4.8
Praised by couples for:
Amenities
Quality catering
Unique aesthetic style
Historic Claremont Wedding Venue with Sunset Views
Holds ceremonies and receptions
We had our wedding ceremony at Padua Hills Theatre, and it was absolutely perfect! From the very beginning, everyone was so kind, helpful, and easy to work with. We especially loved having a preferred vendor list, which made the planning process so much easier and less stressful. They were always willing to answer questions and help however they could.
The day of our wedding was wonderful, and our coordinator was amazing. She was always there when we needed her and helped everything run smoothly so we could simply enjoy the moment. And of course, the view is absolutely breathtaking! It made the perfect backdrop for our ceremony and made the day feel even more special.
Hands down, we couldn’t have asked for a better venue for our wedding ceremony. We are so grateful to the entire Padua Hills team for making our day so beautiful and memorable.
Alexis L.
5.0
Padua Hills exceeded every expectation we had for our wedding. What truly sets this venue apart is the staff. Every single person we worked with during the planning process was thoughtful, patient, and genuinely invested in making our day special. Couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day, everything was seamless and tons of compliments on the food! The space itself is so beautiful, it was the first venue we toured and we didn’t need to see any others.
Hillary M.
5.0
AWARD WINNER (2X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Looking for a romantic wedding venue in Claremont, California with historic charm, scenic views, and beautiful indoor and outdoor event spaces? Padua Hills Theatre offers a timeless Southern California setting for couples who want their wedding day to feel elegant, personal, and unforgettable.
Nestled in the Claremont hills, Padua Hills Theatre blends old-world architecture, olive tree views, warm hospitality, and flexible wedding spaces designed for ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions, and dancing. From golden-hour vows to candlelit celebrations, every part of the property gives couples a naturally beautiful backdrop for photos, video, and meaningful guest moments.
The plaza courtyard is one of the venue’s signature spaces, featuring a romantic wrought-iron gazebo surrounded by historic character and olive grove scenery. This outdoor space is ideal for wedding ceremonies and can also host receptions for up to 350 guests, with room for elegant tablescapes, glowing lights, and a warm open-air celebration.
The terrace offers breathtaking sunset views over the Southern California foothills, creating a cinematic setting for ceremonies, cocktail hours, portraits, and receptions. With seating for up to 250 guests, the terrace is a favorite for couples searching for an outdoor wedding venue with atmosphere, scenery, and a memorable sense of arrival.
Inside, the ballroom provides a refined indoor reception space with customizable lighting and sound. It gives couples the flexibility to create a celebration that feels romantic, modern, classic, or fully personalized to their wedding style.
Padua Hills Theatre specializes in wedding ceremonies and receptions, with a professional team that helps couples move through the planning process with care, clarity, and confidence.
Available amenities and services include aisle runners, altar or arch options, dance floor, decor, drapery, getting ready rooms, lighting and sound, outside vendor flexibility, pet-friendly areas, parking, setup and cleanup, tables and chairs, and wheelchair access.
Couples can also enjoy a thoughtful culinary experience with catering and bar options designed to match the tone of their celebration. Dining styles may include buffet, family-style, hors d’oeuvres, plated service, and stations. Bar options may include bartenders, cash bar, limited bar, open bar, house beer, liquor and wine, premium liquor, signature drinks, and specialty beer and wine.
For couples searching for a Claremont wedding venue, Southern California wedding venue, historic wedding venue, garden wedding venue, or indoor and outdoor wedding venue with sunset views, Padua Hills Theatre offers a romantic and timeless setting worth experiencing in person. Schedule a private tour to explore the plaza courtyard, terrace, ballroom, olive grove scenery, and the full Padua wedding experience.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Ceremony Types
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Ballroom
Garden
Historic Venue
Mountain
Museum
Restaurant
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Food & Catering
Planning
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
2-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2025.2021.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Showing slide number 1 out of 2
- Isabela MiddlebrookVenue CuratorIsabela is the Venue Curator for Padua Hills, where she brings a warm, detail-oriented approach to every event. With a deep passion for hospitality and design, she ensures each celebration is both seamless and uniquely personal. Isabela collaborates closely with couples, vendors, and staff to transform visions into unforgettable experiences. Her expertise in event flow, aesthetics, and logistics makes her a trusted guide throughout the planning journey. At Padua Hills, Isabela is known for her grace under pressure and dedication to creating meaningful moments. Isabela enjoys traveling to new places and spending time with loved ones!
- Ryan PrevostSales ManagerRyan is a key part of the Padua Hills sales team, known for his warm welcome, great sense of humor, and dedication to every couple he meets. With a deep knowledge of the venue and years of experience, he’s a trusted guide throughout the booking process. Ryan goes above and beyond to make sure each couple feels confident, excited, and cared for from the very beginning. His fun-loving personality and genuine passion for helping others make him a true favorite among our clients and team alike.
Reviews
4.8
out of 5.082 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Padua Hills Theatre is a stunning, well‑maintained venue with breathtaking mountain and garden views that create a magical wedding backdrop. Reviewers praised the attentive, organized staff and seamless planning, highlighting exceptional day‑of coordination and inclusivity. The in‑house catering, generous portions, and DJ service were frequently complimented, making the whole experience highly recommended.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Alexis L
5.0
9/23/2026
We had our wedding ceremony at Padua Hills Theatre, and it was absolutely perfect! From the very beginning, everyone was so kind, helpful, and easy to work with. We especially love...
d having a preferred vendor list, which made the planning process so much easier and less stressful. They were always willing to answer questions and help however they could.
The day of our wedding was wonderful, and our coordinator was amazing. She was always there when we needed her and helped everything run smoothly so we could simply enjoy the moment. And of course, the view is absolutely breathtaking! It made the perfect backdrop for our ceremony and made the day feel even more special.
Hands down, we couldn’t have asked for a better venue for our wedding ceremony. We are so grateful to the entire Padua Hills team for making our day so beautiful and memorable.
Response from Padua Weddings on 09/24/2026
Alexis, thank you so much for your thoughtful words! We’re so happy our team and preferred...
vendor recommendations helped make planning easier, and that your coordinator made you feel cared for throughout your ceremony day. Knowing you could relax and enjoy the moment means so much to us. Thank you for choosing Padua Hills Theatre and trusting us with such a special part of your story. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness! 🤍
Hillary M
5.0
8/05/2026
Padua Hills exceeded every expectation we had for our wedding. What truly sets this venue apart is the staff. Every single person we worked with during the planning process was tho...
ughtful, patient, and genuinely invested in making our day special. Couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day, everything was seamless and tons of compliments on the food! The space itself is so beautiful, it was the first venue we toured and we didn’t need to see any others.
Response from Padua Weddings on 08/05/2026
Hillary,
Your review brought a lot of smiles to our team. Thank you for taking the time t...
o share your experience.
One thing that really stood out to us was you saying that Padua was the first venue you toured and that you didn't need to see another. That means a great deal because we know choosing a wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions couples make.
We also appreciate your kind words about our team. Thoughtful, patient, and genuinely invested is exactly how we hope every couple feels throughout the planning process. Hearing that everything felt seamless and that your guests are still talking about the food tells us we accomplished what we set out to do.
It was a privilege to be part of your wedding, and we're grateful you trusted us with such an important chapter of your lives. We hope every time you look back at your photos, you're reminded of how it all felt in those moments.
Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness,
The Padua Weddings Team
Any questions?
Athena S
5.0
3/12/2026
A bit of an overdue review, but my husband and I had our wedding at Padua Hills theater this past June and had a great experience with the team! We initially liked the fact that th...
e venue had separate spaces for our guests to experience and explore, and that there was so much variety in the venue’s views, from the olive grove, to the Spanish-inspired architecture, to the mountains. As we worked more and more with the team, we also appreciated how organized, thoughtful, and kind Isabela, Ryan, and Kristina were with the actual planning process.
