Santa Monica, California
Shutters on the Beach Wedding Photographer
A luxury beachfront hotel built directly on the sand in Santa Monica, offering oceanfront terraces and a grand ballroom for full-service weddings.
About Shutters on the Beach
Shutters on the Beach stands at 1 Pico Boulevard, one of the only luxury hotels in Los Angeles built directly on the sand. Its Cape Cod-inspired architecture, white shutters, and casual-elegant interiors give weddings a coastal-cottage feel elevated to five-star service, all with the Pacific just beyond the terrace rail.
The hotel pairs an oceanfront Pacific Terrace for ceremonies and cocktails with a divisible Grand Salon for larger receptions, plus a range of smaller ocean-view rooms. As a full-service luxury property, it handles catering, bar, rentals, and lodging in one place, making it a turnkey choice for couples wanting the beach without leaving a polished hotel.
Location · 1 Pico Blvd, on the sand in Santa Monica
Style · Luxury Cape Cod-style beachfront hotel
Capacity · Up to about 300 to 400 guests in the Grand Salon
Ceremony · Oceanfront Pacific Terrace or the Grand Salon
Best season · April to June and September to November for prime coastal weather
Capacities come from the Shutters on the Beach official events pages; pricing figures reflect The Knot's marketplace listing and are estimates that vary by date, guest count, and season.
The complete Shutters planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · Grand Salon up to about 400 reception; Pacific Terrace about 150 seated rounds
Standing/cocktail · Pacific Terrace up to about 250; Grand Salon up to about 400
Ceremony · Oceanfront Pacific Terrace, with the Grand Salon as an indoor alternative
Rentable spaces
- Grand Salon — largest ballroom at about 3,645 sq ft, up to about 400 reception, divisible into Salons A, B, and C
- Pacific Terrace — oceanfront terrace at about 2,392 sq ft, up to about 250 reception or 150 seated
- Promenade — flexible room at about 1,748 sq ft, up to about 150, divisible into three sections
- Beachside — room of about 1,078 sq ft, up to about 100 reception
- Oceanside — intimate room of about 500 sq ft, up to about 30
- Private Dining Room — small room seating about 12 for rehearsal dinners or meetings
Pricing
Peak Saturday · Weddings start around $30,000, with couples commonly spending near $40,000; peak season runs April to June and September to November
Off-peak · Lower minimums on off-season and weekday dates; request a current proposal
What's included · Reception and ceremony space, bar and drinks, food and catering, service staff, and rentals and equipment; service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees are additional
Catering & bar
Catering is handled in-house by the hotel's culinary team, with bespoke menus, chef consultations, custom cakes, and full bar service; bar service runs about $97 per person as a starting reference. Weekend packages can include rehearsal dinners and farewell brunches, and all food and beverage is provided by the hotel.
Rules & restrictions
- All food and beverage is provided in-house; outside caterers are not permitted
- Starting prices exclude service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees
- Amplified music and event end times follow hotel and Santa Monica city noise rules; confirm the outdoor cutoff
- Beach and terrace ceremonies are subject to weather and hotel guidelines
- Candles and open flame require hotel approval; enclosed or LED options are recommended
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · Luxury guest rooms and suites available for the wedding party to prepare on site
Parking · On-site valet parking at the hotel; plan valet costs for guests
Load-in · Vendor load-in coordinated through the hotel with the catering and events team
How to book
Book through the Shutters catering and events office. Planning starts with an inquiry and proposal that sets a food-and-beverage minimum, followed by a contract and deposit; peak spring and fall Saturdays book well in advance given the on-the-sand location.
Photographing Shutters
Shutters offers the quintessential Santa Monica beach-wedding frame: white shutters and Cape Cod architecture against blue water, with the sand directly outside. The oceanfront Pacific Terrace faces due west, so ceremonies and portraits catch warm, glowing golden-hour and sunset light straight off the Pacific.
Beyond the terrace, the hotel's bright, coastal interiors, wooden decks, and the open beach give a photographer range from airy indoor light to wide sand-and-surf vistas. The Santa Monica Pier and its lights sit within view down the beach, offering a recognizable evening backdrop for creative night portraits.
Engagement sessions at Shutters
The public beach and boardwalk beside the hotel make the area a strong engagement-session spot, with the option to incorporate the hotel's exterior when arranged.
Best time · Golden hour into sunset for warm oceanfront light
Permit/fee · The open beach is public; using hotel grounds or interiors requires arrangement and possible fees through the events office
Standout spots · The sand and shoreline, the Pacific Terrace, and the Santa Monica Pier down the beach
Confirm any use of hotel property with the Shutters events team, and note that the adjacent public beach is freely accessible for portraits.
What couples love
- A true on-the-sand luxury hotel, one of the few in Los Angeles
- West-facing oceanfront terrace made for sunset ceremonies
- Full-service five-star team handling catering, bar, and lodging in one place
- Cape Cod coastal-elegant design that photographs beautifully
- Walkable to the Santa Monica Pier and beachfront promenade
Good to know
- Starting prices exclude service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees, so totals rise notably
- It is a luxury property with high minimums, especially in peak spring and fall
- All catering is in-house; outside caterers are not allowed
- Parking is valet, adding per-car cost for larger guest lists
- Outdoor ceremonies depend on weather and coastal conditions
A typical wedding day at Shutters
4:00 PM — Ceremony on the oceanfront Pacific Terrace
4:30 PM — Cocktail hour with ocean views
6:00 PM — Reception opens in the Grand Salon
7:00 PM — Dinner service and toasts
9:00 PM — Dancing, cake, and sunset-into-evening celebration
Frequently asked questions
Where is Shutters on the Beach?
At 1 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, built directly on the sand at the south end of the beach near the Santa Monica Pier.
How many guests can it accommodate?
The Grand Salon holds up to about 400 for a reception, and the venue lists a maximum around 300 or more depending on setup.
What ceremony options are there?
The oceanfront Pacific Terrace for beach-view vows, with the Grand Salon as an elegant indoor alternative.
How much does a wedding cost?
Weddings start around $30,000 and couples commonly spend near $40,000, before service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees.
Is catering in-house?
Yes. The hotel's culinary team handles all food and beverage with custom menus, chef consultations, and cakes; outside caterers are not allowed.
What is the bar cost?
Bar service starts around $97 per person as a reference point, with final pricing set in the proposal.
What spaces are available?
The Grand Salon, Pacific Terrace, Promenade, Beachside, Oceanside, and a small Private Dining Room.
When is peak season?
April to June and September to November are peak, offering the most reliable coastal weather.
Is there parking?
Yes, on-site valet parking is available; budget valet costs for guests.
Can the wedding party get ready on site?
Yes. Luxury guest rooms and suites are available for the party to prepare at the hotel.
What's included in a package?
Reception and ceremony space, bar and drinks, food and catering, service staff, and rentals; fees, taxes, and gratuity are additional.
How far ahead should we book?
Peak spring and fall Saturdays book well in advance; contact the events office early to secure a date.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
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
- Shutters on the Beach (on site)
- Hotel Casa del Mar
- Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
- Oceana Santa Monica
The history behind Shutters
- Shutters on the Beach opened in 1993 as one of the few luxury hotels in Los Angeles built directly on the sand.
- Its Cape Cod-inspired design gives the beachfront property its signature white-shutter, coastal-cottage character.
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Fairmont Miramar · Annenberg Beach House · Le Méridien Delfina · Greystone Mansion · Turnip Rose.
Planning a wedding at Shutters? Reach out to check your date →
