Business Details
20 Years
experience
Your Storybook Wedding Venue in Knoxville, TN
At Dara's Garden, we believe every couple deserves a magical wedding day that feels like a cherished storybook moment. Established in 2006 by owner Dara Bozdogan, our venue was born from a passion for creating welcoming spaces where couples and their guests can celebrate love in an enchanting, home-like atmosphere. Our 20-acre property in historic South Knoxville features meticulously designed ceremony sites, a reception pavilion for up to 200 guests, and two private suites for wedding preparations. With over 15 years of experience in the wedding industry, we specialize in crafting personalized experiences that reflect each couple's unique vision.Our team, led by Venue Director Kate Keylon and Venue Concierge Amber Edgar, brings expertise in event coordination, vendor partnerships, and seamless execution. Located just 10 minutes from downtown Knoxville and McGhee Tyson Airport, our venue combines convenience with timeless beauty. We are committed to transparency, offering inclusive packages with setup and breakdown services, while maintaining a strong focus on client satisfaction through responsive communication and attention to detail. Our partnerships with Rothchild Catering and Event Rentals by Rothchild ensure comprehensive support for every aspect of your special day.
Services
Wedding Venue Rental
Elopement Packages
Catering Services
Event Rentals
Coordination Services
Venue Tours
Micro Weddings
Daytime Discounts
Rehearsal Access
Parking Facilities
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- Owner Dara Bozdogan has specialized in wedding venue operations since 2006
- Exclusive catering partnership with Rothchild Catering ensures quality service
- Flexible packages accommodate weddings from 30 to 300+ guests
- Conveniently located 10 minutes from downtown Knoxville and airport
- Inclusive packages feature setup/tear down and 12-hour venue access
What people say
Most beautiful venue
Helpful and responsive
Perfect day
Stress-free
Magical atmosphere
Services
Wedding Venue Rental
Dara's Garden offers exclusive access to our 20-acre storybook property for weddings of all sizes. The venue includes multiple ceremony sites, a reception pavilion with lighting and dance floor, private preparation suites, and seasonal floral displays. Packages provide 10-12 hours of access with setup/tear down services included.
Elopement Packages
Our elopement packages provide private use of the entire garden grounds for couples seeking intimate celebrations. Features include two private suites, customizable ceremony locations, guest seating, and a custom guestbook. Available Monday-Thursday with bookings starting 60 days in advance.
Catering Services
Rothchild Catering, our exclusive catering partner, creates customized menus for wedding receptions. They offer tastings, menu planning, and on-site service coordination to ensure delicious meals that match each couple's preferences and dietary needs.
Event Rentals
Event Rentals by Rothchild provides additional tables, chairs, linens, and specialty items for weddings exceeding package inclusions. We also approve third-party rental companies for unique decor needs like specialty linens and furniture.
Coordination Services
Our coordinators assist with venue setup, vendor communication, and timeline management. A $350 credit is available for couples booking professional planning services, ensuring seamless execution of their vision from initial consultation to final details.
People
Dara AYN Bozdogan
Owner
Founder of Dara's Garden since 2006, Dara transitioned from fashion merchandising to wedding venue ownership after a college project. She focuses on creating welcoming spaces and maintaining Knoxville community connections through nonprofit support.
Kate Keylon
Venue Director
Joining Dara's Garden in 2010, Kate specializes in personalized wedding coordination. A University of Tennessee graduate, she brings 13 years of event management experience and owns Sweet Southern Tans, a local tanning business.
Amber Edgar
Venue Concierge
Amber joined Dara's Garden in 2023 after working in catering and studying Animal Science. She focuses on guest experience coordination, combining relationship-building skills with event expertise to ensure magical wedding days.
Questions
What wedding package options are available?
We offer Fairytale (12-hour access for larger weddings) and Intimate (up to 60 guests) packages. Both include setup/tear down, private suites, and ceremony/reception spaces with 15% discounts available for daytime events.
Can we use outside vendors?
Our exclusive catering partner is Rothchild Catering, but we welcome most specialty rental companies. Please consult your coordinator to confirm approval for third-party vendors like The White Table or Anderson Party Rentals.
What is included in the venue rental?
Packages include tables, chairs, linens, setup/tear down, private preparation suites, twinkle-lit trees, seasonal flowers, and a dedicated on-site representative during your event hours.
How far in advance should we book?
Elopements require 60 days notice, micro weddings need 6 months, while larger events should book by the second weekend of November for peak season availability. March bookings require daytime reservations.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
Our reception pavilion has adjustable sides for weather protection. Micro-receptions can move to the fireplace room in the historic home, and we provide contingency planning during your pre-event consultations.
