Hardeman's Secret Garden
Raw space venue
The venue will provide just the space. You’ll bring in your own caterer and vendors.
Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing
Starting at $9,350
Guest capacity
Up to 300 seated guests
About this venue
Jeff Hardeman, the owner of Hardeman Landscape Nursery, is the visionary behind the Secret Garden. His extensive travels have significantly influenced his designs, and the Secret Garden is a perfect example of this inspiration. Each area of the garden exudes an exotic yet natural ambiance, expertly balancing adventurous elements with modern appeal. Additionally, the Secret Garden features an educational section, earning it recognition as an Agri-Tourism location in Florida. This garden represents the culmination of Hardeman’s life and work, designed to educate, provide enjoyment for visitors, and serve as a testament to his vision of what the world can offer to our senses.
Our event spaces
The Amphitheater
Nestled at the main entrance of the garden, our beautiful amphitheater features a spacious artificial turf area ideal for various events.
This versatile space is perfect for a variety of special occasions, from enchanting wedding ceremonies to lively cocktail parties and intimate mini concerts. It offers numerous photo opportunities, whether you prefer the semi-circle tiered concrete steps of the amphitheater or the stunning backdrop of lush greenery and the estate's timeless beauty.
Guest capacity
50-300 Seated
100-300 Standing
Square footage
6,760
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Welcome party, Cocktail hour
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
Included in this room:
- Customizable ambient lighting installed under the steps - A set of 16 complementary floral baskets
The Estate Lawn
The Front Lawn features lush artificial turf surrounded by beautifully manicured landscaping and framed by the elegant Estate.
The Front Lawn serves as an inviting gathering area for guests, providing a warm welcome and a perfect spot for socializing before or after events. Surrounded by lush landscaping and the estate's majestic backdrop, it offers a welcoming environment for connection.
Guest capacity
30-100 Seated
100-200 Standing
Square footage
5,500
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Other, Cocktail hour
Guests often feel this space is
“Surprised and delighted”
The Tropical Garden
A stunning 12-foot waterfall cascades into an inviting 8-foot-by-16-foot Koi fish pond below, creating an enchanting ambiance that draws you in.
The main purpose of the Tropical Garden is to take visitors on a journey to a lush and vibrant tropical paradise, offering an immersive experience that showcases the beauty and diversity of tropical plants. It can also be transformed into a bar or food station.
Square footage
711
Ideal for
Wedding reception, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Relaxed”
The Formal Garden
The Raised Garden, located south of the Orchid House, features a striking Roman Cross design and offers an elevated view of the garden's beauty.
The Raised Garden offers visitors an elevated viewpoint to appreciate the surrounding beauty. It serves as a tranquil space for relaxation and contemplation, featuring a diverse array of plants arranged in planters. The distinctive Roman Cross design enhances its visual appeal, creating a serene oasis within the larger garden grounds.
Square footage
1,180
Ideal for
Other, Cocktail hour
Guests often feel this space is
“Relaxed”
The Asian Garden
A tranquil and meditative space reflecting the aesthetics of traditional East Asian landscapes.
Discover a hidden gem: a picturesque 10'x30' open-air pavilion shaded by a magnificent oak tree. Its entrance features a meticulously carved antique keyhole design, welcoming you into a world of enchantment. Beneath the pavilion's elegantly designed steep gabled roof, you'll find an ideal setting for gatherings and events that effortlessly blend nature's beauty with architectural elegance.
Square footage
290
Ideal for
Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
The Succulent Garden
The cozy garden features a charming fireplace, perfect for gathering with drinks and conversation.
The succulent garden is located at the east end of the orchid house and features a working fireplace for evening enjoyment. This area also includes a paved walkway leading to a set of rustic doors, perfect for great photo opportunities.
Square footage
570
Ideal for
Other
The Orchid House
A breathtaking space to explore
The Orchid House is the central facility, featuring a European-engineered greenhouse that measures 50 feet by 120 feet and stands 20 feet tall. It has a retractable roof and walls for versatility. On the eastern side, there is a 12-foot-high brick and masonry block wall designed to showcase floral pots, creating an attractive backdrop. In the center of this wall is a raised stage, flanked by coral boulders, which can be utilized for bands, speakers, tables, and various activities.
Guest capacity
Up to 300 Seated
Up to 300 Standing
Square footage
7,380
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Engagement party, After party, Couples luncheon, Other, Fun and festive, Luxurious and chic
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
Included in this room:
The flooring features high-quality, short-nap artificial turf. This space includes market lighting and additional illumination throughout the garden, along with optional air conditioning.
The Amphitheater
Nestled at the main entrance of the garden, our beautiful amphitheater features a spacious artificial turf area ideal for various events.
This versatile space is perfect for a variety of special occasions, from enchanting wedding ceremonies to lively cocktail parties and intimate mini concerts. It offers numerous photo opportunities, whether you prefer the semi-circle tiered concrete steps of the amphitheater or the stunning backdrop of lush greenery and the estate's timeless beauty.
