Couple embracing in front of a painted theatre backdrop with gilded plasterwork
Santa Monica

Shutters on the Beach

A relaxed-luxury beachfront hotel directly on the sand in Santa Monica, pairing coastal-cottage charm with polished service.

CapacityUp to 400 in the Grand Salon; Pacific Terrace up to 250; intimate rooms for micro-weddings
CateringIn-house only — coastal seafood displays, custom cakes and dessert stations; bar ~$97/person
BudgetStarts around $30,000; couples typically spend ~$40,000 before service, tax and rentals
About the venue

About Shutters on the Beach

Shutters on the Beach is a relaxed-luxury beachfront hotel sitting directly on the sand in Santa Monica, pairing coastal-cottage charm with polished service for weddings right on the Pacific. Choose Shutters for a true toes-in-the-sand ceremony backed by the open ocean, elegant indoor reception rooms, and on-site rooms for an easy multi-day weekend.

Best forBeachfront luxury weddings
Good to knowAfternoon ocean wind can disturb hair and flowing fabrics during outdoor portraits.
Infowww.shuttersonthebeach.com/events/weddings · (310) 587-1705 · @shuttersca

What couples love

The private beachfront setting lets you hold the ceremony with the open Pacific as an unobstructed backdrop. Multiple indoor and outdoor spaces host ceremony, cocktails and reception on one property. The Grand Salon’s marble fireplace and Italian crystal chandeliers give an elegant interior option. On-site luxury rooms make multi-day weekend celebrations easy.

Good to know

Afternoon ocean wind can disturb hair and flowing fabrics during outdoor portraits. The golden-hour window near sunset is brief and requires precise timeline coordination. As a full-service luxury beachfront hotel, real costs climb once service fees, tax and rentals are added.

A typical wedding day

10:30 AM — Getting ready in ocean-view rooms
2:00 PM — Wedding-party and detail photos
4:30 PM — Ceremony on the Pacific Terrace
5:00 PM — Cocktail hour on the terrace
5:30 PM — Golden-hour beach and pier portraits
6:30 PM — Reception dinner in the Grand Salon
9:00 PM — Dancing and dessert display
11:00 PM — Send-off

Photographing the venue

Photographing Shutters on the Beach

Relaxed coastal luxury with golden-hour beach portraits over the Pacific, soft natural window light for getting ready, and the Santa Monica Pier as an iconic evening backdrop.

Nearby and similar

Similar venues we love

Explore more venues we photograph: Vibiana · Greystone Mansion · Millennium Biltmore · Calamigos Ranch.

Planning a wedding at Shutters on the Beach? Reach out to check your date →

Couple in a candlelit ballroomBride on a curved staircaseCouple at dusk on a coastal bluff
Planning your day

A sample day at Shutters on the Beach

A smaller day to go with the typical day above, drawn from the plans we have built for couples here.

Three and a half hours, a small family ceremony

First look, family portraits and a short ceremony, then beach portraits at sunset.
  • 3:00 PMCoverage begins with finishing touches and details.
  • 3:45 PMFirst look, then time with immediate family.
  • 4:15 PMFamily portraits.
  • 4:45 PMCouple portraits around the hotel and the walkways toward the sand.
  • 5:30 PMCeremony, around fifteen minutes.
  • 5:45 PMSunset portraits on the beach, then coverage ends.
Good to plan for

What is specific to Shutters on the Beach

WindAfternoon wind off the water moves veils and hair. Plan beach portraits for the last hour of light, when it usually settles.
Two hotels, one walkCasa del Mar is next door, and a few frames there fit easily into a portrait set.
Small ceremoniesIntimate rooms suit a family-only ceremony, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Shutters on the Beach wedding photography

Getting married at Shutters on the Beach?

Reach out to check your date