Your special day deserves to be celebrated in a picturesque, unique venue that has everything you need to make your fairytale wedding come to life. This stunning venue was designed to highlight the friendship between San Diego and Yokohama and, as such, combines influences from both nations. This charming venue has over 200 cherry trees, a variety of Japanese native flora, an exhibition hall and many other amenities for you and your guests to enjoy. Let’s take an in-depth look into this venue so that you can decide if it’s the venue of your wedding dreams!
San Diego Wedding Venue
Situated on 12 acres, this San Diego wedding venue is all about fostering a relationship between humans and nature. The architecture has been inspired by the centuries-old architecture of sister city Yokohama and adds a unique touch to your wedding photography.
Guests can enjoy the 200-tree cherry tree grove, Camelia garden, Inamori Pavilion and a unique water feature in this serene venue. This venue has limited availability as they only host a capped number of events per year to ensure the venue's grounds remain pristine.. They are taking bookings for 2023!
Check out my list of Wedding Venues in San Diego to get inspired by more locations to have your wedding reception or ceremony.
Upper Garden
Unique Japanese architecture surrounded by luscious greenery. This beautiful garden is the perfect setting for your dream wedding.
Highlights:
200 capacity
Stunning architecture
Charming, bespoke lighting
This venue is $700 per hour to hire from Monday through to Thursday. If a weekend wedding is more your style, expect to pay $900 per hour. Holidays and holiday weekends will cost approximately $1200 per hour to hire. Venue hire times need to be discussed by contacting the venue here.
Lower Garden
With a capacity of 200, this stunning outdoor venue area is picturesque with beautiful, small waterways, a water feature and natural flora.
Highlights:
Bridal room included and limited private parking available.
Stunning - get married surrounded by nature.
Inside banquet area.
The rate to hire this charming venue for your dream ceremony will cost approximately $850 per hour if your wedding is planned on a day between Monday and Thursday. The weekend cost to hire this venue is $1,200. Holidays are $1,500 per hour.
Minimony Locations:
For smaller weddings, this venue provides tailored ‘minimonies’ Monday-Thursday at a set price. You can get married at the Koi Pond & Moon Viewing Deck, Ceremonial Gate, Earth Bridge and Courtyard. This is a ceremony-only option and has a capacity of 30, perfect for a private, personal wedding.
The Japanese Friendship Garden’s Minimony has a set cost. They are only available from Monday - Thursday and cost $2,000 all up. The time allocated for a Minimony is 1.5 hours. Any additional time after this incurs a $500 per hour fee.
You are not allowed to bring your own food and beverages on-site. Any additional needs, such as decorations and wedding coordinators, need to be discussed before your big day with the venue.
There is plenty of free public parking in Balboa Park. The closest lot to the Japanese Friendship Garden is the Organ Pavilion Lot, which is off of President's Way.
Please use the contact form below. to reach out to Gina to schedule your Consultation. Please allow 1-2 business days for me to reply.