The Japanese Garden at Cowden

A wedding venue with a story to tell. Looking for a wedding venue that feels a little different? You've just found it. Tucked away in the Scottish countryside, The Japanese Garden at Cowden is not your typical wedding venue. There's no "one-size-fits-all". Instead, there is a seven acre Japanese garden, ancient trees, a tranquil pond, the Ochil Hills - and a very magical place to say I do. And it has quite a story. The garden was created in the early 1900s by Scottish explorer Ella Christie, who named it Sha Raku En - meaning " a place of pleasure and delight." Inspired by her travels in Japan, Ella dreamed of creating something extraordinary here in Clackmannanshire. She certainly succeeded! The garden was later designed by Taki Handa, a gifted Japanese garden designer whose work makes Cowden particularly special: it is the first and only garden of its size and scale in the world designed by a woman. Fast forward more than a century and that sense of adventure, curiosity and connection between Scotland and Japan is still woven through the garden. Your day, your way. We're a small and wonderfully flexible wedding venue, welcoming celebrations of up to 30 guesrs. Whether you are planning an intimate ceremony with your favourite people, a relaxed evening filled with good food and fizz, or something a little more unconventional - we're up for it! Want to get married overlooking a gorgeous pond? We've got you! Want to bring your own mobile bar or food truck? Go for it! Want to keep things completely your own? That's our speciality! We are a venue-only wedding destination, which means you can bring the people, food and suppliers that make your day feel like you. From 5pm, you'll have exclusive use of the garden grounds and our garden Pavilion, with the Azumaya providing a serene spot to exchange vows overlooking the pond. And then there is the garden itself. Explore the paths with a glass of something special. Take photographs amongst the natural beauty. Let your guests wander, chat and soak it all in. Small weding. Big character. We know that planning a wedding can sometimes feel like a full-time job. So we try to make things as easy as possible for you. We're friendly, flexible and happy to have a proper conversation about what you are looking for - rather than handing you a brochure. If you're looking for somewhere beautiful, unusual and full of character - somewhere your wedding will feel like your wedding, we'd love to show you around. Come and discover Sha Raku En for yourself. A place of pleasure and delight and perhaps the perfect place to say "I do".