A Maxwell House Pasadena wedding is an amazing way to celebrate your commitment to one another I'll include everything you need to know to have a beautiful and seamless wedding at the Maxwell House below!

How Many People Can the Maxwell House Host Comfortably?

One thing to keep in mind is that a Maxwell House Pasadena wedding is going to work best for a lower guest count. The Maxwell House is an intimate wedding venue space, so I would suggest no more than 100 guests for an ideal wedding at this venue. The ceremony and reception sites are more intimate sized, so anything more than that can begin to feel crowded.

Maxwell House Pasadena Wedding Packages

The Maxwell House Pasadena venue offers 3 different types of wedding packages - traditional, boutique sized, or elopement.

Traditional Wedding Packages at the Maxwell House

• Start at $7,500
• Includes the use of the venue for a rehearsal, ceremony, and reception
• The package is a flat rate, regardless of the date or season
• Choice of a Saturday or Sunday rental (no weekdays)
• There's no tax on your rental
• Use of the space from 11am - 11pm (12 hours) on the day of the wedding. All events must end by 10 pm and be cleared by 11 pm.
• Private use includes the living room, dining room, library, foyer, mezzanine, kitchen, garden patios, and wedding suite.
• Prep/rehearsal time in the space from 1 pm - 6 pm (4 hours) the Friday before the event are included

What's Included in this Package?

The following are included: parking, setup/breakdown, 120 folding chairs, 120 ballroom chairs, 12 round event tables, 8 rectangular tables, 2 larger rectangular tables, 5 cocktail tables, bar table, cake/food serving cart, patio string lighting, garden patio pop of tents (for weather), Indoor A/C & heat, 85' smart tv, PA system with wireless microphone, wifi access, trash bins, post event table/chair tear down.

What Is NOT Included, but REQUIRED?

• Event insurance
• Event Coordinator/Planner (required for all events with 30+ people). This needs to be a paid professional and cannot be a guest.
• Professional bartending services

The following also are NOT included, but aren't requited: linens, silverware/dishware and catering services

Boutique Wedding Packages at the Maxwell House

• Start at $3,500
• Perfect for intimate weddings with a maximum of 40 guests (not including vendors). Guest count cannot be increased.
• Only available for Sundays
• Private use of The Maxwell House for 6 hours between the hours of 9 am - 10 pm.
• Private use includes the living room, dining room, library, foyer, mezzanine, kitchen, garden patios, and wedding suite.

What's Included in this Package?

Setup and breakdown of furniture owned by The Maxwell House, parking, dance floor, 40 chairs, 40 ballroom chairs, 5 round tables, 2 rectangular tables, 2 larger rectangular tables, 5 cocktail tables, wedding arch, bar, cake/food serving cart, patio string lighting, garden patio pop of tents (for weather), Indoor A/C & heat, 85' smart tv, PA system with wireless microphone, wifi access, trash bins, post event table/chair tear down.

What Is NOT Included, but REQUIRED?

• Event insurance
• Event Coordinator/Planner (required for all events with 30+ people). This needs to be a paid professional and cannot be a guest.
• Professional bartending services

The following also are NOT included, but aren't requited: linens, silverware/dishware and catering services

Elopements at the Maxwell House Pasadena

• Start at $1,500
• Includes use of the venue for an intimate ceremony & cake cutting, up to 3 hours.
• Couples have the option of choosing the garden patio, living room, or foyer. The upstairs wedding suite is included.
• Photography may be taken throughout the house and grounds
• Elopements may be held on: Mondays - Thursdays, or Sundays
• Max capacity of 15 guests (not including vendors)

What's Included in this Package?

Setup and breakdown of furniture owned by The Maxwell House, parking, dance floor, 15 chairs, 2 rectangular tables, 3 cocktail tables, wedding arch, atio string lighting, garden patio pop of tents (for weather), Indoor A/C & heat, 85' smart tv, PA system with wireless microphone, wifi access, trash bins, post event table/chair tear down.

What Is NOT Included, but RECOMMENDED

• Event insurance
• Event Coordinator/Planner (required for all events with 30+ people). This needs to be a paid professional and cannot be a guest.
• Professional bartending services

The following also are NOT included, but aren't requited: linens, silverware/dishware and catering services

You can read more about what is included in the Maxwell House wedding packages HERE.

Important Info for Your Maxwell House Pasadena Wedding

One crucial bit of information to keep in mind when planning your wedding at this venue is that although packages begin at $7,500, please keep in mind this cost DOES NOT include certain items or vendors.

For example, the cost doesn't include any food or drink, vendors, or entertainment.

