Art Deco rooftop · Downtown LA
The Oviatt Penthouse Wedding Photographer
A 1928 French Art Deco penthouse and two-story rooftop terrace crowning the historic Oviatt Building above the Downtown Los Angeles skyline.
About The Oviatt Penthouse
Perched atop the landmark James Oviatt Building at 617 S. Olive Street, The Oviatt Penthouse is the former private residence of haberdasher James Oviatt, completed in May 1928 and dripping with imported René Lalique glass, Napoleon marble and Old Hollywood glamour. The penthouse opens onto a two-story rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the DTLA skyline, plus an original bar and cocktail lounge, a wood-paneled study and a plush getting-ready room.
Couples choose The Oviatt for a genuinely rare setting: an intact Art Deco jewel box that needs almost no decoration, an intimate scale that suits 40 to 120 guests, and flexible pricing that ranges from a bare venue rental to fully all-inclusive packages. The rooftop's skyline backdrop and the penthouse's vintage detailing make it a favorite of couples chasing a glamorous, low-lift, photo-forward wedding downtown.
Location · 617 S. Olive St, Downtown Los Angeles
Style · 1928 French Art Deco penthouse + rooftop
Capacity · 40–120 guests
Venue fee from · $3,500 (venue-only)
Best season · Spring and fall for the open-air rooftop
Last updated July 2026 · theoviatt.com, Here Comes The Guide, The Knot, LA Conservancy
The complete The Oviatt planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Ceremony · 120 outdoors (20 indoors)
Reception · 120 outdoors (20 indoors)
Cocktail/standing · 120
Rentable spaces
- Penthouse — James Oviatt's original Art Deco residence with wood paneling, Lalique glass and vintage detailing for indoor seated dining or cocktails
- Two-story rooftop terrace — open-air event deck with panoramic DTLA skyline views, available open-air or under a clear tent
- Original bar & cocktail lounge — period bar for cocktail hour and late-night service
- Study — intimate wood-paneled room for a lounge or private moment
- Getting-ready room — plush suite for the wedding party to prepare on site
Pricing
Venue-only rental · $3,500–$7,000 (11-hour exclusive use)
Intimate Moments package (up to 50, Mon–Thu) · from $10,500
Art Deco package (80–122 guests) · from $18,500
Skyline Splendor package (80–122 guests) · from $42,500
Bar service · approx. $33 per person
Catering & bar
Food is handled in-house or through the venue's preferred caterer list; all alcohol service is provided in-house, so outside bar service and BYO alcohol are not permitted. Bar packages run roughly $33 per person, and higher-tier packages fold in coordination, DJ and valet.
Rules & restrictions
- Amplified music is permitted both indoors and on the rooftop terrace
- Standard event window is an 11-hour exclusive-use block for venue-only rentals
- All alcohol must be served through the venue's in-house bar program
- Rooftop can be left open-air or set under a clear tent depending on season
- Confirm open-flame and candle policy directly with the venue
- Insurance/vendor requirements confirmed at booking
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready · On-site plush getting-ready suite plus the study for the wedding party
Parking · Valet available; included in the Art Deco and Skyline Splendor packages; adjacent public garages
Accessibility · Historic penthouse is not fully wheelchair accessible — confirm elevator access and layout
Rain plan · Indoor penthouse serves as an all-weather backup; rooftop can be tented
How to book
Inquire via the form at theoviatt.com, email hello@theoviatt.com, or call (213) 510-6165 to check dates and request a tour. Popular Saturdays book roughly 9–14 months out; the venue offers customizable packages from à la carte to all-inclusive.
Photographing The Oviatt
The rooftop terrace is the money shot: shoot ceremonies and couple's portraits in late afternoon so the DTLA towers backlight the couple, then return at golden hour when the skyline warms and the city lights begin to flicker on for blue-hour reception frames. Amplified music and open sky make the upper deck ideal for first-look and processional coverage.
Indoors, the Lalique glass doors, marble, brass elevator panels and wood-paneled study deliver rich, moody Art Deco backdrops that need almost no styling — perfect for detail shots, getting-ready coverage in the suite, and dramatic low-light portraits at the original bar and cocktail lounge.
