A bride and groom walk down an ornate staircase in a warmly lit interior space, with sunlight casting shadows on the wall behind them. The walls are decorated with framed paintings.

About Maxwell House Pasadena

Overall Recommendations: ★★★★★
Getting Ready: ★★★★★
Ceremony: ★★★★★
Couple Photos: ★★★★★
Reception: ★★★★★


A Historic Landmark Event Space located in the heart of Downtown Old-Town Pasadena, The Maxwell House is a venue built for making memories. Full of unique, historic charm, this venue was built for George H. Maxwell, a wealthy East Coast litigator and philanthropist in 1929. We describe the Maxwell House as a classy establishment meant for our fairytale wedding dreamers. After all, who doesn’t want to feel like royalty on their special day?!

Getting Ready at Maxwell House Pasadena

Calamigos Ranch Malibu affords wedding parties the use of a bridal suite for two hours prior to the wedding. You and your bridesmaids can relax, prepare for the day, and make memories together. It’s also the perfect time for some bridal party photography among the natural wonders of the ranch.

We are honored when you trust Lin and Jirsa Wedding Photography to capture all of the moments of your monumental day, big and small. Click here to learn why it’s beneficial to choose one company like Lin and Jirsa to meet all of your photography and videography needs.

A bride in an elegant wedding dress standing by large, ornate windows, holding a bouquet and reaching up toward the sky, with a view of palm trees outside in a bright, airy room.
A woman in a beige robe stands inside a room with three large arched windows, looking at a wedding dress hanging on a hanger in front of the middle window. The wedding dress is white with lace details at the bottom.
Two plaid blazers hanging on black hangers in front of a window with a view of trees and buildings outside.
A man in a white shirt fixing his striped tie while standing near a window with natural light.
Bride in a white wedding dress with six bridesmaids in matching blue dresses holding bouquets, standing in a room with framed pictures, a mirror, and a window.

Couple’s Session at Maxwell House Pasadena

There are many spots for whimsical photos that capture the uniqueness of your relationship, from the bridges to the waterfalls to the canopies of trees. But there isn’t a more iconic spot than at the ranch’s colorful ferris wheel, a feature you won’t find at any other outdoor wedding venue in the Los Angeles area.

Two men walking hand-in-hand outdoors, dressed in light gray suits with striped ties, smiling, in a courtyard with beige columns and plants.
Two men in suits holding hands with foreheads touching under a large tree in a park.
Two men in suits holding hands standing under a large tree with dense green foliage in a park.
Two men in suits sharing a kiss on the cheek in front of a white wall with greenery. One man is giving a gentle kiss on the cheek of the other, smiling. The wall has a window and some flowers, a sign reading '1 South Grand', and a decorative lantern.
A bride in a white lace wedding dress looking out a window with a metal grid, with outdoor trees and a car visible outside.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom sitting together on a staircase, gazing into each other's eyes, with the bride holding a bouquet of flowers.
A bride and groom share a moment in a cozy library, with bookshelves behind them. The bride is wearing a white wedding gown and the groom is dressed in a black tuxedo with a boutonniere. They are holding hands gently, and the bride is leaning over the groom, creating an intimate scene.

Wedding Ceremony at Maxwell House Pasadena

Calamigos Ranch offers four ethereal venues for your wedding ceremony and celebration. The Garden Patio, pictured below, is a lovely spot where you can wed under a rustic arch, with up to 280 of your loved ones looking on. If you choose the Ranch House for your reception, you can have your ceremony in the a beautiful meadow. Or near the Cottage Pavillion, you can have your ceremony under a grand, old California oak tree. Or at the Oaks, you can say your vows on a deck with a semicircular waterfall in the background.

Outdoor wedding ceremony with seated guests under string lights and palm trees, with an arch decorated with flowers at the front.
Two men in gray suits holding hands and raising them in celebration during a wedding ceremony outdoor, with guests seated around clapping and smiling, greenery, strings of lights, and a beige building in the background.
A black and white photo of a wedding ceremony outdoors with the bride in a long lace wedding dress walking down the aisle escorted by a man, possibly her father, with guests standing on either side of the chairs. There are tall palm trees and string lights hanging overhead.

Wedding Reception at Maxwell House Pasadena

You can also hold your reception in a number of locations: the rustic Dining Room, the Ranch House, or outdoors on the Pavillion or next to the pond. Each unique site celebrates the natural beauty to be found at Calamigos Ranch.

Two men in suits dancing together indoors at a celebration or wedding, with large windows behind them and warm lighting.
Black and white photo of a group of people gathered around a dining table, raising glasses in celebration during a wedding reception in an elegant room with large windows and ornate decor.
Elegant banquet hall with long tables decorated with flowers, candles, and glassware, gold chairs, high ceiling, ornate moldings, framed paintings, and soft lighting.
Elegant dining table set for a special occasion with floral centerpieces, multiple wine glasses, and neatly arranged silverware in a warmly lit room.

Sample Timeline

1:00 PM Grooms Get Ready at Venue

1:30 PM Couple to arrive at the venue

2:30 PM Photographer to arrive at Venue

3:30 PM Family photos

3:45 PM All vendors to finish setting ceremony area & photographer to take ceremony detail shots.

4:00 PM Guests to arrive at the venue

5:00 PM Ceremony Begin

5:20 PM Groom & Groom exit

5:20 PM Cocktail hour to begin

6:20 PM End of cocktail hour Guests to find their seats

6:40 PM Reception starts Everyone to be seated

6:45 PM Dinner begins

7:20 PM Speeches

7:50 PM Cake cutting

8:15 PM Specialty dances

8:20 PM General dancing begins

9:45 PM Last Call Drinks announce

10:00 PM End of Wedding announce last song

11:00 PM Clears and all vendors to leave

FAQ

Q-How many guests can I invite to my Calamigos Ranch wedding?

A-The largest venue on site is the Cottage Pavillion, which allows for up to 500 seated guests at a reception.

Q-Can I choose my own caterer?

A-Calamigos Ranch asks you to choose their superb on-site caterer, who will plan a menu that includes farm-fresh ingredients grown on the property and other locally sourced foods.

Q-Can we stay the night at the venue?

A-Yes! The venue has a couple of intimate accommodations that you can rent for your wedding night and never have to leave the property on your wedding day.

Houdini Estate is located at 327 Latigo Canyon Rd Malibu, CA 90265

Galleries at Maxwell House Pasadena taken by Lulan Studio