Proposal at Shofuso Garden in Philadelphia
Shofuso Garden Proposal in Philadelphia
This proposal at Shofuso Garden was a delight to photograph. The down-on-one-knee moment was on a small island in the middle of a koi pond, and it couldn’t have been better! The weather was perfect on this fall day, and the grounds around the Japanese tea house were so much fun to explore. This weekday proposal was private and the couple had the entire garden to themselves!
Wooden Bridge at Shofuso Garden in Philadelphia
The wooden bridge that reaches across the koi pond at Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center is a lovely place to stop for a few photos and soak in nature’s beauty.
History of the Shofuso
Shofuso, a 17th-century Japanese house and architectural gem, was built in Japan in 1953 and was eventually moved to Philadelphia in 1957 after being shown at the Museum of Modern Art in NY. The garden itself has been established since 1876. This center is also home to the Cherry Blossom Festival each spring, a popular event in the city. It is a historic cultural location and a gathering place.
Private Garden Proposal
Often, when I get calls inquiring about proposal photography in Philadelphia and we are discussing location options about where to have a proposal in Philadelphia, the question comes up, “Do you know of any place for a private proposal?”. Shofuso Garden is a top pick for this. You can rent out the entire space and have the garden all to yourself with no one else allowed during your proposal and photo time. This can make for a very special and private moment where you will have no distractions and have the whole space to yourself for photos afterward. They offer a variety of rental options, from one hour and garden access only up to 2 hours and 20 people with garden and house access. They even have options for wedding rental for a micro wedding (ceremony only, no receptions) up to 40 guests and 4 hours. It really is an unforgettable location for a special moment or private event!
3 Reasons to have your proposal at Shofuso Garden
Private setting
Being somewhere just the two of you can really elevate the experience and allow for a peaceful experience without any outside unknown factors or outside distractions that could come into play in a public place. Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center is one of the best options for a private garden space in Philadelphia
Beautiful one-of-a-kind outside the Garden
The garden space really is quite beautiful and unique. It is unlike any other place in Philadelphia. The koi ponds, wooden bridge, and cherry blossoms make it such a memorable location for a proposal and for couple’s photos.
In Philadelphia
Located right in West Fairmount Park at Horticultural Dr & Lansdowne Dr. and not far from the Please Touch Museum, the Shafuso gardens in on the grounds of the Horticultural Center. It offers serenity within the city limits, making it a unique and accessable garden space.
Champagne toast at Shofuso Garden
After the proposal, this newly engaged couple popped a bottle of bubbly champagne to celebrate their engagement. They took a quiet moment to cheers and celebrate together in the garden before exploring the rest of the property and taking some more photos. Bringing along a bottle of champagne can be a fun addition to a proposal.
3 Tips for Getting Engaged at Shofuso Garden
Hire a Philadelphia Proposal Photographer
The Garden at Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center is so picturesque that you will definitely want to have photos to remember this special moment! Hiring a proposal photographer to capture this sweet moment is worth investing in.
Pick the Location in the Garden for your Proposal Moment
The small island in the middle of the Koi pond is a beautiful place to get engaged. You could also pop the question right on the wooden bridge or under the cherry blossoms in the spring.
Keep the season in mind
The outside garden area at Shufuso Japanese Cultural Center is stunning. It changes in each season of the year: bursting with cherry blossoms in the spring, lush Greens in the summer, and fall foliage in the autumn. Keep these seasonal variables in mind when planning.
Unique Scenery at Shofuso Garden
One of my favorite things about Shuffle Garden is how many different vignettes there are. It seems like every time you turn your head, there is another delightful view to enjoy. From benches nestled amongst the greenery, tall bamboo, and a path that circles the Tea House, there are an abundance of places for engagement photos in this special Philadelphia garden.
Garden Proposals in Philadelphia
If you are looking for other locations to have a garden proposal in Philadelphia, here are a few ideas! Philadelphia has lots of green spaces, from the wooded Wissahickon to the expansive Fairmount Park; there are many special places to get engaged in, surrounded by nature’s beauty. There are just 3 locations you can find in the city, but there are many more! Feel free to reach out to talk about what locations you are thinking of for your proposal.
18th-century Garden Proposal
This hidden Garden in Old City Philadelphia is framed with hedges and seasonal plantings. It is usually pretty quiet and perfect for photos afterward. It’s pretty in every season.
Check out this Old City engagement session.
Rodan Museum Courtyard Proposal
With a photography permit, you are able to take photos in this pretty space in front of the Rodin Museum. I love the reflecting pool and the flowering trees in the springtime!
Here is a Rodan Museum proposal for you to browse!
Rittenhouse Square Park Proposal
This is more of a bustling City Park than a garden, but you still will find vibrance and greenery in an unmatched location where you can walk to dinner and drinks afterward.
Here is a Rittenhouse Park proposal for you to view.
Philadelphia Proposal Photographer
If you are considering Shofuso Garden for your Philadelphia proposal and are looking for a photographer to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment, I would love to chat! You can reach out to me by filling out the contact form for Heidi Roland Photography through this link, and we can set up a time to hop on a call and talk more about the vision for your proposal. Congratulations on your upcoming moment, and I can’t wait to hear from you!
