The Wedding Atlas · United States · Los Angeles
Getting Married in Los Angeles
Canyon estates, Malibu bluffs and Palos Verdes clifftops in California light. Los Angeles works as a wedding destination across a wide geography, from the canyon gardens of Bel Air to the Malibu coast and the oceanfront bluffs of Palos Verdes. The unifying element is California light: golden, directional and present for an average of 284 days per year.
Part of the Los Angeles destination guide.
- Best months
- May to October
Where to marry
Where to Get Married in Los Angeles
Photo: Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Bel Air and Beverly Hills
A private zone of residential estates in the hills, including Greystone Mansion.
Malibu
Coastal and canyon formats, including Cielo Farms, Saddlerock Ranch and Calamigos Ranch. Fire recovery is ongoing in some sub-areas.
Photo: Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Downtown Los Angeles
Industrial lofts and historic buildings, including the Vibiana cathedral. Evening energy is strong and the demographic is younger.
Palos Verdes and South Bay
A resort on the cliff above Rancho Palos Verdes, suited to larger events that need a full resort setup.
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Los Angeles
The 3 venues we list in Los Angeles. Tap a pin to open a venue.
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A Wedding in Los Angeles
Canyon estates, Malibu bluffs and Palos Verdes clifftops in California light
A canyon hotel on Stone Canyon Road in the Santa Monica Mountains is the reference point for the market, with Swan Lake, bougainvillea-draped gardens and a level of discretion that has made it a default choice for entertainment industry weddings that require privacy. A restaurant on site completes the offer.
Malibu supplies the outdoor coastal dimension. A restaurant sits on a platform above the Pacific Coast Highway with views toward Point Dume. Cielo Farms is a working vineyard in the Malibu canyon wine country, and Saddlerock Ranch adds scale with its vineyard, oak trees and free-roaming zebras.
The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires caused major losses across Pacific Palisades, Altadena and adjacent communities, and some Malibu-area venues and access routes were affected. Rebuilding is ongoing as of 2026, so the current operating status of any Malibu or Pacific Palisades venue should be confirmed directly before booking.
Choosing a setting
Choosing a wedding setting in Los Angeles
Oceanfront Clifftop
Clifftop settings on the Palos Verdes bluff and above the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, with a Pacific backdrop. This is a cinematic outdoor format within the LA market.
Photo: Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly HillsThe season
When to get married
Los Angeles is a year-round market, but outdoor weddings are most reliable from May to October. June Gloom, a thick morning marine layer, can persist until late morning in May and June along the coast, while inland venues are clearer. Wildfire risk runs from August to November, so any autumn booking needs the venue's fire safety plan confirmed.
Recommended wedding months: May to October. Peak season is June to September, and the shoulder months are April to May and October.
Getting there
How guests arrive
Los Angeles International (LAX) is the primary gateway, and transfers to venues vary with traffic, with rush hour adding significantly. Burbank (BUR) serves the San Fernando Valley and gives quicker access to the Malibu canyons. Long Beach Airport (LGB) serves Palos Verdes. Traffic is the dominant logistics variable, so all schedules need generous transfer times.
Los Angeles International (LAX). Direct service from London Heathrow, plus extensive connecting service from all US hubs.
Burbank Hollywood (BUR). For guests based in the Valley or the canyon areas.
Where guests stay
Under one roof, or nearby
Los Angeles has a deep hotel market. Because of the city's geography, most guests need a base close to the venue.
Canyon garden hotel
A canyon garden setting with Swan Lake, widely known for private weddings.
Beverly Hills landmark hotel
Bungalows and on-site event space at a well-known Beverly Hills address.
Recently renovated Beverly Hills hotel
A hotel in Beverly Hills with an on-site restaurant, recently renovated.
Photo: The Langham Huntington PasadenaFood and drink
Eating and drinking in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a dynamic restaurant culture and a catering industry that serves the entertainment sector at scale.
Oceanfront Malibu restaurant
An oceanfront restaurant in Malibu with a private room for groups, used for pre-wedding dinners.
Beverly Hills formal dining
A flagship restaurant with private dining for groups, an LA institution for formal entertainment industry dining.