Guest capacity
50-300 Seated
100-300 Standing
Square footage
6,760
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Welcome party, Cocktail hour
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
Included in this room:
- Customizable ambient lighting installed under the steps - A set of 16 complementary floral baskets
The Estate Lawn
The Front Lawn features lush artificial turf surrounded by beautifully manicured landscaping and framed by the elegant Estate.
The Front Lawn serves as an inviting gathering area for guests, providing a warm welcome and a perfect spot for socializing before or after events. Surrounded by lush landscaping and the estate's majestic backdrop, it offers a welcoming environment for connection.
Guest capacity
30-100 Seated
100-200 Standing
Square footage
5,500
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Other, Cocktail hour
Guests often feel this space is
“Surprised and delighted”
The Tropical Garden
A stunning 12-foot waterfall cascades into an inviting 8-foot-by-16-foot Koi fish pond below, creating an enchanting ambiance that draws you in.
The main purpose of the Tropical Garden is to take visitors on a journey to a lush and vibrant tropical paradise, offering an immersive experience that showcases the beauty and diversity of tropical plants. It can also be transformed into a bar or food station.
Square footage
711
Ideal for
Wedding reception, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Relaxed”
The Formal Garden
The Raised Garden, located south of the Orchid House, features a striking Roman Cross design and offers an elevated view of the garden's beauty.
The Raised Garden offers visitors an elevated viewpoint to appreciate the surrounding beauty. It serves as a tranquil space for relaxation and contemplation, featuring a diverse array of plants arranged in planters. The distinctive Roman Cross design enhances its visual appeal, creating a serene oasis within the larger garden grounds.
Square footage
1,180
Ideal for
Other, Cocktail hour
Guests often feel this space is
“Relaxed”
The Asian Garden
A tranquil and meditative space reflecting the aesthetics of traditional East Asian landscapes.
Discover a hidden gem: a picturesque 10'x30' open-air pavilion shaded by a magnificent oak tree. Its entrance features a meticulously carved antique keyhole design, welcoming you into a world of enchantment. Beneath the pavilion's elegantly designed steep gabled roof, you'll find an ideal setting for gatherings and events that effortlessly blend nature's beauty with architectural elegance.
Square footage
290
Ideal for
Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
The Succulent Garden
The cozy garden features a charming fireplace, perfect for gathering with drinks and conversation.
The succulent garden is located at the east end of the orchid house and features a working fireplace for evening enjoyment. This area also includes a paved walkway leading to a set of rustic doors, perfect for great photo opportunities.
Square footage
570
Ideal for
Other
The Orchid House
A breathtaking space to explore
The Orchid House is the central facility, featuring a European-engineered greenhouse that measures 50 feet by 120 feet and stands 20 feet tall. It has a retractable roof and walls for versatility. On the eastern side, there is a 12-foot-high brick and masonry block wall designed to showcase floral pots, creating an attractive backdrop. In the center of this wall is a raised stage, flanked by coral boulders, which can be utilized for bands, speakers, tables, and various activities.
Guest capacity
Up to 300 Seated
Up to 300 Standing
Square footage
7,380
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Engagement party, After party, Couples luncheon, Other, Fun and festive, Luxurious and chic
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
Included in this room:
The flooring features high-quality, short-nap artificial turf. This space includes market lighting and additional illumination throughout the garden, along with optional air conditioning.
Available services that can be provided by Hardeman's Secret Garden
Services & amenities
- Liability insurance
- Service staff
- Wheelchair accessible
- Wifi
Transportation & access
- Self parking - free
- Shuttle
- Wheelchair accessible
Explore other vendors serving Dover, FL
- Michelle Lippert Photography, LLC
- Olker Wedding Photo
- Aniledis bridal hair
- Cayleigh Ely Photography
- KerrativeMedia
- Wild Eyed Photography
- DJ Elixr
- Chiola Films
- Events by Marykate
- DJ - A Better DJ And Photographer Nationwide
- Day of Enchantment Events
- Casey Mote Photography
Complete your dream team
- Dover Photographers
- Dover Beauty Professionals
- Dover Bands & DJs
- Dover Florists
- Dover Caterers
- Dover Planners
- Dover Cakes & Desserts
- Dover Videographers
- Dover Bar Services & Beverages
- Dover Officiants
- Dover Event Extras
Other venues in Dover
- Wishing Well Barn
- Madison Barn Venue
- The Tampa Club
- The Orlo House
- Tabellas at Delaney Creek
- Ever After Farms Flower
- Highway Ranch Weddings & Events
- The CURRENT Hotel, Autograph Collection
- Team House Tampa
- Tampa Palms Country Club
- TPepin's Hospitality Centre
- Creekside Events Center
Other wedding services nearby
- Plant City, FL Wedding Bands & DJs
- Lutz, FL Wedding Photographers
- Riverview, FL Wedding Videographers
- Lutz, FL Wedding Florists
- Plant City, FL Wedding Videographers
- Brandon, FL Wedding Photographers
- Valrico, FL Wedding Cakes & Desserts
- Plant City, FL Wedding Florists
- Temple Terrace, FL Wedding Florists
- Riverview, FL Wedding Bands & DJs
- Plant City, FL Wedding Event Extras
- Tampa, FL Wedding Beauty Professionals