Frequently Asked Questions
Venue & Services
+Q: HOW MANY GUESTS CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE MAX?
200 is the maxiumum number of guests.
+CAN WE HAVE OPEN FLAME CANDLES?
All candles must be LED or battery operated. Due to the venue being a historic property surrounded by greenery, we cannot allow any open flames and/or candles.
+WHAT TIME IS THE LATEST OUR EVENT CAN END?
Music cut off is at 10pm with all guests and vendors off property by 10:30pm.
+CAN I PUT LOOSE FLOWER PETALS IN THE FOUNTAIN?
Florists are free to add floral arrangements, but we do not allow loose petals in the fountain. Any flowers or arrangements must be removed from the fountain at the end of the event, including any fallen flower petals in the water; La Venta Inn has a skimmer you may use. We ask that you do not lean on the fountain, as it is unstable. Please keep in mind when designing floral arrangements for the fountain that the fountain must remain on at all times, as we are unable to turn it oft.
+CAN I BRING MY DOG? DO YOU ALLOW DOGS TO PARTICIPATE AT THE CEREMONY?
Yes, you may bring your pet; we do require a professional/designated pet handler to ensure the safety of your pet.
+WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE VENUE?
The venue fee includes: Use of our dining tables and cocktail tables (Rounds, Squares, or long Tuscan Wood) Use of our wooden cross-back reception chairs and maple ceremony chairs Heaters for the courtyard and veranda Standard rentals including all tabletop ware, linens, utensils, and glassware at a discounted rate Exclusive access to our historic landmark venue for your rental period, including: Ceremony alter and lawn with sweeping ocean views Fountain courtyard Garden walkway for photos Veranda patio with ocean views Ballroom for dancing Private Oceanview Cottage with AC and heating Private Hideaway Suite Guest restrooms and lounge AC for the dining rooms and ballroom Free parking for you and your guests, with 52 designated parking spaces and a parking lot attendant Access to premier on-site catering and bar services exclusively from Made by Meg Assigned event liaison Two consultation meetings with your planner and a La Venta Event Liaison and unlimited email communication. Floor plan creation, setting up, and take down Vendor recommendations
+CAN I JUST HAVE MY CEREMONY AT LA VENTA, AND RECEPTION ELSEWHERE?
Yes, our new Ceremony Only Offering allows couples use of our iconic outdoor ceremony lawn for standalone wedding ceremonies, elopements, and vow renewals. This discounted rate includes private use of the property for two hours, the grounds for photos, dressing room and light refreshments for wedding party, on-site parking, ceremony chairs, and a rehearsal.
+WHICH OUTSIDE VENDORS ARE ALLOWED?
You can bring in your own florist, photographer, videographer, hair/makeup, officiant, rental company, bakery for the cake, live music, and photo booth. We have an exclusive planner list, DJ company, valet, transportation, and catering contract.
+DO YOU HAVE AN OUTDOOR RECEPTION SPACE?
Yes, we have an amazing view of the queen’s necklace (the shape of the coastline) from our veranda, available as an outdoor reception space. For outdoor receptions, we allow tables on the veranda, and no tables are allowed on the grass.
+HOW MUCH OF THE PLANNING OF THE WEDDING IS YOUR VENUE WILLING TO ASSIST WITH?
The event liason will help create your floor plan, give advice and suggestions on timelines, recommend vendors from our preferred partner list, and help guide the newlyweds as-needed for venue-related items at La Venta Inn.
+IS THE VENUE COMPLETELY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Wheelchairs are able to go into the ballroom and middle room with ease. Access to the ceremony lawn, getting-ready suites, and lower dining room are not available at this time.
+CAN WE ADD ON EXTRA HOURS?
For evening events, extra hours can be purchased at the beginning, and for midday events, at the end. Extra hours can only be purchased 30 days before the event date, provided the other time slot has not been booked yet. The cost is $1,500 per hour.
+RAIN PLAN?
In the case of rain, you and your fiancé can opt to have your ceremony in the ballroom, standing in front of the fireplace. The space can comfortably accommodate 90 chairs. The ballroom would also serve as the location for your cocktail hour. Alternatively, you can opt to tent the ceremony lawn. If you would like to rent a tent for a rainy day lawn ceremony, please contact Bright Rentals in Torrance, CA.
+CAN WE GET FULLY READY ON PROPERTY?
Yes! La Venta offers privacy and exclusivity with two separate getting ready areas for the couple: the Ocean Cottage and Hideaway Suite. The amount of getting ready time depends on the chosen wedding package. The Full Day Package provides private access from 7:30am-10:30pm. If you opt for the Evening Package, you and your vendors can arrive at 3:30pm and the rest of your guests at 5pm. Usually, the couple gets mostly ready off the property and then puts on the dress/suit here on the property for pictures.
+HOW MUCH TIME IS ALLOWED FOR SET-UP AND CLEAN-UP?
With a full day buyout, your vendors may arrive as early as 7:30 am. With a morning or evening package, your vendor’s access time can be 7:30am/3:30pm with guests arrival being 9am/5pm. We have successfully done this for over 30 years and all our preferred vendors usually have most of their decor or equipment ready to go upon arrival. After the event, all decor and vendor supplies must be taken down by the departure time.
+WHAT IS THE TIMING FOR MY WEDDING?
Morning packages include a 9 am guest arrival time and a 9:30 am ceremony with a lunch reception to follow. Evening packages include a 5 pm guest arrival time and a 5:30 pm ceremony, depending on time of year to catch sunset. Partial day rentals include 5 hours of exclusive access to the property. Amplified music is turned off promptly at guest departure (Morning: 1:30 pm; Evening 10:00 pm).
+WHAT IS THE TIMING FOR A CEREMONY REHEARSAL?
