Stone Mountain Estates Wedding Review

Stone Mountain Estates provides couples a chance to create memories that will last forever in a setting that combines natural beauty with classical elegance. The venue’s unique features, from its helipad ceremony spot to its panoramic mountain views, offer endless possibilities for crafting a one-of-a-kind wedding and reception experience. 

Stone Mountain Estates is a gem of a wedding venue. Its secluded location offers privacy and stunning views, setting the stage for a memorable celebration. With plenty of outdoor space, Stone Mountain Estates promises an authentic and unforgettable wedding experience surrounded by the rugged beauty of nature.

About Stone Mountain Estates

Located in the picturesque Malibu mountains, Stone Mountain Estates features some of the most breathtaking views in Southern California, making it a fantastic spot for capturing stunning sunset moments during weddings. 

Guests can also enjoy mingling outdoors in the scenic surroundings, creating unforgettable memories with loved ones against the backdrop of panoramic vistas.

Location and Accessibility

Nestled atop the Malibu mountains, this private estate along Pacific Coast Highway is conveniently located just 37 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport, which equates to a 45-minute car ride.

Stone Mountain Estates discourages using Uber and Lyft because of the remote location and one-way driveway. Couples are recommended to hire shuttle services for the guests.

Capacity

Stone Mountain Estates can host a wedding of up to 120 people for sit-down dinner receptions or up to 200 for ceremony and cocktails only.

Costs and Year-Round Availability

Stone Mountain Estates maintains consistent pricing and availability throughout the year. The starting site fee is $15,000, although the final costs still depend on the day of your wedding. 

These prices reflect the wedding venue fee. Be prepared to pay for mandatory on-site staff fees, averaging around $3,500-$5,000. You can directly request a quotation from the venue based on your wedding date, the number of guests, and the amenities you want to use.

Amenities and Service Limitations

Stone Mountain Estates offers exclusivity with food and beverage services, furniture rentals, mobile restrooms, valet parking, and on-site staff.

This wedding venue provides full access to the exterior grounds and includes a small room for preparation. Please be aware that no food or beverages are permitted indoors, and there are no shower facilities available.

Ambiance and Aesthetics

Stone Mountain Estates offers an enchanting ambiance, where panoramic vistas create a picturesque backdrop for weddings. 

   – Everyone can enjoy stunning sunsets against lush greenery, complemented by the venue’s magnificent architecture and serene atmosphere. 

   – The Mediterranean-inspired exterior and classical Renaissance appearance add to its charm.

  –  Unlike traditional wedding venues, this private estate offers an intimate atmosphere, allowing photographers to focus on the intricate details.

   – The well-maintained flora adds to the charm of the property, providing numerous intimate spots for capturing beautiful portraits of couples.

Wedding Vendors

While Stone Mountain Estates doesn’t allow day-of wedding coordinators, it provides an event planning team to assist with the designing and logistics. The property management also needs to approve your planner.

You can hire most of your preferred wedding vendors. However, Stone Mountain Estates has a list of preferred vendors you can also check out. The venue also recommends getting a bathroom trailer because of the area’s sensitive and private septic system. 

Stone Mountain Estates Layout and Wedding Spaces

Stone Mountain Estates has many things to offer. Checking the layout and various wedding spaces at Stone Mountain Estates can help you plan a seamless outdoor wedding experience. These areas can make you visualize where to organize different parts of the wedding.

Helipad

At Stone Mountain Estates, couples have the option of selecting from various ceremony and reception areas, with the helipad standing out as the most picturesque choice. Perched atop the estate, it offers sweeping views of the Malibu mountains, setting the stage for breathtaking sunset ceremonies, intimate receptions, and dance floor parties.

Upper Deck Area

The upper deck area at Stone Mountain Estates offers a prime wedding site with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Whether for cocktail hours or intimate ceremonies, you can customize the spacious deck to your preferred theme.

Pool

The pool at Stone Mountain Estates can serve as a unique setting for wedding events as you can set up tables here for guests to mingle. There’s also enough room for DJs to entertain.

Side Lawn and Secret Garden

The lawn and secret garden at Stone Mountain Estates provide charming outdoor spaces for intimate wedding events or photo opportunities. These areas offer additional vendor setup options and picturesque settings for various aspects of the wedding.

How to Make the Most Out of Stone Mountain Estates for an Outdoor Wedding

By getting to know the venue’s features and best practices for events, you can have a memorable and seamless wedding experience. Stone Mountain Estates has expansive landscapes and plenty of modern amenities to offer, so knowing how to maximize them can help you organize a truly spectacular wedding.

Choose the Ideal Time of the Day

It’s important to pick the right time of day at Stone Mountain Estates to capture the best light and avoid potential issues. We get personally involved from the beginning of the wedding planning process to identify the best photo shoot schedules for your wedding.

We usually recommend scheduling romantic wedding photos about 45 minutes before sunset for golden, dreamy light near the helicopter pad. You can also work with your planner to time your ceremony to prevent silhouetting or other lighting issues.

