Frequently Asked Questions
Questions you may have with the answers you need
- Availability/Pricing
- The Location
- The Guests
- The Ceremony
- The Reception
- The Rehearsal
- The Equipment
- Our Services
- Our Policies
Availability/Pricing
When does the garden allow weddings to start during the year?
We book every month up to the first three weeks in December. We are close for Easter, Thanksgiving weekend, the last week in December, and the entire month of January.
During the months of October, November, December, February, and March can we have a wedding and reception?
It must be a day time wedding and reception. We do not hold night time wedding and receptions during the colder months due to the weather. Or you can take advantage of our Winter Garden Wedding Special and have just the ceremony at the garden.
Are there any discounts?
CSULB affiliates receive a $50.00 discount per hour for weddings or receptions. This discount does not apply to any of our wedding specials. If you book your wedding Monday-Thursday you receive a 25% discount.
What type of payment does the garden accept?
To hold the date and time: personal checks, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express), money orders, or cashier’s checks. The final balance may be paid with a credit card, money order, or cashier’s check. Personal checks will not be accepted for final balance. The equipment cost must be in a money order, cashier’s check, or cash.
When does the last of the payments need to be paid?
Payment schedule is as follows: reservation deposit and membership purchase are due upon signing the contract. Final payment and insurance payment are due 60 days prior to event. The equipment fee is due the night of the rehearsal. If all payments have not been made by the rehearsal, then the event will be cancelled.
Does the deposit go towards the entire site fee?
Yes, after the initial payments of the deposit and the membership fee, those payments are deducted from the entire site fee. The remaining balance is your final payment fee.
Do we have to become a member?
Yes, only members have the privilege to use the garden. The fee will be collected with your deposit when you book your event. The family membership fee is $100.00. You will receive two membership benefits for two years.
Can we change the time on our event?
You can call our events office to check on alternate availability only 90 days prior to your date already scheduled.
The Location
What is the Friends Garden?
The Friends Garden is a tented area located adjacent to the Main Garden. It is used for smaller receptions, luncheons, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and baby showers. The maximum guest count is 80 guests.
Does the garden have an indoor facility?
No. Most events are held in the Main Garden.
What happens if it rains?
If it happens to rain at your event, we would try to relocate to the best of our abilities to either the Chart Room located on campus or another on campus facility.
Does the garden have restrooms?
Yes, the garden does have one restroom, which is handicap accessible. We also have a VIP Portable Toilet which is battery operated with lighting, running water, and carpet.
The Guests
How many guests does the Main Garden hold?
For a wedding ceremony, 200 seated guests. For a wedding and reception, 160 guests for a buffet style meal, and 150 guests for a served meal.
How many guests does the Friends Garden hold?
The maximum capacity is 80 guests.
The Ceremony
How long is a wedding ceremony?
Two hours: ½ hour for guest arrival, ½ for ceremony, and one hour for formal photos in the garden.
Is there an area to hold a tea ceremony at the garden?
Yes, we have a tea house area. The tea house itself is only used as a display room therefore cannot be used to hold the actually tea ceremony. But the open area in front of the tea house is a perfect location.
The Reception
How long is a wedding and reception?
Four hours: ½ hour for guest arrival, ½ for the ceremony, and three hours for the reception. You may purchase an additional hour on the back end of the event for $900.00. The latest the garden can stay open for an event is 11:00pm. We must be notified at least two months before your event in order to add the extra hour.
For the Sunday Morning Wedding and Reception Special, can we have the reception in the Main Garden?
No, the reception must be in the Friends Garden. All food, beverage, and dining will be in the Friends Garden, but the Main Garden will still be utilized for the cake, dancing, and for guests enjoyment. The Sunday Morning Special is meant to be for a light reception.
How is the garden decorated for a wedding and reception?
The garden staff will put lights on all three bridges. Additional Japanese lanterns will be placed in the courtyard. Lighting is also provided by the umbrellas placed near the tables. Candles around the pond and on black rock beach give a romantic ambiance.
Does the campus have other reception sites?
Yes, you may contact the Campus Events Office at 562-985-5205 for more information.
Still looking for a reception site?
Please see our preferred professionals list and look at some of the reception sites that we recommend. Our caterer also has venue option. Visit www.thegrand.net/eventcenter.asp.
The Rehearsal
When is the rehearsal held?
Rehearsals are schedules for the Wednesday and Thursday nights prior to the event. If an event is booked on one of these two days, the next available date will be your rehearsal.
What happens if the bridal party is late for the rehearsal?
If your party is late by 15 minutes or more, there will be a $50.00 late fee that must be paid that night. Your rehearsal will only be available for the hour you have booked. Outside of that hour, your coordinator will not be responsible for your rehearsal.
