Venue Review: Marvimon House – Los Angeles, CA

WARNING: Like my Smog Shoppe review, this post is going to seem like a gush fest, because this venue is amazing. Of course, I’m talking about Marvimon House, the sister venue of Smog Shoppe, which is located in Los Angeles, near Dodger Stadium.

Marvimon was actually once someone’s home, hence the name Marvimon House. The love the owners have for this place is quite apparent, there are wonderful little details and surprises around every corner. Like Smog Shoppe, this place is unique, unlike any other space you will find in Southern California. It is effortlessly stylish and in a class all its’ own. To give you a better idea of what I’m talking about, let’s look a little closer at this place.

Exposed beams, skylights, and brick adorn this venue for a magnificently urban feel. The movie screen on the right hand side sits directly in front of a dance floor area, with a DJ booth for all of your partying needs!

This lounge area, which sits just off the dance floor, is complete with awesome vintage couches and can be utilized as a place for your guests to relax and hang out or as more dining space. Also, you can see garden/ceremony area at the back of the venue, complete with lush greenery, the perfect place to walk down the aisle!

The kitchen area (on the left side in this photo) is accented by gorgeous, eclectic hanging lights, creating a warm atmosphere. There is also a prep space behind the kitchen which your caterer can use for all of their prep and serving needs.

What a funky and fun ceremony spot! This area is not only beautiful but also unique. Imagine the opportunities your photographer will have to capture all of your special moments!

The garden area of this place is magical! After your ceremony, this area is converted into an outdoor lounge complete with bistro lights (which I adore!)

THERE’S A BAR! No need to set up a make-shift bar here, they already have a stunning one that is completely available for your use. I don’t know about you, but I just love that horseshoe!

Here is an example of what your tables could look like. That brick wall backdrop is STUNNING!

Pros

• The flow of this space is perfect for a party. (guests will feel right at home while they walk around your event)
• Little decor needed! The charm of Marvimon is a statement in itself, you could just add place settings and flowers to the tables and this place would suffice for a beautiful venue.
• Outside catering is allowed. (This is HUGE in terms of your budget.) The hidden prep space is great for caterers and will help keep your guests well-fed and happy.
• They have tables and seating readily available for up to 150 people. (if this is your guest count, you won’t need to rent additional pieces! You’ll save money 🙂 )
• The wow factor. Your guests will have never seen a place like this, it’s one-of-a-kind.
• They have 4 bathrooms on-site. No need to make your guests wait in long lines!
• Built-in bar. Not only is the style of their bar aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but it is also great to have that area for guests to chat and hang out.
• Bistro lights. Because these are already strung, you will not have to take the time out of your day to hang them and make sure they are properly functioning.
• The majority of this place is inside and covered. This is great if you are having your wedding in a month that is notorious for rain!

Cons

• I wasn’t thrilled about the exposed kitchen. (Remember this was a house once) I feel like it kind of takes away from the look of the space. You may be able to find some great ways to hide or mask it, whether its hanging something there or covering the counter with candles.
• Price. (Same as Smog Shoppe, this place is on the pricey side) You have to decide what things about your day are most important to you. For me, venue is huge, so I’m willing to keep this place at the top of my list despite it’s price tag.
• The area surrounding Marvimon is urban. You can see the LA skyline which looks so pretty at night! But, the streets are certainly not pristine and there is a vacant lot across the way. (I do think that guests will completely forget about this element once they are inside your event!)
• Dodger Stadium. You have to be careful if you book your wedding during baseball season because this place is right around the corner from Dodger Stadium. Try not to book it on a home game day as traffic and the overall area around Marvimon will be packed with people.
• The same rules Smog Shoppe has about children apply here. You are required to have an outside babysitter on-site if you are going to have children at your event. (kind of a pain)

The people at Marvimon/Smog Shoppe are doing something right. I am completely torn between the two. I wish there was a big red flag with one or the other, but they both have so many great qualities that they cancel out each others flaws. I know that I won’t be disappointed with whichever one I choose for my venue. Either way, I will wow my guests and have a unique and fun party.