A ceremony rehearsal can be hosted a day or more prior to your wedding depending on availability. Rehearsal fee is $350 and includes one full hour on the property. The La Venta team can provide a list of recommendations for your rehearsal dinner. If you need catering an offsite rehersal dinner, please let us know and we’d be happy to help with suggestions.
+DO YOU ALLOW DECORATIONS?
Yes! We welcome decorations, such as flowers, electric candles, and lighting. We do not allow anything to be applied to the walls or building that will cause damage such as nailing into the walls or affixing with tape. As this is a historic property we do not allow sparklers, live flames, or confetti. We permit loose flower petals and ask that you designate your florist or coordinator to clean up the pedals after the event.
+WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC IS PERMITTED?
The ballroom is designed for DJs. All amplification must come from our house sound system. Live Entertainment and Announcements via microphone will conclude no less than thirty (30) minutes prior to scheduled conclusion. DJs and all Pre-recorded music may continue until the end of the contracted event time. All amplification must come from our house sound system. We have an exclusive contract with the #1 rated DJ group in the South Bay, Vox DJs!
+DO YOU HAVE ANY GUIDELINES CONCERNING DEPARTURES?
Yes, we love seeing the final departure photo and happily allow bubbles and photography. Grand exits for the newlyweds with all guests present can be done inside of the ballroom only. Getaway cars are allowed, but the couple needs to exit without any guests, due to noise levels. The smoothest way for an exit is the couple and guests leaving at same time.
+WHEN DO I HAVE ACCESS TO THE OCEAN COTTAGE?
You and your wedding party have full access to the Ocean Cottage starting as soon as your time block begins, as early as 7:30 am. You may leave your belongings in the Cottage for the duration of the event, but all personal items must be collected by the end of your event.
+IS A COORDINATOR INCLUDED?
Since we are the venue and the caterer, we focus exclusively on executing those portions of your wedding. Therefore, we require clients to hire a Professional Planner—whether it be full or partial coordination. Your coordinator is your point person who matches your style, vision, and personality. You will need someone to tell the DJ when to start and stop and to tell you when to walk down the aisle at the right moment. We now have a list of exclusive coordinators for you to choose from!
+CAN YOU RECOMMEND ANY LOCAL VENDORS?
There’s a tremendous amount of local talent and vendors we love working with. If you book your date with La Venta, you receive a PDF called the Next Steps Packet that shows local vendors, local hotels, sample itineraries and more.
+ARE TENTS INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICING?
No. If you would like to rent a tent and the associated accessories please contact Bright Rentals in Torrance, CA.
+WHAT IS THE SECURITY DEPOSIT?
A $2,500 damage security deposit is required for weekend events. This is to cover potential damage by your guests, and will be refunded two weeks following the event. If any damages have occurred, you will be notified, and we will bill you for any repairs over and above the deposit.
Food & Beverage
+Q: MAY WE BRING IN AN OUTSIDE CATERER?
With the exception of wedding cake, we cannot allow outside food and beverages. Made by Meg must provide all of your food and beverage items. Please inquire about dessert displays.
+Q: CAN WE BRING IN OUR OWN ALCOHOL?
As the licensed caterer Made by Meg has its own ABC Full Liquor License to provide your event with the appropriate alcoholic beverage needs. Due to liability and service standards we do not allow a client to provide their own alcohol.
+Q: IS THERE A FOOD AND BEVERAGE MINIMUM?
Yes. Those numbers are provided upon request. Food and Beverage Minimums are exclusive of tax and production fees.
+Q: MAY I OFFER A CHOICE OF ENTREES?
You may offer guests a choice of entrees when sending your invitations, and they can mark their selection when sending back the RSVP card, along with any dietary restrictions. When working with your event liason, you’ll be able to select your entrees based on the package(s) you are serving at your event. We ask that all entree selections and final meal counts are submitted 14 days prior to your event, so we may properly prepare. We do not offer tableside entree selections during your event. Our chef composed entrees can accommodate guests with dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerance and other allergies.
+Q: WHEN DO YOU NEED THE FINAL HEAD COUNT?
Final food and beverage guest count numbers must be received no later than 14 days prior to the event.
+Q: DOES MADE BY MEG PROVIDE A WEDDING CAKE?
We do not provide a wedding cake or storage for early deliveries, but we have a great list of local wedding cake bakers. Made by Meg will provide the cutting, serving and bussing of cake to your guests.
+Q: DO YOU OFFER KIDS MEALS?
Yes, we do offer a kids meal for children 10 and under, including hors d’oeuvres for seated dinners. We do not charge for children under the age of 2. Please let us know the number of children attending with your final guest count so we may accommodate accordingly.
+Q: DOES THE BAR PACKAGE INCLUDE NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS?
Yes! Bar packages include soft drinks and other non-alcoholic bar standards (club soda, tonic water, and a variety of juices). We also can add custom mocktails in place of specialty cocktails.
+Q: IS THE BAR PACKAGE CHARGED PER PERSON?
Yes. All adult guests over 21 years old are charged the selected bar package at an hourly rate. Children and guests under 21 are charged the non- alcoholic package rate.
+Q: WHAT IS THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE?
A deposit to save your date includes 33% of the invoiced total. A progress payment is due 60 days in advance of your event for 33% of the invoice total. Final payment is due two weeks before your event. We do not hold dates on a tentative basis.
+Q: WHAT IF MY FINAL GUEST COUNT CHANGES?
When signing your contract, you are committing to a guaranteed minimum expenditure for food and beverage based on your estimated guest count regardless of your actual attendance. Up until two weeks before your event, the guest count is tentative for cost breakdowns. Your final guest count is due 14 days prior to the event, and this becomes the guaranteed minimum. If your guest count is significantly lower than originally quoted, we will increase the value per guest with your menu selections.