It DOES include the use of the Maxwell House space, as well as furniture (tables, chairs, etc.)

Knowing this is super important when factoring your budget for your wedding day.

Pros of Having a Wedding at this Venue

Location

The Maxwell House Pasadena venue in located in the heart of Pasadena, about a 1 minute walk from the Colorado Bridge. You know that gorgeous bridge that is featured in the film "La La Land"? Yeah, that one!

The venue itself has a lot of variety in terms of backdrops, however, if a couple wants even more variety, it's about a 5 minute drive away from Pasadena City Hall. Pasadena City Hall is one of the absolute best places to take photos in terms of amazing light and architecture.

Competitively Priced

The Maxwell House Pasadena is very reasonably priced. With packages ranging from $1,500 - $7,500, you're able to save a good amount of money.

Ambiance

A Maxwell House Pasadena wedding will definitely have a special atmosphere. The mansion was built in the 1920s and it has a beautiful Mediterranean style with tiled roofing, an elegant entrance with a grand staircase, and elaborate detailing throughout the house.

Variety

I'm a fan of wedding venues that offer variety in terms of backdrops. This Southern California wedding venue definitely offers that. One can have their wedding ceremony either indoors or outdoors. They have a beautiful rose garden, perfect for cocktail hour. The space also includes access to a moodier library room, which would also really make a really great area for either cocktail hour or perhaps a dessert table space. The back part of the house includes an open-air patio. This patio has two different set ups for ceremonies, giving couples flexibility in terms of how they want to set everything up.

You're Covered if it Rains

Ok Yes, it rarely ever rains in SoCal, but it's so important to have a backup option if it does. A Maxwell House Pasadena Wedding will offer that. One can set up the ceremony and reception spaces both indoors or outdoors, so you'll be covered and stress free should bad weather arise.

The History of the Maxwell House

in 1929, George H. Maxwell, an litigator and philanthropist from the East Coast commissioned the Architects Maybury and Marston to build a 13,000 square food home with a Mediterranean style. This home would have incredible details, a grand entrance with a souring hall, an adorned ceiling, and huge windows.

Each winter, elegant parties would be held at this home until the Depression and WWLL took their toll, which would eventually lead to the family abandoning the property in the 1940s. In 1943, the building was taken over by the U.S. government to be used as a hospital for treating injured soldiers. After that, the building was once again abandoned and left neglected until the 1970s.

At this time, the chief judge of the U.S. court requested that the home be transformed into a courthouse and today, the Maxwell House is home to the Western Justice Center, which operates programs and community online.

The Best Photo Locations for Your Maxwell House Wedding

This Pasadena wedding venue is filled with gorgeous locations for photography. However, here are some of my personal favorites.

Inside the Venue, Upstairs by the Large Windows

This is where Claire and Brian wanted to have their first look. The architecture of this Pasadena venue is so beautiful and these windows really showcase that.

Inside the Venue on the Stairs

On the Balcony of the Venue

Outside on the Garden Path by the Pink Crepe Myrtle Tree

Outside on the Grass, in Front of the Venue

On the Path Adjacent to the Venue

The Best Ceremony Location for Your Maxwell House Wedding

If it's a rainy day:

• A spectacular indoor location is the main ballroom in front of the huge windows, adjacent to the grand stairwell. This staircase could be used for the ceremony entrance.

If it's a sunny day:

• In the courtyard area, directly outside of the Maxwell House. In this scenario, the bride will usually be upstairs inside the venue, and then she will use the outside stairs to walk down and make her entrance. This space holds about 100 guests comfortably.
• In the garden area located to the left of the venue. This space is perfect for more intimate weddings.

The photos below showcase a ceremony held the garden area to the left of the venue.

It was a very intimate wedding, so this space was perfect for that!

The Best Reception Location for Your Maxwell House Wedding

Your reception location will really depend on your guest count. Below are some amazing options!

• The main ballroom with windows facing a rose garden. This space is adjacent to the grand staircase. The staircase would be used for the grand entrance.
• The side foyer, which is located immediately to the right upon entering the venue. This space is great for around 75 guests or less.

Here some photos from Claire and Brian's reception held in the side foyer.

Complete Pasadena Wedding Venue Guide

The Maxwell House is definitely one of the best options if you're looking to have an intimate wedding of 100 people or less. However, if you're looking for other nearby Pasadena wedding venues that accommodate more people, check out my guide below!

50 Unique Pasadena Wedding Venues

I CAN BE CONTACTED HERE.

And remember, if you need a Pasadena wedding photographer, I would be absolutely honored to document your wedding day and engagement session!

Until next time,

Elyana