Colorful & Fun Seventh Place Wedding in DTLA

From the first conversation with J&J about their Seventh Place wedding, one of downtown Los Angeles’ most beloved Arts District Venues, I knew we were in for a day full of color, texture, and joy. Add in a first look at the Kyoto Garden at The DoubleTree Los Angeles Downtown, a vibrant, unexpected floral palette, and even a friendship bracelet making station – and this Pi Day Wedding (March 14th!) instantly became one of my favorite Los Angeles weddings to photograph this year!

As an Orange County and Los Angeles wedding photographer, I get to photograph weddings all over SoCal, but there’s something special about a wedding that leans into LA’s creative, industrial-meets-lush asthetic the way this one did. Here’s how the day unfolded:

Getting Ready in Little Tokyo: The Kyoto Garden at DoubleTree Los Angeles Downtown

The morning started at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown, tucked right in the heart of Little Tokyo. Most guests know this hotel for it’s rooftop Kyoto Garden – a half-acre Japanese garden with koi ponds, a cascading waterfall, and manicured greenery that feels a world away from the DTLA skyline surrounding it. It’s a great hidden-gem location for first look and bridal party photos in Los Angeles, especially for couples who want a garden setting without having to leave the city.

The First Look

We chose a spot in the Kyoto Garden that had the softest light, near the waterfall. The beautiful scenery did most of the work for us, and the early afternoon light helped to keep the photos vibrant, bright, and colorful. If you’re planning a DTLA wedding and want a first look location that feels serene, private, and totally unlike a typical hotel ballroom, the Kyoto Garden is hard to beat.

Family & Bridal Party Photos

To make the best use of their schedule, J&J opted to do all of the family and bridal party photos before their ceremony. This ensured we had plenty of time to get all their requested shots and allowed the couple and their guests to enjoy cocktail hour together.

Vibrant, Colorful Florals

Brass Fern House brought J&J’s vision to life with bright, springtime bouquets that married bright pink roses, orange ranunculus, sunflowers, and a little sprinkle of purple. The arrangements photographed beautifully in both the Kyoto Garden and against Seventh Place’s raw brick backdrop. For couples planning a colorful wedding in Los Angeles, Brass Fern House’s work is proof that a vibrant palette can still feel elevated and intentional.

The Ceremony and Reception at Seventh Place, DTLA

I’ve you’ve never been to Seventh Place in the Downtown LA Arts District, it’s one of those venues that’s fun to photograph because of it’s many textures! The space is a 75-year-old converted warehouse with bow-truss ceilings, exposed brick, and a lush outdoor patio that blends seamlessly with the indoor space through an oversized glass garage door. It’s an industrial-chic backdrop that let’s a couple’s personal style – in this case, bold color and personality – really stand out.

An In-House Planner Who Made It All Come Together

Seventh Place’s in-house Planner, Anastasia Burke, helped keep the entire day running smoothly, which as a photographer, I always appreciate. A well-coordinated timeline means more time for the photos that actually matter to our couples.

Delicious Mexican food and Bar Service

Guests were treated to a Mexican Food catering spread from Chinacata Ryna, paired with craft cocktails prepared by The Whaling Club’s bartending team.

A Friendship Bracelet Station Guests Couldn’t Get Enough Of

One of my favorite personal touches of the day was the friendship bracelet making station set up for guests. It gave everyone something interactive to do between the ceremony and reception, sparked conversation with guests who didn’t know eachother yet, and doubled as a sweet, on-theme favor.

Arcade Games, Photobooth, and Late-Night Pizza

The couple also brought in classic arcade games from Parties by Gems, and a photo booth, giving everyone plenty of ways to stay entertained from cocktail hour through to the end of the night. Between the bracelet station, the arcade games, and the photo boot, there was truly something for every guest to enjoy, and it added a playful, nostalgic energy that carried through all the photos. Then, once the dance party had been going for a while, a pizza delivery showed up to keep everyone fueled for round two – always a crowd-pleaser and honestly one of my favorite trends in Los Angeles wedding receptions right now.

If you’re a Los Angeles couple looking for reception entertainment ideas beyond the usual DJ and dance floor, arcade rentals, a photobooth, and late-night snacks are such fun, guest-favorite options.

Pies Instead of Cake

In the cutest nod to their Pi Day wedding date, J&J skipped the traditional wedding cake altogether and served pies instead – a detail that tied the whol day’s theme together and gave guests something a little unexpected for dessert. It’s such a fun, personal touch for a March 14th wedding! I love seeing the creative ways my couples personalize their wedding details.

The Dance Party

By the time the dance floor opened up, there was no holding this crowd back. Hey Mister DJ LA kept the energy high all night, and the dance party at the end of the reception was, without exaggeration, one of the most epic that I’ve ever photographed. Disco balls, a packed floor, family joining in – it was everything a reception dance party should be!

Why I love Seventh Place as a DTLA Wedding Venue

For couples searching for a wedding venue in Los Angeles that balances industrial character with room for personality – bold color, unexpected details, an all-out dance party – Seventh Place in the Arts District delivers every time. Paired with portraits at the Kyoto Garden just a few minutes away, J&J’s day is a great example of how two very different DTLA locations can come together in one cohesive wedding story.

If you’re planning your own Seventh Place wedding or searching for a Los Angeles wedding photographer who can capture both the quiet, intimate moments and the full-send dance floor energy, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me for more information.

J&J’S SEVENTH PLACE WEDDING TEAM:

Getting Ready Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown, Kyoto Garden
Wedding Venue: Seventh Place, Los Angeles
Planner: Anastaisa Burke
Photography: Photography by Belinda Philleo
Florist: Brass Fern House
Beauty: Savannah Smolko
DJ/MC: Hey Mister DJ LA (DJ Lee)
Rentals: Bright Event Rentals
Catering: La Chinacata Reyna
Bar: The Whaling Club
Photobooth: LA Photobooth Rentals
Arcade Rentals: Parties by Gems