Engagement sessions at The Oviatt
The Oviatt's Art Deco interiors and skyline rooftop make it a striking engagement or pre-wedding session backdrop, especially for couples wanting an Old Hollywood, city-glamour aesthetic.
Best light · Late afternoon into golden hour and city blue hour
Signature spots · Rooftop skyline deck, Lalique glass doors, original bar
Vibe · Vintage Art Deco, Old Hollywood glamour
The studio coordinates timing around the venue's event schedule and golden hour to secure rooftop access for portraits without a full buyout.
What couples love
- Stunning intact Art Deco rooftop with Old Hollywood charm that needs little decoration
- Panoramic Downtown LA skyline views from the two-story terrace
- Responsive, helpful staff and a smooth planning process
- Flexible floor plan that handles both ceremony and reception on site
- Described by couples as affordable for DTLA with no hidden fees
Good to know
- Maximum 120 guests — too small for large weddings
- Historic penthouse is not fully wheelchair accessible
- All alcohol must run through the in-house bar (no outside bar or BYO)
- Some couples noted limited day-of coordination guidance under custom (venue-only) packages
- Package inclusions aren't always spelled out upfront — get everything itemized in writing
A typical wedding day at The Oviatt
Getting ready — wedding party preps in the on-site suite and study while photographers shoot Lalique and marble details
Ceremony — vows on the rooftop terrace with the skyline behind, late afternoon
Cocktail hour — guests flow to the original bar and cocktail lounge as the sun drops
Reception — dinner and dancing across penthouse and terrace with amplified music allowed
Golden hour — steal the couple away to the upper deck for skyline and blue-hour portraits
Frequently asked questions
How many guests can The Oviatt Penthouse hold?
Up to 120 guests, with a practical minimum around 40. Indoor seated capacity is about 20, so larger seated dinners use the rooftop terrace.
How much does it cost to get married at The Oviatt?
Venue-only rentals run $3,500–$7,000 for an 11-hour exclusive-use block. All-inclusive packages start at $10,500 (Intimate Moments, up to 50 guests, Mon–Thu), $18,500 (Art Deco) and $42,500 (Skyline Splendor).
Can I bring my own caterer and alcohol?
Catering is in-house or from a preferred list, and all alcohol must be served through the venue's in-house bar program. Outside bar service and BYO alcohol are not permitted.
Is the rooftop terrace open-air?
Yes — the two-story terrace can be used open-air or set under a clear tent depending on season and weather.
Is amplified music allowed?
Yes, amplified music is permitted both indoors in the penthouse and outdoors on the rooftop.
Is there a getting-ready space?
Yes, there's a plush on-site getting-ready room plus a wood-paneled study for the wedding party.
Is parking available?
Valet parking is available and is included in the Art Deco and Skyline Splendor packages; several public parking garages sit nearby in Downtown LA.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
As a 1928 historic penthouse it is not fully wheelchair accessible; confirm elevator access and floor layout directly with the venue when planning.
What's the rain plan?
The indoor penthouse serves as an all-weather backup, and the rooftop can be tented with a clear tent.
How far in advance should I book?
Popular Saturdays typically book about 9–14 months ahead; reach out early to secure peak dates.
What is the history of the building?
The Oviatt Penthouse sits atop the James Oviatt Building, completed in May 1928, designed by Walker & Eisen with imported René Lalique glass. It's a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 195) and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 617 S. Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
From LAX · ~16 mi · 30–45 min
From Hollywood Burbank (BUR) · ~14 mi · 25–35 min
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- Millennium Biltmore Hotel (Pershing Square)
- Hotel Per La
- The Hoxton, Downtown LA
- InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
The history behind The Oviatt
- Built atop the James Oviatt Building, completed May 1928 and designed by architects Walker & Eisen
- Commissioned by haberdasher James Zera Oviatt, who ran the Alexander & Oviatt men's store and used the penthouse as his residence
- Features molded glass by René Lalique — elevator door panels, doors, chandeliers and a large glass clock — imported from France
- Clad in Napoleon marble with an Italian Romanesque Art Deco tower design
- Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 195 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Greystone Mansion · The Biltmore · Union Station · The Belasco · Carondelet House.
Planning a wedding at The Oviatt? Reach out to check your date →
