about Dara’s Garden
Stepping onto the grounds of Dara’s Garden is like stepping into the pages of a storybook. Every detail of the property is designed to create an enchanting atmosphere for a truly magical wedding day.
Dara’s Garden features multiple ceremony sites to select from and a reception pavilion that comfortably seats 200 guests. The pavilion is adorned with cafe lights, an eye-catching chandelier and a dance floor. The pavilion is surrounded by season greenery and flowers and has sides that can be adjusted depending on weather. The historic home on the property includes two separate wedding suites where you will enjoy complimentary refreshments as you prepare for the day, a kitchenette, restrooms, a stone fireplace and multiple common areas. With additional rentals, Dara’s Garden can accommodate weddings of 300+ guests.
Each Dara’s Garden package includes a set inventory of tables, chairs and linens with setup and tear down. Your Dara’s Garden coordinator will happily assist you with selecting your ceremony and reception locations and determining if you have a need for additional rental items.
Dara’s Garden is conveniently located in South Knoxville only 10 minutes from McGhee Tyson Airport, 10 minutes from downtown Knoxville and approximately 30 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains.
Owner
Dara believes every couple deserves a magical wedding day! This belief led her to create Dara’s Garden as a stunning storybook setting designed to feel like your home away from home.
In her college entrepreneurship class, Dara was faced with an assignment that unexpectedly led her on a career path into the wedding industry. Her professor challenged each student to create a business plan. Although Dara was studying fashion merchandising at the time, she felt compelled to create a business plan for a wedding venue. By the end of the project, Dara knew that she was meant to be in the wedding industry.
After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2003, Dara moved home to Knoxville to search for the perfect location to bring her business plan to fruition. After much planning and preparation, Dara’s Garden opened in May of 2006.
From the beginning, Dara’s mission has been to create a space where everybody feels welcome when they walk through the doors. She wants each couple to feel like the garden is their home for the day.
Outside of the garden, you will often find Dara at any of Knoxville’s best restaurants enjoying a delicious meal or a glass of wine with her husband, Bedros. She also enjoys attending fundraisers to support local nonprofits such as the historic Tennessee Theatre.
Venue Director
Kate loves people and parties! She has a strong passion for working with people and helping them create memorable lifetime experiences. Kate started as an intern at Dara’s Garden in 2010 while attending the University of Tennessee. After graduating with a degree in service management, she joined Dara’s Garden full-time assisting couples plan all of their wedding venue details. In 2013, Kate married her now husband, Steven at Dara’s Garden!
When Kate is not spending her time helping couples create magical wedding days, she volunteers as the Children’s Coordinator at Middlesettlements Church.
Kate also owns her own business, Sweet Southern Tans. Whether you’re looking for a wedding day glow or headed off to the beach, make sure to reach out to Kate!
testimonials
Beautiful venue for various wedding themes and styles! The beauty of the gardens provides the perfect setting year-round with several options for a variety of photos. Dara and Kate are great to work with—always receptive, accommodating, and friendly. Dara went above and beyond to calm my wedding week nerves! They also have an amazing list of recommendations for vendors. Such an amazing venue!
Kate and Dara were amazing to work with and were quick to answer any questions I had. The venue is beautiful and so versatile! It was a really good value and the staff along with the coordinator they recommended took care of everything so I didn’t have to worry about anything. I live about an hour and a half from Knoxville so I was really glad the venue rental came with tables, chairs, linens, food, set up/break down, dinnerware, etc. I didn’t have to worry about finding a ton of other vendors or buying a bunch of linens in bulk that I wouldn’t know what to do with later. The food from Rothchild (their catering company) was also a crowd pleaser. My wedding went seamlessly and even though it rained we were still able to have the ceremony outside.
The most beautiful venue in October! Kate has been so great to work with. Dara’s doesn’t nickel and dime AT ALL! The bridal and groomsman suites are so nice and the indoor space downstairs is perfect for your gift table. You can even decorate the fireplace mantle to fit your style. The best part about Dara’s is you don’t need too many decorations outside because it’s already so beautiful! Can’t say enough great things about it.