Most couples invest between $22,000–$45,000 for their celebration, with the average around $37,000. This covers approximately 70% of your total wedding costs, including venue, catering with rentals and staff, plus full event coordination. We also offer Ceremony-Only and Minimony packages starting at $4,185 for more intimate celebrations.

To provide you with a more personalized quote, we need to know:

• How many guests you might have - the venue & catering are dependent on your guest count
• The date you are considering - for the venue, Fridays and Saturdays are prime dates so the rate is slightly higher than a Sunday
• They type of meal service you prefer - Catering price will vary depending on the level of service (buffet vs plated)
• The time frame - our 6.5 hour morning time frame is significantly less than the 6.5 evening time frame, or do you want less time on site like our Ceremony Only or Minimony option
• Do you have a Coordinator - our packages include a professional event coordinator, but sometimes couples have their own coordinator

Make an appointment for a private tour, or give us a call to discuss options!

The Venue | When you are on-site, you are the only event on-site.  You have the entire 3-acres of professionally landscaped grounds for photos, or for your guests to wander for the entire 6.5 hours of your rental.  Your time starts when you arrive on site for photos and ends when the music stops.  Set-up and clean up time for vendors can be done outside the 6.5 hours for NO additional charge.  To upgrade your time on-site, add $600/hour.

REHEARSAL | Rehearsals may be scheduled Monday through Thursday. Scheduling of your Rehearsal is done when the 90-day deposit is taken.

CEREMONY | White Folding chairs are provided for the ceremony.  Your ceremony is set up in amphitheater style seating, and seats up to 350 guests.  Set-up, take-down, and clean-up are included.

DRESSING ROOMS | The grounds include two unique Dressing Rooms. The "Glam Room" is a 500 square foot room includes a restroom, and lots of sitting room for the bridal party. Private and roomy enough for everyone to help you prepare for your walk down the aisle. The "Rustic Room" is a 200 square foot shipping container, converted in the most masculine ways to give you a place to hang out until the big moment arrives. Don't forget to add an empty bottle to the "mandelier".

VALET PARKING | Our valets will park your guests' cars, and let them out onto our beautiful, paved walkways leading to the gardens.

SECURITY | Our discreet guard will help pack your gifts away securely, and monitor the event, so you don't have to.  Parties over 200 guests will have two guards.

Catering | Catering is provided exclusively by Command Performance Catering.  Menus are customized for each event. Choose from a variety of menus from Champagne Brunches to Candlelight Dinners. Each one exquisitely mastered for your special day. Mix and match for the perfect meal, or meet with our caterer to create a meal as unique as you.

OUR ELEGANT COFFEE BAR | Coffee, Decaf, and Hot Water served in elegant carafes.  Includes flavorings, sugar, creamer, chocolate, and assorted teas.

BEAUTIFUL BUFFET DECORATION AND DISPLAY | With a variety of looks and themes, you can be sure to have the most elegant and appropriate decor.

SERVICE STAFF AND CATERING COORDINATOR | Our complete professional service staff will attend to the buffet and service of your guests, cut and serve your cake, pour and serve the champagne toast, and attend to your guests' comfort throughout the reception. NO CAKE CUTTING FEE.

BARTENDER & PARTIAL BAR | Professional bartender, and bar back, as needed.  Service for up to a 4 1/2-hour period. This includes: Portable bar and equipment, all cups, ice, assorted sodas, lemonade, iced tea, and purified water. We will also chill, and serve all client supplied alcohol… no corkage fees.

FULL BAR UPGRADE – Add $5.95 per person, includes all mixers, juices and garnishes in addition to the partial bar sodas, mixers: tonic water / club soda / sour mix / margarita mix/ cranberry juice / sugar cubes / simple syrup, fresh juices: lemon / lime / pineapple / orange / grapefruit, garnishes: lemons / limes / oranges / cherry's / mint / basil / salt / olives (Alcohol not included)

RENTAL EQUIPMENT | In addition to the Tables, and White Folding Chairs (for ceremony and reception) provided by Hartley's, Catering also include cloth linens and napkins (over 40 colors to choose from), china service, flatware, glassware, and display areas for your cake, place cards, and gifts & guest book. Upgraded rentals are available.

