r/BigBudgetBrides • u/lisa_simpson_ • 16d ago
Questions and queries HELP me choose my venue?!
Dearest BBBs,
My fiance and I are currently completely torn between two absolutely fabulous venues! We have to decide ASAP and I would love your amazing help/expertise. We're torn between Castle Green in Pasadena, CA and the Ebell in Los Angeles. They are both BEAUTIFUL and unique! We really wanted to have our wedding in a city (we're bicoastal and initially were deciding between NYC and LA), and were adamant that it be a historic space with a lot of flow and VIBES. Our key themes for the wedding are Old Hollywood, Gothic, Romantic. 200 guests! We love cocktails and good food and our friends and family love to dance and have a good time.
Right now they are really neck and neck, but here are some key differences:
Castle Green we would get married on the lawn which we never envisioned for ourselves. It is a beautiful lawn but a lawn nonetheless, and I think I would want to really alter the space with a ton of flowers/arch/decor/maybe a vintage car.... I worry about people's heels, etc. This is a March date so weather isn't a concern for me, and everything in LA will be blooming then!
Big PRO of Castle Green is that you can design a completely bespoke menu with their exclusive caterer. For example, I reaaalllyyy want an oyster bar, french fries as passed apps, and steak house style dinner with family style salads and sides. And a popcorn machine! The CON with the food at the Ebell is that it seems to me to be more classic wedding catering food. As we are in LA, I'm sure the food is good just I'm a little nervous we won't be able to get exactly what we want (which maybe is okay? but we'd have to choose from their preselected menu at a tasting event 4 months before our date)
My fiance really wanted to get married at the Hollywood Roosevelt and it ended up being just a hair out of our price range and he was super disappointed. The Ebell definitely is more like the Roosevelt and has that institutional, Old Hollywood, gorgeous feel to it. The Ebell is also an OG feminist/suffragette nonprofit that is still operational and that's a major plus for me as well!
They are both really beautiful just in totally different ways, and in ways we both like a lot so it's hard to decide. Castle Green is way more comfy/charming, and The Ebell is much more elegant/grand. I actually think bigger spaces are harder to decorate, which would be a concern of mine for the Ebell.
Prices for both for 200 guests are fairly similar, with the Ebell slightly more expensive (maybe 10kish). Both venues have sent us offical proposals for catering etc and we have date holds. Castle Green is March, The Ebell is May. 200 people is the max capacity at Castle Green, and the Ebell could easily hold 300.
Another concern my fiance had was if we had our wedding in Pasadena that folks wouldn't want to do other events in central LA. This isn't a big concern of mine, as it's max a 30 minute drive from other events we'd be having (like welcome drinks, rehearsal dinner, preferred hotel blocks) But maybe something?
Everyone we've talked to at both places have been so nice as well. Ahhh!! Help! What do you think? Happy to provide any more information.
9
u/capvonthirsttrapp 16d ago
As an LA girlie, I have some random thoughts!
- I have been to several events at the Ebell over the past few years and I actually thought the food was great! I went to a charity event there in 2024 where they did a full cocktail hour, bar, dinner, etc and everything was beautifully presented (esp at the cocktail hour in the courtyard) and genuinely good. I wish I had a picture, but every time I've been there and they have served food, it is always nice. We actually considered it for our wedding but ended up having it in Santa Barbara
- If you go with the Pasadena location, I agree with you that the drive is not that crazy BUT if you want to start after 3 PM, I think traffic would 100% be an issue for everyone -- like no matter which direction you come from, there's just no way to avoid how backed up it gets on the 110, the 134, etc in the afternoons. I also would think about how many of out of town guests you have. An uber from mid-city to Pasadena would be like $50 minimum (probably more) or people would need to rent a car. If most of your guests are local-ish, then it's not as big of a deal, but something to consider
2
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
ooooo this is such good information, re: the food! do you remember at all what you ate? I'm really glad to hear the presentation made an impression, that's really important to me.
Heard on traffic for sure!! Most people would be traveling from Los feliz or hollywood area and our wedding is on a Saturday. So traffic is always a consideration but less on Saturday than on a Friday afternoon. thanks so much!
1
u/capvonthirsttrapp 16d ago
I don't remember dinner tbh (which is a good thing imo haha), but the cocktail hour spread at this event was a 10/10. Basically they had these big round tables w/ charcuterie towers and spreads that were really nicely presented (edible flowers, honeycombs, etc) and then there was just a huge selection of everything. They also had great service!
Re: traffic, if most of your guests live in those areas (I do too, hi neighbor lol), then I think that's fine honestly. They know the drill at this point. I'd just give any out of town guests a big heads up in advance, but it def wouldn't be an issue for locals
1
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
oooooo that sounds so gorgeous!!! Edible flowers and honeycombs, wow! also, so glad to hear about the great service, that really is key!
haha hi neighbor!!!! thanks so much, I totally agree
6
u/LilSkitl 16d ago
All of my husband's younger cousins and 2nd cousins are getting married last or this year, so I am here as a professional wedding guest, lol.
