Santa Monica, California
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows Wedding Photographer
A five-acre oceanfront luxury hotel in Santa Monica anchored by a century-old Moreton Bay fig tree, offering ballrooms, garden lawns, and bungalow settings for weddings.
About Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
The Fairmont Miramar sits at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, on the Santa Monica bluff overlooking the Pacific. Spread across five landscaped acres, it pairs the polish of a grand hotel with the ease of a garden estate, giving couples both indoor ballrooms and open-air lawns within a single walk-everywhere property.
Its signature is the Moreton Bay fig tree, a nearly century-old specimen roughly 100 feet tall with a canopy stretching about 130 feet, which shades the Moreton Bay Circle ceremony and reception space. Between that living landmark, two ballrooms, and ocean-view terraces, the hotel handles everything from intimate bungalow gatherings to receptions of several hundred guests.
Location · 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, on the oceanfront bluff
Style · Luxury hotel with historic gardens and ballrooms
Capacity · Up to about 400 for weddings; largest ballroom seats 900
Ceremony · Moreton Bay Circle under the fig tree, Miramar Gardens, or Sunset Terrace
Best season · Late spring through early fall for warm, dry evenings
Figures drawn from the Fairmont Miramar official events and venue pages and from Wedding Spot's venue listing; pricing is a published starting point and varies by date and guest count.
The complete Fairmont Miramar planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · Starlight Ballroom up to 900 banquet; Wedgewood Ballroom up to 450; Moreton Bay Circle up to 700
Standing/cocktail · Several hundred across ballrooms and lawns; garden and terrace spaces host smaller cocktail groups
Ceremony · Up to about 130 to 150 outdoors at Miramar Gardens; larger under the Moreton Bay Circle
Rentable spaces
- Moreton Bay Circle — outdoor space beneath the historic fig tree, banquet capacity up to 700
- Starlight Ballroom — largest ballroom at about 7,400 sq ft, up to 900 banquet
- Wedgewood Ballroom — second ballroom at about 3,800 sq ft, up to 450 banquet
- Miramar Gardens — manicured palm-lined lawn, up to about 150 banquet
- Sunset Terrace — ocean-view terrace for smaller gatherings, up to about 75
- The Bungalow Deck — bungalow-adjacent deck for up to about 125
- The Library & Ocean Terrace — intimate indoor-outdoor room for up to about 75
Pricing
Peak Saturday · Packages start around $195 per person; total events commonly begin near $15,000 for a small guest count and rise substantially with headcount
Off-peak · Lower per-person and rental figures on weeknights and in the off-season; request a current quote
What's included · Tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware and silverware, a day-of coordinator, champagne toast, and a complimentary bridal suite; a food-and-beverage minimum applies
Catering & bar
Catering is handled in-house by the hotel's culinary team, which manages all food and beverage; a food-and-beverage minimum applies and outside caterers are generally not permitted. Packages cover plated or station service, bar, and cake coordination, with tastings arranged during planning.
Rules & restrictions
- A professional wedding coordinator is required
- All food and beverage is provided by the hotel, subject to a minimum spend
- Ceremony site fees run roughly $1,200 to $4,000 depending on the space
- Amplified music and end times follow hotel and city noise guidelines; confirm outdoor cutoff with the events team
- Candles and open flame are subject to hotel approval; enclosed or LED options are safest
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · Complimentary bridal suite with wedding packages; guest rooms and bungalows available for the party
Parking · On-site valet parking; no self-park structure, so budget valet for guests
Load-in · Vendor load-in coordinated through the hotel loading area with the events team
How to book
Book through the Fairmont Miramar catering and events office, typically 12 to 18 months ahead for peak Saturdays. The process starts with an inquiry and site visit, then a proposal with a food-and-beverage minimum, a signed contract, and a deposit to hold the date; a coordinator is required before the final planning stages.
Photographing Fairmont Miramar
The Moreton Bay fig tree is the property's defining photo subject: its massive trunk and sweeping canopy give a dramatic, shaded backdrop that photographs beautifully in soft midday light and glows under evening uplighting. The five acres of gardens, palms, and manicured lawns give varied greenery within steps of the ballrooms.