Professional Event Coordinator | We have taken the hard part out of planning by securing a professional event planner at a special rate, through Bella Dia Weddings.  Services include the following:

Planning (First Meeting) 1 Hour - Complete consultation to coordinate the ceremony and reception - Vendor recommendations - Establish a wedding day schedule

Direct Rehearsal (Second Meeting) 1 Hour - Run-through of the Ceremony with Bridal Party, and Officiate, if needed. - Accept ‘Day Items’ and alcohol and place in designated storage. - Confirm Wedding Day Itinerary

Direct Ceremony and Reception (7.5 Hours) - Arrival 2-3 hours prior to ceremony to start reception setup - Direct vendors to the proper locations, and be on hand to answer any questions - Ensure tables and place setting numbers are correct according to the provided diagram - Arrange place cards or escort cards - Place one favor at each place setting (Additional favors placed will be an additional fee; TBD) - Ensure all personal items that have been previously collected are in the designated areas - Additional hours, beyond the included 7.5, are billed at an hourly rate.

Ceremony - Coordinate the start time with the clergy and musicians for processional/recessional - Ensure Groom & Groomsmen are in their positions - Line up parents, and grandparents to be escorted in - Ensure Bride & Bridesmaids are in their positions - Organize the processional line and spacing Reception - Light any candles that need to be lit - Set up escort card table, if needed - Direct bridal party to photo area - Coordinate Grand Entrance of bridal party - Discreetly dismiss tables for dinner - Ensure timeline for the rest of the evening runs smoothly - Pack gifts, and personal items into designated vehicle

You have your own Coordinator? No problem! If an outside coordinator is used, a buyout fee applies and our Event Coordinator becomes the venue rep for your coordinator.

What makes Hartley Botanica truly special is that it was purpose-built specifically for garden weddings by the Hartley family, who have been nurturing this land since 1986. Unlike venues adapted from existing spaces, every detail here—from the vine-covered archways and hand-paved stone walkways to the towering mature trees and cascading waterfalls—was designed with romance in mind.

The 3-acre property is often called "Ventura County's Best Kept Secret," offering a hidden garden oasis feel with lush flowering gardens, twinkling lights, and that serene, intimate atmosphere that's hard to find elsewhere. Plus, being a working nursery means the horticulture expertise shows in every corner.

Not only are the natural gardens like stepping in to a magic fairytale, but we have also assembled a Dream Team of event professionals to make your planning experience stress-free. Exclusive use of the gardens means you don't have to share your space with anyone else during your time frame. You, your guests, and your photographer have free reign to explore this garden oasis.

• Privacy (exclusive use)

• Stress-free experience

• Natural beauty

• Family-run atmosphere

• All-inclusive simplicity

• Venue includes private & exclusive use of 3-acre gardens, getting ready suites, separate ceremony & reception sites, tables & chairs, valet parking, security, luxury restrooms.

• Catering includes full meal service, professional event staff, bartending, reception chairs, linens, napkins, china, glassware, flatware, all necessary kitchen and reception rentals

• Professional Event Coordinator handles all the details so you can truly enjoy your day. This includes creating your timeline, running your rehearsal, managing vendors on the wedding day, coordinating your ceremony flow (processional and recessional), and overseeing reception formalities like your grand entrance, toasts, and dances. They also assist with reception layout and seating charts, and can handle end-of-night breakdown.

Our Paliuli Gardens accommodates 75 to 350 guests, making it perfect for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations. For smaller parties of 25 to 100 guests, our Lotus Tea Garden offers a beautiful morning brunch experience from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

Keep in mind there are minimum guest count requirements: Fridays require 100 guests, Saturdays 125 guests, and Sundays 75 guests. You may have fewer guests attend, but pricing is based on these minimums.

Yes, Hartley Botanica offers a beautifully curated all-inclusive experience! Our packages bundle together venue access, catering through Command Performance Catering, full event coordination with Bella Dia Weddings, staffing, rentals, bartenders, valet, and security—all designed to work seamlessly together so you can focus on enjoying your day.

You're welcome to bring in your own vendors for things like late-night snacks, desserts, alcohol, music, photography, and florals, giving you flexibility while still having the core elements handled.

Couples choose Hartley Botanica because it was purpose-built specifically for garden weddings—not adapted from an existing space. Every element, from the vine-covered archways and cascading waterfalls to the hand-paved stone walkways, was designed with romance at its heart.

