MINIMONY PACKAGES

Let's celebrate love! Life is about creating beautiful experiences and memories, and joining in marriage is one of the biggest highlights in life for many. The Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum has multiple gorgeous ceremony locations. We offer partially-private daytime Minimonies or fully private Minimonies before or after the garden is open to the public.

  • Upper and Lower Garden are the same price

    • Monday-Thursday: $4,000 (price includes a $600 refundable security deposit)

    • Friday-Sunday: $5,000 (price includes a $600 refundable deposit)

  • Earth Bridge available throughout the day Monday - Thursday; not available Friday-Sunday

  • Lower Garden Azumaya, Koi Deck and Kannon Bosatsu areas available throughout the day Monday - Thursday, or until 1:00 PM Friday-Sunday

  • Cherry Blossom Season Minimonies (latest ceremony start time at 1:00 PM throughout the week, due to high guest volume throughout garden):

    • Monday-Thursday: $5,000 (price includes a $600 refundable security deposit)

    • Friday-Sunday: $6,000 (price includes a $600 refundable deposit)

  • A day-of (at minimum) coordinator is required

  • The Minimony package must be paid in full at the time of booking

Includes:

  • 2 hours including time for setup and breakdown

  • Ceremony, photos and mingling

    • $500 for one additional hour

    • No food or drinks allowed (water bottles are okay)

    • For fully private morning Minimonies only, couples may book a mobile coffee cart vendor of their choice for an additional $500 venue fee. Please note that this fee does not apply toward the vendor’s services; vendors must be booked separately by the couple. All vendors are required to provide a valid Certificate of Insurance (COI) in order to operate at the garden

  • Includes up to 40 chairs, PA system, mic and mic stand

    • Add-ons available

    • Parking available for Lower Garden Minimonies

    • *The Kannon Bosatsu area includes up to 20 chairs automatically; additional chairs (up to 40) are $20 each

    • Bridal suite access for $100/hr (a minimum of 2 hours must be reserved, if added)

  • Daytime options include:

    • 40 minute block off period at spots like the Lower Garden Azumaya, the Koi Deck or Earth Bridge (time for photos after ceremony, but ceremony location is no longer private after the 40 minutes)

    • Or, we can block off the Kannon Bosatsu area for a full 2 hours (including time for setup and breakdown)

  • Fully private evening Minimonies occur after the garden closes to the public; we do not close the garden down early for Minimonies

Step 1: Review Information

Step 2: Choose your Ceremony Site:

  • Azumaya

  • Earth Bridge

  • Kannon Bosatsu Area

  • Lower Garden Koi Deck

  • Upper Garden Koi Pond & Moon Viewing Deck

  • Ceremonial Gates (not available during open hours)

Step 2: Choose a Date & Time

Step 5: Click here to submit your inquiry

CHOOSE YOUR CEREMONY SITE:

The Azumaya

The grand opening for the new Azumaya gazebo was held on August 7th, 2025. With authentic Japanese architecture, the Azumaya was designed with minimal bolts and screws and carefully created by experts using joinery. Couples can hold their private ceremony in this area throughout the day Monday-Thursday or with a latest ceremony start time of 1:00 pm Friday-Sunday.

EARTH BRIDGE

The Earth Bridge is one of our top ceremony locations. This area is often called whimsical. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, with plants and flowers along side a charming stream and koi pond, it truly is a unique and unforgettable setting for a ceremony. Whether it's cherry blossom season or an evening in October, the beauty of the bridge speaks for itself; extra decor is not needed. Not to mention the pictures come out amazing!

The Kannon Bosatsu Area

The Kannon Bosatsu area is perfect for intimate daytime Minimonies. With a plant and flower-lined pathway that naturally creates an aisle, along with a special statue, you and your guests will be in awe. We automatically include 20 chairs in this location; additional chairs (up to 40) are $20 each.

THE LOWER GARDEN KOI DECK

The Lower Garden Koi Deck is a truly beautiful spot for ceremonies. Whether it's your first choice or a second option in the case of rain, your guests will be in awe while seated near a waterfall and koi pond. Keep it simple or add a full arch and additional florals!

UPPER GARDEN KOI POND & MOON VIEWING DECK

Nestled beneath the wisteria arbor, surrounded by lush garden and the serene sounds of its waterfall, the Koi Pond and Moon Viewing Deck makes for the perfect setting for an intimate wedding ceremony.

CEREMONIAL GATES

The majestic backdrop of the Charles C. Dail Memorial Gate makes for a slightly more formal setting, yet still surrounded by the beauty of nature. It's perfect for ceremonies and makes for a great backdrop for photos. The Ceremonial Gate is a magnificent location surrounded by trees with a view of the towering Corinthian columns of the Sprecels Organ Pavilion.

BRIDAL SUITE / GREEN ROOM

Our bridal suite includes a full length mirror, two vanity mirrors and desks, as well as seats to lounge about in. The room is air conditioned and lockable so you can keep your valuables safely stowed away during your event. This room does not only need to be used as a getting ready room; it can be used as a coat check room, a place to store extra equipment, and so on. It is $100/hr and must be booked for at east the 2 hour booking. You may add extra hours to the bridal suite before the ceremony, but not after the designated guest exit time.

 
 

SUBMIT AN INQUIRY:

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