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Wedding Venue: Historic Greystone Mansion and Park

greystone mansion wedding

Historic Greystone Mansion and Park

905 Loma Vista Dr  
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 285-6830
 
 

Average Cost: $28,000

*Average cost for THIS venue is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a Saturday night wedding using their facility rental fees, average catering costs, tax and gratuity. Transportation to venue, entertainment, decorations, flowers, tents, tables, etc. are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand.

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee for Interior:

NOTE: This is required for each event and includes the main staircase/entry through the card room and two restrooms alongside the entrance 

Interior event fees are for a four-hour block of time. Fees for additional time (if available) are as indicated.

Resident Rate Non-Resident Rate
Events on Mondays-Thursdays $3,863.00 $4,829.00
Events on Fridays-Sundays $4,378.00 $5,482.00
Each additional hour/per hour $309.00 $386.00

For Exterior:

Rates are per hour. Ceremony/Reception minimum is four hours. Ceremony-only minimum is one hour.

Resident Rate Non-Resident Rate
Up to 100 guests $447.00 $568.00
101-200 guests $568.00 $709.00
201-300 guests $675.00 $849.00
301-400 guests $785.00 $981.00
04_10_24

Cypress Walk

greystone mansion wedding

Reflection Pond

Event Prep/Strike Time

Rates are per two hours, with a four-hour minimum for all events.

Resident Rate Non-Resident Rate
Up to 100 guests $231.00 $282.00
101-200 guests $282.00 $359.00
201-300 guests $338.00 $425.00
300+ guests $394.00 $492.00

Additional Costs Include:

Park Ranger hours are required in addition to Use Fees at the hourly rate of $56.00 per Ranger. Multiple Rangers may be required depending on the scope of your event.

Refundable Cleaning Deposit $600.00
Maintenance Fee $314.00
Kitchen Cleaning Fee $275.00

So….what do all those prices translate to for the average Saturday night, 6 hour wedding of 125 guests for a California Resident?  $10,175

The Mansion Terrace. Photo via Love and Lemonade

The Manion Courtyard. Photo via Love and Lemonade

 

Inner Courtyard

Courtyard

What this includes: Nothing

Additional Info:

  • Wedding parties (either person) who reside in the City of Beverly Hills, and possess proof of residency, may secure their event date up to 12 months in advance. Non residents may secure dates up to 9 months in advance. Parties who wish to apply for a permit for wedding photography without a ceremony or reception may secure dates up to two weeks in advance. 
  • No smoking is allowed on the property.
The Pool

The Pool

Food:  Catering must be approved by one of Greystone Estate’s approved caterers: Jackson Catering, SRC Event Group, and Wolfgang Puck Catering. Typical catering rates run $100/per hour with alcohol and up.

Photo via JPhotoblog.com

The Formal Garden. Photo via JPhotoblog.com

More Stats:

Space Type: Inside and Outside

Bridal Suite: Yes, there will be access to a changing area

Size: Ceremonies usually take place in the Formal Garden, and cocktails in the Cypress Walk or Forecourt. The Pool, Mansion Courtyard, Terrace, or Reflection Pond are typically used for a reception, which can hold up to 225 guests for a seated meal. Interior locations include a Grand Ballroom which can accomodate up to 60 guests for formal dining, and the entire first floor (which consists of multiple rooms) can accomodate up to 300 guests.

Formal Gardens Forecourt

The Forecourt

Food Service Type: Depends on caterer

Parking: Yes

How Will Grandma Get There? Beverly Hills and the surrounding West Hollywood have tons of hotel options, from Hilton’s to Hyatt’s to the grand Beverly Hills Hotel.

The Terrace

The Terrace

Party On!: Events can run anytime between 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. (exterior venues) and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (interior venues). Set-up may begin at 8 a.m.

greystone mansion wedding

The Report:

Built in 1928, the Greystone Estate is owned by the city of Beverly Hills and is registered as a National Historic Landmark. Edward Laurence Doheny was the original owner of the property, and he along with his friend Charles A. Canfield were the first to strike oil in Los Angeles. He and his wife, Carrie Louella Wilkins, had a son “Ned” who eventually inherited the land as a wedding gift in 1926. Construction of the estate began in 1927 and cost over $3 million (a lot of money back then). At one point the 12.58 acres of land contained a stables and kennels, tennis courts, a fire station, gatehouse, swimming pool and pavilion, a greenhouse, a lake, babbling brooks and cascading waterfalls.