Use a Sun Cover

Stone Mountain Estates has more outdoor spaces than interior setups. To keep you and your guests comfortable, be ready for the heat and consider:

   – Arbors with elegant draping or trellises that offer stylish shade for intimate ceremonies or wedding reception areas.

   – Shade parasols that provide portable, ready-to-use protection for guests during outdoor events.

   – Custom decked-out sailcloth tents that create expansive covered spaces, perfect for larger receptions and supplier setups.

Prepare for Transportation and Parking

A steep, narrow road leads to the Stone Mountain Estates, which may potentially affect transportation choices.

   – Shuttle services are preferred instead of ride-sharing services.

   – Limited parking is available for approximately 55 cars, including both guest and vendor vehicles.

   – Parking lot fees are variable, with prices based on the expected number of cars, impacting the total wedding costs.

Communicate Rules to Guests Bringing Children

Stone Mountain Estates has specific policies regarding children at wedding events for safety reasons. The wedding venue provides clear communication of these policies to guests due to potential hazards like unfenced terraces.

A maximum of four children are welcome during wedding ceremonies, although those under 15 must leave the premises afterward. A babysitter must also supervise them throughout the event. Should you need extra help regarding this, the venue has a babysitter vendor you can book.

Consider Non-Traditional Seating and Aisles

Among the things we love about Stone Mountain Estates is that it offers creative opportunities for wedding setups that can leave a lasting impression on your guests.

   – Request unconventional layouts in the outdoor space to provide a space for the dance floor, DJs, or other interactive stations.

   – Circular seating arrangements on the helicopter pad create an intimate wedding experience.

   – Mixing benches, sofas, and chairs allows for interesting angular designs and a dramatic aisle.

Our Experience Shooting Weddings at Stone Mountain Estates

A standout feature of the Stone Mountain Estates is its intimate flow, resulting from the venue’s strategic arrangement of spaces to guide guests through different areas. This encourages a sense of interaction and closeness among the couple and their loved ones.

Complemented by its picturesque location overlooking the stunning Malibu mountains and plenty of space for capturing timeless photos and beautiful portraits, it’s an ideal outdoor wedding venue.

As photographers, we quickly fell in love with Stone Mountain Estates, thanks to its efficient setup and reasonable price point. This makes it a top choice for couples seeking a magical wedding experience.

From Ceremony to Reception

Depending on preference, Stone Mountain Estates can hold the ceremonies on the helipad or at a separate location. Cocktail hour typically takes place on the top deck, which offers a stunning vista overlooking the helipad.

Opting for both ceremony and reception on the helipad allows for a seamless transition, with the possibility of flipping the setup during cocktail hour. Additionally, it serves as an ideal location for the dance floor, providing people with ample room to move and mingle throughout the wedding.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Choosing the Stone Mountain Estates for a Wedding

While planning a wedding, couples need to carefully consider both the advantages and disadvantages of any potential venue, including Stone Mountain Estates. This balanced approach can help couples make an informed decision about whether the venue aligns with their vision and requirements for their special day.

Pros

   – Breathtaking panoramic views of Malibu mountains offer a stunning backdrop for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

   – Exclusive on-site catering and valet services, simplifying the vendor selection process for couples.

   – Versatile outdoor spaces, including a helipad area, can accommodate various wedding sizes and styles, whether it’s for an elopement or a grand wedding.

   – Flexibility in choosing wedding dates to suit couples’ preferences.

Cons

   – Limited indoor access and facilities may pose challenges for getting ready on-site or in case of inclement weather.

   – Remote location, which may be less convenient for some people and could require additional transportation arrangements.

   – Mandatory use of certain in-house services, potentially restricting your choices and increasing the final payment.

Related Questions

How Much Is the Minimum Wedding Cost at Stone Mountain Estates? 

The minimum wedding cost at Stone Mountain Estates starts at $15,000 for a Monday-to-Thursday event, which covers the venue fee only. Additional costs include mandatory on-site fees for staff, so couples should request a detailed quote to understand the full cost.

How Many People Can Stone Mountain Estates Accommodate?

Stone Mountain Estates can accommodate up to 120 people for sit-down dinner receptions or up to 200 pax for ceremonies and cocktail-only events. The various areas of the venue, including the helipad, upper deck, and garden spaces, offer flexibility in accommodating different guest counts for different parts of the wedding or reception.

Can I Host Multi-Day Weekend Wedding Events at Stone Mountain Estates?

Stone Mountain Estates may be able to host various wedding-related events such as engagement parties, intimate dinners, guest welcome parties, or rehearsals. For couples interested in a multi-day event, contact the venue directly to inquire about extended bookings and discuss how to get ready for these events on-site.

Conclusion

Are you convinced that Stone Mountain Estates is THE wedding venue of your dreams? Our photography team can flawlessly capture this memorable and personalized event in one of California’s most picturesque settings. With a clear understanding of the on-site amenities, restrictions, and possibilities, you can confidently plan your California wedding and take advantage of the venue’s stunning features.