Pasadena offers many wonderful places in which to have a wedding or reception but I give you my three most favorite. I’ve cheated a little by choosing two venues that, strictly speaking, are not in Pasadena but they should be.
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso
La Canada Flintridge Ca
818 949 4203 Wedding Office
A few miles northeast of Pasadena are the Descanso Gardens with its forests and meadows, acres and acres or camellias, a Japanese teahouse, a lovely old house, and beautiful views of the San Gabriel Mountains. There are many areas of the Gardens that are offered for weddings and receptions.
Prices range from $3,100 to $5,200 depending on venue. Wedding and reception hours are mornings from 8 A.M. to 1 P.M. and evenings from 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. Set up is at 7 in the morning and a 3 for the evening. Weddings are held when the general public is not in the Gardens. Amplified music is allowed only indoors so as not to disturb the wildlife.
You don’t have to worry about choosing a caterer because Patina Catering is Descanso Gardens’ exclusive caterer. They are very good. They are also quite expensive so it is a good idea to go over prices with them before you reserve the Gardens and then find out you can’t afford your caterer.
Castle Green
99 S. Raymond
Pasadena, Ca
626 793 0359
Built in 1898 as a grand hotel for wealthy eastern tourists, the Castle Green is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is now a co-op where the residents own their own apartments. However, the areas of the first floor are available for weddings and other events.
An improbable blend of Moroccan and Victorian architecture, the Castle Green features lush luxury and reeks of romance with just a touch of intrigue. Your guests are free to enter the Lobby and to stroll about the Main Salon, the Moorish Room, the Turkish Room, the Sunroom, the Ballroom, and the Gardens.
Prices vary by day and by time. Evenings cost $1700; Monday through Thursday is $2200; Fridays go for $3850; Saturdays cost $4950, and Sundays are 3850. You are allowed nine hours-five and one half for the event and three and one half-hours for set up and take down and clean up.
The Castle Green has a list of five caterers that you must choose from. The peripatetic Patina Catering is among them.
Los Angeles County Arboretum
310 N Baldwin
Arcadia Ca
626 821 3211 Wedding Co-ordinator
A very short drive east of Pasadena takes you the Arboretum a 127 acre marvel with plants from all over the world with a lake, streams and waterfall and a Victorian Cottage. This is a very popular place for weddings and they are only held from April through October so make your reservations as soon as possible. You must like peacocks; they are all over the place and will probably join your wedding party.
There are several areas from which to choose and the Wedding Co-ordinator will take you around and help you make your choice. Prices are a bargain and depend on number of guests: 50 guests cost $500; 50 to 150 is $1300; 150 to 250 is $1700 and 250 to 300 goes for $2500. The Arboretum has an on site caterer but you may use your own caterer if they are willing to provide $1,000,000 in general liability insurance. If you serve alcohol, you must hire a security guard for every 75 guests and you must purchase $1,000,000 in general liability insurance. Set up is from 4 to 5 and tear down from 9 to 10 so all your people must be fast. It would be best to hire people who have experience working at the Arboretum and are familiar with their rules and regulations. All weddings are in the evening when the Arboretum is closed to the general public.
The Arboretum allows acoustical music only fearing, perhaps, that amplified music might drown out the screeches of the peacocks.
A month before the wedding you, your caterer, florist, musician(s), chair rental person, etc. must meet with the Event Co-ordinator to go over the rules and to make sure that your wedding and/or reception runs smoothly so that you have a wonderful experience on your special day.