Being family-run since 1971 and a working nursery means the horticultural expertise shows in every lush corner. Couples also love the seamless, stress-free experience—our all-inclusive packages mean one team handles venue, catering, coordination, and logistics together, so nothing falls through the cracks.

Hartley Botanica is one of the few venues in Ventura County with a Conditional Use Permit to operate as a professional wedding venue. Only a few do—and it ensures your wedding is protected from unexpected shutdowns. We’re proud to be a fully permitted venue!

Hartley Botanica is located in Somis, California—a beautiful area in Ventura County. Often called "Ventura County's Best Kept Secret," our 3-acre hidden garden oasis is nestled in a fertile valley with cool ocean breezes, making it the perfect romantic backdrop for your celebration.

We are about an hour north of Los Angeles, and an hour south of Santa Barbara.

Absolutely! Being new to wedding planning, you have probably never planned a wedding before. How do you know who is good? Our favorite people are the ones on our Preferred Vendor List, accessible through your Client Portal once you are booked. We have seen many vendors pass through our location, and do not include anyone I do not believe to be the very best.

A typical wedding day timeline at Hartley Botanica spans 6.5 hours starting an hour prior to the ceremony (when Bridal Party arrives) until the time the music stops. Most couples have guests arrive for the ceremony, followed by cocktail hour while the space transitions, then dinner and dancing. Your coordinator from Bella Dia Weddings will create a detailed timeline with you about 3-4 months before your wedding, mapping out everything from vendor arrivals to your grand exit.

The flow usually includes your ceremony, cocktail hour with passed appetizers, dinner service, toasts, first dances, cake cutting, and open dancing—all paced to feel relaxed rather than rushed. Of course, this is YOUR day, and you decide how you want it to unfold, but we will help you create your timeline and keep in within your contractual obligations.

You can add overtime to your day to extend the fun! Alternatively, you can buy out the entire morning timeframe for a discounted rate if you'd like to arrive earlier.

This covers overtime for all valets, catering staff, and other personnel so everything runs smoothly for your extended celebration.

We book a year to a year and a half in advance. Some months are more popular than others and therefore book faster. As with any vendor, as soon as you find someone, or something that you ABSOLUTELY want for your wedding… BOOK IT. Chances are, if it’s that good, someone else will want it too.

As soon as you know what date you want to book – let us know! Dates go FAST, so we can place a soft hold on a date if we know you’re interested. To clarify, a soft hold allows us to temporarily note your interest in a specific date without a formal agreement or payment. While we do our best to inform you of any changes, we’re unable to reserve that date exclusively unless it’s formally booked through a signed contract and deposit. TO FIRMLY RESERVE YOUR DATE WE NEED: 1. SIGNED CONTRACTS 2. PALIULI GARDENS - $7,500 deposit 3. COMMAND PERFORMANCE CATERING - $3,000 deposit 4. BELLA DIA WEDDINGS - Full payment Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, cashier’s check; however, we regret to inform you that credit cards are not accepted. We can arrange either an in-person meeting to review the contracts and submit deposits (limited dates & times https://calendly.com/bel-hartleybotanica/we-said-yes-to-the-venue), or a scheduled phone call to discuss & sign electronically.

Because we are limited to the number of events we can host per year, cancellations effect the income of our small business, so deposits are nonrefundable. If you are sure you want a date, book it. But if you may need to change, or cancel, you had better wait on it.

Yes, Command Performance specializes in all types of cuisine, so if you don’t see what you like, just ask.

Many upgrades are also available within the rentals. We can provide any additional rentals that a rental company can provide, and more. Umbrellas, heaters, head table, sweetheart table, canopies, etc. We have it all.

Contact Pablo at Command Performance at (805) 523-3232.

For Paliuli Gardens, we are able to do a party for 100-guests on a Saturday. But, there is a minimum of 125-guests on a Saturday, so you would still be paying for 125, even if you have 100 guests. We can be more flexible with minimums depending on the date of the event.

For The Lotus Tea Garden, there is always a minimum of 25 Guests. Our Minimony Package also allows for a lower guest count.

Command Performance is our exclusive caterer. They have sub-contracted with other caterers to provide clients with specialized menus, such as Kosher, or other ethnic cuisine. Talk to Pablo about our catering buyout option that allows you to provide food through your preferred caterer but still have everything else Command Performance Catering provides.