Viewings can be booked through Kara Haro – kara@marvimon.com. Kara and Megan, who do the tours of both Marvimon and Smog Shoppe, are passionate about these spaces and can answer any of questions you may have!

xo The Sparkly Bride

Venue Review: Smog Shoppe – Culver City, CA

Let me warn you by saying that this post might sound a little biased, because I absolutely adore this venue. First of all, this place was once an actual Smog Shoppe and has been since transformed into an out-of-this-world venue space! This place is definitely at the top of my list for possible venues. It is so clever, fun, and definitely has the “wow” factor that I’m looking for in a venue for my wedding (you only get married once, right?!). It’s a little on the pricey side, but in my opinion you get what you pay for and more.  The Smog Shoppe provided decor and furniture will make it look like you went to a flea market and hand picked each item just for your day. Something few, if any of us, have time for while we are busy planning! This space really holds its’ own and few personally added decorations would even be necessary to have a fun/special event that is all your own.

Here are some photos (Unfortunately, these are not my own, because silly me forgot to bring my camera when I went for my tour) I’ve provided a few of the pros and cons below this “photo tour”. You can also go to http://marvimon.com/ for more info. (Expect a review of Smog Shoppe’s sister venue Marvimon in the near future 🙂 )

Nestled in the arts district of Culver City, CA the Smog Shoppe is so much more than meets the eye! It’s vintage/industrial exterior is only a hint of what lies behind its walls.

After you enter the venue from its entrance on La Cienega Blvd you will be blown away! It’s as if you have stepped into a whole new world (Aladdin, anyone?) It will literally take your breath away.

Not only will the architectural qualities of this gem leave you wanting more, but every detail in its decor is so fantastically unique. It’s the perfect blend of vintage, one-of-a-kind elements.

The succulent walls! Did I mention the succulent walls?! This place has walls covered in them! They are gorgeous and ultra-cool, the perfect back drop for your ceremony.

If you are a movie fan or just want that extra element of fun for your big day, check out this movie screen! You can have your first dance while a scene from your favorite film plays behind you (did I mention the dance floor can go right in front of it? Great photo ops and endless possibilities for entertainment!)

The garage doors which can be seen up in a photo above can be closed for a wedding in the colder months of fall and winter. Keep your guests warm and keep the party going! Smog Shoppe also has tables and chairs that can be used free of charge. (pictured here)

A lounge-like, inviting atmosphere allows guests to mingle and feel at ease while celebrating your blissful union. These Chesterfield sofas are to die for!

Pros

• You can use your own caterer/bartender as long as they are an insured entity (for me this is huge! Many venues restrict you to using only their vendors which can be extremely costly)
• There is a separate kitchen space (perfect for prepping and preparing your food) just off of the main lounge area
• You are able to use any of Smog Shoppe’s furniture for your event: couches, benches, chairs, tables (all of which are priceless/unique pieces)
• There is a men’s bathroom and a women’s bathroom, both of which have multiple stalls (this probably seems silly to be listed in Pros, but there is nothing worse than not having enough restroom facilities for your guests’ comfort and convenience!)
• They have a fully wired DJ station that sits above your reception space (your DJ can sit there and control the flow of the party without having to lug their own equipment to the venue)
• Valet (which is required) will allow your guests to pull up to your wedding and leave their cars without having to search for parking
• You can have both your ceremony and reception on site (no need for guests to travel between)

Cons

• Costly – for a 175 person wedding you are looking at a $10,000ish fee (however this does include both valet and event management) Do keep in mind that you will have to pay for your own food, flowers, etc. on top of this amount
• Not the biggest place on the block. Since I plan on having a 175-200 person wedding, it could be a tighter squeeze (good thing I want cocktail style eh?) but for those who want a 100-125 person wedding this place will fit like a glove!
• Kids – they do allow children on-site but require you to have a “babysitter” there to watch them (someone outside of the wedding, it can be someone of your choosing or someone Smog Shoppe recommends) so that their parents can have fun and they can be monitored more closely
• Area – it is a more industrial area, if you are looking for streets lined with gold or a lush garden, this is certainly not the place for you.

I would strongly encourage any one who is at all interested to take a look at the venue in person before writing it off because of the price. You won’t be disappointed.

xo, The Sparkly Bride