Secrets to an Epic Adamson House Wedding

Table of Contents

15 March, 2023

Secrets to an Epic Adamson House Wedding

Thinking of having an Adamson House wedding? I'm a wedding photographer who has photographed there a few times and it's one of my absolute favorite wedding venues ever. Below, I'll be offering how to make the most use out of this beautiful and unique Malibu wedding venue.

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Preview of an Adamson House Wedding

Interested in looking at wedding I photographed at the Adamson House? Click on the gallery below to view photos from Ali and Byron's Adamson House wedding.

Details:

6 Hour Brunch Wedding Coverage
Getting Ready Photos at Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica
Ceremony at Pepperdine Chapel
Bruch Reception & Couple Portraits at the Adamson House in Malibu

Click Here for a Comprehensive Look at this Adamson House Wedding

Adamson House Wedding Cost

As of 2023, the average Adamson House Wedding cost will be somewhere between $40,000 - $50,000.

The facility rental fee is $7,000 and doesn't include rentals, such as chairs, tables, linens, etc. With this in mind, a full service wedding planner will be needed to coordinate all of these logistics and details. Keep in mind, this estimate ($40,000 - $50,000) should include everything - the venue space, rentals, food & drinks, photography, wedding planning, videography, florals, transportation for your guests to and from the venue, music, decor, portable restrooms (as guests are not allowed to go inside the actual house) and more.

Venue Availability

The Adamson House is available for weddings April-October on Saturdays and Sundays. No weddings are permitted on Holiday weekends.

Adamson House Photos - Best Spots for Epic Photography

There is no shortage of amazing Adamson House photo possibilities. Here are my personal recommendations. I'll also include photos of these spaces from a wedding I photographed at the Adamson House below:

By the Carriage House, Adjacent to the Pool

This area is a gorgeous space for some wedding party or couple portraits. I love how the colors all flow with one another - the blue of the sky, orange/brown tiles, and green/blues of the pool. This space is filled with complementary colors, which helps create visually interesting photos.

In Front of the Arches with the Mosaic Tiles

The Adamson House has so many arches throughout. All of these spaces make for really beautiful photos and showcase the properties moorish influences.

In Front of the Turquoise Door/Window

Love the playful color here!

On the Balcony of the House

For this, you'll need to ask for permission to go inside and take the stairs up to the balcony. They allow it, but only for the couple, photographer, and videographer. It also can't be more than 10 minutes or so. This makes sense since it's a historical property. Taking photos on the balcony is so, SO worth it; you'll get sweeping views of the ocean.

By the Palm Trees in Front of the Ocean

I love this area because it's very "Californian." With the palm trees and the ocean, it's an ode to getting married in Malibu, California.

On the Beach

I recommend this after the ceremony so your dress doesn't get dirty. Taking photos on the beach is perfect if you want a more adventurous vibe. If you don't want to go on the actual beach, the Adamson House is literally a few steps away, so photos showcasing the ocean can be taken from the property.

Under the Sycamore Tree

This space is so romantic and serene and adds that idyllic feeling to one's images.

Adamson House Wedding Tips

Ask the Adamson House Venue's coordinator in advance if you two could take some photos on the balcony. They are pretty strict about keeping the time spent here short and someone has to accompany the couple up to the balcony, so it's good to sort out these logistics in advance.

Place the cake cutting in front of the ocean, to really get the most out of those views

Place the band on the elevated area of the venue. This will give your guests more dancing space.

Adamson House Wedding Band — Band in Elevated Area

Allot enough time for photos. This space has so much VARIETY for spectacular photography; don't rush it and leave ample amount of time for photos. After all, that's what you'll be left with to remember it all in the end. Here are my recommendations for photography timing.

The Adamson House allows one to really customize their wedding. For example, one can bring in their rentals of choice, their caterer of choice, etc. With this said, may as well really make it your own and select options & vendors that really suit your vision and style.

One Crucial Thing to Keep in Mind When Having a Wedding at this Venue

Hire a full service wedding planner. I recommend this because the Adamson House does not provide rentals (tables, chairs, linens, plates, etc.) for your guests. With this in mind, a full service wedding planner will take care of all of these logistics and save you so much time & energy.

