When you think about classic destination wedding locations, often tropical beaches and island vibes come to mind. And while we’ll always love Hawaii and Jamaica or even the Bahamas, lately a new destination wedding location is topping everybody’s list: Los Angeles.
The City of Angels has quickly become a favorite of couples across the U.S. for a reason. Not only does it offer guests traveling from out of town direct flights on most major airlines, but the beaches, nightlife, culture, and amazing views make it a one-stop vacation location. Where else can guests take a dip in the ocean, tour the Friends’ set, walk around a world-class museum, and see a basketball, hockey, football, or baseball game all in one day? L.A. is hard to beat.
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With that said, a Los Angeles destination wedding is not just for wedding guests. The array of amazing Los Angeles wedding venues is the real reason why couples choose the city for their “I Do’s.” Whether you want your toes in the sand when you exchange your vows or a breathtaking view of the city atop a skyscraper is more your style, you’re bound to find something you love.
One of the most awe-worthy wedding venues in Los Angeles is Skyspace in downtown Los Angeles. With 360-degree views atop California’s tallest open-air observation deck, the unique wedding venue boasts inside and outside space that offer views of not only famous landmarks such as the Hollywood sign and the Capitol Records building, but on a clear day you can see all the way to Catalina. Once you and your guests have soaked in the sites, one of the most memorable wedding experiences you can create is a trip down their infamous Skyslide, a 45-foot fully enclosed glass slide located 1,000 feet above downtown Los Angeles. Only in LA!
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When it comes to the best locations for guests to stay for a Los Angeles destination wedding, there are a few key areas that offer the best mix of hotels and walkability (the less you can drive in LA, the better.), listed below:
Santa Monica: Close to Venice and surrounded by fun restaurants and bars, Santa Monica is a great option for guests looking for that beach lifestyle.
Beverly Hills: Posh lodging and Rodeo drive where shopping and celebrity sightings are an hourly occurrence.
Hollywood: From the iconic Chateau Marmont to the Sunset Tower Hotel, this is the LA you’ve seen in the movies.
Downtown: Hip urban center with some of LA’s best restaurants, hotels, and sports/concert venues.
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While all the above neighborhoods have something different for guests, it can be said that downtown offers the best accessibility to what LA has to offer. Especially when it comes to close proximity to your wedding venue. Take Skyspace, for example. Located within a short walking distance to hotels such as The Standard and the Ace, the venue is also a mere 6-minute walk to The Broad, arguably one of the country’s best new contemporary art museums. It’s also steps to some of the city’s best restaurants (such as Baco Mercat and local favorite SUGARFISH, for what could be called the world’s best sushi).
Speaking of food, LA offers some of the most talked-about chefs in the world at the moment. With 90 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, you can treat guests to amazing food both at your Los Angeles destination wedding and in their free time. From taco trucks to California cuisine, there’s always a focus on fresh and local ingredients and you can craft your wedding menu to be as simple or complex as you want. Looking for a farm-to-table wedding? There’s a selection of venues whose chefs specialize in the cuisine, like Chef Gilda Giddens of Skyspace, who uses sustainable seafood and locally-sourced ingredients to craft her wedding menus. You can even go local when it comes to your wine and beers, not only from California but Los Angeles itself, which boasts dozens of local brews you can serve.
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Between the year-round gorgeous weather, views, sites and sounds and not to mention venue choices, if you’re looking for an easy and fun destination wedding location, Los Angeles should definitely top your list!
Ready to start your venue search? Don’t miss the chance to tour Skyspace. You can plan your visit to coincide with one of their Skyspace Nights on Fridays and Saturdays, where DJs spin everything from house to R&B and pop while looking out over the city lights on their observation deck, or even sample local sips from their Garden Bar.
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