Weddingbee boards

Hi everyone, I'm on the hunt for a wedding venue (for next Sept/Nov 2009). So far, I've checked out Castle Green and Villa Del Sol D'oro. The boy did not like Castle Green and the Villa may be too small/cramped for 200 ppl (but I'm still considering the location.. might have to condense the guestlist).

next on my list to visit:

Athenaeum (caltech), pasadena

LA River Center & Gardens, los angeles

pasadena city hall, pasadena

bowers museum, santa ana

Does anyone have personal experiences at any of the above venues? or recommendations based on your own weddings or weddings you've attended?

Thank you!!! 

Hey! Although I've never attended a wedding at the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px">Athenaeum, I worked at Caltech and thought the tented courtyard area was beautiful! You should also check out this old post <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Gill Sans'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px">"First Things First - Venue Shopping" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Gill Sans'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px"><span class="yshortcuts" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 1.2em">http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/06/26/first-things-first-venue-shopping/ -there were a lot of venue ideas for LA and surrounding areas listed, as well as a spreadsheet. Good luck!

So sorry my above post looks weird! In summary- I think the Ath is beautiful! You should check out the post and comments for "First things First- Venue Shopping" www.weddingbee.com/2008/06/26/first-things-first-venue-shopping/. Good luck!

hi thanks for the suggestions! the pacific asia museum might be too small (200 guests) but I will def check out rancho las lomas, the pictures look great!

hi amy, thanks for the suggestion! I'm checking out that blog right now! :)

I'm getting married at the LA River Center & Gardens in November 2009 and I have had a great experience working with them so far.  The site coordinator, Zenia, is wonderful and has been super helpful.  I did a ton of research for a reception site in the Los Angeles area, and the River Center & Gardens was for sure one of the most economical options.  They don't let you take your own caterer anymore, but their list of caterers can fit any budget  (I'm also have an approx 200 ppl reception, so price per person was a big factor in deciding a venue.)  You can also provide all your own alcohol which is a major plus and budget saver.  Of the other locations mentioned above, I did visit Rancho Las Lomas and it was def my favorite and very pretty.  But at a $6,000-7,000 rental fee plus $100+ per person caterer (w/o alcohol included), it was way out of our budget.  I guess it all depends on your budget, though.  Hope this helps!

You might check out HereComesTheGuide.com and query on 'garden' for venue type. I was going to recommend the Japanese garden in Long Beach, but I think they can only handle 100 people or so.

I think the max capacity may be 180-200 folks and may not be in the area you are looking at, but the Kellogg House at Cal Poly Pomona is great. I got married there a few weeks back and it was a cute garden setting, plus the actual house can be used by guests....the food was GREAT too...here is their link, some of the pics are old but you get the idea. Staff is nice too...

http://foundation.csupomona.edu/kh/weddinggallery.aspx