How Much Does a La Venta Inn Wedding Cost?

Last Updated on April 24, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Perched dramatically atop the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Southern California, La Venta Inn overlooks the dazzling Pacific Ocean from its cliffside location. This iconic boutique hotel combines old Hollywood glamour and Spanish architectural elegance to create one of the most coveted wedding venues in the Los Angeles area.

Hosting a ceremony and reception at La Venta Inn provides couples with a fairytale coastal setting steeped in history and romance. But organizing the wedding of your dreams at this prestigious locale does come at a substantial price.

In this guide, we’ll break down the many factors impacting La Venta Inn wedding costs. You’ll learn about venue rental fees, catering prices, and all the various expenses that contribute to the total budget. We’ll also provide useful budgeting tips and cost-saving strategies to help make hosting your special day here more affordable. If you’re considering a magical coastal wedding at La Venta Inn, understanding the full financial picture is essential.

How Much Does a La Venta Inn Wedding Cost?

La Venta Inn Wedding all-inclusive packages start around $18,000 and can easily exceed $30,000 or more depending on guest counts, upgrades, and add-ons. Plus, fees, rentals, expanded menus, and other costs add considerably to that base price. Achieving this high-end vision does come at a significant price.

Rather than planning every detail separately, many couples opt for La Venta Inn’s all-inclusive wedding packages. These convenient bundles simplify planning and costs. Popular options include:

Starry Night Elopement Package

Perfect for intimate weddings, this package starts around $3,500 covering up to 10 guests during off-peak times. Includes:

• Rental of garden gazebo and terrace for 2 hours
• Officiant to conduct ceremony
• Bridal bouquet and boutonniere
• Bottle of champagne for toasting
• Cake for 10
• 2-hours of photography

Twilight Affair Package

For 50 guests during peak season, this package starts at approximately $18,000. Includes:

• Outdoor garden ceremony and indoor reception sites
• Tables, chairs, linens for guests
• Appetizers, 3-course plated dinner, full bar
• Wedding cake, cupcakes, sweet bites
• Bridal party floral arrangements
• 5 hours wedding photography
• Hair/makeup for bride

Endless Love Package

For 150 guests on a Saturday, pricing starts around $38,000. Includes:

• Indoor and outdoor venue access
• Cocktail hour with chef-attended stations
• Plated dinner menu and premium bar
• Upgraded chiavari chairs and designer linens
• Floral decor, accent lighting, draping
• 6-piece live band and MC/DJ
• Photobooth, 10-hours photography coverage
• Videography package
• Transportation for bridal party

These packages provide turnkey simplicity. Couples can further customize offerings by adding or subtracting elements to achieve their wedding vision on budget.

The price range for La Venta Inn wedding packages is between $25,000 and $65,000 according to WeddingWire. This cost includes the entire package, providing tables, linens, cutlery, food, cake, and the services of a wedding coordinator. Additionally, the venue offers flexibility in decorations and stunning ocean and LA skyline views, making it a highly recommended choice for weddings and events.

You can get in touch with La Venta Inn directly by phone at 310.373.0123.

About the Storied La Venta Inn Venue

To appreciate the premium value La Venta Inn offers, it helps to understand its rich history and stunning design.

Originally built in 1929 as an exclusive club for prominent Californians, La Venta Inn quickly became a glamorous escape frequented by Hollywood celebrities, industry moguls, and high society. Its striking Spanish Colonial architecture and secluded coastal setting provided a tranquil, indulgent atmosphere that charmed all who visited. During its heyday as a members-only hideaway, La Venta Inn hosted lavish dinners, soirées, and star-studded events.

When the private club dissolved in the late 1940s, La Venta Inn began its next chapter as a luxury boutique hotel and exclusive special events destination. Over the decades, it has been the backdrop for countless weddings, solidifying its reputation as one of L.A.’s most iconic places to say I do.

Today, La Venta Inn retains its 1920s ambiance through design details like stucco archways, hand-painted tiles, ironwork accents, fountains, and lush gardens. The spectacular ocean vistas, vibrant event spaces, and exceptional service create a quintessential SoCal wedding experience couples dream of.

Factors That Drive La Venta Inn Wedding Costs

Planning any wedding involves juggling dozens of decisions that impact your total budget. When hosting at an elevated venue like La Venta Inn, these costs climb substantially. Some of the main expenses include:

Site Rental Fees

This covers exclusive use of the ceremony and reception spaces for your booked time frame. Rental fees at La Venta Inn typically range from:

• Intimate Elopements:$1,500 – $3,000
• Smaller Affairs (up to 75 guests):$5,000 – $9,000
• Average Weddings (75-150 guests):$8,000 – $15,000
• Large Weddings (150+ guests):$12,000 – $25,000+

Rates vary based on guest count, season, day of the week, and areas occupied. Peak summer weekends are the most expensive.

Catering and Beverage Costs

Catering averages $60 – $150 per person depending on menus. Bar packages range from $15 – $50 per guest. Lavish options quickly increase costs.

Event Rentals

Tables, chairs, linens, lighting, dance floors, and decor rentals typically add $5,000 – $15,000 cumulatively. Elaborate installments drive this higher.

