Early fall in San Diego is one of my favorite times for weddings, and Riley and Willie’s day at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum was a perfect example of why. The light is softer, the gardens are still lush, and the weather is usually just right. Their wedding took place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, right in the heart of Balboa Park, and it honestly felt like the garden was showing off all day.
If you’re looking for inspiration for a Japanese Friendship Garden wedding in San Diego, or you’re planning a Balboa Park wedding and want to see how it actually flows in real life, this one’s for you.
A Japanese Friendship Garden Wedding in Balboa Park
The Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum (JFG) is one of the most iconic wedding venues in San Diego, and for good reason. Tucked inside Balboa Park, the garden is full of winding paths, koi ponds, wooden bridges, and layers of greenery that photograph beautifully in every season.
From a photography standpoint, it’s a dream location. You don’t need to move far to get variety: quiet corners, open spaces, architectural elements, and water reflections are everywhere. If you want to learn more about the venue itself, you can check out their official site here:
https://www.niwa.org/
Riley and Willie really leaned into the garden’s aesthetic and let the setting guide their design choices, which always makes a wedding feel more cohesive.
The Couple & Their Style
Willie wore a dark green suit with a bow tie, which fit the garden setting perfectly. The deep green looked amazing against all the foliage and felt elegant without being too formal.
Riley’s dress was such a standout. She wore a long, fitted gown with an open back, and the sleeves were detached from the dress — almost like gloves, running from wrist to elbow without covering her hands. It was modern, stylish, and still felt timeless. She also carried a white Japanese-style parasol, which was not only beautiful but very on-theme for the garden.
Little details like this make such a difference in photos, especially at a venue like the Japanese Friendship Garden where tradition and nature play such a big role.
Colorful Wedding Party & Thoughtful Details
One of my favorite visual elements of the day was the bridesmaids’ dresses. Instead of matching colors, each bridesmaid wore a different bold shade — purple, mint green, burgundy, blue — all strong, rich colors that popped beautifully against the greens of the garden. It added a lot of personality and looked amazing in group photos.
For décor, Riley and Willie included origami cranes, arranged on a frame that was later placed behind the cake table. It was a subtle nod to Japanese culture and fit the space so naturally that it felt like it belonged there.
They also had a basket of parasols for guests to use during the outdoor ceremony, which was both practical and a really nice visual touch. Guests loved it, and it added to the overall atmosphere without feeling overdone.
Outdoor Ceremony at the Earth Bridge
The ceremony took place at the Earth Bridge, one of the most recognizable and photographed spots in the Japanese Friendship Garden. It’s elevated, surrounded by greenery, and has a peaceful, intimate feel even when the garden is full.
From a photographer’s perspective, this location works really well for ceremonies. There’s enough space for guests, the angles are clean, and the backdrop doesn’t need much help. The parasols, the colorful wedding party, and the natural setting all came together beautifully here.
Sunset Photos & the Azumaya Gazebo
After the ceremony, we took advantage of the early fall sunset and wandered through the garden for portraits. This is something I always recommend at JFG if the timeline allows it. The light filters through the trees in a really soft way, especially later in the afternoon.
We stopped by the new Azumaya gazebo, which has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the garden. It’s clean, architectural, and works great for both wide shots and close-up portraits. Riley and Willie were relaxed, enjoying the moment, and those are usually the sessions that produce the most natural photos.
Cocktail Hour by the Maple Bridge
Their cocktail hour was held outdoors near the garden’s new favorite bar setup by the Maple Bridge. This area has become a really popular choice lately, and it’s easy to see why. It keeps guests immersed in the garden instead of moving them indoors too early, and it flows nicely from the ceremony space.
The bridge, the water, and the surrounding trees create a great atmosphere for candid photos, drinks, and conversation.
A Great Team Makes a Big Difference
Weddings at the Japanese Friendship Garden always run smoother when there’s a strong team involved, and this one was no exception.
I worked alongside Marina Miller, the Garden’s event director, who knows the venue inside and out and keeps everything moving seamlessly. The wedding coordinator was Julie Scrivner, who I work with often and genuinely love collaborating with. She’s organized, calm, and always has the couple’s best interests in mind.
If you’re planning a wedding in San Diego and looking for a coordinator, I highly recommend checking out Julie’s work here:
https://thebestweddingforyou.com/
Planning a Japanese Friendship Garden Wedding in San Diego
If you’re considering a Japanese Friendship Garden wedding or looking for a Balboa Park wedding photographer, this venue offers so much flexibility and beauty. Early fall weddings, like Riley and Willie’s, are especially great for comfortable weather, softer light, and fewer crowds.
This wedding was a perfect mix of thoughtful details, strong personal style, and a setting that didn’t need much extra to shine. Riley and Willie trusted the process, trusted their vendors, and truly enjoyed their day — and that always shows in the photos.
If you’re planning a wedding at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum and want help figuring out timelines, photo locations, or what season works best, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned from photographing weddings here over the years.
Coordinator: Julie Scrivener
View more of this beautiful venue: https://leafweddingphotography.com/jfg