Before we booked the venue, we were a little bit hesitant because of some older reviews of the venue mentioned bees and poor management communication led to folks having bad experiences with the venue, but we felt really supported and had all our concerns addressed the entire time.
Our guests really appreciated the venues service as well, highlighting how generous the portion sizes were for the serviced dinner. This was a bit of a relief because one of the concerns we had about the venue was meal quality compared to venues like a hotel or a country club that offer full catering in conjunction with operating restaurants on site. The food turned out great, and we (but more importantly, our guests) really appreciated the menu!
Our wedding was beautiful, with much of the credit going to the Padua Hills team! Would highly recommend.
Isabela S
5.0
9/03/2025
Where do I even begin? Choosing Padua Hills Theatre for our wedding was hands down the best decision we could have made. I truly don’t have enough words to describe how special the...
team made our day but I’ll try, because they deserve every ounce of praise!
From the very start of planning, the staff treated us like family. They were endlessly kind, patient with our questions, and always made us feel like our wedding was the most important event on their calendar. That kind of warmth and attentiveness immediately put us at ease, and on the big day, it was shown through in every detail.
The service on our wedding day was impeccable. Every single staff member went above and beyond; from making sure my husband and I had a drink and plate of appetizers in our hands the moment photos were done, to discreetly checking in to see if we needed anything at all. Our family and friends were so impressed by how attentive and friendly everyone was; it honestly felt like the entire staff cared about us personally, not just as “clients.”
The venue itself was spotless and absolutely breathtaking. It’s one thing to see photos of Padua Hills online, but walking into the space, surrounded by the gardens and mountain views, everything perfectly maintained and sparkling clean. Our guests were blown away, and so were we.
And let’s talk about the food. WOW. So many of our guests told us it was the best wedding food they had ever had. Every dish was served hot, beautifully plated, and absolutely delicious. Even weeks later, people are still raving about it! We felt so spoiled by the quality and the care that went into making the meal feel like a true fine-dining experience.
But above all, what we’ll never forget is how the Padua Hills team made us feel. Every detail, every moment, every interaction was handled with such kindness and efficiency that we were able to be fully present and actually enjoy our wedding without stress. That is a gift beyond measure, and it’s something we will cherish forever.
If you are looking for a venue that combines beauty, professionalism, kindness, and pure magic, look no further. Padua Hills Theatre is perfection. They didn’t just host our wedding, they created an experience that will live in our hearts for a lifetime.
Response from Padua Weddings on 09/23/2025
Isabela, thank you so much for your incredible review! Reading your kind words truly means...
the world to our entire team. It brings us so much joy to know that you felt cared for throughout the planning process and on your wedding day! It’s always our goal to make each couple feel like family :)
We’re thrilled that you and your guests enjoyed the service, food, and the beauty of Padua Hills. Knowing that we helped create a day where you could be fully present and stress-free is the greatest compliment we could receive.
It was an absolute honor to be part of such a special moment in your lives. From all of us here at Padua Hills, thank you for trusting us with your wedding. We wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
Julianne L
5.0
8/30/2025
We had our wedding at Padua Theatre in Claremont, and it was absolutely perfect! From start to finish, the entire team went above and beyond to make our day unforgettable.
The sta...
ff is simply amazing—professional, attentive, and genuinely caring. They thought of every detail, answered every question, and made sure everything flowed seamlessly. Planning a wedding can be stressful, but they made the whole process so smooth and enjoyable. On the day of, we didn’t have to worry about a thing—the team had everything handled so we could truly be present and enjoy the moment.
The venue itself is stunning and created such a magical atmosphere for our ceremony and celebration. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how beautiful everything was and how well-organized the day felt.
We are beyond grateful to the Padua team for making our wedding more than just an event—it was an experience we will treasure for the rest of our lives. If you’re looking for a place where people truly care about making your day special, this is it!
Response from Padua Weddings on 09/02/2025
Julianne, thank you so much for your kind words! We are truly honored that you chose Padua...
Hills to celebrate such a special day in your lives. Our team loved working with you and it makes us so happy to hear that the planning process felt smooth and enjoyable, and that you were able to be fully present on your wedding day. Knowing that both you and your guests had such a wonderful experience means the world to us. Wishing you and Daniel a lifetime of love, joy, and beautiful memories!
Tiffany Y
5.0
1/01/2025
We worked with Padua Hills Theatre for our wedding on Nov. 1, 2024, and they made it an amazing, unforgettable day! When we first toured Padua, we loved the fact that it was tucked...
away and in a beautiful location with a fantastic view. It had a little bit of woodsy charm without being too much travel for many of our guests who came from Los Angeles. We also loved that we had the entire venue to ourselves on the day of, which gave our guests plenty of room to explore, especially with the ballroom, the olive grove, the courtyard, and the patio (with a great view!)
We booked with Padua quite a ways out from our date (about 18 months), and the staff was helpful for our entire journey to our wedding date. Our main point of contact before the wedding was Crystal and Ryan, and they were great about answering the many questions I had and clarifying things I was confused about.
When we had our 3mo pre-planning meeting and food tasting, we were taken care of in every aspect and got to have so much fun putting together our event and being taken care of.
On the day of the wedding, Padua's staff was attentive to our every need and made sure the day ran smoothly and without a hitch. I never had a worry and Padua's staff constantly checked in to make sure we were ready to go and were able to give us breaks as we needed. Many of our friends and family members have commented that our wedding was the smoothest wedding they had ever been to, and that that ease and professionality made it easy for them to have fun because they always knew what was going on and where to head to next.
Padua, thank you so much for setting up an unforgettable, perfect night for our wedding!
Response from Padua Weddings on 01/02/2025
Tiffany!! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly an honor to host your ...
wedding and be a part of such a special and unforgettable day. We’re so glad that you and your guests enjoyed every aspect of Padua Hills, from the beautiful setting to the flow of the event.
It’s always our goal to make every wedding seamless and stress-free, so it warms our hearts to hear that you felt taken care of every step of the way. We loved working with you and were excited to help bring your vision to life.
Your kind words mean the world to us, and we’re so happy that your family and friends had such a great time celebrating with you. Thank you for trusting us with your wedding day, and we wish you and Don a lifetime of love and happiness!
Ashley W
5.0
11/28/2024
I could go on for hours and probably write an essay about how amazing Padua Hills Theatre is. I will try to keep this short(ish)… from start to finish-finding the venue, taking a t...
