How to Plan a Super Stylish Wedding at an Estate Wedding Venue (The 2027 Guide)
An old, historic estate + modern, stylish wedding decor = basically what I see in my wildest dreams.
Really, though, if you’re planning an estate wedding and looking for tips… This guide to planning a gorg wedding at an estate wedding venue has you covered!! My qualifications are that I’m a Los Angeles wedding photographer who captures a lot of days like this (and who’s obsessed with it quite literally every time).
Pascale and David’s estate wedding has all the inspo, and yeah… Your dream wedding Pinterest board? She’s about to be FULL. Keep reading to see my best planning tips (and tons of inspiration) for a wedding at an estate wedding venue in SoCal!!
First, Choose an Estate Wedding Venue | 6 SoCal Estate Wedding Venues I LOVE
I mean, if you’re dreaming of an estate wedding… You have to choose an estate wedding venue. Luckily, SoCal is full of ‘em. And every single one of them? Absolutely gorgeous!!
Here are my favorite Southern California estate wedding venues, so that you don’t have to go down the inevitable Google rabbit hole to find your perfect match. You’re welcomeeee!
The Paramour Estate
The Paramour Estate is where boho meets Spanish-style meets peak Hollywood vibes, and it’s the colorful, funky estate venue of my dreams. The Beaux Arts style villa has everything you could ever want in an estate wedding venue: a rich history and STUNNING views, everywhere you look. And don’t even get me started on the vibes, because any wedding I’ve ever captured here basically invented fun.
Here’s what to know about The Paramour Estate:
Max capacity: 200
Address: 1923 Micheltorena St, Los Angeles, CA 90039
On-site accommodations: Yes
All-inclusive packages: Yes
The Houdini Estate
Picture Alice in Wonderland, but in real life, and that’s The Houdini Estate. I’m obsessed with it every time, and I don’t know if it’s because of the super vibrant, super unique vibe of it or because they actually make planning a wedding here feel easy.
Max capacity: 1,200
Address: 2400 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
On-site accommodations: Yes
All-inclusive packages: Yes
Villa del Sol d’Oro
Villa del Sol d’Oro is iconic for many reasons (one being that Legally Blonde and The Princess Diaries were filmed here), so weddings here? They’re a treat every time!! I love capturing days that feel equally as cool as they are beautiful, and if that sounds like something you want, you’ll want to see this one.
Here’s everything to know!
Max capacity: 200
Address: 675 W Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
On-site accommodations: No
All-inclusive packages: Yes
La Venta Inn
La Venta Inn is just, like… Effortlessly cool. It feels like California and has views of California that basically stop me in my tracks every time I’m there. You can see my whole guide on how to plan a wedding here (and what it feels like to get married here), but here are the main deets you need:
Max capacity: 200
Address: 796 Vía Del Monte, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
On-site accommodations: No
All-inclusive packages: Yes
Carondelet House
If you’re looking for an estate wedding venue that’s classy, but still not super traditional, you’ll LOVE the dim lighting, exposed brick, and tucked-away feel of Carondelet House. This is one of my all-time favorite Los Angeles wedding venues, and you can see why right here!!
Your overview, of course:
Max capacity: 150
Address: 627 S Carondelet St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
On-site accommodations: No
All-inclusive packages: Yes
Greystone Mansion
Last, but defffinitely not least, is Greystone Mansion. This one is a historic estate wedding venue with the BEST European vibes and most gorgeous photo ops, and as if it could get any better, weddings here feel easy every single time.
Here’s what to know!
Max capacity: 250
Address: 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
On-site accommodations: No
All-inclusive packages: Yes
Wedding Design Ideas for an Estate Wedding
Okay, one of my favorite things about an estate wedding?? The decor is always INCREDIBLE.
Anything elevated works, anything that’s a little effortlessly elegant works, and anything that’s stylish and chic works. And that’s basically everything I love most!!
Here are a few design ideas for a day at an estate wedding venue that I couldn’t be more obsessed with:
Elevated color palettes – raspberry and matcha? Sold! Pastel colors with a vintage spin? Yeah, I’m in love.
Timeless, airy wedding dresses – Reko by Watters and Helix by Hera Couture are basically made for a main-character moment at an estate wedding venue.
Sculptural floral arrangements – gimme all the amaranth for estate weddings, please and thank you!!
Vintage-inspired details – because parasols and lace tablecloths and thrifted ceramics just fit sooo well.
European-inspired details – whether it’s clinking wine at an outdoor wedding table with your people or just choosing a venue filled to the brim with old-world European architecture… It only makes sense!!
What Kind of Wedding Photography Works Well at an Estate Wedding Venue
I mean, you can easily see from the list above that estate wedding venues are gorgeous through and through, so our wedding photos?? They’re kind of a big deal.
My approach as a Los Angeles wedding photographer is to get the editorial shots when the time calls for it (like, when the light is hitting really good or when you two are being framed by an archway perfectly and I can’t help but to stop you right there for pics) and then to step back and catch the little moments that you probably don’t even know are happening for the whole rest of the day. I like galleries with a little bit of the dance floor chaos, plus some of your hugs with grandma, and a little bit of your model moment, too. It’s called balance!!
For Pascale and David’s day, we used their estate venue to get photos that felt super Old Hollywood-esque. And if you can’t tell… I’m seriously obsessed. The direct flash? The staircase? The feeling of escaping back in time?? Take me back!!
Other Things to Know About Planning a Wedding at an Estate Wedding Venue
What are the typical amenities offered by luxury estate wedding venues?
Typically, an estate wedding venue makes planning super easy, because princess treatment is yours. I’m talking about alllll the works: all-inclusive packages, on-site accommodations, you name it!!
What questions should I ask when visiting an estate wedding location?
As a Los Angeles wedding photographer, I always recommend asking these questions when you’re touring your dream estate wedding venue:
What’s your peak season?
If there are gardens, when are they in bloom?
Is there a specific cut-off time?
Who sets up and cleans up?
Will there be venue staff on-site on my wedding day?
What all do packages include?
What are popular wedding themes for estate venues?
Themes that I personally love seeing at estate wedding venues are vintage weddings, garden party weddings, and European-inspired weddings!!
Pascale + David’s Stylish SoCal Estate Wedding
Pascale and David’s day was essentially a movie that would get a 5-star Letterboxd review from me without hesitation. The emotion?? The lighting?? It all felt more like a dream (or something Taylor Swift would write a song about) than real life.
The whole day was so beautiful, but their dinner was lovely. The light was hitting the tables just right, making everything glow, and the family-style dinner setup created the kind of connection that had everyone belly-laughing allll night long. I’m obsessed with this one forever!!
Their vendor team nailed an estate wedding, so if you’re looking for vendors to join you at your estate wedding venue, don’t skip these masterminds:
Venue: Wrensmoor Castle (now closed)
Planner: Hun Events
Caterer: Chef Cordelia
Videographer: 204 Made
DJ: Dart Collective
Wedding Dress: Amsale
Invitations: Janelle with Elle Creative
Florist: Good Floral Co.
Hair & Makeup: Emily & Co.
Cambria Shelley | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer
Whether it’s at an estate wedding venue or not, I’d LOVE to be there to capture your Los Angeles or SoCal wedding. Capturing people kissing is my jam, and if this all sounds like your dream day, you can inquire about booking me here!!
