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Unique Southern California Wedding Venue: Angelus Mountain Center

For the second installment of our Unique Southern California Wedding Venue Series we present the Angelus Mountain Center.

Nestled on a ridge of Chiquita Canyon, the Angelus Mountain Center is located inside the Angeles National Forest just north of Pasadena. The center is a working summer camp for kids, but the entire grounds are available on the weekends for wedding events (particularly in the off season). In fact, the center has become a popular wedding destination after being featured on Offbeat Bride as one of the top five unconventional (and affordable!) LA wedding venues.

We’re not surprised the center has become so popular. It has over 55 acres of space covered in dramatic oak trees, sprawling fields, and a rustic lodge that overlooks the San Gabriel Valley. It’s a hidden gem! And yes, it is affordable!

The Angelus Mountain Center is also the perfect wedding venue for the DIY bride! The grounds are yours to decorate in any way you imagine. They say there’s no micro-managing and you can bring in any vendors you choose. Plus, you can even camp on-site if you want to.

Scroll through the images below to get a tour of all the amazing things this venue has to offer.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

At the entrance you’re greeted by a playful wrought-iron gate decorated in iron-leaves and draped with magenta flowers. The adjoining cement patio is a great space to welcome guests, set up a gift-table, or present guests with escort cards.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

Colorful succulents and pots decorate the entrance space, adding whimsy and charm.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

The location is full of picnic tables that are free for you to use. You’re allowed to move them up to the lodge or down to the lawn, as long as you return them to their original locations after use. This saves you money on table rentals!

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

Rustic stairs lead guests down to the main field, where most couples hold their ceremony. Running along side the stairs is a rock water-feature, and at the end of the walkway you’ll find an oak grove leading to the nature center. Imagine the stunning images you could create under those magical trees!

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

You pass four hexagon-shaped cabins on the way to the field. These are also included in the rental. They’re the perfect place for the bride or groom to get ready before the event. If you’ve got kids attending your wedding, one of the cabins could also be used as a napping space for youngsters who need a little time away from all the festivities. Additionally, if you opt for the camping package, you can stay in the cabins overnight. Bring your sleeping bag and make an adventure out of it!

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

Past the cabins is the main attraction: the Angelus Mountain Center field. It’s the perfect place to hold your ceremony. Imagine getting married under one of these spectacular trees!

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

The field is also large enough that you could also hold your reception on the lawn. One wedding used all the picnic tables to create a single long table for their reception in this field.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

A vegetable garden is located at the end of the field. What a charming place to take a few bride and groom portraits!

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

Another great space for your ceremony is the amphitheater, (especially if you want to use the field for your reception). The theater comes with a stage, aisle, and a netted overhang for shade. Log-seats surround the stage, adding to the outdoor charm. Plus, you also save money by not having to rent chairs.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

There’s a fire pit at the center of the amphitheater. It’s one of the few places on-site that you can light a fire. It’s also the perfect place to have late-night wedding s’mores at the end of the evening!

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

If you opt to have your reception in the field, you can save money on a dance floor by using the basketball court.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

And of course, there’s plenty of old-fashioned entertainment for kids … or adults too, if you’re anything like us. It would be lots of fun to try out the swings in a wedding dress.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

If you’re dreaming of an indoor reception, or want a back-up in case it rains, there’s also a lodge available on the premises. The lodge is a 1,500 square feet of space, with wooden beams, a stone fireplace, and a piano. An additional 240 foot stage is located at the back of the room (perfect for a band!). The room is spacious and could accommodate around 150 guests, or more with the adjacent patio. A full kitchen is available to your caterer, and there’s onsite bathrooms for guests.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

The lodge also has an amazing outdoor patio.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

One of my absolute favorite parts of this venue is the lodge patio. It sits on the edge of the canyon with a spectacular view of the San Gabriel Valley. When the sun starts to set the view is breathtaking! You can set up your reception tables out on this patio for a beautiful outdoor event, or make it the dance floor and dance under the stars.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

Green sun-shades are available to protect guests from the sun. Or keep the shades tucked away and use the suspension wires to string up twinkle lights and lanterns. If you scroll to the bottom of the Angelus Mountain Center weddings page, you can see how awesome this space looks at night when decorated with string lights.

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

As a working kids camp, the location has a lot of rustic charm. You could fill these water basins with ice, soda, and spirits, and create your own unique bar!

Los Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.comLos Angeles Wedding Venues: Angeles Mountain Center, Altadena, CA – Russell Gearhart Photography – www.gearhartphoto.com

We love this space! With so many unique ways to set up your wedding, the Angelus Mountain Center is perfect place to make your own.

Please contact the Angelus Mountain Center directly for more details on renting this center for your wedding. Tell Jaimi and Cara we sent you!

Not sure this is the location? Don’t fret, we have plenty of of fun Los Angeles wedding venue suggestions:

Please contact us when you’re ready to look for a wedding photographer! We can’t wait to hear about what you have planned.

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