Los Angeles River Center and Gardens
Los Angeles Wedding Location570 West Avenue 26
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Phone: 323/221-9939 x301
www.LAMountains.com
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Description
Visiting the Los Angeles River Center is like getting an unexpected gift. Only minutes from downtown L.A. and just over the Los Angeles River, this gorgeous (and little-known) event facility will fit many a bride’s idea of the dream wedding location.
Built in the 1950s to house the headquarters for Lawry’s Products, Inc. (of Seasoned Salt fame), the facility was an anomaly among other corporate bastions of the time. Instead of erecting a glass-and-steel tower or concrete box, Lawry’s opted for an Old-California-style estate with a white stucco hacienda, cloistered courtyards and splendid gardens.
Well, good design never goes out of style, and the Los Angeles River Center is living proof. The Center is a hidden jewel, sequestered behind thick, ivy-covered walls. A wide, circular brick driveway with a spreading ficus tree in the center marks the entrance, and through the arched, wrought-iron gate you get your first glimpse of the fountains, flowers and serenity inside.
The small courtyard at the entry is a charming introduction to the Center, but before long a pair of carved wooden doors at the back beckon you into the Main Courtyard, a truly divine spot for a special event. This expansive multilevel patio is enclosed on three sides by the arcaded terraces of the Center’s buildings. Pepper trees rustle in the breeze, and beds of roses, agapanthus, and oleander soak up the sun. A three-tiered fountain stands in the center of a tiled reflecting pool, hugged at its four corners by a multitude of flower-filled terra cotta pots.
From the Main Courtyard, an arched entryway in a stucco wall leads to the San Fernando Courtyard, yet another broad patio—this time, with an adjoining lawn. A magnificent old ficus tree keeps this patio dappled in shade and lends the space a quiet dignity. The lawn, enclosed by tree-lined walls, is often used for ceremonies; the patio offers an alternative space for dining or dancing. Bordered by the California Building on one side and high walls on the other three, the San Fernando Courtyard is its own private little world.
Indoor celebrations or large meetings take place in the California Building. The main event space features a Mexican-tile floor, arched windows and a huge, peaked skylight that floods the room with natural light. Tables and chairs are set up beneath the skylight, with additional seating available on the second-story walkway that runs around the entire perimeter of the room.
Given all the beauty tucked away here, it’s unimaginable that the site—which had fallen into disrepair in the early 1990s—had been scheduled for demolition in 1998. Lucky for us, the local community fought to save it and they succeeded. With the help of the State, County and City of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy purchased the property and quickly went about restoring it. Their task is almost completed now, and while there are more improvements in the works, we think the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens is just about perfect already.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
|
Max. Seated Indoors: 250 Max. Seated Outdoors: 300 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 200 Max. Seated Outdoors: 500 Max. Standing Indoors: 300 Max. Standing Outdoors: 600 |
Max. Seated: 250 |
|
CEREMONY CAPACITY: The California Building holds 250 seated, the San Fernando Courtyard 200 seated, and the Main Courtyard 300 seated guests. |
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Fees & Deposits
A $1,000 nonrefundable deposit is required to reserve your date; the balance is due 30 days prior to the event. A $1,000 refundable security deposit is also required. Site rental fees for a 12-hour block vary by guest count and range $4,500–11,500.
Fees for business meetings range $250–1,000.
Availability
Year-round, daily, 8:30am–2am.
CateringBYOAlcoholBYOSites UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/AmenitiesCatering: BYO, approval required before bookingKitchen Facilities: prep only Tables & Chairs: BYO Linens, Silver, etc.: BYO Restrooms: wheelchair accessible Dance Floor: provided Bride's Dressing Area: yes Meeting Equipment: BYO Parking: on site for up to 150 cars Accommodations: no guestrooms Telephone: emergency only Outdoor Night Lighting: yes Outdoor Cooking Facilities: BYO, designated areas only Cleanup: provided, extra fee View: gardens Kosher: will allow an outside kosher caterer |
MusicIndoorsOutdoors Wheelchair AccessWheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsFountain/Water FeatureGarden Garden Patio/Courtyard Landscaped Grounds RestrictionsAlcohol: BYO, licensed server, hosted bar onlySmoking: designated area only Music: amplified OK Wheelchair Access: yes Insurance: liability included Other: no rice, confetti, balloons or fireworks |
Wondering what CBA or BYO means?
323/221-9939 x301
www.LAMountains.com
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