Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve
Calabasas Wedding LocationAddress withheld to ensure privacy.
Calabasas, CA 91302
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Description
An antlered stag leaps across the rarely traveled road to join a group of fawns and calmly stares at you, more with curiosity than trepidation…proof that The Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve, once known as Ahmanson Ranch, remains a natural, ruggedly beautiful environment.
For anyone who appreciates maintaining a sense of country in the city, the existence of the preserve is a sweet victory for the public, whose groundswell of lobbying stopped plans for development here and enabled the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to buy the property. Now, happily, this wild-land gem with its centerpiece 1930s ranch house and 360-degree views can be the harmonious setting for your private retreat wedding.
Like much land in Southern California, the preserve once belonged to the Chumash Indians. In the late 1700s, Spanish missionaries arrived and staked their claim for the king, with parcels given out to prominent families. After California became U.S. territory, much of the land was sold to a powerful local land baron and renamed Rancho Simi. Attempts to drill for oil came up dry, and while much of the rancho was developed, the most remote area seemed more suitable as a Hollywood backdrop, most notably as the outer reaches of Scarlet O’Hara’s beloved Tara in 1939’s Gone With The Wind. By this time, wealthy businessman George Barrett had turned the property into a horse ranch and built the classic L-shaped house atop the hill as a weekend getaway.
As you drive up from the gate, you know you’re approaching the Ranch House when the rustic landscape becomes more cultivated with old oak trees, towering eucalyptus and a lemon orchard. The cream-colored house with its dark green trim and shady portico is surrounded by lawns and multi-hued native plants. Splashes of color come from flowering borders and bright pink begonias spilling out of old wooden barrels.
At the far end of the front lawn, a wide stone platform, once the diving area of a long-gone swimming pool, provides a natural stage that’s perfect for your ceremony. Or, if you prefer, you can exchange vows under a stand of trees on the west lawn with the setting sun’s pink glow in the background. It’s all very flexible since you have the whole property to yourself. One wedding party arranged couches and lounge chairs on the sunset lawn to create a relaxed, outdoor living area. Another couple chose to stay with the ranch theme, entering on a horse-drawn wagon followed by a rousing barbecue on the flagstone patio.
Inside the well-maintained ranch house, the wide plank floors and whitewashed beamed ceilings are but a couple of the charming vintage details. French doors on either side open to both lawns, and a large stone hearth anchors the room, providing a warm and inviting reception area. If you’d like to show home movies or project old photos, the conference room down the hall has a pull-down screen. And best of all, since there are no immediate neighbors, your band or DJ can let loose while you dance under the stars.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
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Max. Seated Indoors: 50 Max. Seated Outdoors: 400 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 50 Max. Seated Outdoors: 400 Max. Standing Indoors: 75 Max. Standing Outdoors: 500 |
Max. Seated: 50 |
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Fees & Deposits
A $1,000 deposit is required to reserve your date. The balance is due 1 month prior to the event. Rental fees range $4,000–7,000 depending on guest count.
Availability
Year-round, daily, in 12-hour blocks of time.
CateringBYOAlcoholBYOSites UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/AmenitiesCatering: BYOKitchen Facilities: limited Tables & Chairs: BYO Linens, Silver, etc.: BYO Restrooms: wheelchair accessible Dance Floor: provided Bride’s & Groom’s Dressing Area: yes Meeting Equipment: BYO Parking: large lot Accommodations: no guestrooms Telephone: emergency use only, limited cell reception Outdoor Night Lighting: access only Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no Cleanup: caterer or renter View: landscaped gournds, cityscape, meadow, mountains, garden, valley, canyon, hills Other: magnificent sunset |
MusicIndoorsOutdoors Wheelchair AccessAccess LimitedSite ViewsCanyonCityscape Garden Garden Patio/Courtyard Hills Landscaped Grounds Meadow/Fields Mountains Panoramic Park Valley RestrictionsAlcohol: BYOSmoking: not allowed Music: amplified OK Wheelchair Access: limited Insurance: liability required |
Wondering what CBA or BYO means?
310/589-2850 x123
www.lamountains.com
Email or request a proposal for your event from Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve
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