the walk, Disney will work with you to find a solution for them.)

I will never forget the feeling I had when my Dad walked me to the back of the garden and I got my first glimpse of all my loved ones gathered in that beautiful location. It was absolutely breathtaking. As my Dad walked me down the long aisle to my handsome prince it was just like being transported to our own special place. Talk about magical!!