Entertainment

DJ and band pricing averages $1,500 – $5,000. Photobooths, performers, or celebrities add more.

Photography

Wedding photo and video services range from $2,500 for limited coverage up to $10,000+ for full wedding documentation.

Other Services

Hair/makeup, florals, invitations, transportation and other ancillary services can tally $5,000 – $15,000 total.

Careful evaluation of each proposed cost is crucial to avoid budget overruns. Prioritizing elements and eliminating non-essentials keeps expenses controlled.

Other Expenses to Budget for

On top of your selected package, other typical La Venta Inn wedding costs include:

Extended Photography/Videography

Extra hours of coverage beyond package inclusion averages $3,000 – $8,000 depending on services.

Lavish Florals

For statement floral art installments or abundant florals, budget $5,000 – $15,000+.

Specialty Cocktails

Unique signature drinks or wine pairings can add $10 – $25 per guest to bar costs.

Luxe Transportation

Vintage limos, Rolls Royces or party buses average $750 – $2,000 per vehicle booked.

Celebrity Entertainment

Hiring celebrity DJs or musicians averages $5,000 – $15,000+ for just a few hours.

Enhanced Stationery

Custom letterpress, foil-stamped invites with luxury detailing range from $15 – $50+ per invitation.

You might also like our articles about the cost to book a wedding at Mar a Lago, Jericho Terrace, or Laurita Winery.

Helpful Tips for Budgeting a La Venta Inn Wedding

Hosting an event at La Venta Inn is undoubtedly a considerable investment, but smart budgeting tactics make it possible for many:

• Scrutinize every proposed cost and cut non-essential items that won’t impact the overall vision.
• Opt for wedding insurance to safeguard against vendor issues or cancellations.
• Book on an off-peak day like Friday or Sunday for venue fee savings of 10-30%.
• Inquire about promotional rates, new venue spaces opening, or special add-on package pricing.
• Stick to lighter appetizer stations instead of elaborate plated dinners to save on catering.
• Supply your own alcohol purchased at retail rates rather than paying premium bar prices.
• DIY elements like programs, menus, or escort cards rather than purchasing.
• Skip the day-after brunch and host a laid-back farewell picnic instead.
• Work with vendors willing to give discounts in exchange for marketing exposure.
• Consider a winter wedding to avoid peak rates and minimize floral needs.

Get creative to cut corners while still achieving your dream wedding. Financial planners can also assist in developing a wedding budget.

La Venta Inn vs Similar L.A. Venues

In the greater Los Angeles and Southern California region, only a handful of venues offer the same level of luxury, service, and opulence as La Venta Inn. Here’s how it compares cost-wise to close competitors:

Wayfarers Chapel: Gorgeous glass chapel venue starting around $5,000 for ceremonies but limited reception capabilities on-site.

Trump National Golf Club: From $18,000-$30,000+ for excellent dining and amenities but not directly oceanfront.

Hotel Casa del Mar: Approximately $15,000-$25,000 for beachside elegance in Santa Monica but smaller indoor spaces.

Montage Beverly Hills: Breathtaking rooftop views with pricing over $30,000+ for smaller guest counts under 75.

Pelican Hill: Stunning seaside venue but higher base costs starting at $40,000+ for Napa-style weddings.

Bel Air Bay Club: Sophisticated oceanfront club but also with higher minimums of $30,000+ even for smaller events.

In terms of dramatic coastal venues in Southern California, La Venta Inn provides an excellent value with mid-tier pricing compared to some even higher-end options. Their all-inclusive packages and customizable options make attaining the five-star experience possible for many couples.

Final Words

In the end, determining whether the luxury of a La Venta Inn wedding is worth the higher costs comes down to aligning your budget with your priorities.

There’s no question La Venta Inn provides a spectacular, truly elevating setting for your special day. From the sweeping ocean views to impeccable service and world-class amenities, this historic boutique hotel offers a complete five-star wedding experience.

For those who value the fairytale ambiance and have the budget to spend on a truly remarkable venue, then the splurge may be justified. With careful planning around your priorities and needs, many couples make their dream La Venta Inn wedding a reality, even with tighter resources.

But for those simply looking for coastal charm on a more modest budget, this elite venue may still remain out of reach financially unless willing to compromise.

Deciding whether to host your wedding at La Venta Inn comes down to aligning your budget with your vision. Their team is highly skilled at working creatively within diverse budgets. And few settings can compete with the romantic perfection of exchanging vows with the Pacific as your backdrop at this iconic Southern California retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the timing for a ceremony rehearsal?

Rehearsals are usually scheduled the evening before the wedding for one hour. This lets the bridal party practice the logistics.

Do they allow decorations?

Yes, floral decor and lighting that meets safety guidelines is permitted. All decor plans must be approved by the venue ahead of time.

What type of music is permitted?

All genres are welcome, however, amplified music must end by 10 pm. Acoustic performances may continue later and dancing until 11 pm.

Is a coordinator included?

La Venta Inn supplies a venue coordinator to assist with vendor setup, timing, and service. However, many couples also hire a personal coordinator.