About The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

The Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows is one of Santa Monica's most recognized wedding venues, sitting at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Ocean Avenue where the city meets the coast. The hotel opened in 1921 on land that once belonged to Senator John P. Jones, the founder of Santa Monica, and grew from a private estate into one of the most established hotels on the Southern California coastline. Over the decades it became a gathering place for Hollywood's elite, with actors, directors, and public figures among its regular guests.

Couples are drawn to the Fairmont Miramar for the hotel's century-long reputation for hosting elaborate occasions, the on-site bungalows, and the Santa Monica location. The bungalows mean the wedding party and closest family can stay together for the full weekend, and the location gives out-of-town guests a destination worth traveling to. It is a combination that comes together naturally here in a way that feels effortless for the couple and their guests.

Ceremony and Reception Spaces

Moreton Bay Circle

Moreton Bay Circle is the entrance drive that wraps around the fig tree, and this is where many ceremonies take place. The scale of the tree makes it one of the more distinctive ceremony backdrops in Los Angeles. Light filters through the canopy, and the surrounding architecture frames the space in a way that reads well in photographs from many angles.

Starlight Ballroom

The Starlight Ballroom is a larger event space with high ceilings and views of the fig tree from the foyer. It works well for bigger receptions or multi-day events and has enough room to accommodate a full production without feeling crowded.

Wedgewood Ballroom

The Wedgewood Ballroom is a more contained space with crystal chandeliers and detailed wall finishes. It can feel intimate for smaller receptions while still offering the look of a formal ballroom setting.

Sunset Terrace

The Sunset Terrace is an outdoor area at the corner of Ocean Avenue and California Street. This is a great location for intimate ceremonies or dinners. Late afternoon light at this spot is also particularly good for portraits.

Miramar Garden

The Miramar Garden sits among the bungalows and has a more relaxed feel than the formal event spaces. Surrounded by palm trees and native plant life, it works well for cocktail hour and smaller gatherings.

Fig Restaurant and Additional Spaces

The property also includes the Fig Restaurant, the Library, the Deck, and the Stateroom for smaller dinners and intimate gatherings. These spaces work well for rehearsal dinners or seated dinners for a smaller guest count.

What we Love About The Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows

Coastal Light and Setting

The Fairmont Miramar proximity to the Pacific Ocean provides a picturesque backdrop for wedding photos. The golden sunsets over the ocean, combined with the lush gardens and iconic architecture, lends itself to a variety of beautiful settings that can be incorporated into timeless images.

The Moreton Bay Fig Tree

The hotel’s blend of classic luxury and modern style provides a unique aesthetic. The historic feel of the property, with its iconic Moreton Bay fig tree and charming bungalows, adds character and charm to every image.

Visually Distinct Spaces

With its elegant ballrooms, manicured gardens, and sophisticated indoor spaces, the Fairmont Miramar offers a range of stunning environments. Whether it's a romantic garden ceremony or an elegant indoor reception, there are plenty of options to host a memorable celebration.

Insider Tips

The Moreton Bay Circle works well in most lighting conditions because the canopy naturally diffuses the light. Slightly overcast days give us the most flexibility.

For portraits, the garden path near the bungalows gives us shade and interesting backgrounds. The fig tree itself offers several different angles, and the hotel's exterior architecture along Wilshire provides a clean, classic look.

Getting-ready suites in the bungalows are spacious and well-lit. Natural light in those rooms is good in the morning, which makes the getting-ready coverage easy to work with. If both sides of the wedding party are getting ready on property, the logistics are simple and the timeline tends to run smoothly.

Who Is the Right Couple for a Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows Wedding?

Couples who choose the Fairmont Miramar are looking for a formal, sophisticated event at a property with genuine history. The hotel opened in 1921 and has hosted guests at this corner of Santa Monica for over a century. The weekend experience matters to them as much as the wedding day itself. With private bungalows on the property and the restaurants and walkability of Santa Monica nearby, the celebration naturally extends well beyond the reception.

The Fairmont Miramar has been part of Santa Monica since 1921, and that kind of history gives the property character. The range of spaces, from the fig tree ceremony to the ballrooms and the garden among the bungalows, means the day moves through genuinely different settings. For out of town guests, the Santa Monica location and on-site accommodations make it easy to turn the wedding into a full weekend. And for us as photographers, the coastal light, the old growth landscaping, and the architectural detail give us options from the first look through the end of the reception.

Inspiration

Visit the Venue Report for more specific details on hosting an occasion at the Fairmont Miramar.

Considering a Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows Wedding?

Whether you are still exploring venues or have already chosen the Fairmont Miramar, we would love to connect. We have photographed here throughout the year and would love to share what we have seen and learned from documenting weddings at this property.