Japanese Tea Garden Proposal Tips

At this point, I consider myself well-versed in the art of proposing at the Japanese Tea Garden. Thanks to this venue being one of the most popular proposal spots in San Antonio, I have had the pleasure of photographing many happy moments here. In today’s blog post, I wanted to share with you some advice I have gleaned from my photo shoots over the past two years. So, if you are planning to get down on one knee, then today’s Japanese Tea Garden proposal tips are perfect for you.

Japanese Tea Garden Proposal Tips – When to Arrive

If you follow no other piece of advice, then heed this one rule: arrive early. The Japanese Tea Garden is a tiny venue. The space is made even tinier by narrow pathways that keep people in check by jagged, dangerous rocks. You have to stick to the pathways; there is no other place to go.

And when you have five photo shoots going on at the same time, this means that we are all lined up for the same shot. Even worse, if you are shooting in one spot and there is a crowd behind you, they will end up in your photos because the space is too small to blur the background. The Japanese Tea Garden is simply a nightmare to take photos in when the garden is crowded. Please, please follow my advice and arrive when the gates open at 7:00 a.m. Even better, schedule your proposal for a weekday. The Japanese Tea Garden should be avoided at all costs on the weekends.

Japanese Tea Garden Proposal Tips – Where to propose

Without a doubt, the best spot to propose is the side kiosk building, found to the right as you enter the Japanese Tea Garden. This little building is off by its lonesome. While the mainstay of the garden is to the left, the side building offers privacy and wonderful light first thing in the morning. You have the added benefit of a beautiful, picture frame-like window in the back wall of the building that is a beautiful little detail. The light falling on the pathway at around seven in the morning is truly lovely, and makes this my number one proposal spot in the Japanese Tea Garden.

Japanese Tea Garden Proposal Tips – Your First Photo Location

After you propose, you should take some photos at the side kiosk building because you’re standing right there. That just makes sense to save time. But once you’re done with those photos, you need to run – and I mean run – over to the waterfall.

The waterfall should be your first photo location after you finish your proposal. The first reason is because the waterfall tends to be the most popular spot for photos at the Japanese Tea Garden. You want to get your photos there and get out as quickly as possible since a line will start to form on the bridge in front of the waterfall.

The second reason is that first thing in the morning the light hitting the waterfall will be the harshest in the morning starting at around 8:00 a.m. You will have blown out highlights, or worse, a situation where you have part shade and part sun. It’s best if you get to the waterfall early so that you can have consistent shade, take your photos, and then proceed through the garden for the rest of your photographic journey.

Japanese Tea Garden Proposal Tips – Prepare For Landscaping Changes

I recently noticed that the little garden of alocasias (a.k.a., elephant ear plants) has been cut back drastically since the hard freeze we had in the winter. These plants used to be huge, but they are much smaller now in the garden. Likewise, the grasses lining the koi ponds used to be much taller, but have been cut back.

I always recommend doing a venue check before your photo shoot to make sure that the foliage is in a decent state. All too often I have found local gardens to be pruned back to nothing which made me want to change locations entirely. If your plan is to propose in front of a lush garden and you find that it lacking, then it is time to find a different garden.

Japanese Tea Garden Proposal Tips – Make Sure You Venture Into Brackenridge Park

Every inch of the Japanese Tea Garden is worthy of a photo shoot. But make sure you also use the walkway into Brackenridge Park, found on the top level of the garden. This walkway has a tree-lined canopy that lends itself to beautiful photos when there isn’t much pedestrian traffic on the pathway.

Meet Ashlyn and Luiz

I would be remiss if I didn’t introduce you to today’s lovely couple, Ashlyn and Luis. These two met through a mutual friend a year and a half ago. For the proposal, Luis set up a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the center of the side kiosk building. He had his friend, Sergio, arrive early to set up the flowers and get everything prepared for the couple. Ashlyn was completely surprised and could not have been happier with the proposal.

Enjoy the images, and I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week!

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If you found this article on ‘How to Propose at the Landa Library’ useful, then check out these articles:

Are you interested in saying scheduling your own engagement session in San Antonio? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you. I have hourly rates, and all photo shoots include editing and high-resolution files.

To view more images from my wedding photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com