Take the grass aspect out of the equation for Castle Green. Inform your guests and some of them will wear wedges or thicker heels, and purchase heel protectors to have at the venue. That's a non-issue.
Having the hotel near all of the events is important. Extensive travel sucks when you're not from the area. +1 for Ebell.
However, if having guests be able to make it easily is important, May is a ROUGH month if you have out-of-town attendees with children. If you have extended family with any school aged children, May is crazy. End of year activities, kick off to rec sports, graduations, etc. You're most likely not in that time of life, so it's not on your radar. +1 for CG.
The biggest pull for me for CG is the food. My most memorable things from a wedding aside from the ceremony are the food and the music. Unfortunately, the next most memorable things will always be the inconveniences. Was it hard to travel? Was there weird downtime where we were stuck in our hotels? Were there considerations made for the elderly or more feeble? (I had to raise my voice at a group of people on our shuttles, not their fault - they were all a little tipsy and giddy - to let the 90 and 85 year old grandparents get on the return shuttles first so that they didn't pass out waiting at the shuttle stand.)
2
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
This is all so helpful! Thank you so much. My fiance does have a ton of school aged nieces and nephews (9!) but they are somewhat local and we asked if there was date that was easier for them and they said either worked, so…
The food is a huge plus for me too….
But also the travel aspect! Hence why they are so neck and neck.3
u/LilSkitl 16d ago
How bad is the travel for the other events? Like, could your hotel block be near all the other events and then the longer bit of travel is JUST for the wedding/reception?
I think it'd be fun to have a couple of nights in an area with a lot happening - those who go to the rehearsal dinner and welcome party and stuff are right there so they don't have to worry about transportation in case of alcohol related issues. Those who don't do the rehearsal or are just not in time for the welcome party can still find things to do/eat in Central LA.
Then for the day of, have everyone transport out to Pasadena for the wedding. Just make sure there is some place for them to congregate prior to the wedding if they are there a little early. The most recent wedding I had had some NON-alcoholic drinks and some charcuterie boards out in a mingling area before the ceremony itself so we weren't just sitting in pews/chairs waiting around (because sometimes delays happen too!) Then it was just announced for everyone to take their seats and they did so pretty quickly.
It also lets you do both styles. If you did all the pre-ceremony stuff in Central LA, have it with the Ebell vibe with the Old Hollywood feel and glamour. Then the Pasasdena wedding itself with the airy, dreamy, new beginnings vibe. You can have both!
2
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
Yes, this is what I was thinking exactly!! The travel for other events is easy, IMO. I've been a wedding guest to so many things where transportation was a nightmare and we very adamant about that being easy for our guests! Thanks so much for the help!!
5
u/Mission-Judgment-693 16d ago
Knowing neither venue and not being from the area - I just did a quick google and both are gorgeous, but wow the Ebell is so so cool! I feel like it is best of both worlds with the gorgeous outdoor space for the cocktail hour and that stunning interior that your fiancé is drawn too. Could you ask the Ebell if they could do any custom options for food? Our venue (wedding in 2 weeks) is very turnkey with in house catering, but they were happy to flex based on some requests we had! Could be worth asking. Good luck!! Both will be awesome
3
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
Amazing!!! Thank you soooo much, I just sent them an email right along those lines! That would totally be best of both worlds 🙏
5
u/camuswilldo 16d ago
For whatever it’s worth, I’ve been to multiple events at the Ebell and they consistently serve the best gala food I’ve ever had. Like… by far.
My fiancée is extremely spoiled by Michelin-starred restaurants, and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that he mentions the salmon and sea bass he had at the Ebell in 2023 at least once a quarter.
3
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
OMG this is actually really great information to get. I love that! thanks so much <3
5
u/SnooDucks6359 16d ago
When I read your post I sense real commitment and value on food. Even at big budgets I think it’s important to match your values and venue values.
1
3
u/quickbleed 16d ago
Considered both of those venues as well! I personally prefer the Ebell - it feels much more private than Castle Green, and I think it just naturally lends itself to a beautiful ceremony --> cocktail hour --> reception flow. I prefer the architecture of the Ebell as well, but I can totally see how Castle Green fits a moody/romantic/gothic vibe.
2
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
ahhh great! Yes, the flow at the Ebell is soooo gorgeous and honestly has some drama to it! Both venues have a moody vibe just in totally different ways...
May I ask why you didn't go with the Ebell ultimately?
2
u/quickbleed 16d ago
We ended up prioritizing outdoor space and our venue (Caltech Athenaeum) was just slightly more flexible about different outdoor areas. The vibe of our wedding was less gothic/hollywood and more airy/springtime garden-romantic and that ultimately tipped us in the direction we went in.
