The morning air was crisp, the donuts in my hand smelled of sweet sweet Saturdays and The Japanese Friendship Gardens in Balboa Park were ours for the best hours of the day.

This was my first time to the stunning Japanese gardens in Balboa Park and since we booked them for the morning we had the whole place to ourselves. Having recently returned from a trip to Japan, Ryan and Cindy knew that they wanted their engagement session to represent their cultural backgrounds with the traditional Japanese Kimonos, parasols, fans, wooden shoes and their fun, loving personalities.

It took Cindy 3 hours to be dressed and have her hair done in traditional fashion but it was definitely worth it!

As we explored the gardens Cindy and Ryan shared stories of their time in Japan which inspired us to book a trip ourselves!

After our time in the Japanese Tea Gardens we headed out to explore the rest of Balboa Park with these two.

The Organ Pavilion always makes for the best backdrops.

What I LOVE about Ryan and Cindy is that they could look like models one minute and be laughing so hard they’re crying the next!

Ryan and Cindy are the perfect pair. Ryan seems reserved but Cindy can instantly get him to laugh and be so playful.