Italian-American reservations
An Italian-American restaurant with private event space by arrangement, and very competitive for reservations.
Good to know
Before you book
January 2025 wildfire impact
The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed much across Pacific Palisades, Altadena and adjacent areas, and some venues and access roads were affected. Before any Malibu, Pacific Palisades or north LA venue is booked, its current operating status should be confirmed directly with the property.
Traffic as a variable
Traffic in LA behaves less predictably than in other cities. On a Friday afternoon a short transfer on the 405 or the Pacific Coast Highway can turn into an ordeal. A local planner builds traffic buffers into every schedule, and wedding-day transfers use a private car with a driver who knows the alternate routes.
June Gloom
The marine layer along the coast, especially in Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu, can stay thick through midday in May and June. Inland venues in Bel Air, Pasadena and the Malibu canyon areas are clearer. A guaranteed blue-sky outdoor ceremony is safer from July to October.
Entertainment industry vendors
Decades of film and television production have given LA a deep pool of event production talent. Floral, lighting, catering and entertainment vendors work at a high scale and quality. The best vendors are booked far ahead for peak dates.
People who work in the United States
Planners, photographers and other wedding professionals based in the United States.
Samuel LippkeLead Photographer, Samuel Lippke Studios
Preston BaileyEvent designer, producer and director, Preston Bailey
Edgardo ZamoraFounder and Award-Winning Event Designer, Revelry Event Designers
Mindy WeissFounder and lead planner, Mindy Weiss Party Consultants
Rev. Dr. Benita LivingstonFounder, wedding officiant and ordained minister, Living Ceremonies
Duke KhodaverdianFounder and principal photographer, Duke Photography
Despina CraigOwner and Event Designer, Despina Craig Events
Cristina VergerFounder and event planner, Cristina Verger Event Planning and Production
Sarah Glick RomashkoCo-owner and Creative Director, Boston, Brilliant Event Planning
Aliana RubinsCEO and Creative Director, Aliana Events
Jeannie Young SavageFounder, About Details Details
Bronson PateLead photographer, Duke Photography
Chelsea LaFolletteCo-owner and Lead Planner, New York City, Brilliant Event Planning
Mimi RichardsonEvent Coordinator, Aliana Events
Art OsaProduction Manager, Aliana Events
Natalie BorgesEvent coordinator, About Details Details
Christine Danielle TranPlanner, About Details Details
Kristi LeeEvent planner, About Details Details
Sarah StowellEvent planner, About Details DetailsQuestions couples ask
Before you decide
Which Los Angeles venue offers the most privacy?
The canyon hotel in Bel Air is generally regarded as very private, thanks to its canyon location, discretion and design. Greystone Mansion stands out for its architecture, and a Malibu oceanfront setting for its scenery.
How does Los Angeles compare with New York as a wedding destination?
New York offers the grand urban ballroom tradition, while LA offers outdoor California light and canyon or coastal settings. New York has denser venue quality per square mile and LA has more geographic variety. New York weddings tend to be more formal, while LA weddings lean towards a California informality that is increasingly influential. The budget-to-experience ratio is broadly similar.
What became of venues in Pacific Palisades after the 2025 fires?
The January 2025 Palisades fire destroyed significant residential and commercial property in Pacific Palisades and adjacent Malibu areas, and some smaller venues and event spaces in the fire zone were affected. The current status of any specific Palisades or coastal Malibu venue should be confirmed directly before booking. Most Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Palos Verdes and inland Malibu venues were unaffected.
Can a UK resident marry in California?
Yes. California does not require residency for a marriage licence, and a UK resident can marry with a valid passport as identification. The venue coordinator can point to the nearest County Clerk-Recorder office.
Which airport should guests use for a Los Angeles wedding?
Los Angeles International is the primary gateway, and transfers to venues vary with traffic, with rush hour adding significantly. Burbank serves the San Fernando Valley and gives quicker access to the Malibu canyons. Long Beach Airport serves Palos Verdes.
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This guide draws on the venues' own published details, official sources and the knowledge of our editors. Entry and legal information can change, so confirm it with the authority that will marry you before you book.