Wedding Gallery at Skirball Cultural Center | Megan & Ethan
Photos by Lulan, Sarah & Bryan
Skirball Cultural Center Wedding Photography Guide (Los Angeles)
Skirball Cultural Center is one of Los Angeles’ most visually “clean” wedding venues—modern architecture, intentional landscaping, and a campus that photographs polished in both bright day and evening reception lighting. Located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049, it’s also an easy hub for guests coming from the Valley, Westside, and central LA. (Skirball Cultural Center)
What makes Skirball especially photography-friendly is the variety of looks within a short walking radius: open-air courtyards with hillside views, sleek indoor spaces with dramatic lines, and indoor/outdoor flow that keeps the day moving without losing photo time. The venue is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains and has a large campus footprint with significant green space—so you can build a wedding gallery that feels expansive without leaving the property. (Skirball Cultural Center)
Why Skirball photographs so well
A consistent, elevated backdrop. Skirball’s modernist architecture reads timeless on camera—minimal clutter, strong symmetry, and neutral tones that play well with both editorial portraits and candid documentary coverage. (Skirball Cultural Center)
Indoor/outdoor flow that saves time. A major advantage is how close the primary spaces are to each other, especially the relationship between the ballroom and courtyard areas, which reduces “dead time” walking or transporting guests. (Skirball Cultural Center)
It works across styles. Whether your wedding is classic black-tie, modern, cultural, or garden-inspired, Skirball can support a cohesive visual story without fighting the environment.
Best photo locations at Skirball
1) Guerin Courtyard (ceremony/cocktail hour energy)
Guerin Courtyard is directly adjacent to the Ahmanson Ballroom and is described by the venue as having hillside views and being ideal for cocktail hour—or even an intimate wedding before a larger reception. (Skirball Cultural Center)
Photography notes: This is a top spot for wide establishing shots, ceremony aisle moments, and candids with a clean background.
2) Cotsen Auditorium (Ahmanson Ballroom) (reception + dramatic interior)
The ballroom is known for its distinctive ceiling and clear sightlines, and it opens via glass doors into Guerin Courtyard—making it easy to capture a continuous story from cocktails to reception. (Skirball Cultural Center)
Photography notes: Great for high-impact reception coverage—grand entrances, first dance, and wide shots that show the full design.
3) Murphy Foyer (bright, airy pre-function portraits)
Murphy Foyer features high glass ceilings and a balcony overlooking a landscaped garden area. (Skirball Cultural Center)
Photography notes: Ideal for family formals or couple portraits when you want shade/soft light without losing the modern aesthetic.
4) Campus exteriors (editorial portraits without leaving the venue)
Skirball explicitly highlights its campus scale, architecture, and green space as a strong location for events and shoots. (Skirball Cultural Center)
Sample photo-forward timeline (adjust to your ceremony time)
If you’re doing a first look
60–75 min: Getting ready details + finishing touches
20 min: First look
25–35 min: Couple portraits (campus exteriors + courtyard)
20–30 min: Immediate family + wedding party (before guests arrive)
Ceremony
15–20 min: Cocktail hour candids + room detail photos (ballroom before guests enter)
Reception + sunset/night portraits (10 minutes, quick and easy)
If you’re not doing a first look
45–60 min: Getting ready + details
Ceremony
30–45 min: Family + wedding party
15–25 min: Couple portraits (prioritize 2–3 high-impact spots)
Reception (consider a 8–10 minute night portrait break)
If you’re planning a Skirball Cultural Center wedding and want photography that feels elevated, cinematic, and candid (without spending half your day posing), design the timeline around two short portrait blocks—one pre-ceremony (or first look) and one quick night set—then let the rest of the coverage focus on real moments and guest experience. Skirball’s courtyard-to-ballroom flow makes that approach especially effective. (Skirball Cultural Center)
Vendors
Photography & Videography by Lulan Studio
Venue: Skirball Cultural Center
Planner: Darling Luxury Events
Rentals: Johnathan Camacho
Lighting: Coastal Event Lighting
Florist: Floral N 5
Cake: Hansen’s Cake
Band: Vinyl Jam; Organic String Quartet
Hair & Makeup: Kelly Zhang Studio
Transportation: Nikos Premier
