I know I don’t have to talk you into getting married in Los Angeles, because you already know that it’s something straight out of a movie here. Golden light, vibrant colors, and that feeling where slow, intentional love meets a huge celebration?? It’s literally magic. And one of my favorite things about an LA wedding is that there is NO shortage of insane wedding venues around. As a Los Angeles wedding photographer, I’ve captured days at a ton of venues, and I’ve seen exactly how choosing a unique one sets your day apart. So, close all your Google tabs, put on some T Swift, and keep reading, ‘cause I’ve got every unique Los Angeles wedding venue right here that you’ll want to see if you’re dreaming of a day that’s a little different than the rest.
When a Unique Los Angeles Wedding Venue is the Way to Go for Super Cool, Non-Boring Couples
Listen, I know that if you’re here… You’re not boring. You want something unique, something that feels completely like you. And I love that, because that’s EXACTLY how it should be. Your wedding should be totally true to who you are, not a cookie-cutter copy of the weddings you’re seeing all over Pinterest… And that 1,000% starts with your venue.
Your Los Angeles wedding venue is what sets the entire tone for the day. It’s what creates the overall mood. It’s what brings that connection you’re craving. I mean, it’s literally the spot where you’re starting FOREVER!! So, yeah… It’s something that deserves to be really, really cool. If you’re dreaming of one that makes your people walk in and say, “Okay, wow, this is insane,” you’ll love this list of my favorite unique LA wedding venues as a Los Angeles wedding photographer.
For Modern Los Angeles Weddings: The Fig House
The Fig House is foreverrr one of my faves, and Cameryn and Ollie’s day is showing you exactly why. It’s laid-back, it’s easy to make your own, and it’s one of those places that you step into and immediately feel in your bones that you’re about to have the best night of your life.
This is one of those unique Los Angeles wedding venues that’s a blank slate that’s SO easy to put your own spin on. And the design of the courtyard, the mid-century character, the lush, vibrant colors?? I cannot. It’s also intimate and calm even though it’s right in the heart of Highland Park, which is a huge accomplishment if you know anything about LA chaos.
If staying present on your wedding day is priority #1 (as it should be!!), The Fig House is probably a perfect match. The setup lets the day flow SO naturally. One of my favorite parts of Cameryn and Ollie’s day was when we snuck out to get that laaast little bit of sun, and they just got to be totally themselves. The romance of them just simply getting to spend time alone?? I’m obsessed. It’s golden (like daylight).
If you’re as in love as I am, here’s everything you need to know about getting married at The Fig House:
Max capacity is 350, and yeah, it’s a place for a party. Celebrations here just work, so larger weddings are a perfect fit!!
There are no on-site accommodations at the LA wedding venue, but they do have two getting-ready suites there. So don’t fret; you won’t have to deal with LA traffic on your wedding day.
In case SoCal decides to send us a little rain, there are indoor and outdoor venue options. And to be so real… The inside of the venue is just as gorgeous as the outside, so your plan B doesn’t even feel like one.
Here are the vendors that made Cameryn and Ollie’s day the vibrant, garden-esque fairytale it was (that I would recommend to literally anyone for ANY of these unique LA wedding venues):
Coordinator: Peggy Kelley
Dress: LOHO Bride
Caterer: Roomforty
Music: Dart Collective
For a Down-Right Funky Los Angeles Wedding: Valentine
Never ask me to choose my favorite thing about Valentine because I simply cannot do it. The lush greenhouse? The funky walls? The cinema screen in the reception space?? I’m incredibly obsessed with all of it.
This one is a super unique wedding venue that’s perfect for the kinda couples who are a little funky and a little retro, which means that the design is always a 10/10. Natania and Zach’s funky Valentine wedding had that eccentric, creative vibe that’s kind of a dream come true, so if you need inspiration… Their day has literally ALL of it.
One thing that I really love about weddings here is that it has character, and guests LOVE it. This is one of those places that has a wow factor and that just, like, immediately makes people have fun. And for me, as your Los Angeles wedding photographer… That means tons of dance floor chaos and laughing candids. Which are basically my fave pictures ever.
Here’s what you need to know about planning a wedding at Valentine:
It accommodates up to 240 guests, which is the perfect spot where you get to party, but also actually talk to your people.
There are indoor and outdoor spaces at the venue, and each has something totally unique to it. One room has a cinema screen (which I’m seriously obsessed with), several have vibrant murals, and some have neon lights and retro furniture. Score!!
Valentine has two getting-ready suites on-site, and they’re honestly just as cool as the rest of the space is.
For Historic Los Angeles Weddings: Vibiana
Okay, Vibiana is an old cathedral turned wedding venue, and it’s like where classic elegance meets Gothic era meets the Roaring 20s meets “OMG, I can’t believe something this beautiful exists.” Imagine grand parties with live jazz music, flowing martinis, and the kind of setting that makes every photo somehow look nostalgic?? If you want to see what that actually looks like, I highly recommend that you peek at Cheyenne and Christian’s unique wedding at Vibiana.
This is the one for you if you’re the kind of couple who loves old-world charm and a setting that screams elegance, but lets you also still have fun. Because beauty and experience are two of the MOST important factors for choosing a unique Los Angeles wedding venue.
Here’s more info about Vibiana:
If a party is your biggest priority, this one can literally hold up to 550 guests seated. Sooo… That packed dance floor that you can’t stop dreaming about at night?? It’s coming to life.
