Belinda philleo is an orange county wedding photographer who creates vibrant and authentic imagery of couples and their loved ones. Belinda photographs weddings and engagement sessions throughout southern california.
Alexandria Ballrooms is an iconic luxury event space located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Known for hosting some of history’s biggest celebrities this event space boasts a rich history and elegant decor. Alexandria Ballrooms is the perfect venue for a glamorous soiree!
A Brief History of Alexandria Ballrooms
Hotel Alexandria first opened its doors as the most luxurious hotel in Los Angeles on February 12, 1906. Since then, its ownership has changed hands many times over. While the hotel rooms are now mostly converted into apartments, the ballrooms have continued to be used for various celebrations and film projects.
Over the decades, The Alexandria has hosted some of history and Hollywood’s biggest names including, King Edward VIII, Winston Churchill, a whole host of American Presidents, and Charlie Chaplain’s wedding ceremony! In recent years, stars like Beyonce, Pharell, and Nick Jonas have used the space to film music videos and movies.
With this kind of legacy, it’s no surprise that in 1971, The Alexandria was named a City of Los Angeles Historical-Cultural Monument.
Reception & Ceremony Spaces
Alexandria Ballrooms has three onsite spaces where you can host your event and is also offering a newer fourth event space called “The Bank” just a few blocks away. For now, we’ll just focus on the on-site ballrooms.
The most recognizable of The Alexandria’s ballroom spaces is The King Edward. This regal 3600 square foot room features gold leaf ceilings, wood flooring, and breathtaking crystal chandeliers. Large windows allow natural light to pour in and the fireplace adds a cozy and romantic touch. The King Edward ballroom can comfortably sit between 200 to 400 guests depending on your layout and event type.
The Palm Court ballroom is another iconic space of this historical monument! This equally glamorous room is just a little bit bigger than The King Edward, coming in at around 4500 square feet that can accommodate 260 seated guests and up to 500 guests for a standing event. This ballroom features original chandeliers and luxurious Tiffany skylights. Just outside the ballroom is a large cocktail lounge that includes a built-in bar area so that your guests can enjoy a drink and mingle before the reception opens.
Last is The Mezz, the largest space in The Alexandria at 14,000 square feet. Unlike the other ballrooms, The Mezz is an industrial-style space that features exposed brick, Iron beams, and a large marble stairway at its entrance. Its large windows offer great views of the surrounding downtown neighborhood. You can comfortably include 500 to 800 guests in this space, depending on if you chose a seated dinner or cocktail-style event.
Noteworthy Features & Amenities at Alexandria Ballrooms
Alexandria Ballrooms includes a few important amenities with your event reservation. These include:
- Private Bride and Groom suites (depending on availability)
- Complimentary Tables and Chairs
- 15 hours of access to the event space
- Private kitchen and bar area
- Restrooms
- A Preferred vendor list with the option to bring in outside vendors
- Paid options for valet or self-parking
You can request more information about Alexandria Ballrooms by contacting their events team.
Rules and Considerations
To protect this historic venue, there are a few rules in place.
First, they require that all vendors at your event are licensed and insured. This is a smart choice regardless of your venue because it also ensures you’re working with trusted professionals.
Second, they require that you have a coordinator and staff onsite from setup to breakdown. Again, a wise choice for any wedding to ensure the event runs smoothly. They also require you to have security guards present depending on your guest count.
No cooking is allowed on-site, and if you’d like to use candles with real flames you’ll have to obtain a fire permit.
Dance floor rentals are required.
Last, there is a curfew of 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 am on all other days.
Photography Opportunities
With so many gorgeous details at every turn, Alexandria Ballrooms is a dream for great photography both inside and out. I highly encourage you to work closely with your coordinator and photographer to schedule plenty of photo time on your wedding day and make the most of the incredible space!
It’s no doubt that hosting your wedding at Alexandria Ballrooms would be epic, your photography should be too! Photography by Belinda Philleo can help you create timeless photographs to remember your day. Contact us to request information on packages and availability.
