About the Alexandria Ballrooms

In the historic core of Downtown Los Angeles, the Alexandria Ballrooms is a wedding venue that has hosted formal gatherings since 1906. The building has welcomed presidents, dignitaries, and Hollywood figures, and it holds a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument designation that began with Palm Court in 1971 and expanded to the full building in 2013. Three ballrooms have been restored inside the building, each with its own architectural character, and the venue's own history also credits Charlie Chaplin with holding his wedding ceremony here.

Couples are drawn to the Alexandria Ballrooms for its history, the restoration that brought its original rooms back, and its place inside downtown LA's Historic Core. The wedding day unfolds inside a building that's stood on this corner for more than a century. Couples choose it for the character, and for the experience it gives their guests.

Ceremony and Reception Spaces

Palm Court and Cocktail Bar

A Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, Palm Court holds a Tiffany skylight, arched ceilings, and the building's original chandeliers. The adjoining cocktail lounge gives guests a separate space to gather before moving into dinner or dancing.

The King Edward

Tall windows and a balcony terrace bring in natural light throughout the day, while a fireplace sits at one end of the room. The King Edward works well as either a ceremony space or a reception space, with enough room for a full seated dinner.

The Mezz 

Set on the second level, the Mezz pairs exposed brick and iron beams with a marble staircase and a wall of windows over Spring Street. Its more industrial character suits couples who want their reception to feel different from the building's traditional ballrooms.

What We Love About the Alexandria Ballrooms

Original Architectural Details 

The King Edward's gold leaf ceiling and crystal chandeliers date back to when the room first opened. We don't need extra decor to fill the space when the room already carries that much detail.

Variety of Interior Backdrops 

Palm Court, the King Edward, and the Mezz each have their own feel. One is ornate, one is traditional, one is industrial. A full day here gives us multiple different looks, all in the same building.

Downtown Backdrop 

The Alexandria sits inside LA's Historic Core, surrounded by buildings from the same period. That gives us a range of portrait options with a fully urban feel, right outside the door.

Insider Tips

Walking the street just outside the Alexandria gives portraits a different feel from anything shot inside the ballrooms. It's an easy break to fit between other parts of the day, without missing anything else on the timeline.

Getting ready at a nearby hotel adds another layer to the day. The Biltmore Los Angeles [Link to Biltmore] and Hotel Figueroa [Link to Hotel Figueroa] bring historic character within the same stretch of downtown, while the Ritz-Carlton [Link to Ritz-Carlton] and JW Marriott at L.A. Live [Link to JW Marriott] offer a more upscale, modern take a short drive away.

Booking a dedicated car and driver keeps the timeline moving without waiting on a rideshare, and it gives us another portrait opportunity. We love a shot of the classic car pulling away from the Alexandria's entrance, or the couple through the window as it drives through downtown, a different kind of image than anything we get the rest of the day.

Who Is the Right Couple for the Alexandria Ballrooms?

Couples drawn to the Alexandria Ballrooms want a piece of Los Angeles history in their wedding day, and the building's Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument designation, dating back to 1971, gives that history weight. The venue also suits couples who want their guests to move through more than one setting in a single day, since Palm Court, the King Edward, and the Mezz each carry a distinct architectural style within the same building. A downtown wedding fits couples just as well, given the Alexandria's place inside LA's Historic Core, surrounded by architecture from the same era.

The Alexandria Ballrooms brings together over a century of Los Angeles history, three ballrooms with their own character, and a setting inside downtown LA's Historic Core. A wedding day here moves through Palm Court's restored details, the King Edward's warmth, and the Mezz's industrial edge, three different rooms all under one roof. We've found that range gives us a lot to work with over the course of a wedding day, and natural light finds its way into each space.

Inspiration

The best way to get a feel for what your day could look like at the Alexandria Ballrooms is to see a real wedding we have photographed at this property. Take a look at Carlos and Michael’s celebration to see how their vision came to life here.

Considering an Alexandria Ballrooms Wedding?

Whether you're still comparing venues or have already booked the Alexandria Ballrooms, we'd love to connect with you. We're happy to share what we know about the venue and how we'd approach photographing your day here.