our, booking the venue, our rehearsal and our wedding day, everything and everyone was absolutely perfect and amazing. To begin with, I (the bride) saw myself getting married at a beach venue. I love the ocean and figured that would be the perfect choice. After touring a few different venues along the coast, nothing had spoken to us yet. We took to The Knot and searched for Southern California wedding venues. I decided to pick venues based on their pretty pictures and then read the details and go from there. The first pretty picture I chose happened to be Padua. I had no idea at the time but just told my husband (fiancé at the time) “oooo pick that one! It’s beautiful!” So he clicked on it and the page opened up and he said “Padua Hills Theatre” and my jaw dropped. I knew exactly where that was. I grew up in Mt. Baldy, just a few miles above this venue. I had passed this venue every day driving up and down the mountain, but had never actually seen it. We decided to read the reviews, everything was positive so we booked a tour. Kristina was amazing in answering my emails so quickly and scheduling us our tour. That was just the start of the amazing customer service we received from Padua. As we finished our tour we both knew, this was it. We found our venue. Luckily, the day I wanted to get married, which was a year and a half away, was available! We toured the venue on a Saturday in April, we booked it that following Monday. Kristina was absolutely incredible and so kind through the whole booking process. Then we began interacting with the rest of the Padua team. Ryan, Crystal and a few others. We had quite a bit of time in between the booking and our wedding date, “wedding limbo” is what it was called, but never once did they ever hesitate to answer any of our emails no matter how silly or minimal of a question. They always answered within a day and with so much joy and kindness. They made this entire process SO easy. So many people constantly asked me if I was stressed planning the wedding and never once did I answer yes. Their team was so incredibly good at their jobs, I never felt lost or confused. Fast forward to the rehearsal, where we met Cadence, our day of coordinator. She was so sweet and kind and did everything we asked so perfectly. No stone was left unturned. If anything didn’t go according to plan on the wedding day, I never knew about it and still to this day have no idea because from my memory, everything was absolutely perfect. A month has passed and we have heard from so many friends and family that this was the best wedding they have ever been to. They have complimented how beautiful and magical everything was and how delicious the food was. We have easily had more than half of the attendees say the food was absolutely mouth watering! And Cadence was so kind to pack us takeout boxes of our food so we could have it for dinner later, which we did and omg. It was just as delicious if not even better!! I could easily keep going, but I will leave it at this. If you are on the fence, do it. Book them. You will have absolutely no regrets!!!! Thank you so much Padua for making our wedding day the most magical day of our lives.
Response from Padua Weddings on 12/05/2024
Ashley!! Oh what a pleasure it was to work with you and Montie to plan such an important d...
ay in your lives. We’re absolutely overjoyed to hear that your wedding day at Padua Hills was so magical and perfect! It’s incredibly rewarding to know that we exceeded your expectations and created a truly memorable experience for you and your guests.
We’re so grateful for your kind words about our team! Couples like yourselves make what we do so much fun!
Thank you again for choosing us and for sharing your wonderful review. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness! Please stay in touch!
Raymond O
5.0
9/24/2024
Being in a same-sex relationship, my husband and I specifically looked for a venue where we felt safe, welcomed, and excited as we tied the knot. Padua Hills Theatre was above and ...
beyond. Not only did we feel what we hoped, but Kristina, Ryan, Crystal, and their entire staff from the day we first visited to the night’s end of our wedding made us feel like family. It was truly overwhelming to feel so embraced. I can tell everyone part of the Padua team is in this industry for the passion and love what they do.
As a venue, we value that they’re essentially a 1-stop shop for a well-rounded wedding package. With the few additional vendors, we wanted (e.g. photography, flowers, cake, signage, hotel, makeup and hair), we specifically worked off their preferred vendors list, which made the entire process truly turnkey and easy – for us and for them. As a result, we not only had the memory of our wedding day, but also the memories of enjoying the various planning meetings with them and our family and friends who joined us at those times.
Even our guests felt the love and embrace, and CARE, from Padua. A dear friend of mine requires a wheelchair, and they went above and beyond to ensure a staff member was always on standby to assist her as needed, as well as planned our wedding (per our request) around accommodating her needs and mobility throughout the venue. Honestly, it was touching to witness their genuine love and care for their guests.
As for the food, it was above and beyond what we hoped for. We knew based on their repution everything would be great – and that anticipation grew at our tasting (which they made special like a beautiful evening night out!). When the wedding arrived, the quality, flavor, serving portions, presentation, service, and continued flow of appetizers, main courses, and cocktails were unmatched. Our family and friends still rave about everything and every detail about our wedding to this day.
Lastly, what was touching was the intentionality of the team to be mindful of our walk in life. The little nuances of referring to the Bridal Suite as the “Grooms Suite” during the wedding, ensuring that all paperwork was not gender-specific, and being very conscientious of all verbiage and etiquette does not go unnoticed. It’s those little things that are actually the big things that can easily cause someone to mentally check out of the moment. And thanks to Padua, we felt so seen, embraced, and accepted with open arms.
I hope to work with them again someday, and if not, then I’ll gladly root for them and praise them from start to finish on every mountain top. Cheers!
Response from Padua Weddings on 10/04/2024
Raymond, thank you so much for your glowing review! Your kind words mean the world to us. ...
It was our pleasure to host you and your guests, and we’re delighted that you felt welcomed and excited to be a part of the Padua Hills family. Our team strives to create a welcoming atmosphere for all couples, and it’s heartwarming to know that we achieved that for you.
We’re grateful for your kind words about our staff, and we’re thrilled to hear that our approach made the planning process easy.
We had such a blast working with you and Vaughn! Your organization and stunning vision for your wedding day were truly inspiring. We’re honored to have been part of your special celebration. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
Serena W
5.0
8/10/2024
The venue was beautiful and had the mountain views we wanted.
This venue comes with catering and dj services. We took a chance on the food since we weren't unable to sample it be...
fore our wedding date, but it was a hit! Many people complimented how delicious it tasted, especially the prime rib.
The dj service, Entertainment Express, were so professional and kind, and they helped keep the schedule moving along. Would recommend!
Response from Padua Weddings on 10/04/2024
Serena, thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted that you loved the venue a...
nd that the mountain views were just what you envisioned. It’s wonderful to hear that the food was a hit with your guests!
We absolutely loved working with you and are so happy to have been part of your special day. Wishing you and Brandon all the best!!
Mandy M
5.0
7/02/2024
We absolutely loved having our wedding at Padua Hills. The team was incredible, especially the day of. We felt very taken care of, and everything ran very smoothly. The dance floor...
is amazing and the food was great as well! The location is beautiful, and so many friends still tell us it was their favorite wedding they've been to!
Response from Padua Weddings on 10/04/2024
Mandy, we're thrilled to hear that your wedding at Padua Hills was such a wonderful experi...
ence! It's our goal to create unforgettable memories for every couple, and we're so happy we achieved that for you. Thank you for choosing Padua Hills and for sharing your positive feedback. We hope you'll continue to cherish the memories of your special day! Best wishes!
Chrisy T
5.0
6/15/2024
My daughter's wedding was held at The Padua Hills Theater in early June and the Venue was amazing!! Everyone at Padua helped to ensure that the Event was a success!!
Response from Padua Weddings on 10/04/2024
Christy, thank you so much for your kind review! Wishing you all the best!
Alexandria B
5.0
6/04/2024
Padua Hills Theater is absolutely fantastic, and I cannot stress that enough! As a Claremont local, they truly make our town extra special. I recently got married on the 31st, and ...
I couldn't have asked for a better night. Right from the start, I appreciated how clear they were about the process after booking the venue. They explained how their events typically unfold and made sure to understand exactly what my husband and I wanted. I rarely had any questions because they were so thorough, but whenever I did, they always responded promptly and were available to talk on the phone. The team, especially our main contact Ryan Prevost, was exceptional. Ryan went above and beyond to make sure our wedding day was perfect. He kept the energy high throughout the night, made sure we were well-fed, and tended to our every need. People are still asking me if I hired him separately and if they can get his contact information! The rest of the team working at the rehearsal and night did an amazing job! I didn't have to ask for anything, they took the lead, answered everyone's questions patiently, and provided clear instructions and advice. The food at Padua Hills Theater is known to be the best for weddings and events ,which is very true for our wedding. Thank you so much!
Response from Padua Weddings on 06/07/2024
Alexandria and Brandon, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful re...
view! We were absolutely delighted to host your wedding and couldn't have asked for a more fantastic couple to celebrate with. Your positive feedback truly brightens our day, and we're so happy to hear you had the wedding of your dreams! We wish you both a lifetime of happiness together!!
Gabriela G
5.0
4/11/2024
Everything at Padua was amazing - the staff, the catering, the venue, etc. We knew once we stepped foot on the property it was the perfect place to get married, and we were not dis...
appointed. The support in preparation and the day of the event was amazing, would recommend this beautiful location.
