Return to Search Results

The Victorian

Why We Like This Place

Santa Monica is famous for trendy boutiques and bistros, oceanview resorts and powder-sand beaches…it’s probably the last place you would expect to find a historic Victorian home and garden. Yet tucked inside Heritage Square on Santa Monica’s Main Street, a pale yellow shingled mansion lends a turn-of-the-century gentility to the lively seaside town. This unexpected juxtaposition of old-fashioned glamour in a contemporary coastal milieu makes The Victorian a delightfully intriguing venue for formal banquets, family get-togethers and all sorts of parties—bridal couples in particular are drawn to the home’s heirloom look and storied elegance.

Originally built near the Hotel Miramar in 1892 as the residence of one the neighborhood’s founding families, the two-story building was moved to its current location in 1973. Heritage Square is a prime pocket of nostalgic architecture, with the California Heritage Museum and its sprawling lawn on one side and The Victorian on the other. Completely and carefully renovated, The Victorian has had its main rooms enlarged and added a wine cellar for a total of 15,000 square feet of event space including the landscaped grounds.

A brick path leading to the front door (and lined with candles and twinkle lights at night) curves among oak trees, blooming flowers and outdoor seating. As you enter, you’re greeted by a polished oak bar, a congenial spot for cocktails, as are the home’s two patios. Throughout, the décor is characteristic of the late 19th century—a mixture of fine antique furnishings, classical artwork and candles.

Couples often exchange vows upstairs in a lovely room with a built-in bar for champagne toasts and a covered veranda for pre-ceremony mingling. Open-air ceremonies are held on the Heritage Museum lawn or even on the beach, a short walk from here.

There’s plenty of room both indoors and out for a sit-down reception or elegant buffet. The intimate main dining room features an octagonal enclave framed by tall windows at one corner, perfect for the bride and groom’s table or to showcase the wedding cake. A line of French doors opens to a terrace, where guests sit among trees that seem to grow right up from the wooden floor and through the latticework canopy. The terrace is enclosed for warmth and comfort, and guests are soothed by the sound of a nearby waterfall.

The Victorian boasts an experienced staff that will help you make the most of this unique property. They’ve even put together an inclusive wedding package that covers: meal service by their in-house caterer; beer, wine, champagne and soft bar; rental fee; on-site parking; a spacious dance floor; tables, linens and Chiavari chairs; and setup and breakdown—in other words, an easy and stress-free way to entertain.

The quaint home and its tranquil garden are awash in vintage charm, yet the salty tang in the air reminds visitors that the rolling waves are just one block away. With plenty of lodging options close by, your out-of-town guests will be thrilled with the opportunity to explore the local scene. Whether you fancy a cozy gathering or a lavish gala, the hospitality offered by The Victorian will lend your celebration the romantic sophistication of a bygone era.

Capacity

Ceremony	Reception/Special Events	Meetings
Max. Seated Indoors: 220 Max. Seated Outdoors: 400	Max. Seated Indoors: 250 Max. Seated Outdoors: 300 Max. Standing Indoors: 450 Max. Standing Outdoors: 400	Max. Seated: 200
CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Main Room holds 220 seated guests, the Museum Lawn up to 400,  and the Upstairs Room up to 130 seated. A beach ceremony is also an option. EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: Indoors, the house accommodates 24–250 seated or 40–450 standing. Outdoors, the lawn holds 300 seated or 400 standing guests. MEETING CAPACITY: Several spaces hold 30–200 seated guests.

Fees & Deposits

A $1,500 nonrefundable deposit is required upon booking to secure your date. An additional $1,500 (also nonrefundable) is due 1 month from the initial deposit, 50% of the estimated event total is due 6 months prior and the the remaining 50% is due 2 months prior to the event. Holiday rates apply. Guaranteed guest count is due 14 days prior and final payment is due 10 days prior to the event.

Wedding packages run approximately $115/person depending on menu selected and guest count; the package price includes a sit-down dinner, dance floor, 3-hour bar service, candles, linens, coordination, service charge and parking. Other special events begin at approximately $40/person for seated meals or approximately $35/person for cocktail receptions; tax, alcohol and a 20% service fee are additional. An extra fee applies to events on Saturday nights (and there is a food and beverage minimum).

Full-day meeting packages start at approximately $55/person including breakfast buffet, lunch, afternoon snack and unlimited nonalcoholic beverage service.

Availability

Year-round, daily, anytime.

Catering Provided Alcohol Provided BYO w/ Corkage Fee Location Uses Ceremonies Wedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/Amenities Catering: provided in-house Kitchen Facilities: n/a Tables & Chairs: provided Linens, Silver, etc.: provided Restrooms: wheelchair accessible 1st floor only Dance Floor: provided Bride’s Dressing Area: provided Meeting Equipment: CBA Parking: 100-car lot with attendant, valet CBA Accommodations: no guestrooms Telephone: emergency use only Outdoor Night Lighting: yes Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no Cleanup: provided View: no Kosher: outside kosher caterer with approval Other: event coordination

Amplified Music Indoors w/ Restrictions Wheelchair Access Wheelchair Accessible Site Views No View Venue Type Banquet Hall/Events Facility Historic/Landmark Building Restrictions Alcohol: available Smoking: outdoors only Music: amplified OK indoors until 2am Wheelchair Access: main floor only Insurance: liability required Other: no rice or flower petals

• Wondering what CBA or BYO means?
• Why can't I search by price?
• Click here for more info on our editorial process.

Wedding Venues > Southern California Wedding Venues > Los Angeles Wedding Venues

Want to search again?

Southern California Wedding Locations
Search • See All Southern California Wedding Venues • Los Angeles • Mammoth Lakes / Eastern Sierras • Orange County • Palm Springs / Palm Desert • Riverside / Inland Empire • San Bernardino Mountains / Lake Arrowhead • San Diego • San Fernando Valley • San Gabriel Valley / Pasadena • Santa Barbara County • Santa Catalina Island • Santa Clarita Valley • South Bay L.A. / Long Beach • Temecula Wine Country • Ventura County •  Find By City

Southern California Discount Room Blocks
Search • See All Room Block Discounts for Wedding Guests in Southern California

Southern California Honeymoon Locations & Romantic Getaways
Search • See All Southern California Honeymoon Destinations

Southern California Wedding Vendors Search •  All Southern California Wedding Vendors
•  Bartending and Beverage Service for Weddings
•  Bridal Gown Cleaning and Preservation
• Bridal Makeup and Hair
• Wedding Cakes
• Catering
• Event Coordinators and Wedding Planners
• DJs and Wedding Music
• Wedding Favors
• Wedding Flowers
• Wedding Invitations
• Marriage License Service
• Officiants and Ministers
• Party Rentals and Linens
• Photo Booth
• Wedding Photographers
• Videographers
• Wedding Insurance

Southern California Wedding Dresses Search • See All Southern California Bridal Salons  • Southern California Wedding Dress Trunk Shows and Sample Sales

Wedding Fairs Southern California Wedding Fairs

Expand your search:
Central California Weddings •  Northern California Weddings • Online/Nationwide Wedding Vendors • Real Weddings

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @hctg. We tweet about new wedding locations and services.