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Descanso Gardens
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1418 Descanso Drive
La Cañada, CA 91011
Contact: Wedding Office
Phone: 818/949-4291
www.descansogardens.org/weddings
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Why We Like This Place
As you drive down the quiet, oak-lined residential street that leads to the gardens, you get your first taste of this facility’s peaceful seclusion. Living up to its name (descanso means “rest” in Spanish), Descanso Gardens is indeed a tranquil, verdant haven at the foot of the dry San Gabriel Mountains.
Once a large private estate, the gardens occupy over 150 acres, offering a wide variety of appealing sites for weddings. One favorite is a classic California setting—a broad, open lawn under widespreading coast live oaks. A few steps away, Feather Falls is a shady dell where more intimate ceremonies are accompanied by the music of falling water. The scenic Japanese Tea House, with its blue-tiled roof and graceful red bridge, forms a colorful and exotic backdrop for a service, while the timber-and-stone Pavilion and the wrought-iron Gazebo, surrounded by acres of roses, make fragrant open-air venues.
Seated receptions are held in the Rose Garden Pavilion, the Boddy House or in Van De Kamp Hall, which is situated near the garden’s main entrance. The Hall is a Craftsman-style building with a lofty open-beamed ceiling and French windows that open onto a lovely and expansive tiled courtyard flanked by flower beds and a bubbling natural-rock fountain. An arbor, hung with baskets of flowering plants and covered with wisteria, shades the courtyard, which is adorned with large redwood tubs of flowers and ficus trees that bring the freshness of the gardens indoors.
With its shade-dappled lawns, brilliant flowers, majestic camellia forests and secluded woodland clearings, Descanso Gardens should have just the right wedding spot for any nature-loving couple. But whether you get married here or not, a visit to the Gardens is a tonic to urban stresses and—dare we suggest it—frayed prenuptial nerves. You can breathe easy in this serene setting, or, as they say in Spanish, aqui puede usted descansar.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
|
Max. Seated Indoors: 50 Max. Seated Outdoors: 400 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 200 Max. Seated Outdoors: 200 Max. Standing Indoors: 200 Max. Standing Outdoors: 200 |
Max. Seated: 220 |
|
CEREMONY CAPACITY: Indoors, Boddy House holds up to 50 seated guests. Various outdoor locations hold 25–400 seated guests. |
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Fees & Deposits
The rental fee starts at $3,100 for a ceremony only, $4,100 for a reception only, or $5,200 for both. Discounted rates available on Friday and Sunday.
For ceremonies or receptions, a nonrefundable $1,000 deposit is required when the date is booked. Half the rental fee is due 6 months prior to the event; the balance is payable 2 months prior. For other special events, a 50% deposit is required with a signed contract; the balance is due 30 days prior to the event. The site has an in-house caterer; per-person meal prices run: breakfasts $10–30, luncheons $20–40 and dinners $40–80. Other options are available; alcohol, tax and a 20% service charge are additional. A deposit is required to book all events, and the balance is due 7 days prior to the event.
For meetings, rental fees run $425–2,000, depending on room, guest count, day of week and time frame. Half of the estimated event total is required to reserve your date; the balance is payable 1 month prior to the event.
Availability
Indoors year-round, daily, except Christmas. Business meetings, 8am–4pm or 5pm–10pm; wedding ceremonies 7am–9am or 5pm–7pm. Evening receptions, 5pm–10pm; morning receptions can be arranged.
CateringProvidedAlcoholProvidedBYO w/ Corkage Fee Site UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/AmenitiesCatering: providedKitchen Facilities: n/a Tables & Chairs: CBA, extra fee Linens, Silver, etc.: provided Restrooms: wheelchair accessible Dance Floor: CBA, extra fee Bride's Dressing Area: yes Meeting Equipment: PA system, 2 microphones Parking: large lot Accommodations: no guestrooms Telephone: pay phone Outdoor Night Lighting: yes or extra CBA Outdoor Cooking Facilities: n/a Cleanup: provided View: rose garden, stream and koi pond, lawns, woods, estate home Other: event coordination |
Amplified MusicIndoorsWheelchair AccessWheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsCreek/RiverForest/Wooded Area Fountain/Water Feature Garden Garden Patio/Courtyard Lagoon/Pond Landscaped Grounds Site TypeGardenPark Community Center/Civic Bldg Historic/Landmark Building Banquet Hall/Events Facility RestrictionsAlcohol: provided, or WC corkage feeSmoking: designated areas Music: amplified OK indoors, acoustic only in gardens Wheelchair Access: yes Insurance: liability required Other: decorations limited |
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818/949-4291
www.descansogardens.org/weddings
Email or request more information for your event from Descanso Gardens
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