Response from Padua Weddings on 06/07/2024
Thank you so much for the amazing review, Gabriela! Your wedding was a dream, and we're so...
happy we could be a part of it. It was a pleasure working with you. Wishing you all the best!!
Tasha S
5.0
1/14/2024
Ryan and the entire Padua Hills Theatre team were wonderful from the very beginning when providing information about the venue all the way to our rehearsal and wedding day. Ryan wo...
rked with our wedding planner, Holly Chavez, for a seamless day—it was an absolute dream! We are still in disbelief and so grateful! Padua Hills Theatre itself is a stunning venue and takes your breath away. The olive trees and the history bring so much depth to this venue. It’s also helpful that they are connected with their own catering company and DJ service (both which were fantastic to work with!). The only thing I wish is that we could have been there longer, even with the extra hour we paid for (which was definitely worth it)!! The food selection we finalized at the tasting was a perfect choice for us, and our guests loved the food too! We highly recommend Padua Hills Theatre and would do it all over again if we could ❤️.
Sophia V
5.0
12/15/2023
I want to start by saying that dreams really do come true! My daughter’s dream was to have a fairytale Sweet 16 and she had just that because of the Superb team at Padau. We resear...
ched so many vendors and no one compared to Padau. The detail in the decor, food, and customer care were without question Exceptional. Even the preferred list of vendors they provide you are Top Notch! Please consider Padau for your next special event! I Guarantee you and your guest will not be disappointed. Thank you Padau Team and Entertainment Express for the service, patience, professionalism, and love you put into our event! No one could have done it better. It was like a real life Disney Fairytale!
K B
5.0
8/10/2023
I've put off writing this review because I know once I write it that means the day is actually over!! We had our wedding at Padua Hills on April 8th of this year and I can't begin ...
to describe how we felt that day and the days leading up to it. The Planning process was SO easy I booked a few vendors on my own (all Padua's preferred vendors) and I found myself thinking, why does the world make this process seem so stressful...we got this! (invites are another story of course ;) ). Tammy did our rehearsal and it was seamless...and we had 11 people in our wedding party EACH!! On the day of, we were both so happy with the work of the venue, staff, and all of our vendors! 4 months later and we still are on a high. Not to mention the FOOD! My guests are STILL reaching out about everything they ate and saying how amazing it all was! We had the most amazing experience with everyone at Padua and we couldn't have chosen a better team to make our dream wedding come true! Thank you Padua Team.. K & T
Response from Padua Weddings on 08/17/2023
K & T, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a wonderful review! It was an honor to be...
a part of the team that helped make your dream wedding come true. How has it been 4 months already?! Congratulations on this beautiful milestone. We wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness! :)
May H
5.0
7/07/2023
We are so happy we chose Padua Hills Theater as our wedding venue. The moment we stepped foot on the property, we loved it! We made an appointment to view the property and ended up...
spending almost 2 hours talking about all the options. Every meeting we had with the staff, was always pleasant and well spent. Ryan was attentive and made us feel like we were his top priority. He responded right away to any questions we had and made all the changes needed for any of our requests. He guided us throughout the whole process which made it stress free. When the Big Day came, April 21 2023, it was perfect and we could not have been more happy with Padua Hills. The food portions were huge and tasted amazing. The venue is gorgeous! Our wedding night was definitely one to remember. To this day, our friends and family still talk about how beautiful our wedding day was.
Response from Padua Weddings on 07/12/2023
Congratulations Mark and May! Your wedding day was STUNNING and we are so grateful to have...
been a part of it. Really, it was so full of love! On behalf of the entire Padua Hills family, we thank you for your wonderful review. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!
T T
5.0
4/18/2023
If you can hold your event or wedding at Padua Hills you are one of the lucky ones. We had our 30 year wedding vow renewal, and Padua Hills gifted the venue and catering through Wi...
sh Upon A Wedding. I did not see the venue until the night of my event, due to my illness. It was incredible, beautiful, magical, by far more than I imagined. Literally, at the last moment due to rain, the ceremony was moved inside. It could not have gone any smoother. The catering was amazing- from the appetizers to the (generous portions) of delicious food, each guest was served by attentive and warm staff. When planning the food, I asked the chef what was recommended and that was a great decision. They went above and beyond. My family will always have this night to reflect upon. Thank you for caring for us. We hope that others get to enjoy and experience your professionalism and talent. Our hearts are full.
Response from Padua Weddings on 04/22/2023
Teresa, we are so grateful to have been a part of the team that made your dream vow renewa...
l come true! It warms our heart to hear that your special day was perfect and that your experience with us exceeded your expectations! On behalf of the entire Padua Hills Team, we wish you and Emil much love and happiness. Congratulations!
Katie C
5.0
10/23/2022
We had our wedding at Padua in October. We had THE BEST wedding experience with them and I cannot recommend them highly enough!!!
The venue: Ideal location, nestled in the hills ...
of Claremont. It is easily accessible via freeway and easy to find, but far enough away from the road where you feel like you left the city altogether. Plenty of parking too. The perfect mix of convenience and beauty. There is a grove of olive trees that is absolutely a dream for photos. We had our wedding under the gazebo and there is enough natural beauty as well as built in decor/string lights in the trees where you really don't need much at all in terms of flowers or decor. Cocktail on the terrace, watching the sun set over the hills. It was all incredibly dreamy!
Food: The venue is owned by the catering company Chantrelles, which really streamlined things. The food is all freshly made in house at the time of the wedding! Even though it was made en masse, it tasted great! And they do a tasting at the time of another event, so you get to see how the food quality is when it is cooked in large batches, so no major quality change between tasting and event.
Coordination: This was honestly one of the highlights of Padua. You work with a coordinator throughout the process for your planning meetings. On the day of, you have 1-2 coordinators who help facilitate the day. We were shuttled wherever we needed to be and they even brought us food and water - we didn't realize but on your wedding day it's so busy hugging people and taking photos, everyone forgets to eat and drink something. They were working endlessly behind the scenes so we could enjoy the day.
We had SO MUCH FUN! and SO LITTLE STRESS!!! I'm stunned - so impressed and I would choose them again and again. Cannot recommend them highly enough. And all that considered, they're really not that expensive either! Worth every penny and more.
Response from Padua Weddings on 11/11/2022
Katie! Thank you so much for your lovely review <3 We absolutely loved working with yourse...
lf and Harry to plan the wedding of your dreams! We wish you all the love and happiness in the world. Congratulations!
Ashley E
5.0
9/06/2022
Choosing Padua Hills for our wedding venue was hands down the best decision we ever made. Padua Hills is the whole package- incredible staff, beautiful location (with indoor and ou...
tdoor views to die for), and a comprehensive wedding package (including what many of our guests described as the “best dinner they’ve ever had”). I had a vision for my dream wedding and Padua made that vision come true. I am so thankful to the Padua team and will always remember my wedding day and the magic at this location.
Response from Padua Weddings on 10/25/2022
Ashley, it was an honor working with you to bring your vision of a dream wedding to life! ...
Your special day was nothing less than perfect, and we are so grateful to have been a part of it. Best wishes and cheers to happily ever after!
Vanessa E
5.0
7/31/2022
As a very type A bride, I can tell you with complete confidence that the team that works at Padua Hills will make your day MAGICAL! The pandemic brought in so many stressed around ...
planning and vendors, but Padua supported me the entire time. They allowed me to reschedule with no additional charge, they answered all of my detailed questions, and on the day of, they literally felt like family. The food is amazing, the drinks were amazing, and the venue is STUNNING! You need to have your special day here!