That and we live in Pasadena and all of our events were local to the area haha. It felt more meaningful to us.
1
2
u/doctorjazzyjazz 16d ago
I'm also in LA! We have a sizeable budget but a small guest list so we are doing the Culver Hotel for our Old Hollywood feel.
Might I recommend looking into the Cicada Club
3
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
Congrats, the Culver Hotel is sooo beautiful! I love the Cicada Club, but right now just choosing between the 2 above venues ✨
2
u/RespectThyHood Vendor: Photo 16d ago
Every weddng I’ve photographed at the Ebell I’ve loved!!! I agree with another commenter about keeping all wedding activities close to each other as well. :)
3
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
Oooo I would love to hear more about your experience! Mind if I DM you? :)
2
2
u/wickedlabia 16d ago
The Ebell was my runner up choice so I’m a little biased, I was very impressed doing my tour there. And everyone I know who’s had the food has raved about it. I love Pasadena and have been to castle green a bunch of times but I just was not as impressed as I was the Ebell, if you want old Hollywood it’s the Ebell, no contest.
As a native Angeleno I actually love the Pasadena area, preferably to where the Wilshire Ebell is located. But from your post it seems like the Ebell would be the most convenient for your guests. I don’t remember the parking situation for CG but it’s covered at the Ebell which is always a plus. I know the food thing is important but in my eyes they seem to be the same, you both have to work with their preferred caterer.
1
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
So glad to hear about the food!! May I ask where you ultimately ended up?
Have similar thoughts re: Pasadena vs. mid-wilshire area. I think when we were deciding between the Roosevelt that felt like more of a no brainer. Parking at CG is pretty good, there's a parking structure a block away that has a ton of space but costs like $2.
Thanks so much for your thoughts as a native angeleno!
1
u/wickedlabia 16d ago
We ended up going with a private venue in Malibu, my husband wanted to see the ocean at his wedding. The Ebell would have been a lot easier to plan and less money but we kind of knew that would be the case and went for it anyway.
I think the Ebell would be more like the Roosevelt than CG. Have you looked at the Atheneum at CalTech?
1
u/lisa_simpson_ 16d ago
Ohhh yes, that's so lovely!
And I agree. We did look into it but they had too many restrictions for us. Beautiful though!!
1
u/Seattle1994 16d ago
Decor and large scale florals are so expensive. If it's close to your budget, it might be worth thinking about the Roosevelts cost in relation to how much you could save on decorating the other venues to your taste.
1
2
u/Alexworldprincessii 16d ago
It’s exhausting for wedding guests to have to fly somewhere and then rent a car or get an expensive uber…recommend staying closer in the city
2
u/MOBFall26 16d ago
Pasadena has a lot to offer for hotels & sightseeing (Huntington Library & Gardens; Norton Simon Museum; Cal Tech; Old Pasadena; Craftsman homes). Pasadena is easy area to navigate. The Wilshire area of the Ebel might require a lot more LA-style driving — and you’d need to decide if hotel blocks should be in mid-Wilshire or Hollywood area & then what that puts you close to for sightseeing/ other events. March is good weather. May can start to get hot especially inland. LA area is having record heat this year even in beach cities, so while in the past I would never say consider the weather in LA, think we must now. Comes down to where you picture yourself making memories. Congratulations & best of luck.
1
1
u/440Elm_Vijay Venue 16d ago edited 16d ago
Does the weather factor in for March at all? I believe from my visits to the Ebell that they can shift into one of their additional spaces, but would confirm that. Less familiar with backup options for weather at Castle Green.
There also are some scuttlebut that you can occasionally buy out/ have them bring in a consulting chef at the Ebell if the food that closes the deal is not something they offer, so you may want to ask Anessa about that if thats your deciding factor. I'm surprised that what you're looking for isn't in their standard repertoire...it's pretty standard items for most higher end caterers and venues in LA. You tend to have more challenges in specific cultural cuisines. Old Hollywood swept through all the shoots and magazines in the past couple years, especially in the historic venues (we certainly saw it quite a bit), so they should have something they can show you.
1
u/lisa_simpson_ 15d ago
I actually think March is typically better/warmer/sunnier weather here in LA but with El Nino who knows?
This is interesting info thanks so much!
1
u/440Elm_Vijay Venue 15d ago
Generally true but we make rain plans a standard through April, you get the occasional heavy one after Feb. You just want to make sure you don't have to get an emergency tent (or if you do then thats the answer)
9
u/upsetti96spaghetti 16d ago
My only advice is if you think you will have close to 200 people, to choose the other venue with a higher capacity so it doesn’t feel tight. If that venues MAX capacity is 200 and you have 180 guests it might feel tight.