You can get ready here, but you can’t stay overnight. Don’t let that scare you, though, because it’s conveniently located near a TON of downtown LA hotels.
Your wedding here takes place all indoors in the grand hall, and that’s SO great, because the architecture here literally could make me cry behind the camera.
For a Dinner-Party Style Wedding in Los Angeles: Redbird
Redbird is one of those places that make you feel like you and your people are in your own little world, which is kind of a big deal when it comes to Los Angeles.
If you’re the kind of couple who wants a unique Los Angeles wedding venue that’s still sweet, romantic, and intimate… You’ll LOVEEE Redbird. It’s a restaurant in downtown LA that’s basically like a secret garden, and weddings here feel sooo special. You get your favorite people all tucked around some tables outside, and that SoCal air and sunshine just gets me sooo giddy. If you can’t picture it… Kenzie and Andrew’s Redbird wedding?? Literally the blueprint.
One thing to note is that Redbird is actually connected to Vibiana, so you can have two totally different energies to the day if you want to. A small, sweet ceremony in the courtyard followed by a big party in the grand hall at Vibana?? Literally the way to my heart.
Here’s what to know before you decide 100% that this is your place:
You can literally have as few as 10 people here for a dinner party, or you can move into the Vibiana main hall and invite up to 550 guests. The world is your oyster!!
As I said, you have the option to be inside or outside, and both are totally unique with their own personality and character. And we love that.
There are still no on-site accommodations here, but you can get ready on-site, then stay in one of the thousands of hotels close by afterwards.
For Unique, Intimate Los Angeles Weddings: The Revery
A modern blank slate with all-white exposed brick and the dreamiest natural lighting?? Sign me UP!! That’s The Revery in a nutshell, so if you’re dreaming of a unique wedding in Los Angeles that you can make completely your own, this is the one.
The Revery is a Los Angeles wedding venue that’s just waiting for you to make your mark on it, and I LOVE to see what my funky, design-forward couples do with it. It’s industrial and totally nontraditional, so it holds weddings that are a little different SO well. I mean, just look at Sierra and Andrew’s Italian, disco-themed Revery wedding… Are you JOKING?!
And I do have to say… Photos here? Immaculate. The combo of white walls and gorgeous lighting makes my little photographer brain so happy, and when you bring your personality to the design and flow of the day, everyone is having so much fun. So, basically… Candids are gonna be happening allll day long.
Here are all the little details to know about The Revery:
It has space for up to 300 guests seated, but works really well for intimate weddings too, if that’s more of your vibe!!
The Revery is an open-air space, so you can choose to hold your wedding inside or outside. She’s versatile, and we love her for that.
There are suites on-site for you to get ready in here as well, so don’t stress about the monster that is LA traffic.
For an Editorial, Art-Forward Los Angeles Wedding: The Carondelet House
I could honestly dream about The Carondelet House every night when I’m sleeping, and I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s THAT good.
When you step into this one, it feels like you’re leaving LA and stepping into old-world Europe with champagne flowing, jazz music playing, and dim lighting that makes you feel immediately comfy but also in awe??? Yeah. It’s as much of a dream as it sounds. If you don’t believe me, pop over to check out Hannah and Jake’s insane Carondelet House wedding.
There are TONS of editorial spaces and beautiful little corners here, so portrait time is basically a field day for me. Exposed wood and brick and so many intricate little details make this venue seriously incredible for the unique couple who wants a little bit of an art-forward day.
It’s probably impossible not to be in love with an LA wedding venue this unique, so here’s everything to know before you reach out
You can invite up to 220 people, and that’s the perfect size for a wedding here. You get the most fun dance floor but don’t feel overwhelmed, and that’s what I always want for you.
There are outdoor courtyards and indoor halls that each have their own character, and no matter which one you choose to hold the events of your day… It’s gorg.
You get suites to get ready right on-site, and it’s easy to get to hotels after the party is over. Always a score.
How to Pick Your PERFECT Unique Los Angeles Wedding Venue
Honestly, when you know… You know.
Seriously, though, if you’re having a hard time, here are the things I ALWAYS tell my couples to consider when they’re trying to narrow down their unique LA wedding venue list:
The logistics – things like guest capacity, transportation, and parking play a HUGE role in your day, so think about how you want your timeline and flow to look, and find the venue that works best with it.
The photos – while that’s really up to your LA wedding photographer to handle (hi!!), consider things like natural lighting, spots for photos, and what’s really important for you to have in your gallery.
The feeling – I mean… All of these venues are literally gorgeous, so you can’t choose based on that. Think about how you want your day to feel. Intimate and sweet? Go for Redbird. Grand and editorial? Vibiana and The Carondelet House are your girls.
Easy Ways to Make a Traditional Venue Unique
If you’ve already booked your Los Angeles wedding venue and you’re looking for ways to add something a little different… Let’s talk about it. Because there are SO many ways to sprinkle your personality into your day:
Choose a color palette that feels like you
Go for a non-traditional wedding dress
Don’t choose a design just because it’s trendy – do what feels fun!!
Plan fun activities into the day, because yours and your guests’ experience is a HUGE part of what sets a day apart
Cambria Shelley | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer
Found the venue that feels like you (or narrowed it down to approximately seven because LA makes decisions impossible)?? If you’re looking for a Los Angeles wedding photographer who’ll give you the editorial, film-y goodness without turning your wedding into an eight-hour photoshoot, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.