Response from Padua Weddings on 08/03/2022
Vanessa, your wedding a Padua was epic! We're still not over how beautiful all your detail...
s turned out. We loved working with you and are happy you chose us to be a part of your special day. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a wonderful review. We wish you and Frank a lifetime of love and happiness!
Jerry L
5.0
7/18/2022
The team at Padua is incredible. Everyone from Ryan to Chloe to their wait staff made our wedding a dream day for my wife and me. We had to put the wedding on hold due to the pande...
mic and when it was time to start the planning process again, it was like no time had passed. They were on top of everything and had all the notes from our previous meetings. They worked with us and allowed us to get the wedding my wife and I have always talked about. The food was amazing, the venue is beautiful. We highly recommend the place and team.
Response from Padua Weddings on 07/26/2022
Jerry, on behalf of the entire Padua Hills team, we thank you for taking the time to leave...
a wonderful review! We are so happy to have been a part of your special day. Thank you for trusting us to plan the wedding of your dreams! We wish you and Danica a lifetime of love and happiness!
Madi L
5.0
7/05/2022
Padua Hills was our dream wedding venue for literally the past two years! We were postponed twice due to COVID, but Padua always kept in contact and it eventually happened! The ven...
ue itself is so beautiful that it required little decorating on our part. Our guests kept talking about how incredible the food was and how beautiful the location was. Our coordinator, Ryan, was spectacular and made me feel like a special bride even after two years of waiting. Tammy, one of the owners, helped throughout my entire event and made me feel like a million bucks! The staff were worked seamlessly behind the scenes and I got to just relax and enjoy my day. Padua will always be a special place to us.
Response from Padua Weddings on 07/06/2022
Madi, thank you taking the time to write us! Your wedding was magical and so full of love....
Our team loved working with you and Daniel to make the wedding of your dreams happen. All the best to you both, sending lots of love and happiness your way!
Sara Y
5.0
6/27/2022
Our June 2022 wedding at the Padua was a dream! The venue is absolutely gorgeous (we got so many compliments from our guests) and the team was communicative and a pleasure to work ...
with. We had both the ceremony and dinner reception in the courtyard, with a flip during cocktail hour, and the flow was seamless. Having onsite catering (Chantrelles) and entertainment (Entertainment Express) partners made coordination super easy. Ryan was great about answering all of our questions, from the special table layout to the menu details. We could tell Richard (the owner) was deeply passionate about the food - this was a high priority for us too - and it did not disappoint! Chloe took great care of us on our wedding day, making sure we got a chance to enjoy the food and drinks. Thank you to the whole Padua team for helping us pull off our dream wedding!
Response from Padua Weddings on 06/28/2022
Sara, your wedding day was truly a dream! We are so grateful to have been a part of it. On...
behalf of our entire staff, thank you for writing us such a lovely review. We wish you and Patrick a lifetime of love and happiness. Congratulations!!
Armine M
5.0
6/09/2022
We will be forever be grateful to the entire team at Padua for all their love, thoughtfulness and support in making our wedding a true celebration of who we are and creating the qu...
intessential ambiance for our union. They really sought to understand our traditions and made the accommodations to reflect the needs of our Armenian cultural rituals. During the entire process they listened attentively to what was important to us as a couple and did everything to be true to us. From the initial meeting, to the tasting, entertainment express, and rehearsal every team member treated us with great love and understanding. The people, the food, the music, the environment were ephemeral. Ever time our friends and family sees us, they can’t help but mention a what a magical day it was. Thank you PHT!!! We love you!!!
Response from Padua Weddings on 06/28/2022
Armine, it was a pleasure to be a part of the team that helped bring your dream wedding to...
life! It is always important to us that we pay close attention and understand the needs of our couples. We're grateful to have been a part of your special day. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review <3 Congratulations!
Richard D
1.0
5/29/2022
I’m the Groom from the wedding that took place October 16th 2021, the one that regrettable had an angry bee hive present. Now I’m on here to share my experience with the venue in r...
espect to how they responded to the bee situation as well as there inability to keep on track with wedding planning itself, so let’s start there. After booking Padua Hills we were under the impression that they were going to call us in for a food tasting and seating arrangements for our wedding, seeing as how that never happened luckily I took it upon myself to call and question this which was another hassle because the venue was very difficult to get ahold of. So now flash forward to our food tasting, we are in a room full of different couples trying food and I have to wave down Sheryl and ask her what’s goin on with our seating arrangements? With a surprised look on her face she say “you haven’t made seating arrangements? Let me see if someone is here to help you with that.” This is Two days before our wedding mind you, she comes back with a piece of paper scribbles circles on it and then states “sorry this is a sloppy copy” lol all while we are trying foods, very uncomfortable and not professional at all. Now another thing the Padua Hills Venue let us down on was our choice of drinks, which we chose to have the full bar for our guest and the specifically asked my wife and I what we would like to drink my request was coots light and sure as shit the day of the wedding no Coors Light. For the amount of money they expect people to pay this kind of service or lack there of is unacceptable.
Now let’s talk about those Bees, and Jennifer Bs response to my wife’s review. First of all I would like to say several of the soooo called facts that Jennifer the business manager, (who may I add was never there and has absolutely no idea what actually went on) are not true at all. First off the bees are not the problem your Venues staffs lack of communication is the problem, we were never officially informed there was any type of bee problem in the location where we were to be married. We were only informed by a frantic bee keeper screaming at us to get out of the area because it was dangerous on the day of our rehearsal LACK OF COMMUNICATION. We were also informed that day that the venue had been dealing with this bee problem for a week, and never attempted to call us with a back up plan so not to have a HORRIBLE SURPRISE the day of our wedding LACK OF COMMUNICATION/UNPROFESSIONAL . Now at this point the day of our rehearsal we were told there is nothing to worry about(yet another lie from this shady Venue). Now Jennifer B. Our pastor was not STUNG on the rehearsal day he was actually stung the day of our wedding in the face, again because of the venues staffs LACK OF COMMUNICATION! Jennifer B. Also adds in her response to my Wife that the venue “takes pride” that the actions they took were the reason only staff members got stung THIS IS YET ANOTHER LIE FROM JENNIFER B. There were a total of 6 of my guest that were stung by bees, the bees were all in my mothers and the bridesmaids hair we also had 2 people on site deathly allergic to bees all because we were assured the day before that the bees would not be an issue LACK OF COMMUNICATION!!!! Jennifer B. I would personally like to say that your lies and misinformation you spouted off in the response to my Wife’s review was very unprofessional and it shows what kind of inconsiderate careless people you have working there!
Kaylie R
1.0
3/21/2022
Sheryl, the owner, was an absolute monster. To begin, on the day of the wedding rehearsal, when she received the final payment in cash, she joked about stuffing a wad of cash in he...
r pocket, as if she were just pocketing it rather than paying it out to her employees. This was both unprofessional and suspicious. This was just the beginning of her rude and careless behavior. Not only did she come off as shady with money, she was also relentless in harassing my sister the day of the ceremony due to a mistake that SHE made regarding blindsiding us with a sudden change to the ceremony location.
The day of the ceremony, my sister was unexpectedly hit with bad news about having to change the location of the ceremony due to an active beehive. Sheryl delivered the news to my sister in the most crass, careless way possible. Not only was she rude and defensive from the get go, she took my sister aside to deliver the bad news right be fore we were about to take pre-ceremony photos. As the maid of honor, I literally had to protect the bride from the constant harassment and nagging of Sheryl who would not leave her alone. Every time Sheryl spoke, my sister burst out in more tears until the point that she quite literally had to tell me to keep Sheryl away from her. Every time my sister started to gather herself to make an attempt to take pictures, there was Sheryl, ready to start the water works all over again.