What happens if some of the bridal party cannot attend the rehearsal?
The coordinator can go over the lineup on the day of the event. This will not be a problem.
The Equipment
What type of chairs does the garden use?
White resin chairs.
Can we get chair covers?
Yes, the cost is $4.95 per chair. This includes your choice of sash color. You can view the colors at www.idochaircovers.net. If chair covers are wanted, they must be ordered from this company. The Japanese Garden Events Office will place the order through “I Do Chair Covers.”
What extra costs are there to have a ceremony only at the garden?
Chairs beyond the 16 included in the site fee are $1.00 each.
What extra costs are there for a wedding and reception?
Chairs beyond the 16 included in the site fee are $1.00 each. Tables for guests and the caterers are additional. Prices range from $7.50 to $10.
Our Services
Do we need to have our own wedding coordinator?
No, the garden coordinator will be the only one you will need at the garden. If you have friends that want to help, please allow the garden coordinator to provide ways for them to be involved.
Who does the setup and cleanup?
The garden staff will setup and cleanup all events held at the garden.
Is there a cleanup deposit?
No. This is part of the service provided. A coordinator and garden staff are included in the site fee.
Does the garden staff assemble centerpieces if I am not having fresh flowers?
Yes, if it is simple and requires only one staff member for assembly. If your centerpieces require elaborate preparation by our staff, there will be a $200.00 setup charge. Please ask the coordinator about your centerpieces. If you want us to assemble it, please bring a sample picture of how you would like it setup on the tables. All items needed for the centerpieces must be brought at the rehearsal.
Can we bring in our own caterers?
No, we are exclusive with The Grand at Long Beach State. You must contact them and book with them separately.
Is the quality of food The Grand serves similar to a cafeteria?
No, simply because The Grand caters to all events on the campus of Long Beach State, does not mean that it is “cafeteria” food. They are a professional catering company with an event facility located locally. Their food is of high quality, perfect for any event at the garden.
Does the garden provide music for the weddings?
We provide the sound system for the ceremony only, which includes 8 speakers and 3 microphones. You may bring your own CD and we can play it on our system. We ask that you bring your CD to the coordinator on the night of the rehearsal. If not, we cannot be held responsible for technical difficulties with the CD on the day of the wedding.
Our Policies
Can I have a DJ and live music for my reception?
No. You can only have just a DJ for the reception or just a live band for the reception. Having both is not permitted at the garden. Any musical vendor must provide their own sound system.
Can I bring an iPod and play it on your sound system?
Yes, as long as you have appointed a DJ to make the appropriate announcements. Renting our system for the reception is an additional fee of $400.00.
Can I have live music for the ceremony and then a DJ for the reception?
Yes, see the preferred professionals list for musicians and DJ’s who are experienced with events at the garden.
Can we come earlier than our allotted time?
No. The time in between events is needed to clean and reset the garden.
Is alcohol allowed?
Yes, you must use The Grand at Long Beach State for bar service. Beer, wine, sake, and champagne are allowed for a maximum of three hours. No outside alcohol is allowed in the garden.
Does the garden allow butterflies or dove release?
Yes, both are approved by the garden (see our preferred professionals list for White Dove Release).
What type of centerpieces can we use?
We ask that you incorporate candles into your centerpieces. We recommend five candles per table. The candle must be enclosed in a non flammable holder, like a votive, that rises at least one inch past the wick. This avoids a fire hazard and prevents the candle from blowing out. The garden does not provide any of the centerpieces.
Are there any decorations that are not allowed to be used with the centerpieces?
Flower petals, rocks, sand, or anything loose are not allowed on the guest tables and catering tables. They are only allowed on the cake table.
Can I use koi food as my favors?
Yes, if you want to use koi food, you must use the koi food we provide. Simply ask the coordinator and we will give you as much as you need. Chocolate is the only item not allowed as favors in the garden.
Do we have to use all your vendors?
You are not required to use any of our vendors with the exception of catering. We recommend these professionals because they have expertise in their field and they are familiar with the grounds as well as with how events are run at the garden. The preferred professionals list is a great place to start when selecting the professionals who will be a part of your special day.
Can children be present during the event?
Children under the age of 10 are allowed at the event until dusk. After dusk, they must leave the garden for safety and risk reasons.
Is there a place nearby where the children can go?
A conference room at The Pacific Inn is available for rental. With the rental, a shuttle is included to pick up your babysitter and children for the garden. See our preferred professionals list for more information. For information on local babysitters in the Long Beach are, visit www.sittersunlimited.com.
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