Hakone Estate & Gardens

Evelyn & John’s Wedding

Doors Open

Ceremony

Photos

Reception

Fall

Lunch Buffet Menu

Hor d'Oeurvres

Chicken Satay Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce Petite Crab Cakes with an Asian Pesto

Salad & Vegetables

Assorted Greens with Radish, Sprouts, and Tomatoes, drizzled with an Asian Pear Vinaigrette Blue Lake Green Beans with Scallions in Roasted Chili Oil

Entrees

Sesame Soy Glazed Salmon in a Bonito Sake Broth Hoisin and Five Spice Marinated Tri Tip Beef Noodles tossed with Enoki, Straw, and Shiitake Mushrooms in a Sesame Sauce topped with Green Onions

Sweets & Beverages

Banana Mini Cupcakes Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes

Coffee Hot/Iced Tea Lemonade Infused Water

Our Wedding

Who would have thought that dating apps actually worked? Our journey began in early 2019, through a chat bubble on Bumble, where we exchanged messages daily until deciding to finally meet in person for our first official date. We will always remember that Mother's Day weekend, where we city hiked all over San Francisco - starting from the Westfield Mall to Chinatown, Russian Hill to the Coit Tower, and ending at Fisherman's Wharf where, without John's intervention, Eve would have gotten plummeted by a seagull's droppings. Needless to say, the date went well even though it ended with a handshake (Eve thought she was too sweaty to give hugs), and shortly after that our relationship started to bloom. In 2020, we travelled to Japan, moved into our first home in Redwood Shores, and faced the pandemic in the best way possible - together. Through it all, we laughed together, cried together, and got fatter together, and would not have had it any other way. With COVID restrictions gradually lifting in 2021 and 2022, we found ourselves taking joy in domestic travel. Las Vegas, Nevada; Seattle, Washington; and the most memorable, Salt Lake City, Utah. On November 5, 2022, after a two-hour drive from our hotel to the Bonneville Salt Flats, John surprised Eve by popping the question on bended knee, to which Eve happily accepted. Now in 2023, we are excited for the next chapter of our journey and cannot wait to add another page to our story - this time, with all of our closest family and friends around. See you all in 2024 for our big day! Cheers,Eve &amp; John

It all started with a swipe!

Our Story

Wedding Party

Q + A

For our guests travelling from out of town, please see the list of hotels below that are in closest proximity to Hakone Estate &amp; Gardens.

Nearest Hotels

Saratoga Oaks Lodge

The Inn at Saratoga, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Hotel Los Gatos

Travel

For our guests who are planning to spend the weekend in Saratoga, a list of local attractions is provided below. Please note that some attractions may require an admittance fee.

Parks & Trails

This lushly wooded park of 3,453 acres, is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard. This mountain park of redwoods and tan bark oak, offers hiking, hike-in camping,&nbsp;RV camping and picnicking opportunities year-round.

Sanborn County Park

Museums & Historic Sites

The Village, Saratoga's historic downtown district, is located on Big Basin Way off of Highway 9. The Village is filled to the brim with unique shops and fine dining destinations. Saratoga's dedication to retaining its small-town feel means that smaller, locally owned shops aren't the exception - they're the standard.&nbsp;

Historic Saratoga Village

Experience a wealth of visual arts and an architectural landmark at Montalvo Arts Center. Surrounded by exquisite gardens, an arboretum, and miles of hiking trails, it offers a unique mix of nature and culture. Stroll the grounds before catching a performance in the Carriage House Theater. Montalvo showcases a diverse array of musical concerts, comedy, theater, and dance productions across its three magical venues.

Montalvo Arts Center

Wineries & Vineyards

Cinnabar is a family-owned winery that reveres winemaking as a form of modern-day alchemy—the blending of science with a touch of nature's magic. Rooted in the Santa Cruz Mountains at our lively Saratoga and Gilroy Tasting Rooms, they partner with local growers to coax the transformation of the finest California grapes into distinct and delightfully approachable wines.

Cinnabar Winery Tasting Room

The Mountain Winery offers a beautiful mountaintop setting for concerts, special events, live performances, weddings, corporate meetings, retreats, and holiday parties amid vineyards and the oak casks of the historic stone-masonry Winery. Start your journey in the wine-tasting room and enjoy dinner with a view before enjoying a summer concert.

Mountain Winery

Things to Do

Registry (Not Used)

Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, should you wish to honor us with a gift, we will gratefully accept a small contribution towards our future home.