Tammy and Sheryl both admitted to having been working on this situation for at least a week and not once mentioned it to my sister in advance or even warn her of the possibility that the ceremony location may need to be moved due to safety reasons regarding the bees. This was their first mistake. To be aware of this issue for a week+ in advance and not mentioning it once was an act of pure carelessness and disregard to my sister's once in a lifetime special event.
To add to this, a bee keeper was noticed by the bridal party the day before the ceremony because he was screaming at all of us to leave the area because it was unsafe due to bees being around. Tammy quickly disregarded him saying he was an "interesting person" and was there to tend to the bees, but that everything was fine and we had nothing to worry about. With Tammy being the professional she was, having many years of experience at this venue, we trusted her judgement and didn't think twice about the bees.
You can imagine how upset we were to then be told that the bees were a huge issue, enough of an issue that the entire ceremony would have to be relocated.
On top of this bad news, the pre-ceremony photos were ruined because my sister had spent the better part of an hour crying. This was all due to the lack of integrity of the venue owner, Sheryl, who only cared about getting paid. Not once did she stop to think that this day meant everything to my sister and brother-in-law and was a day that could never be repeated or redone. Had she had the decency to forewarn my sister about the possibility of relocating the ceremony due to the beehive issue, many, MANY tears, emotional damage, and wasted money could have been prevented.
Sheryl could have done the right thing by refunding the bride and groom a percentage of the cost of their wedding due to her negligence in providing a proper warning for the ceremony, but chose not to. When my sister thinks back to her wedding day, it brings her tears of sadness and disappointment rather than tears of joy, and that can never be undone.
Rachel S
5.0
3/16/2022
The Knot won't let me post my full review but feel free to check it out on Google, Yelp or WeddingWire...
The drive up to Padua is easy and pretty. You pull up and there is plent...
y of parking. It’s secure and safe but not too far off the beaten path. You walk in and it's beautiful without even being decorated or set up. I walked away from my 1st visit knowing I needed to book this venue.
When discussing specifics everyone at Padua endured question after question from me. They even answered when my now husband wanted to know where they got their beef from as he grew up on a cattle ranch. Ryan was so attentive and patient with me through every step of the planning process. They never made me feel like I was bothering them and seemed almost excited to hear from me every time I called. They were always straightforward and easy to communicate with, which is absolutely necessary when you’re planning your wedding across the country.
The wedding rehearsal was easy and seamless. If you need someone to whip your bridal party into shape they’ve got your back. They know how to maximize the hour you have with them and at no point did I feel stressed that we were forgetting something. In the months leading up I was worried about only having a venue coordinator and considered hiring a day of planner but am so happy I didn’t spend the money. They seriously had it all together and cared that the day went according to OUR plan and were not just concerned about making the venue look good as I had heard some venue coordinators at other places do.
The wedding day was absolutely perfect. Unless our bridal party has kept all the missteps and disasters a secret, I truly feel like nothing went wrong. I was calm the whole day and not at all nervous. I knew there was nothing to worry about. Everything went according to plan and everyone has told us they had a great time- a few even claiming it was the best wedding ever. The food was excellent - from the hors d'oeuvres to the entrees -and HUGE portions, Wayne even came out to admire his handy work - something my parents loved (they have been raving about him for months, they may never stop). When we did our tasting we thought surely they won’t give us that much on the actual day, but they did and it was just one more thing that impressed us about Padua.
The dancing and party was unforgettable. I loved that Entertainment Express was in house, it added so many things that you don’t even realize. If you want to party you have found the right place. (I wrote a separate review for Entertainment Express because they deserve their own glory!) But in short- we got down.
At the end of the day Padua was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. Picking a wedding venue is so hard, there is so much riding on it and you don’t want to live to regret your choice. You hear horror stories of rude coordinators or inedible food. Throw COVID in and it will stress anyone out. But, I can wholeheartedly say that I will never feel that way and never did. I would pick Padua again in a heartbeat. They do weddings right- they take care of their couples and they do it professionally, happily and lovingly. It makes you want to throw a party all over again - maybe in 15 years ;)
So, thank you Padua for making our wedding day a wonderful memory. We have looked at pictures and talked to so many people countless times and all of that couldn’t have happened without all of you. We are so grateful and blessed that we chose you!
Response from Padua Weddings on 03/17/2022
Rachel, on behalf of the entire Padua Hills team, thank you so much for your amazing revie...
w! You have put a smile on our faces and truly made our day. Working with amazing couples like yourself and Elliott is the reason we love what we do. Everything about your wedding was perfection! We especially loved the radiant energy you and your guests had. We definitely felt the love and your special day will be a memorable one for us. Thank you again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and kind review. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!
Lana R
1.0
2/21/2022
I wanted to avoid this review as long as I could, but with no help from Padua, the owners, or staff, I have an obligation to protect any other brides who could possibly endure what...
I went through on my wedding day. My day, photos, and memories were ruined due to negligence of Padua’s owners and I will NEVER get my day back.
Point blank, dealing with Sheryl (owner) and Jennifer (sister) was a nightmare. To try to get anyone on the phone or even an email back was impossible. Let’s fast forward to the real problem. I will begin with the rehearsal that took place the day before my wedding date. My ceremony was to be held in the back at the arch overlooking the view and mountains, my reception was to be at the gazebo in the front of the venue, and dancing/cake cutting inside the theatre. We had the rehearsal exactly how it was meant to be planned. When we were getting ready to leave, a man in the trees started shouting at my guests and myself that we need to leave immediately and no one should be there. I was right next to my wedding coordinator Tammy (another sister). Tammy, although sweet, lied to my face. My husband asked the man why he was yelling at us and Tammy shushed us and the man up IMMEDIATELY when the man told us we were all in danger as there was an active beehive in the trees next to my ceremony! Just as quickly as Tammy told the man to be quiet she told me they had “been dealing” with the bees and “everything is okay” and “YOUR WEDDING WILL BE JUST FINE TOMORROW”. Let’s just say, my wedding day was a complete and utter disaster.
All morning of my wedding day the owners had the opportunity to call me, my husband, anyone! I showed up to Padua Hills Theatre at 2:30 pm to find the ceremony area and trees SWARMING WITH ANGRY BEES!! I felt like I was kicked in the stomach. Sheryl had bee stings all over her body, Tammy stung all over her scalp, both in tremendous pain AND THEY DIDN’T EVEN HAVE THE DECENCY TO CALL ME AND TELL US THAT WE COULD BE IN DANGER! Multiple family members are severely allergic to bees, my husband and MIL had bees in their hair, and my Pastor was stung on his face!This is complete disregard for their guests’ safety, not to mention I HAD TO MOVE MY CEREMONY LOCATION LAST MINUTE!
They admitted to me the bees had been a problem, that they worked on the beehive the MORNING OF my wedding, all after we had ALREADY arrived. They sealed the bees off from the hive so they couldn’t get to their home and DIDN’T MENTION ONE WORD TO ME that this was a problem, or that they were going to treat the hive the day of my wedding, or even have a plan B set up in place in case the bees were disturbed, which they absolutely were.
The venue is stunning, but the pain and suffering that comes from working with these people isn’t worth it. Instead of being treated with respect and getting the service we paid for, they frantically raised their voices at me, my bridesmaids, my mother, my sister, and completely disrespected every single guest, family member, etc. by providing an unsafe and potentially life threatening environment.
I will end here although I can go on and on about their lack of communication and care, but unfortunately my main issue (because there are plenty of them) is being swarmed by bees that they had full knowledge were present.
Their customer service and communication throughout the planning process is not worth it. Do not get your heart broken by having to work beside people who do not care about you.
Response from Padua Weddings on 03/15/2022
In response to this review by Lana R., the bride at Padua Hills Theatre on October 16, 202...
