The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden was built in 1981 and encompasses 1.3 acres of land at California State University, Long Beach. Loraine Miller Collins, who created the Japanese Garden in memory of her late husband, Earl, described her dream for the Garden: “There will be music of the wind through the pines, music from the waterfalls and the birds. There will be serenity as you walk around the lake, and joy, I hope, in the beauty of the reflections in that lake.” Loraine’s dream has been realized in the Japanese Garden that sprawls across CSULB today. The grounds bring joy and tranquility to regular visitors as well as to brides on their special days.
The Japanese Garden can seat 200 people for a ceremony, and up to 165 guests for a wedding and reception. The space is a private, intimate, one-of-a-kind outdoor setting. The Garden's grounds are impeccably maintained and contain tall birch trees, deep green foliage and landscaping, a large shimmering koi pond, breathtaking waterfalls, multi-colored Japanese irises, and black-stemmed bamboo. If you are looking for a natural, outside venue for your wedding that has an international flair while still resonating with your sense of beauty, then the Japanese Garden is an ideal choice.
Some of the space’s most eye-grabbing features include: a three-tiered stone pagoda, a black pebble beach with Japanese-inspired lanterns scattered about, the moon bridge which is reflected in the water beneath it, a traditional tea house, a dry garden (or “karensansui”), and a zig-zag bridge. The venue also puts on “Our Friends Garden” events and hosts bridal showers, baby showers, luncheons, rehearsal dinners, retirement parties, society club dinners, and many other kinds of events.
Photos by: Sarah K Chen
