About the Skirball Cultural Center

The Skirball Cultural Center sits in the hills above the 405 in Los Angeles. It is a 15 acre campus that opened in 1996 under the vision of Rabbi Uri D. Herscher, philanthropist Jack H. Skirball, and architect Moshe Safdie. Built around the intersection of Jewish heritage and American democratic ideals, the Skirball has grown into a full cultural institution with permanent exhibits, a performing arts center, and ongoing educational programs. Those values are still part of what makes the Skirball feel different from other venues.

Couples are drawn to the Skirball for its cultural history, its distinct spaces, and the way the property never feels crowded even with a large guest list. From the open courtyards to the indoor ballrooms, each space contributes something different to the day. The Skirball is one of the few venues in Los Angeles where all of that comes together.

Ceremony and Reception Spaces

Ahmanson Hall

The Ahmanson Hall is a large reception space with a distinctive vaulted ceiling and second floor walkway around the room. Glass doors open directly to a courtyard, which creates a natural indoor-outdoor flow to the evening.

Murphy Foyer and Guerin Courtyard

The Murphy Foyer connects to the Ahmanson Hall and features high glass ceilings, it's an indoor cocktail hour space that moves guests smoothly into the reception. The adjacent Guerin Courtyard is another cocktail hour option that is outdoor with open hillside views.

Guerin Pavilion

The Guerin Pavilion is the larger of the two main reception ballrooms with arched ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and a built-in terrarium backdrop. It works well for larger receptions and has full A/V capabilities for live music and lighting.

Weingart Foundation Courtyard and Ruby Foyer

The Weingart Foundation Courtyard, featuring a water element and olive trees, serves as the arrival and cocktail space for the Guerin Pavilion. The Ruby Foyer, also used for cocktails, has a window wall that lets in light and looks out onto the courtyard.

Taper Courtyard

The Taper Courtyard is a large open space paved in stone that works well for both ceremonies and receptions. A lily pond sits along the far edge. It is bordered by mature trees on both sides, the hillside rises behind it and a curved concrete and glass building wraps around the entire space.

Garden Terrace

Situated just above the Taper Courtyard, the Garden Terrace looks directly down into the courtyard. It works well for cocktail hour and has a hillside backdrop.

Founders Courtyard

The Founders Courtyard is a smaller courtyard with curved-wall architectural detail. It has a more intimate feel than the other outdoor spaces on the property and works well for a smaller ceremony or cocktail hour.

What's Special About This Venue

The Architecture and Landscaping

The Skirball pairs industrial glass and concrete with softer elements like the lily pond, the ivy wall, and the landscaped paths. That contrast, raw building material next to living greenery, is one of the more distinctive things about shooting here.

The Event Spaces

Each space looks and feels different from the next. The Taper Courtyard, Ahmanson Hall, and Guerin Pavilion each bring their own unique character. Couples can add in their aesthetic just by choosing a specific space and do not have to rely only on decor.

Portrait Locations

The architectural details like stairs, pillars, walkways, and windows work alongside natural elements like the ivy walls, tree-lined paths, and the lily pond to produce images that are unique to this specific venue.

Who Is the Right Couple for This Venue

The Skirball is a good fit for couples who want the venue itself to be part of the experience. If you are drawn to spaces with cultural significance and a strong visual identity that doesn't depend on heavy decor, the Skirball is a natural fit. It also works well for couples who want a larger guest list without the day feeling like a big production.

Insider Tips

For getting ready, the Luxe Hotel on Sunset is a natural choice, it’s just minutes from the Skirball and a comfortable place to start the day. The rooms photograph well and give us good light to work with before we head to the venue.

The walkway along the ivy wall is one of our favorite spots for group portraits. The shade it provides, combined with the direction of the light, gives us clean, even light that works well for larger groups. If you are doing all of your formals prior to the ceremony, this is where we like to do them.

The Arroyo Garden is one of the more overlooked portrait locations on the property. Most couples don't think to take advantage of it, but it offers a quieter, more natural setting that contrasts nicely with the architecture of the main buildings. We like to build it into the portrait timeline when the schedule allows.

The Skirball Cultural Center is a venue built around real values, and that shows up in how a wedding day feels there. The range of spaces, from the open air Taper Courtyard to the distinct character of the Ahmanson Hall and Guerin Pavilion, gives the day a natural structure that works for both intimate and larger guest lists. Guests move through a property with genuine history behind it, and the mix of architecture and landscape gives us as photographers something to work with at every point in the day. It is one of those venues that holds up from the first look to the last dance.

Inspiration

The best way to get a feel for what your day could look like at the Skirball is to see real weddings we have photographed at this property. Take a look at the celebrations of Miri & Justin, Kasey & Igor, Dzifa & Coalton, Alison & Seth, Jana & Ari , and Sarah & Noah to see how different couples have brought their vision to life here.

Considering a Skirball Wedding?

Whether you are still exploring venues or have already chosen the Skirball Cultural Center, we would love to connect. We have photographed here throughout the year and would love to share what we have seen and learned from working this property.