1, Padua Hills shares in the disappointment regarding the impact that an aggressive hive of bees had on this special day for the bride and groom. With that said, Padua Hills is extremely concerned with the outright misrepresentations of the events both leading up to the wedding, and on the wedding day itself. Specifically, nothing is more important to us at the Padua Hills Theatre than the safety of all of our guests, even if that means, as it did in this case, that the wedding ceremony could not be held on our back terrace as originally planned. Notably, when the bride and groom asked Padua Hills personnel if we could poll the guests to determine whether they were comfortable having the event in the planned location – despite the presence of these aggressive bees – Padua Hills indicated in no uncertain terms that this was not an option and that they even needed to either be moved inside or to our outside courtyard location where the reception was to be held. The bride and groom chose the outside courtyard.
As a general statement, Padua Hills shares in Lana R.’s disappointment that her wedding of October 16 was impacted by what turned out to be very aggressive bees located in a hive just off of the Sunset Terrace where the ceremony was to take place. In that Padua Hills is concerned first and foremost with the safety and well-being of its guests, Padua Hills did everything in its power to ensure that the guests were safe from the bees, while at the same time ensuring that both the wedding ceremony and the reception were able to go forward on time and as planned (with the exception of the ceremony location being on the Sunset Terrace), and with the least amount of disruption possible. In response to Lana R.’s statement that she should have been notified earlier of this situation, on October 16 the bees did not become an issue until the mid-afternoon just before the wedding party arrived to set up for their event. In fact, we held an event on the South Terrace earlier that morning with no issues.
Once the bees presented in the afternoon, and in order to avert any health and safety issues, Padua Hills took all appropriate steps to alleviate the bee situation in an effort to protect its guests. To that end, earlier during the week prior to the weekend wedding, Padua Hills had the bee removers come to the venue in an effort to remediate the entire situation. The bee removers also returned the day before the wedding on October 15, 2021 – and they were actually at the venue during the rehearsal – so the bride, groom, and the wedding party were clearly aware that this was an ongoing issue that we were attempting to address. In fact, the officiant was stung by a bee during the rehearsal, reflecting the danger posed by these bees. The bee remediators came out for a third time, which occurred on the morning of the wedding on October 16. We were ultimately informed that the issue was that the bees had hived all the way up inside of the tree, and this increased the difficulty in remediating the situation prior to the wedding. Padua Hills personnel continued to monitor the bee situation prior to the wedding party’s arrival on October 16, and in trying to assess whether the Sunset Terrace was safe for the ceremony, they were both swarmed by aggressive bees and stung numerous times, with bees stuck in their hair and under their clothes. It was at this time – just before Lana R. and her wedding party arrived – that Padua Hills determined that the Sunset Terrace was not safe for the ceremony, and a back-up plan was quickly put into place. Had we known that the bees would surface in the afternoon as they ultimately did, we certainly would have advised the wedding party as soon as it became known to us. As it stands, we were unfortunately at the behest of Mother Nature, and did the best we could with a difficult situation.
When the wedding party arrived at the venue, the Sunset Terrace where the bees later presented was already set up for the ceremony, and the courtyard was also in the process of being set up for the reception. At this time, the florist was unloading as the conversation was unfolding between the Padua Hills staff and the wedding party about the bee situation and where to hold the ceremony. And while Lana R. and her bridesmaids were discussing whether to “poll the guests” to see whether they would be OK with the bees at the Sunset Terrace, this was not an option that Padua Hills could consider, as it was a clear safety hazard. Lana R. expressed her strong desire that the wedding take place outdoors, and the best option we had was for it to take place in our outdoor courtyard, which Lana R. agreed to. And despite Lana R.’s statement that her guests were “swarmed by bees that [Padua Hills] had full knowledge were present,” this is simply not accurate. Padua Hills takes pride in the fact that, because of the actions we took to address the situation quickly, the only people that were stung on Lana R.’s wedding day were Padua Hills staff members, who did everything they could to ensure the safety of our guests, and to ensure that Lana R.’s special day unfolded with the least amount of disruption possible. In the end, the ceremony started on time and without further incident.
Rochael W
5.0
12/07/2021
Honestly you don't even need to think twice about booking this venue, not only is the venue absolutely gorgeous (both outdoors and indoors), the team at Padua were beyond amazing a...
nd helpful in making our dream wedding a reality! From the moment we got in touch with them, to having to navigate through the global pandemic and postponing our wedding, to the rehearsal, to the actual day, they were on top of everything and went above and beyond to make sure we didn't get stressed or overwhelmed with the details. To top it off, the food was absolutely delicious! All our guests truly enjoyed the venue, food, and the day! Thank you so much Padua Team, for everything!
Response from Padua Weddings on 12/08/2021
Rochael, we are so grateful for you and Eric! We love what we do at Padua Hills and workin...
g with couples like you makes it that much greater. Thank you so much for taking the time leave such a wonderful review. We will always remember how beautiful your wedding day was... especially that cake of yours, WOW! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness. Take Care!
Jennifer V
5.0
11/16/2021
Holy cow!!! To say my wedding was absolutely perfect would be an understatement. Not only did they set the place up beyond my wildest dreams, but the food was amazing. I got texts ...
and calls for two weeks after telling me how amazing the food was! Steak was cooked medium/medium rare and was absolutely to die for. The salmon that the chef prepared was huge and so flavorful. Ryan, the gentlemen that helps with planning made this all so easy and smooth for me. THANK YOU! He also helped with bartending night of and always made sure my drinks were extra strong! The security and MC also helped take care of an unruly guest. I worried about nothing besides having a good time with my husband, family, and friends the whole night. The coordinators helped make sure everything ran smoothly as well. They bustled my dress and kept my champagne full! It was a magical night and can’t wait to get all of the pictures this week. BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE. Thank you Padua!!!!
Response from Padua Weddings on 11/16/2021
Jennifer, we all have huge smiles reading your kind review! We pour our hearts into the we...
ddings we get to host and are honored to have been a part of yours. On behalf of our entire team, we sincerely thank you for being so amazing to work with. We are excited for all the milestones you have ahead!
Nicole H
5.0
11/14/2021
Having our wedding at Padua was the best decision we ever made! There’s mountain views, twinkle lights, a beautiful gazebo and decorative arch, fountains, fireplaces, a ballroom; t...
he venue is beyond BEAUTIFUL, literally my dreams come to life. From the moment we met the owners at the tour, to the days after our wedding, everyone was WONDERFUL. Every person we interacted with was kind, knowledgable, willing to share their suggestions when needed, wanting to make sure everything was the way we wanted it, and on top of all the arrangements. And the FOOD! OMG the food! We had multiple wedding guests say that it was the best food they ever had at a wedding. The service was incredible and we had people bringing us water and snacks and checking in throughout the wedding to make sure everything was going well. Thank you so, so, so much to the Padua Hill's team and Chantrelles Catering team!! You made our dream wedding a reality!!
Response from Padua Weddings on 11/16/2021
Nicole, it was a pleasure to work with you and Matt! Every part of your wedding was perfec...
tion and we loved all the Harry Potter details. Thank you for your kind words and for choosing Padua Hills to be a part of your special day. We are excited for all of the milestones you have ahead!
Jaffna D
5.0
10/22/2020
My husband and I had our wedding at Padua Hills and we had the best time. Sheryl and Tammy took good care of us the day of the wedding. Padua Hills theatre was our 1st choice and t...
hey did not disappoint. The venue was perfect and beautiful. It captured the theme of our wedding. The food was excellent! Guests were pleased with the food. The champagne they served for the toast tasted delicious. Overall great experience.
