An Enchanting Wedding at Greystone Mansion: Gardens, Courtyards - and Catering

Holding a wedding at this Beverly Hills landmark is akin to creating your own piece of history. What was exclusive 100 years allows for a grand event today.

Bridal couples who choose to hold their weddings at the Historic Greystone Mansion and Park might do so because of its sumptuous surroundings and rich history. Those are good enough reasons to make any occasion special. But as any good wedding caterer in Los Angeles will attest, the views from the terrace and reflection pond at this Beverly Hills landmark are perhaps what make the day most memorable. It’s one of those places where guests can see the sweep from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean.

If there is one drawback to any bride choosing the Greystone Mansion for her nuptials it’s that she might not get all eyes on her for the entire reception. This sprawling estate, built by oil barons Edward Laurence Doheny and his son Edward Doheny in the late 1920s, has everything a fairy tale wedding would require: formal gardens, a mansion courtyard (where sit-down receptions are staged), and the terrace and reflection pond (suitable for the pre-reception cocktail hour). Events can also be staged indoors in a card room, the grand entry, the living room, library, grand dining room, and the breakfast room.

It’s even possible to use the interior spaces as a “pass through.” The wedding ceremony and reception might be outside, but guests can walk through the card room or up the grand staircase while the wedding catering company sets up the dinner around the enchanting fountain on the colorful slate courtyard.

The Greystone Mansion architectural styles are a combination of Gothic and Neoclassical themes. Built at the then-astronomical cost of $3 million - in 2016 dollars, that would be about $44 million - the main structure was built with Indiana limestone and Welsh slate (for the roof). Oak bannisters, rafters and balustrades were hand carved. Inlaid marble in black and white make up the floor of the grand hall. A wall safe was built in the kitchen pantry to hold silver and gold service ware. (Los Angeles caterers generally bring their own dinnerware and flatware for weddings and corporate events.)

The Greystone Mansion is owned and managed by the City of Beverly Hills and the entire 18.3-acre is a public park. In addition to serving as a venue for weddings, fundraisers, and business events, it also is the site of musical performances presented by the city for a low ($20) ticket price. The January-June 2017 season included classical saxophonists (Mana Trio), piano and violin (Friends Meet in California) and balalaika (Firebird Balalaika Ensemble), among others. Music resonates quite well on this estate.

Booking the Greystone Mansion provides an advantage to Beverly Hills residents, who can reserve their venue 12 months in advance. That’s a two-month jump ahead of non-residents, who are allowed a ten-month advance. Los Angeles wedding caterers that are properly licensed and insured can bring in alcohol service.

The Greystone Mansion is both a landmark and on the Registry of Historic Places. Weddings that happen here make their own history for couples and families who love the elegance of old Hollywood and the modern conveniences of a professionally managed event venue.