Woman Getting Married Says:

This might be the closest you’ll get to Versailles (or at least the outside of it) in Los Angeles. While the grounds are breathtaking, keep in mind that the majority of your event will take place outside if you have an event larger than 60 guests for a seated meal. Which, considering the weather in Los Angeles is not a big deal, but if you’re looking for one big open space this will not be the best bet for you. Many couples choose to only have a ceremony here, but given the fact that this is Los Angeles and everybody hates to drive (and should) that’s not always ideal. I also wish that they would make the pricing options a little less complicated for this venue. I understand that there are several different options that you want to show potential renters, but if you have a minimum of four hours required for an event, please don’t list an hourly rate. Four-hour blocks and an additional hour fee listed out work just fine. It’s just too confusing otherwise.

 

 

 

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Wedding Venue: Sherman Library & Gardens

  sherman library and gardens wedding

Sherman Library & Gardens

2647 East Pacific Coast Highway
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Visit the website
(949) 673-2261  ext. 300
 

Average Cost: $20,000

*Average cost for THIS venue is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a Saturday night wedding using Pascal’s catering food/beverage costs, facility rental fees, tax and gratuity. Transportation to venue, entertainment, decorations, flowers, tents, tables, etc. are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand.

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee: $4,000 ($2,000 membership fee plus $2,000 rental fee)

What this includes: Nothing

Additional Info: The Garden is available for wedding rehearsals by appointment between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. one to three days prior to wedding ceremonies.  The Gardens staff representative will be present to assist with the rehearsal and finalize details for the ceremony and reception.

 

 

Food:  You must use their approved caterer, Pascal Prestige. Prices vary, but a sample menu online estimates $70 per person for a 3-course plated dinner (though you can reasonably expect this price to average around $100/pp). Sherman Library and Gardens is only licensed for beer, wine, and champagne, so you will not be able to have a full bar.

More Stats:

Space Type: Outside and inside

Bridal Suite: Yes

Size: For ceremonies, the Tea Garden Patio comfortably accommodates up to 200 guests; the Central Patio Room holds up to 125 seated indoors.  For warm-weather receptions, the Central Patio Room and Central Garden combined seat 250.  During cooler months, the indoor Central Patio Room holds 125, or 200 can be accommodated with tenting.

Food Service Type: Buffet or plated

Parking: There are two parking lots located within walking distance

How Will Grandma Get There? Newport Beach has lots of great hotels to stay at, including the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach and Fairmont Newport Beach.

Party On!: Alcohol must stop being served by 9 p.m.  as well as music. Events must end by 10 p.m.

Photo via i61studio

Photo via i61studio

The Report:

Wide brick walkways, wisteria, succulents, and tons of other seasonal flowers and foliage adorn the 2.2 acres that Sherman Library and Gardens sits on. The venue is open to the public every day from 10:30 to 4:00 p.m., but private events can start by 4:30. Baskets of begonias hang overhead in the Tea Garden Patio, where most wedding ceremonies take place, and the Pepper Tree Patio is normally a good spot for a cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres. For indoor receptions there is the Central Patio, with a cathedral ceiling, painted mosaic tiles, and terra cotta floors.

Woman Getting Married Says:

If you’re looking for a backyard-inspired, intimate, garden wedding I would definitely check this venue out. Considering the somewhat reasonable rental fee (despite the fact that it doesn’t include anything) and standard catering options, you can spend a bit more money on things like chairs and linens and little details that will look great in the gardens (like vintage serveware). My main hesitation is the curfew and lack of liquor license. If you have the option (and have friends/family that enjoy drinking, like I do),  I think it’s always a good idea when possible to have a full bar at your wedding. I also hate having to shut down a party early, and the 9 p.m. last call seems a bit early, especially when you’re not starting your ceremony until 4:30 or 5. That means you’re essentially paying $1,000/hour to use the space. When you look at it that way, it seems a bit more expensive. Worth a trip, but I would see what kind of negotiating you’re able to do (either on the curfew or overall price).

 

 

 

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Dream Wedding Venue: Sunnylands

historic-2

 President Obama is in California this weekend to meet with Chinese President Xi Jingping “to discuss cybercrime, North Korea and more,” according to NBC News. While that all sounds fascinating, what’s even more fascinating is how gorgeous the estate is where they’ll be having their summit.

sunnylands annenberg estate

Sunnylands Estate, designed in the 1960′s by A. Quincy Jones for philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg, has been referred to as the West Coast Camp David. Over the years, the Rancho Mirage estate (which includes a 25,000 square foot main house, a golf course, and 200 acres of grounds) has hosted the Annenberg’s famous friends, which included Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Frank Sinatra, who had his wedding there in 1976. “My first memories of going there was for their New Year’s Eve parties: I played golf with President Reagan there on the 31st of December,” former secretary of state George P. Shultz told the New York Times. “It was fantastic. That became an annual event.”

sunnylands annenberg estate

In 2012, the Annenberg estate opened Sunnylands to the public for tours, and unveiled a new 17,000-square-foot visitors center where guests can learn all about the history of the center. Um (cough, cough), can I make a suggestion? This would make a pretty gorgeous wedding venue, if I do say so myself. Perhaps the facility rental fees could go towards a political charity, further making the Annenberg’s vision for the estate a reality? Just an idea!