Adamson House Wedding Benefits

It's proximity to the beach

One can walk to the beach from this venue. Your guests will have sweeping views of the ocean. The location is truly unparalleled.

The Moorish Influences and Textiles

The architecture of the Adamson House is absolutely spectacular. It has colorful textiles, unique arches, and more.

Only One Wedding

While some wedding venues have multiple weddings on their property per day, the Adamson House only allows one per day. This will mean your wedding will have maximum privacy.

Interesting History

The Adamson House is an incredible piece of living history. Maybe this is just something that attracts me, but I find it's history to be really fascinating.

Spacious & Variety

Since the Adamson House is on a fairly large property, you and your partner will have so much variety in terms of where to have your wedding ceremony, reception, photos, etc.

Ultimate Customization

The Adamson House is a venue that requires everything to be brought in, including tables, chairs, linens, catering, etc. This definitely requires working with a wedding planner. On one hand, this can be a little more stressful than all inclusive Malibu Wedding venues, but on the other hand, this allows for ultimate customization. Since you have to bring everything in, you both get to personally choose everything. This will lead to a wedding that is unique and truly personalized to your taste and style!

It's Proximity to Los Angeles

An Adamson House Malibu wedding has a destination wedding quality, but without all of the inconvenience for your guests. It's about a 45 - 60 minute drive from Los Angele, depending on traffic. Not too bad!

Filled With Details

The Adamson House is brimming with beautiful details. From it's colorful tile work, to it's gardens, it is so fascinating to look at and explore.

For these reasons, an Adamson House Malibu wedding is one of my absolute favorites to document. It really is a special venue. Even if you don't have your wedding there, I highly recommend visiting on a weekend. It's definitely worth exploring!

Adamson House Wedding Cons

Nothing is included in the rental fee

This could be seen as both a pro and con. It's a pro because you can really customize your wedding since you'll have to bring everything in (rentals, catering, etc.) However, this can also be a overwhelming and tends to be A LOT more work. For this reason, a full service wedding planner is necessary to have a wedding at the Adamson House.

They don't offer bathrooms

Portable bathrooms will have to be used.

No on-site parking

Guests have to be shuttled in from a parking lot close to the venue.

Adamson House Malibu Wedding Reviews

"Words cannot convey how exquisite The Adamson House, Malibu was as a venue for my daughter’s June 2014 wedding. We have never seen a wedding location that beautiful. Everywhere you looked the views were stunning; of the ocean, the gardens and the mountains."

"Adamson House, Malibu is a gorgeous place for a wedding ceremony. With a historic charming house as backdrop, four different spaces to set up a bar area, dining area and ceremony is wonderful from a logistics perspective. The gardens are always well curated. The highlight of this venue, however is a massive and beautiful tree that covers a grassed terrace overlooking Malibu Lagoon and Beach where the main wedding ceremony can take place."

Adamson House History

The history of the Adamson House is an interesting one. The last owner of Malibu was a wealthy man who bought the property in 1892 for $10 an acre. 30 years later, this land became the most valuable piece of real estate in the United States. The owner sought to create an ideal country home on the seaside. With this, the Adamson House came into fruition, a ranch style home with Spanish influences that was filled with all sorts of beautiful animals. To read more about this property’s unique history, check out the Adamson House’s website, here.

The Adamson House is a Spanish styled house with moorish influences. It provides really fun and unique architecture along with sweeping sights of the sea, colorful tiles, interesting arches, bold colors, etc.

On to wedding photography….the first time I photographed a wedding here, I was instantly enamored. There are so many ridiculously beautiful areas to take photos.

Ali & Byron's Wedding Day Photos

Ali & Byron started their Adamson House wedding day by getting ready at the Casa Del Mar Hotel in Santa Monica.

It was a relaxing morning, which I really think is the best way to start a wedding day. The ceremony took place at the Pepperdine University Stauffer Chapel, which is where Ali attended college. One of my favorite aspects of the Pepperdine Chapel are it's colorful stained glass windows.

The brunch style reception was later held at the Adamson House. Guests were greeted by a live band, mimosas, and beautiful seating arrangements. There was also the most delicious brunch food by 24 Carrots Catering, including omelettes, waffles, fresh fruit, etc.

This was a really beautiful wedding and Ali and Byron were so fun, kind, and easygoing. I really enjoyed every minute of their day!