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 30 minutes before guest departure (Morning: 1:30 pm; Evening 10:00 pm).
With a full day buyout, your vendors may come in as early as 7:30am. With a morning or evening package, your vendors will have an hour and half before guests arrive. We have done this successfully at this venue for over 30 years and all our favorite vendors have most of their decor or equipment ready to go in their vehicles upon arrival. After the event, all decor and vendor supplies must be taken down by departure time. A fee will be applied if this is not adhered to.
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.
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.
The ballroom is designed for either live bands or DJs. All amplification must come from our house sound system. We have an exclusive contract with the #1 ranked DJ group in The South Bay.
We love seeing that final departure photo and happily permit bubbles or LED style celebration items. All group departures must take place within the ballroom as organized group activities beyond the ceremony are not permitted outside.
You and your bridal 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.
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. Recommendations available upon request.
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.
No. If you would like to rent a tent and the associated accessories please contact Bright Rentals in Torrance, CA.
A $2,500 damage security deposit is required for weekend events. This is to cover potential damage by your guests, and will be refunded ten (10) business days 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.
Yes. Those numbers are provided upon request. Food and Beverage Minimums are exclusive of tax and production fees.
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.
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.
Final food and beverage guest count numbers must be received no later than 14 days prior to the event.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Bar packages include soft drinks and other non-alcoholic bar standards (club soda, tonic water and juice).
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 of $7.00 per person.
A deposit to save your date includes 33% of the venue and 33% of the catering minimum. Production fee, tax, and security deposit are due upon your final payment two weeks before your event. We do not hold dates on a tentative basis.
A $2,500 damage security deposit is required for weekend events. This is to cover potential damage by your guests, and will be refunded ten (10) business days 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.
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. If your guest count were to decrease we would reduce your total due down to this guaranteed minimum. If your guest count is much lower, then we’d increase value per guest with your menu selections.