Nestled against a wooded slope in the private and secluded Saratoga hills is Montalvo Arts Center, a lovely complex with a variety of venues for concerts, weddings, corporate events and private parties. For weddings, the focal point of this estate is its beautiful Mediterranean-style mansion, Villa Montalvo. Built in 1912 as the private summer residence of Senator James Duval Phelan, this National Register Historic Landmark is now home to an arboretum and a nonprofit center for the arts.
An inviting one-way road leads up to Villa Montalvo. As you round the last turn, you get your first glimpse of the estate’s expansive manicured lawns and colorful gardens, as well as the mansion’s terracotta-tile roof, light stucco walls and wide veranda. To your left, you’ll also see the Love Temple, one of two ceremony sites on the grounds; it’s an open-air, white-columned pavilion set at the end of a wide, rose-lined brick path featuring historic marble statues. Couples get married on its steps, with a view of the surrounding Mediterranean garden and the Villa and woods in the background.
Directly behind the Villa, the Oval Garden offers a lush garden setting complete with classical statues and wisteria-covered pergolas. This open-air courtyard is an intimate and delightful place for a ceremony; a brick pathway serves as the center aisle, and a column-supported arcade is the backdrop for taking vows.
The Villa’s first floor and outdoor patios are available for receptions. Guests can sip champagne and sample hors d’oeuvres in the Spanish courtyard, and dine on the veranda while enjoying splendid views of the estate’s lawns and gardens. Reserve well in advance. The Montalvo Arts Center is an extraordinary site for an elegant and sophisticated wedding.
Reception/Special Events
Meetings
Max. Seated Indoors: 130
Max. Seated Outdoors: 350 Max. Seated Indoors: 190
Max. Seated Outdoors: 300
Max. Standing Indoors: 200
Max. Standing Outdoors: 1000 Max. Seated: 1100
CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Oval Garden accommodates 200 seated. The Side Veranda seats 130 in case of inclement weather. The Love Temple capacity is 140.
EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: The Villa’s indoor capacity is 190 seated or 200 standing; outdoors, it’s 300 seated or 1,000 standing. The Love Temple accommodates 140 seated. Events with over 300 guests may incur an additional cost, and require special arrangements with the Events Manager.
MEETING CAPACITY: Meeting venues accommodate groups of 4–300 people; the Villa’s main floor holds up to 100. The Carriage House Theatre can accommodate up to 300 people seated theater-style. The outdoor Garden Theatre accommodates 1,100 guests. The upper Villa has 3 large rooms for staff meetings or dressing rooms. The Cottage accommodates up to 14 guests.
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