Our gardens are available
to couples having their reception at Willow Pond.
Two gazebo's and a
pergola are sited around the gardens and are suitable for wedding
ceremonies of varying sizes. Up to twenty chairs are provided
adjacent to the wedding ceremony site so that ample seating is available
for the elderly or those who may require to be seated. Additional
chairs can be provided at a small charge if required.
The garden atmosphere is an
excellent venue for rest periods during intense seminars or for breaking
into syndicate groups for discussions. Clients find the gardens
very relaxing and obtain a more focused response from attendees at the
seminars.
During wedding ceremonies
the bridal cars are permitted to drive on the lawn areas to delegated
drop off points close to the venue being used in the gardens. A
popular item is the horse and carriage or the Harley Trike
motorcycles. These are often retained for photographic sessions on
completion of the wedding ceremony.
Garden History
The Willow
Pond Japanese Gardens
have been progressively constructed since 1985 and have reached a
semi-matured stage with the growth of the larger trees. The
original design was carried out by Eiji Morozumi with construction and
revised design by Norma and Ramon Lawrence (and kids).
The Zen Garden that is
situated at the entrance to the restaurant (in front of the Willow Room)
is based on the famous
Japanese Zen Garden at the Ryuanji Shrine in Kyoto, Japan.
A
second Zen Garden was designed and constructed at the rear of the lake
by Ramon Lawrence in 1994 in dedication to the Tsukimino Kenyu Kai, a
Kendo Association in Japan which visited Budokan Academy that
year. Other parts of the garden have been dedicated to senior
martial arts teachers who have been directly involved in the development
of arts practised at the Budokan
Academy or on a National basis.
