The Space
The Chesapeake Arboretum is a beautiful, hidden gem wedding setting in the heart of Chesapeake, Virginia, a 51-acre nature preserve with lush gardens and scenic views ideal for couples seeking a relaxed and natural celebration. This peaceful setting promotes horticultural and environmental beauty, giving couples a genuinely serene, garden-filled backdrop. The centerpiece for weddings is the Pecan Grove Gazebo, surrounded by manicured gardens and mature shade trees, perfect for an intimate ceremony or gathering. The property also features a farmhouse dating back to the 1700s, a red barn, beautiful gardens, and three miles of walking trails through a hardwood forest, adding genuine natural character. That combination of 51 acres of gardens, a charming gazebo, and historic farm buildings makes the Chesapeake Arboretum a distinctive, natural choice. For couples who want an intimate, natural garden wedding with a charming gazebo, manicured gardens, and mature shade trees in Chesapeake, the Chesapeake Arboretum is a peaceful and affordable choice, especially for micro-weddings.
Capacity & Layout
The Chesapeake Arboretum is designed for intimate, nature-filled celebrations, with the Pecan Grove Gazebo and accompanying Pecan Grove area accommodating up to 75 people, making it ideal for micro-weddings and smaller ceremonies rather than large events. Couples exchange vows at the charming 36-foot gazebo, surrounded by manicured gardens and mature shade trees, with the gazebo offering lights, a ceiling fan, and power for added comfort and function. The use of thirty white folding chairs is included in the rental fee, giving couples a ready ceremony setup. Beyond the gazebo, the 51-acre property, with its 1700s farmhouse, red barn, beautiful gardens, and three miles of walking trails through the hardwood forest, gives couples and guests a peaceful natural setting to enjoy and beautiful spots for photos. That combination of a charming gazebo ceremony site for up to 75 guests, manicured gardens, and scenic natural grounds suits couples who want an intimate, relaxed, garden wedding in a peaceful hidden-gem setting.
Amenities
The Chesapeake Arboretum offers a genuinely peaceful, affordable natural setting maintained by the City of Chesapeake. The Pecan Grove Gazebo, a 36-foot structure with lights, a ceiling fan, and power, gives couples a charming, functional ceremony spot, and the use of thirty white folding chairs is included in the rental fee, so the core ceremony setup is handled. Rentals are also available for the Pecan Grove and the historic Farmhouse, giving couples options across the property. The 51 acres of lush gardens, mature shade trees, the 1700s farmhouse, the red barn, and three miles of hardwood-forest trails give photographers a beautiful, natural range of backdrops that need little added decor, and the peaceful, hidden-gem setting is a genuine draw for couples wanting a relaxed, natural celebration. For the entertainment, the gazebo and Pecan Grove setting give a wedding DJ a defined, open-air space to build sound and lighting into, so an intimate ceremony and celebration stay warm and lively beneath the shade trees of this natural Chesapeake setting.
Location & Getting There
The Chesapeake Arboretum sits in the heart of Chesapeake, Virginia, a 51-acre nature preserve in the Hampton Roads region, open daily from dawn to dusk. That central location is a genuine advantage, since guests coming from Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and the surrounding Hampton Roads area have an easy drive, and Norfolk International Airport is convenient for anyone flying in, while Chesapeake and nearby Virginia Beach offer abundant hotels, restaurants, and attractions for out-of-town guests. The Hampton Roads setting keeps everything convenient and easy to plan around. Yet the arboretum’s 51 acres of gardens, shade trees, and hardwood-forest trails give the property a peaceful, natural, hidden-gem feel once you arrive, a genuine escape into nature within the city. That combination of a beautiful, natural garden setting with a convenient Chesapeake location is a big part of what draws couples to the Chesapeake Arboretum.
Why Couples Book Dow Oak Here
You only get one reception at this venue, so it should be run by a team that already knows how to make a room like it work:
- We have actually performed at this venue, so we plan for its sound, layout, and flow instead of guessing on your night
- One team for your DJ and MC, photo booth, and custom lighting, on a single plan and one contract
- Backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team
- An online planning portal plus a planning call before the day
- More than 3,000 five-star reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and just $400 reserves your date
Wedding DJ FAQ
Have you performed at this venue before?
Yes. Every venue in our directory is one we have actually worked, so we already know how to set up, light, and run the room for a wedding, from ceremony sound to the last dance.
How much is a wedding DJ?
Our wedding DJ packages start at $1,500, and just $400 reserves your date. Your final price depends on add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound.
Do you provide lighting and a photo booth too?
Yes. One team handles your DJ and MC, color-matched uplighting, and a modern photo booth on a single plan.
What happens if our DJ has an emergency?
We always have trained backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team, so someone can step in seamlessly.
How do we book you?
Check your date using the form on this page. We confirm availability, send your pricing, and a $400 deposit reserves your date.
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- Backup DJs & photo booths on call 24/7
- Just $400 reserves your date
- Free setup and teardown, every time
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