Kalamazoo Nature Center Reviews

Reviews

• 
  User2668696 Sent on 06/30/2016
  4.9 out of 5 rating

  4.9
  • Quality of service
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Average response time
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Flexibility
    4.5 out of 5 rating
    4.5

  This was a terrific location for our outdoor ceremony. We booked the hummingbird garden and it was a perfect size for our ~100 guests. The Kzoo Nature Center has a lot to offer and if you get a chance to walk around while you're there, you should! Our changing rooms were right by the bird rehabilitation area and many of the exhibits. The grooms room was a small office, but the "bridal suite" was a large conference room looking out into the woods and bird feeders with many birds and squirrels running around. It's a nice place to gather yourself before walking/driving the short ways to the ceremony site. They were pretty strict about having nothing stuck into the ground or stuck/nailed to any of the structures, but this was 100% understandable. Just keep it in mind when planning the decorations. The hummingbird garden was secluded and beautiful for the wedding. There were just enough benches in the shade near the back for the older guests since it was hot that day. The price was extremely reasonable- 500 to book with a 500 down payment that you get back if you don't trash anything. We worked with Rose who responded quickly and was helpful when needed. Would definitely recommend if you're into the idea of an outdoor ceremony and want a more laid back location. Plus your funding a local nature center!

  This was a terrific location for our outdoor ceremony. We booked the hummingbird garden and it was a perfect size for our ~100 guests. The Kzoo Nature Center has a lot to offer and if you get a chance to walk around while you're there, you should! Our changing rooms were right by the bird rehabilitation area and many of the exhibits. The grooms room was a small office, but the "bridal suite" was a large conference room looking out into the woods and bird feeders with many birds and squirrels running around. It's a nice place to gather yourself before walking/driving the short ways to the ceremony site. They were pretty strict about having nothing stuck into the ground or stuck/nailed to any of the structures, but this was 100% understandable. Just keep it in mind when planning the decorations. The hummingbird garden was secluded and beautiful for the wedding. There were just enough benches in the shade near the back for the older guests since it was hot that day. The price was extremely reasonable- 500 to book with a 500 down payment that you get back if you don't trash anything. We worked with Rose who responded quickly and was helpful when needed. Would definitely recommend if you're into the idea of an outdoor ceremony and want a more laid back location. Plus your funding a local nature center!
• Carly Sent on 10/23/2012
  4.8 out of 5 rating

  4.8
  • Quality of service
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Average response time
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Professionalism
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Flexibility
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  "God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars." ~ Unknown Author
  
  My husband and I knew from the moment we started planning, that we wanted to have an outdoor, non-religious ceremony. Being a Kalamazoo native, I pushed for the Kalamazoo Nature Center and upon my husband's first visit there, he, too, was convinced that this was the spot for us. In coordination with the KNC's Event Coordinator, Rose Norwood, we booked the Hummingbird/Butterfly Garden for our ceremony as well as the Timber Wood Barn for our reception. Along the way, Rose was helpful, courteous, and responsive to all of our questions and needs. She even helped arrange for us to make use of the small fire pit located just beside the barn ("S'more love to you!" were our wedding favors). The only unfortunate part of our outdoor wedding was that we could reserve and book everything but the weather, and we got rain (and hail) just 20 minutes before the ceremony was set to take place. Our guests were resilient, however, and the ceremony continued with smiles and loving spirits inside the barn (just by moving a few tables and chairs around to make it all happen--and many said that the atmosphere was still stunning.
  
  Perhaps the one consideration a future bride should have when booking with KNC is that you are on your own for bringing in the appropriate logistics to make our day happen--caterer, DJ, tables, chairs, lighting, etc. We worked with a wedding planner and experienced catering team to make this all happen, but for those who think that the KNC is a budget-friendly, easy option, there are and will be a lot of hidden costs depending on your needs/wants.

  "God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars." ~ Unknown Author
  
  My husband and I knew from the moment we started planning, that we wanted to have an outdoor, non-religious ceremony. Being a Kalamazoo native, I pushed for the Kalamazoo Nature Center and upon my husband's first visit there, he, too, was convinced that this was the spot for us. In coordination with the KNC's Event Coordinator, Rose Norwood, we booked the Hummingbird/Butterfly Garden for our ceremony as well as the Timber Wood Barn for our reception. Along the way, Rose was helpful, courteous, and responsive to all of our questions and needs. She even helped arrange for us to make use of the small fire pit located just beside the barn ("S'more love to you!" were our wedding favors). The only unfortunate part of our outdoor wedding was that we could reserve and book everything but the weather, and we got rain (and hail) just 20 minutes before the ceremony was set to take place. Our guests were resilient, however, and the ceremony continued with smiles and loving spirits inside the barn (just by moving a few tables and chairs around to make it all happen--and many said that the atmosphere was still stunning.
  
  Perhaps the one consideration a future bride should have when booking with KNC is that you are on your own for bringing in the appropriate logistics to make our day happen--caterer, DJ, tables, chairs, lighting, etc. We worked with a wedding planner and experienced catering team to make this all happen, but for those who think that the KNC is a budget-friendly, easy option, there are and will be a lot of hidden costs depending on your needs/wants.
• Samantha Sent on 11/04/2018
  4.6 out of 5 rating

  4.6
  • Quality of service
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Average response time
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Professionalism
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Flexibility
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0

  Loved having our wedding at Kalamazoo NC!

  The Nature Center grounds was picture perfect for our wedding. Even though it was over our budget, we liked that the money went to support the Nature Center, a non-profit. Rose was very responsive and good to work with. She loves sustainability and so do we! She was fairly flexible with times. I wish we could have had longer to set up the space however. We ended up renting the venue for an hour longer. We also were able to borrow some things from Rose for décor which was a pleasant surprise. Cant wait to get our pictures back but the grounds were so beautiful in the late summer/early fall. The guests loved being at the Nature Center too. Super accessible with the amphitheater for the ceremony and barn space for the reception. I would definitely recommend to brides and grooms considering the space!

  The Nature Center grounds was picture perfect for our wedding. Even though it was over our budget, we liked that the money went to support the Nature Center, a non-profit. Rose was very responsive and good to work with. She loves sustainability and so do we! She was fairly flexible with times. I wish we could have had longer to set up the space however. We ended up renting the venue for an hour longer. We also were able to borrow some things from Rose for décor which was a pleasant surprise. Cant wait to get our pictures back but the grounds were so beautiful in the late summer/early fall. The guests loved being at the Nature Center too. Super accessible with the amphitheater for the ceremony and barn space for the reception. I would definitely recommend to brides and grooms considering the space!
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• Bethany Sent on 08/25/2015
  4.4 out of 5 rating

  4.4
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    5.0
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Flexibility
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0

  We had our ceremony in the hummingbird-butterfly garden and it was beautiful. Everything went well with access, and Rose was a pleasure to work with.

  We had our ceremony in the hummingbird-butterfly garden and it was beautiful. Everything went well with access, and Rose was a pleasure to work with.