Our per person investment for catering includes A LOT of things: food, rentals, 4 or 4 1/2 hours of non-alcoholic beverage service, and all of the catering staff, servers and bartenders, cake cutting, and the chilling and serving of your alcohol). Catering does all of your reception set-up, clean-up, and breakdown with trash removal, and cleaning of the rental items. With a catering buyout, they will remove food costs but include everything else listed here.

 

As a general rule, there will be one staff member per 20 guests for a buffet, and one staff member per 15 guests for a served menu. Also your bartender and catering coordinator are on-staff to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Chef Maya brings 25 years of high-end experience, including working in Hawaii with celebrity chef Peter Merriman and catering events for the Recording Academy and Former First Lady Nancy Reagan. Her Pacific Rim-inspired menus have earned awards and top press features, and she now brings that same culinary artistry to every Hartley Botanica wedding.

Don’t settle for ordinary—treat yourself and your guests to a private event that dazzles their imagination and palate.

“The food was absolutely kick-ass. We were so impressed with the number of choices, the quality, and flavor for all the food. We had lots of guests tell us they wished it was the food they could have had at their wedding or say it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding.”
-Kieran & Amy P., Walnut Creek, Calif.

We always supply double the amount of chairs needed. We don’t want your guests waiting for a seat, or have staff moving chairs in the background of your photographs. It’s just too awkward.

Yes, you can do this with upgraded rental chairs. If you have less than 200 guests, and we can host the cocktail hour in an area other than the reception area (Lotus Tea Garden), we may be able to move chairs from the ceremony to the reception. It requires additional staff, so contact Pablo with catering regarding costs.

No. Rice and birdseed sprout. They are VERY difficult to cleanup. Same goes for confetti.

Any type/color of flower petals are acceptable, or bubbles.

Yes, we schedule ceremonies only for any 3 hours between 11am and 2pm. Included is valet parking for your guests, the set-up and take-down of chairs for the ceremony, and a ceremony coordinator to help get you down the aisle. Email Barbara for more information.

Rude! Refer back to your Miss Manner’s Guide to Wedding Etiquette. No.

Generally, for a Buffet, a separate bar is set up across from the catering bar, in front of the reception area’s center landscaped area. For Seated, the beverage service and coffee buffet are both on the 60′ service bar. This configuration depends on the size of the party, and what you design with catering.

Anywhere and everywhere. I believe I’ve seen it all. In general, a Head Table is set up next to the band stand. Sweetheart tables can go anywhere.

The concrete dance floor is deceptively small. For parties under 150 guests, the dance floor we have is adequate.

Dance floors can be brought in. Contact Pablo at Command Performance Catering for pricing on the dance floor rental for your size party.

This depends on the size of your party, and how much lighting you want. With the average party being 150 guests, you will not need additional lighting. With larger parties, it’s a good idea. Additional lighting can be included in you package for a very reasonable price.

No. Confetti and streamers are almost impossible to get out of the lawn and planters. Damage like this comes out of the security deposit.

Sparklers, when they burn and spark, burn table linens, and melt the chairs, therefore are not allowed in the reception area. However they do make for a grand exit, and can be used down the driveway.

Cold sparklers can be used in the Reception area.

Absolutely. Candles are a romantic touch, at night. We only ask that they be enclosed in a votive, or hurricane cover. No tapers.

Yes, our permit allows us to have amplified music until Midnight.

If the location is occupied past the six and one half-hour period, there will be an additional hourly fee of $600 per hour. If the catering staff, and or beverage service is utilized past 4 1/2 hours, there will be an overtime charge depending on the size of your party and number of catering staff. These charges cover the cost of overtime for all valets, catering staff, and other personnel.

Of course! It’s included in the price. The rehearsal is scheduled one your 90-day payment is made to the venue.

Because our permit from the county is only for weekends, we cannot host the dinner on-site during the week. Ask us for a list of recommended restaurants!

The Rehearsal is scheduled after you pay your 90-day payment. That way we can schedule it, so it won’t conflict with other events that are booked. Your event coordinator (included in the price) will schedule your rehearsal with you.

Rehearsals are scheduled Monday through Thursday, or on Friday or Saturday depending on events scheduled.