Response from Padua Weddings on 10/22/2020
Jaffna, congratulations on your new journey with David! It was truly a pleasure working wi...
th you to create the beautiful wedding you both deserved. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of this special day!
Nanette M
5.0
7/06/2020
This venue was amazing, from the staff to the venue itself. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to have our wedding. The food was amazing and people are still telling us how ...
much they enjoyed the wedding and how beautiful it was and how amazing the food was. If I could get married here again I would.
Response from Padua Weddings on 07/07/2020
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Nanette! Your wedding day was absolutely beaut...
iful. We are so glad your guests had an everlasting impression of your perfect day!
Pierina M
5.0
2/21/2020
This venue is beautiful !! We had our ceremony outside and our reception inside .
The team at this venue was amazing ! Very professional ! And took care of anything that was asked ...
of them the day of .
My guest could not stop talking about how beautiful the venue was. Also , the food was delicious ! I would highly recommend this venue !
Natalie G
5.0
2/21/2020
Wow!!! This place is amazing. This was the second venue we saw and quickly decided it was the right venue for us. The place is magical, no need for much outdoor decor as the trees ...
are covered in lights. They have an outstanding customer service, great food, drinks, etc., and the vendors the work with are great too. I would definitely recommend this venue.
Susan H
5.0
2/02/2020
o This was the fit venue we looked at for our wedding and we loved it so much. The other ones after would always fall short compared to Padua. The drive to the venue was easy and b...
eautiful. There was so much parking and the venue was so pretty I didn’t have to add much to it. All the trees and lights made the area look so magical. The staff were so friendly and contacting them was so easy. The food was sooooo good. Everyone left full and could not stop talking about it. Also having entertainment Express on site was perfect. When they showed me the bubbles on the dance floor, I knew I had to have them. It was the cherry one top. I highly recommend Padua.
Cristina M
5.0
1/19/2020
This is a long review, but well worth it! I grew up local to Padua Hills Theatre, and always dreamed of having my wedding here someday. I never thought that dream would become a re...
ality! We were not going to go on a tour because I thought it would be out of our price range, but Richard gave me a call and worked with us to make it happen. My husband and I toured several venues, but none of them felt like "this was it." Pretty quickly into our wedding tour with Jasmine, my husband leaned over to me and whispered, "We have to find a way to make this happen!". My heart was so happy! We immediately booked with Jasmine, who was AMAZING to work with! She responded to my 100s of emails over the course of 11 months of wedding planning with promptness and kindness. She went above and beyond. Jasmine, thank you for making Nick, Conor and I feel so welcome from the moment we met you!
As our planning progressed, everyone kept telling me how they couldn't believe I didn't have a wedding coordinator, which started to stress me out, but in the end, I didn't need one! Their team is amazing! Tammy was such a pleasure to work with. She took my vision and brought it to life. We received so many compliments on how beautiful the wedding was, that it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever been too. Watching our wedding video allowed me to truly appreciate the small details that Tammy and the staff did. Tammy checked on me multiple times while getting ready, and told me to take deep breaths and to stay calm. Tammy, thank you, you are amazing at what you do!
Everything truly ran so smoothly. I don't think we had the typical "something wrong always happens at a wedding" moment, and if we did, our day of coordinator (I can't remember her name :( ) made sure we didn't know about it. She made sure my husband and I always had a drink in hand, she served us our food and even helped bustle my dress. She also made sure we had champagne and fruit in our bridal suite while we were all getting ready.
We had our ceremony in the garden and it was magical! We got married at the end of November, so the sunset around 4:45. You were able to see the lights in the trees and the candles in our cylinders. Our photos on the terrace were beautiful with the sunset behind us. All of our photos came out amazing. The venue has so many beautiful spots. They are all so unique but made for great photos!
The food, oh my goodness, blew all of our guests out of the water. Everyone kept saying "This isn't your typical wedding food!". They even packed us up a to-go box for us to enjoy the following day!
Entertainment Express was amazing! Brett was such a pleasure to work with. He answered all my emails promptly and gave us great advice on how to have more dance time. He MCed our ceremony and reception and did an outstanding job, Everyone told me the music was great and that they wished they had more time to dance.
The only thing I wish we would have done was to extend our time. The evening goes by so quickly, that by the time we made our rounds and did all our photos, it was the last song of the night. I've watched our wedding video and have looked at our gallery multiple times, which brings a wave of emotions. I truly get to relive the most perfect and beautiful day. Padua Hills Staff, thank you guys for making our wedding day one of the most beautiful, romantic, magical, and special days of our lives.
Lorena P
5.0
11/28/2019
Magical! That is the best description for Padua Hills. It was so amazing, the food is the best I ever had at a wedding, and I promise I am not being biased. They made our day so so...
special. You really don't need a wedding planner, they have your back. Save that money for more flowers, because really they will take care of you from the moment you decide to go with them. My guests loved the place, and couldn't stop talking about it. The best is that they provided us with so much support that we really didn't have have to utilized that many outside vendors. LOVE THEM!
Julie M
5.0
11/19/2019
From my first tour of Padua up to the wedding day, it was all a dream. The staff at Padua is absolutely outstanding. During the planning process I worked closely with Jasmine and T...
ammy whom were both extremely tentative and supportive. I cannot recommend this team enough. We have received so many compliments from our guests, from the delicious food, to the breathtaking view (perfect for taking photos), to the gorgeous scenery. Hands down, 5 stars review
Vanessa S
5.0
8/21/2019
Beautiful venue all together! But the people who work there are exceptional! The food was amazing as well. If you use this venue you don’t even need a wedding planner they do every...
thing so organized ! They are always willing to help and always respond promptly. The day of wedding coordinator Tammy seriously went above and beyond the day of my wedding ! She was so great and sweet to all my friends and family everyone loved her!
Kyle S
5.0
8/09/2019
Everyone warned my wife and I about the wedding day. "Things will go wrong, just don't worry about it", "Just be prepared and take on everything with a smile", "It's gonna be mayhe...
m".
I printed out multiple schedules on where we had to be and when, and we passed them out amongst the wedding party. We was prepared for anything.
The entire night we were waiting for this inevitable destructive event.
And guess what. Nothing... Nothing happened.
Everything went smoothly it was almost scary. The team at Padua Hills and entertainment express did a phenomenal job. They knew where to find us, they knew where we had to be, and most importantly, they did it with a smile. The food was amazing, they took care of the snack bar, they made sure every one of our guests was taken care of. Still days after the wedding we're receiving compliments on how perfect it was.
It was truly a perfect evening.
Amazing Padua. Simply, amazing. Thank you for making our special day a night to remember
Charlene C
5.0
8/02/2019
Beautiful venue, courteous staff, and AMAZING food. Padua Hills Theatre has got it all. All of our guests raved about how delicious the food were that night. The trees are just abs...
olutely stunning. Take a walk there near sunset and you will know what I am talking about. The venue is located in a very nice and quiet neighborhood so you will feel at ease while you are there. My wife and I would like to thank Padua Hills Theatre for making our big day such a magical experience. The whole Padua Hills Theatre staff were extremely easy to work and communicate with. Our family and friends all had a great time. If you are deciding if you should give Padua Hills Theatre a try, DO IT!!!
Soraya V
5.0
11/29/2018
We wanted to say that you so much from the bottom of our hearts. We had the most amazing night and could not have done it without you all.
The entire process was absolutely amazi...
ng and you guys went above and beyond for us. All of our guests came up to us through the night and said it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and that they have never seen shrimp and steak that big, LOL!
You are all such a wonderful team and love what you do. We saw it with the care you gave us, and above all, Donald and I felt like part of the Padua Family. Thank you for our gorgeous wedding. And finishing our night with the cute bear cub, was the cherry on top! That was so awesome for us to see!!! :) