About Pasadena
Located in the Verdugo Mountains in the shadow of the San Gabriel Mountains, Pasadena is a city in the county of Los Angeles with about 137 thousand residents. With stunning landscapes, the average temperature in the upper 60s, and awesome sunshine almost every day, you will enjoy your wedding reception whether it is indoors or out.
A Pasadena wedding reception venue is like a dream come true with all of the gorgeous scenery and spectacular buildings like the Grand Historic Masonic Hall with room for 225 people and a huge dance floor. And with more than 600 restaurants, museums, clubs, and pubs, you and your guests will find plenty to do.
Wedding Reception Venue Options in Pasadena
Your reception should be special but sometimes it can be a headache trying to deal with all the details. Luckily, choosing Pasadena for a wedding reception venue gives you access to a plethora of professionals to help with the planning.
- Catering
Whether you are having 50 people or 5,000, you know you have to have food, so get a catering company to take care of all that for you. They can work with you on the menu and preparation plans or you can just let them run the whole show. Either way, it will be much easier for you.
- Florist
You will need bouquets as well as floral décor for your wedding and reception and Pasadena has a variety of them from basic affordable to flamboyantly fancy. Make sure you get the best you can get for your wedding reception venue because this event is pretty special.
- Hair and Makeup
With all that you have to do, who has time to put on makeup and fix their hair? And you want it to be perfect so hire a professional team to do the whole wedding party. That way there will be no surprises.
- Furniture and Equipment Rental
Even if the Pasadena wedding reception venue you choose comes with tables and chairs, you will likely still need to rent some of the other things you need. For example, you may need a karaoke system, lighting, or photo booth for your guests to enjoy.
- Photographer and Videographer
Speaking of photos, you will need a photographer for your reception because as many pictures as your guests and family take, they will not be the same quality as a professional can give you. You want to remember this day forever so get a photographer and maybe a videographer as well.
Wedding Reception Venue Companies in Pasadena
Even if you have someone to do the flowers and photographs, you may still need a hand in getting everything to come together perfectly. Pasadena has many wedding reception planners who can help you with whatever you need.
- Kiss & Say I Do
Karla has been in the wedding and event planning business since 2010 and she has been featured on The Knot, Brides Magazine, Belle, and Wedding Chicks. She and her team will make your wedding reception smooth as well as stunning no matter whether you need just a little help or someone to do the whole shebang. They can even help you with last-minute emergencies on the day of the party.
- Memorable Moments
Memorable Moments will make your day memorable and your reception unbelievable whether you are having a small intimate group of 50 or a huge bash of over 500. They do preparation, color scheme, budgeting, DJ and musicians, décor, and everything else you may need for your Pasadena wedding reception venue.
- LNK Events
From RSVP tracking to budget planning, LNK Events offers a variety of needed planning services. Whether you need full-service, partial, or day-of coordination, they can take care of you and your guests to make your wedding reception the one you have been dreaming of.
Pros and Cons of Wedding Reception Venue in Pasadena
Even a fantastic city like Pasadena has its cons as well as its pros. No town is perfect after all. Let’s look at the pros and cons of having a Pasadena wedding reception venue.
Advantages
- The weather
You just cannot beat the weather with an average high of 79 degrees, an average low of 54 degrees, and over 300 sunny days per year.
- Beautiful mountains
No matter where you are in Pasadena, you can always get a background of the mountains for fantastic wedding reception photos.
- The food
Pasadena has a variety of well-known restaurants with everything from seafood to tacos, so you and your guests can find whatever you are craving.
- Parks are popular
With such nice weather, you should know that there are plenty of parks and other outdoor spots to enjoy it.
- The beach
You are less than an hour away from a variety of fantastic beaches including Santa Monica State Beach and Playa Del Rey.
Disadvantages
- High cost of living
Like many cities in California, the price of everything is higher than most cities in the US. Plan on spending more for anything you buy.
- Traffic
With all of the attractions and amazing weather, traffic can be rough, especially around the time of the Rose Bowl.
- High crime rate
You have a one in 39 chance of being a victim of a crime in Pasadena so it may not be the safest city, but it sure isn’t the worst either. Stick to safe neighborhoods like Linda Vista, Oak Knoll, and Lamanda Park.
- Fires, floods, and earthquakes
Just about any city in California is susceptible to natural disasters like fires, floods, and earthquakes so be aware.
- Crowds
It may not be as crowded as New York, but for a small city, they sure have a lot of residents, and the tourists are numerous as well.
Famous Locations in Pasadena
- Rose Bowl Stadium
If you are not in town during the Rose Bowl, you can still enjoy the stadium with a public or VIP tour. You and your guests can see the original 1922 locker room and the field where the game is held every year. Book a charming storybook home near the Rose Bowl stadium for a fun Pasadena wedding reception.
- Eaton Canyon Natural Area
At the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, you can find 190 acres of flora and fauna protected as a nature preserve. You and your guests can go hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, play golf, or get a tour of the nature center where you can learn more about the wildlife.
- Old Pasadena
The historic district downtown has preserved buildings from the 1800s as well as almost 200 eateries and shops to enjoy. You can also visit the Gamble House, Pasadena Museum of History, or the Norton Simon Museum. Book a charming mid-century home near Old Pasadena where you and your guests can continue the celebration after the reception.