We don’t have an excessive problem with bugs in the gardens. There would be no way to keep a small outside area bug-free. And, most of the bugs in our garden are beneficial to its ecological system. REMEMBER… It is a garden, you are outside, be realistic.

Our rental company has the entire area measured for tenting. They can get us a quote very quickly and usually give us priority on tenting. We can order tenting up to 5 days prior to the event.

Bathrooms are at the front of the garden where the valets take your guests’ cars, in the Glam Room, and in the reception. We have enough restrooms to accommodate a 600-guest party (but emotionally, we can only handle a 375-guest party).

As long as the hours are available, you can add overtime hours to arrive earlier or stay later. Overtime for the location is $600 per hour, OR you can buyout the entire morning time frame for a discounted rate.

The Lotus Tea Garden can be available for the evening timeframe if it is being booked 90 days in advance and the evening timeframe is still available.

The Paliuli Garden can be scheduled for either a morning or evening timeframe.

Valets dress in uniform. Blue button-down shirts, and black pants. If you would like them to dress in alternative attire, it must be provided for them.

Valet parking is required. People generally come dressed up for a wedding, and it is too much of a liability, let alone an inconvenience to your guests, to have them walk through a gravel parking lot in high heels. Also, being a nursery, there is a lot of above ground irrigation. It is very easy for someone, not familiar with the grounds, to damage water pipes and channels.

First Payments are paid when you book your date.

Next payment due is 90-days prior, this is the balance to the Venue (based on an estimated guest count).

Two weeks prior, after your final guest count: you will pay the balance to the Catering, and any adjustments due to the Venue.

At 10 days prior to your date, you should know how many people are coming to your wedding. Invitations should be sent out one to two months prior, with an RSVP due two weeks before your date. This allows enough time for you to contact those who have not yet replied. If we don’t have a final count by 10-days before the event, we use the most recent count we have (the 60-day count). If payment is not made at 7-days prior to the event, there is a 1% late penalty fee.

If any payment is late, there will be a 1% late penalty fee.

We take any form of payment except for credit cards. We cannot swipe a credit card. Personal checks are fine.

Yes. Our insurance cover general liability for the property (i.e. someone trips and falls on the grounds). But it does not cover if, for example, a guest gets drunk at your party, gets in their car, and causes and accident. Additional insurance protects you and us.

The best way to obtain this type of insurance is through a wedding insurance policy. Ask us for more information.

We work with a few local insurance agencies, who know what you need, and the most cost-effective way to get it. We highly recommend EventHelper.com, but you can also use WedSafe, or other insurance products. The cost of this policy typically runs about $185 for the average event.

If we do not receive your proof of insurance, your event can not take place. No special circumstances accepted.

While not required by the venue, it's a good idea to hire vendors who carry their own insurance. This helps you vet the professionals. A newbie, or fly-by-night, hobby vendor probably doesn't have insurance, and it's a big red flag.

Yes. We do not include any alcohol in the packages, because every party varies so greatly in what they want to do. If you would like alcohol included, that can also be arranged. Alcohol must be received by the catering staff at least 2 hours prior to being served, so it can be properly chilled. Please, don’t bring boxed wine. We have no refrigeration units, only ice. We cannot properly chill boxes of wine… plus it’s gross.

Uncorking, chilling and serving alcohol is all included. No corkage fees!

Not with the location or catering. There are no additional fees associated with having alcohol at your event. Your insurance company may charge a little more for the policy, but that’s about all I can think of.

Yes, the venue offers up to $1,000 OFF if you book a bar package through Brick & Brass Bar. This is Command Performance's sister company, and they have many levels of alcohol service to suit any budget.

Yes, for any vendors staying through the reception: Photographers, Videographers, Photo Booth, or DJ/Band. Vendors are charged at the Kid’s Price.

At two weeks prior to your date, you should know how many people are coming to your wedding. Invitations should be sent out one to two months prior, with an RSVP due two weeks before your date. This allows enough time for you to contact those who have not yet replied. If we don’t have a final count by 2-weeks before the event, we use the most recent count we have (the 90-day count). If payment is not made at 7-days prior to the event, there is a 1% late penalty fee, and your event may be considered cancelled by you.

Please e-mail your question to us at barbara@hartleybotanica.com. We will e-mail you back, and you may see your question and answer on these pages later! Thanks for your help.