Ladies…don’t get too excited. Just to clarify, you cannot currently rent Sunnylands for weddings!

sunnylands annenberg estate

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Wedding Venue: Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

earl burns miller japanese garden wedding

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

EBM Japanese Garden
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard,
Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-2169
Visit the website
 

Average Cost: $23,000

*Average cost for THIS venue is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a Saturday night wedding using Jay’s catering food/beverage costs, facility rental fees for a 6 hour event, tax and gratuity. Transportation to venue, entertainment, decorations, flowers, tents, tables, etc. are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand.

earl burns miller japanese garden wedding

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee (pricing based on 4 1/2 hour event): 

Friday: $3,500

Saturday: $4,500

Sunday: $3,900

What this includes: Parking, sound system, coordinator and staff for setup/breakdown, white garden resin chairs, guest book table, bridal cabana, ivory umbrellas, decorative lighting, one hour rehearsal. 

Additional Info: Receive $200 off if you become a member. Additional hours may be purchased at $350/hour. $50 late fee for rehearsal that run 15 minutes late.

Food:  You must use either of their approved caterers, Jay’s Catering or Choura’s. Below is a sample list of prices from Jay’s Catering includes (all prices based on 6 hours for 100+ people):

Buffet (appetizers, main courses, and desserts): $4/per person

The Small Plate Station (appetizers, main courses, and desserts): $53/per person

Plated: $68/per person, plus if you want appetizers (selection of 2): $4/per person

Each option includes: Wait staff, linens and napkins, china, water and coffee mugs, bread, wedding cake, lemonade, iced tea, and coffee.

Additional Dessert Station: $7/per person

Premium bar (not very premium…includes Jose Cuervo and Jack Daniels…but neither are the prices): $20/per person

Upgraded Beverage Glasses: $.50-$1

Total for plated,additional desserts, upgraded glasses, premium bar, and appetizers plus standard 20% gratuity and tax for 125 guests: $17,120 (or $136/per person).

To see their menu options click the link here: Jays Catering Menu

earl burns miller japanese garden wedding cost

More Stats:

Space Type: Outside

Bridal Suite: Yes, there is a bridal “cabana”

Size: 165 for wedding and reception

Food Service Type: Depends on selected caterer

Parking: Complimentary

How Will Grandma Get There? Long Beach has plenty of hotel options, including The Hyatt and Residence Inn by Marriott.

Extras: Tables and other decor needs to be brought in from an approved vendor.

Party On!: Events must end by 11 p.m. Children between the ages of 2-10 have to be out of the garden by dusk.

EarlBurnsMillerJapanese wedding

 The Report:

Located on the campus of California State University in Long Beach, the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is situated on 1.3 acres. The landscape architect, Ed Lovell, took inspiration from the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo before designing it. The garden was built in 1981 with money donated by Loraine Miller Collins, who dedicated it to the memory of her husband, Earl. It serves as an outdoor study area for students as well as student mentoring. When it was built, Mrs. Collins wrote about her inspiration for the garden. She said:

“I have a dream for this garden. When a person is tired, or anxious, or in a quest of beauty, may they enter and come forth refreshed to meet the problems of the day. There will be music of the wind through the pines, music from the waterfalls and the birds. There will be serenity as you walk around the lake, and joy, I hope, in the beauty of the reflections in that lake. There will be iris and azaleas in the Spring. Flowering magnolia in Summer. In the Fall, chrysanthemums and the gold of the liquid amber trees. There will be strength and solidity in the rocks and the wooden bridges. And, of course, there will be bamboo, a favorite wood of the Japanese because it is so useful and beautiful. There is an old proverb that says, ‘Bamboo bends but never breaks.’ It is my hope that as you leave your tour of the garden, you will find in your heart that proverb, and the day will be filled with joy.” – Loraine Miller Collins

Woman Getting Married Says:

With a koi pond and bridge connecting either side, the garden looks like a mix between Monet’s garden at Giverny and the architect’s Japanese inspiration (well, maybe just a little). While it’s gorgeous, it’s not necessarily built with weddings in mind. The space can be choppy and there are no indoor options, which I’m not a fan of. Couples typically get married on the bridge with a microphone, and guests are seated in various locations around it. There is not one big space for all the guests to sit and eat, so things will be a bit broken up which can be less than ideal for the flow of a wedding, especially one on the larger side. There also seem to be a set of strict rules which can be a pain in the butt, such as the $50 fee if your bridal party is late to the rehearsal and the “children must be gone by dusk” rule. While it’s beautiful, I think you still might need to spend some money to make it look a bit more unique and add to the design (such as different chairs). However, the rental fee is not insane and the outdoor setting can be beautiful if the weather is nice.

 

 

 

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