For golden hour, the ocean-facing terraces at the corner of Ocean Avenue and California Street catch warm west light over the Pacific and Palisades Park across the street. Ballroom interiors offer a controlled, elegant fallback in any weather, and the bungalow courtyards provide intimate, textured corners for portraits.
Engagement sessions at Fairmont Miramar
The grounds work well for engagement sessions when arranged with the hotel, blending the historic tree, gardens, and ocean bluff in one location.
Best time · Late afternoon into golden hour for warm light off the ocean
Permit/fee · Non-guest photo sessions require hotel permission; ask the events office about access and any fee
Standout spots · Under the Moreton Bay fig, the garden lawns, and the ocean-view terraces along Ocean Avenue
Clear any non-wedding shoot with the hotel's events team in advance so access to the grounds is arranged.
What couples love
- The iconic century-old Moreton Bay fig tree as a one-of-a-kind ceremony backdrop
- Everything on one walkable five-acre property, from ceremony to ballroom to guest rooms
- Oceanfront Santa Monica location steps from the beach and Palisades Park
- Full-service luxury hotel team with in-house catering and lodging
- Flexible spaces scaling from intimate bungalow events to receptions of hundreds
Good to know
- A wedding coordinator and a food-and-beverage minimum are both required
- Parking is valet only, which adds cost for larger guest lists
- Peak Saturdays book far in advance and command premium minimums
- Outdoor music and end times are governed by hotel and city noise rules
- As a busy hotel, other events or guests may share common areas
A typical wedding day at Fairmont Miramar
3:00 PM — Ceremony under the Moreton Bay fig tree
3:30 PM — Cocktail hour on the garden lawn and terrace
5:00 PM — Reception opens in the ballroom
6:00 PM — Dinner service and toasts
8:00 PM — Dancing, cake, and evening celebration
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Fairmont Miramar located?
At 101 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, on the oceanfront bluff at the corner of Ocean Avenue, across from Palisades Park and the beach.
How many guests can it accommodate?
Weddings are typically hosted up to about 400 guests, though the Starlight Ballroom can seat up to 900 banquet-style and the Moreton Bay Circle up to 700.
What is the Moreton Bay fig tree?
A historic tree on the property, nearly 100 feet tall with a canopy around 130 feet wide, that anchors the Moreton Bay Circle ceremony and reception space.
How much does a wedding cost here?
Packages start around $195 per person on a peak Saturday, with small events beginning near $15,000 and total cost scaling with guest count, season, and food-and-beverage minimum.
Is catering in-house?
Yes. The hotel provides all food and beverage through its culinary team; outside caterers are generally not allowed.
Do I need a wedding coordinator?
Yes, a professional wedding coordinator is required, and a day-of coordinator is included in the packages.
What's included in a wedding package?
Tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, silverware, a day-of coordinator, a champagne toast, and a complimentary bridal suite.
What are the ceremony site fees?
Ceremony site fees range roughly from $1,200 to $4,000 depending on the space chosen.
Is there parking?
The hotel offers on-site valet parking; there is no self-park option, so plan valet costs for guests.
Can we get ready on site?
Yes. A complimentary bridal suite comes with wedding packages, and guest rooms and bungalows are available for the wedding party.
What outdoor ceremony options exist?
The Moreton Bay Circle under the fig tree, the Miramar Gardens lawn, and the ocean-view Sunset Terrace.
When should we book?
Roughly 12 to 18 months ahead for peak Saturdays; popular dates fill quickly at this oceanfront property.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Nearest airport · Los Angeles International (LAX), about 8 miles south
Drive time · Roughly 20 to 30 minutes from LAX depending on traffic
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- Fairmont Miramar (on site)
- Shutters on the Beach
- Hotel Casa del Mar
- Oceana Santa Monica
The history behind Fairmont Miramar
- The Miramar site has hosted a hotel since the early 20th century and traces its origins to a private estate on the Santa Monica bluff.
- The Moreton Bay fig tree on the grounds is nearly a century old and is one of the largest of its kind in the region.
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Annenberg Beach House · Shutters on the Beach · Le Méridien Delfina · Greystone Mansion · Turnip Rose.
Planning a wedding at Fairmont Miramar? Reach out to check your date →
