Located in Saratoga, California, Hakone Estate and Gardens is a historic wedding ceremony and reception venue. Unique in its appearance, Hakone Estate and Gardens is the oldest Asian estate and gardens in the Western Hemisphere. The beautiful Japanese gardens are the ideal place to exchange vows with the person you love the most. Cascading waterfalls and koi ponds are just some of the relaxing features that Hakone Estate and Gardens has to offer. If you want to give your guests an international cultural experience in a timeless oasis, peacefully Hakone Estate and Gardens is the place for you.
Facilities and Capacity
With a maximum capacity of 180 people, Hakone Estate and Gardens offers both indoor and uncovered outdoor settings. The overall feel of the 18 acres private venue is classy and outdoorsy.
Services Offered
The wheelchair accessible venue offers nearby parking for its guests. Event planning services are also available by Hakone Estate and Gardens to help couples plan a day that they can remember for the rest of their lives. Although the venue does not provide catering or event rentals, they do have a list of trusted preferred vendors who have years of professional experience. The long list of preferred vendors that Hakone Estate and Gardens provides range from caterers and florists to entertainment and officiants. Each of their preferred vendors have worked with Hakone Estate and Gardens before and is familiar with the venu’s policies and regulations.
History
As mentioned above, this 100 year old garden is one of the oldest Asian estates and gardens located in the Western Hemisphere. Hakone has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013 and is known as one of the premier sites of the Nation Trust for Historic Preservation. It originally started as the private estate of a San Francisco philanthropist and his wife in 1915. A half a century later, the gardens were sold to the city of Saratoga, and Hakone ceased to be a private estate.
Lanterns lighting the way Hakone Estate and GardensCouple in the garden Reception areaBride kiss Lanterns and burnt oranges A full house The front gates String lights Lanterns lighting the way Hakone Estate and GardensCouple in the garden
Tony and Christina were very professional and accommodating to what we wanted and needed. We got married on November 23rd and we were able to take advantage of the off peak price. But the normal price for a morning wedding on a moon bridge was pretty reasonable too. The gardens are beautiful and you get set up in the houses on the estate as your bride and groom quarters for set up. A sign is outside stating that you are getting married. You and your guests have the grounds to yourselves for three hours. Then it opens to the public at 11 and you have one more hour to enjoy the gardens. It was a beautiful experience.
Sent on 12/06/2019
Thu T.
· Married on 06/01/2019
5.0
Quality of service:
5.0
Responsiveness:
5.0
Value:
5.0
Flexibility:
5.0
Professionalism:
5.0
Picture-esque wedding venue
I highly recommend this venue! It's so beautiful and literally every spot is a perfect picture. My family and friends were all amazed and dazzled by the beauty of this Japanese garden. Also, Tony was amazing to work with. He was patient, kind, and really understanding. He knows exactly how weddings normally run and he can help with any questions you might have. Overall, I recommend it!!
Sent on 08/05/2019
Kristine
· Married on 11/04/2015
5.0
Quality of service:
5.0
Responsiveness:
5.0
Value:
5.0
Flexibility:
5.0
Professionalism:
5.0
Hakone Gardens was where my husband and I started dating. We thought what better place to get married at than the exact location our relationship became official. We held our wedding ceremony at Hakone this past November 2015. It was perfect for our 60 guests. Tony, the event coordinator, was great. He helped make our ceremony run smoothly. This location is truly a hidden gem of the South Bay. Our guests felt as if our ceremony was a destination wedding. It will feel as if you are actually in Hakone, Japan.
