Hi all!

I just got engaged a few months ago and have been trying to decide on a venue.  I've narrowed it down to the 3 - Ambassador Campus Fowler Garden, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preseve.  Now I'm having a tough time deciding and have a few questions for anyone out there who may have experience with either of the above venues, especially if youve been a guest

For Ambassador- is the nearby football field a problem during the ceremony with noise?  Also is the cocktail hour space awkward?

For PMCA- is the sun an annoying glare during the ceremony on the rooftop for the guests?

For ULV- Is the drive down Crummer canyon scary at night?  is it windy at night?

I'm hoping to get married next summer and hoping to pin down a date soon!  Thanks for any advice in advance.

PMCA was the venue we almost got married at.. I was just worried about the costs adding up for having to rent chairs, etc.. since we were on a tight budget.  But I really wish it could have been there.. it's such a beautiful and unique place :)

Best of luck with your decision!

Hi JMB,

I am actually getting married in the Fowler Garden at the Ambassador next May. I loved the site, but I do agree the cocktail area would be somewhat awkward and I hadn't even thought of the football game going during the ceremony!!! Thats a great question.

Where did they tell you to have the cocktail area at by the way?

The coordinator said that there is not a scheduled game on saturday nights but I dropped by one Sunday evening and there was informal baseball practice so I kept hearing the thwack of the bat.  Not major but a little annoying.

She said that most of the cocktail hours are held up on the lawn above the garden.  Its just that the lawn there is somewhat sloped so can be a little tricky for the elderly folk.

i am getting married in the fowler garden in sept.  i love the fireplace and intimacy of the garden, but i am a little worried since high school football season starts around that time and the white marks at the field will be very visible.  i decided to rent their great lawn just for an hour for our ceremony for an extra charge.  i need to re-work my budget, but i don't want to regret when i get my pictures with the football field in background!

I am getting married at the Fowler Garden in October on a Sunday afternoon/evening. It was my fiance who mentioned the FB field being a problem one night when we walked to the garden. All the lights were on (soccer practice) and it definately ruined the feel of the place.

I am really hoping the field will not be in use on a Sunday, but if it is, all the lights and noise will definately put a damper on the evening =(

Just keep in mind - EVERYTHING has to be rented, which gets expensive! I know the Art museum is the same deal, though. However, the garden has so much natural beauty, you won't have to spend as much on flowers/decor ... just some creative lighting ideas maybe.

Good luck!

How has everyone's experience been w/ the site coordinator? What about the restrooms, did you see that it was far to walk to? Its very true that it can get expensive bringing everything in (lights, catering, rentals, etc.).... please keep me posted on your weddings, it is so difficult to plan something like this when you are bringing in everything but, the place is beautiful, unique, and in a perfect location so I know we all booked it for a reason! Thank you ladies!

Thanks for all the discussion ladies.  Fowler is indeed beautiful.  I'm wondering what creative lighting people will be doing for Fowler?  I've always wanted overhead lanterns but I don't think it will be possible at Fowler.  Do you think additional lighting will be necessary?  Unfortunately I forgot to check out the bathrooms when I was there last...

Any former PMCA guests out there for the month of July?

Well, the gazebo lights up, as well as the two wall fountains. There are ights in the bushes and twinkle lights on the hedge as well as a light under the awning. At night, with all of that, you will still need a bit more. I am going for ambiance only, so I am only adding overhead paper lanterns, floating fountain candles and I am lighting up my centerpieces as well with LED lights.

If you want a lot of light, you might need to rent a moon light or even garden lanterns. It is up to you. Just remember, they have strict rules about candles and lighting, so you need to download those rules on the website and meet with the fire marshall beforehand to approve all ideas.

The site coordinator is really easy to work with and she does day-of coordinating, too, if you want it. She is pretty flexible with allowing you to do what you want in the garden as long as it follows the fire laws. Unfortunately, the restrooms are a bit of a walk for guests. They are in one of the high school buildings ... left side of the lake/pool thing. Does that make sense?

Good luck all!

hi - i love the ambassador garden & mansion and i am very close to booking the site for both the ceremony (fowler garden) and reception (italian garden).

for those who have already booked the ambassador, will you please share some of the vendors you are using for your wedding? i am most interested in caterers and party rental companies. 

also, it seems like the ownership of the entire ambassador campus is split among various entities.  does anyone have information about what would happen if any of the garden properties are sold? thanks!