Renting A Japanese Tea Garden For Your Wedding

Japanese gardens are known for their simplicity, naturalness, and distinctiveness, and they make for a beautiful, unique, and peaceful wedding venue. There are several Japanese gardens that can be rented for weddings across the United States, including in San Antonio, Texas, Pasadena, California, and San Jose, California. These gardens offer a variety of ceremony spaces, reception options, and stunning backdrops for wedding photos. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden in Long Beach, CA, the Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego, CA, and the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena are also popular wedding venues.

Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio, Texas

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio, Texas, is a serene and gorgeous location steeped in over a century of history. Originally a limestone rock quarry, it was transformed into a beautiful garden space with walkways, stone arch bridges, an island, and a waterfall. The garden is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a Texas Civil Engineering Landmark and a Registered Texas Historic Landmark.

The Tea Garden offers a tranquil escape from the city, with its lush floral displays, shaded walkways, and tranquil ponds filled with koi fish. It is a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike and is a popular location for wedding ceremonies and proposals. The pavilion and upper garden can accommodate private events with up to 300 guests, while the garden also offers three intimate ceremony spaces: the Pavilion (maximum 50 guests), the Waterfall (maximum 10 guests), and the Lower Garden (maximum 15 guests).

The Japanese Tea Garden is located in Brackenridge Park, next to the San Antonio Zoo, and is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm, with free admission. The garden is dog-friendly, and leashed pets are welcome. The upper garden and pavilion areas, as well as the Jingu House restaurant, are accessible by ramp, while the lower garden is accessible only by stairs.

For those looking to explore the area, the garden is within walking distance of Brackenridge Park, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, and the Witte Museum and San Antonio Museum of Art. Nearby accommodation options include Candlewood Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and Hotel Emma.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, Long Beach, CA

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden in Long Beach, California, is a picturesque venue for weddings, receptions, and photo sessions. Located on the campus of California State University, the garden spans 1.3 acres and was designed by landscape architect Ed Lovell, who drew inspiration from the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo. The garden features a koi pond, a bridge, waterfalls, Japanese maples, black pines, and a Tea House.

For weddings, the garden offers a unique and intimate setting with seating for up to 200 guests during the ceremony. The garden can accommodate up to 160 guests for an outdoor reception. The rental fee includes parking, a sound system, a coordinator, and staff for setup and breakdown. The garden also provides white garden resin chairs, a guest book table, a bridal cabana, ivory umbrellas, decorative lighting, and a one-hour rehearsal.

There are two approved caterers to choose from: Jay's Catering and Choura's. Jay's Catering offers various dining options, including a buffet, small plate station, and plated service, with prices ranging from $4 to $68 per person. The garden also offers a bridal "cabana" and a 1200-square-foot tent with an adjacent patio for dancing or more intimate gatherings.

The garden is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and reservations are required to visit as it is frequently closed for private events. The garden's natural beauty, with its sparkling waterfalls, shimmering koi pond, and graceful bridge, provides a romantic backdrop for wedding ceremonies.

Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego, CA

The Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego, California, is a hidden gem in the heart of the city's historic Balboa Park. This unique and intimate venue is perfect for weddings, offering a blend of beauty, tranquility, and romance. Surrounded by lush trees and tall bamboo, the garden provides a zen-like setting with a range of features that will make your big day memorable.

The garden has two on-site venues—the Upper Garden and the Lower Garden—each with its own distinct character and amenities. The Upper Garden features a koi pond, a moon-viewing deck, the Charles C. Dail Memorial Gate, and an open-air reception plaza. It can accommodate up to 200 guests and offers a beautiful setting for ceremonies and cocktail receptions. The Lower Garden, on the other hand, is an elegant and modern space, boasting the Inamori Pavilion, an indoor area with an outdoor feel, a courtyard, and an Earth Bridge. This space can also accommodate up to 200 guests and is ideal for larger ceremonies and receptions.

The rental fee for the Japanese Friendship Garden varies depending on the chosen space and the day of the week. For the Upper Garden, prices range from $900 to $1,100 per hour, while the Lower Garden costs between $1,100 and $1,400 per hour, which includes limited private parking. There is a 6-hour minimum for all Friday to Sunday events, and both venues include the use of a dressing room for events lasting 6 hours or more.

The garden also offers a range of additional services to make your wedding day extra special. Their professional staff can provide a bridal suite, event rentals, wireless internet, and lighting and sound services. The garden's intimate and tranquil setting, combined with its unique aesthetic, makes it a highly-rated wedding venue, with 89% of couples recommending it.

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, Pasadena, CA

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena, CA, is a historic and intimate wedding venue. Originally built in 1937 as a private estate garden, this 2-acre property boasts winding paths that lead to an authentic Japanese teahouse, a serene pond, and mature sycamore and oak trees. The garden offers complete privacy for your wedding, with rental of the entire property, and can accommodate up to 150 guests.

The rental fee for a ceremony and reception is $4,700 and includes 5 hours of event time, plus set-up and clean-up. For a ceremony-only wedding, the fee is $2,750, while the fee for a reception-only is $4,000. An additional hour of event time can be arranged for a fee of $500, and an extra hour of set-up time is $150. A non-refundable security deposit of $1,000 to $1,500 is also required. The venue is available year-round on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden provides a changing suite for the bride, a rehearsal day before the wedding, and a walk-through 30 to 60 days in advance with the event manager and vendors. Complimentary admission to the garden is also included before the wedding, allowing for planning and enjoyment of the space. A refundable security deposit is returned within 30 days if there are no additional charges for damage, cleaning, or other expenses.

The garden, with its Zen-like tranquility and lush backgrounds, offers multiple staging areas for creative uses and breathtaking photos. The serene spot can be transformed into a dynamic event space, with a dance floor under the oak trees. The aisle, made from a Japanese bridge surrounded by granite statuary, combines nature and tradition to create a memorable wedding experience.

The Japanese Garden: Suiho En, Van Nuys, CA

The Japanese Garden: Suiho En, located in Van Nuys, California, is a beautiful and serene oasis in the midst of the busy San Fernando Valley. Designed by Dr. Koichi Kawana, this 6.5-acre garden features three distinct gardens: a dry Zen meditation garden, a "wet-strolling" garden, and a tea garden. The garden is inspired by the chisen style, where water is the most significant element, symbolising the sea rather than serving as a mere design substance.

The Japanese Garden is a unique and tranquil setting for weddings and other special events. Couples can rent this space for their wedding celebrations, surrounded by nature and beauty. The garden is open for visits from Monday to Thursday, and its address is 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406.

The garden boasts a 4.1-star rating on Yelp, with many reviewers expressing astonishment at finding such a peaceful and picturesque location in the middle of the valley. The garden is also known for its strict and enforced photo rules, which visitors are advised to review on the website before planning a photoshoot.

The Japanese Garden is associated with the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant and is closed on City of Los Angeles holidays and within 24 hours of rainfall. Visitors can reach out to the garden via email at [email protected] or by phone at 818-756-8166.

Frequently asked questions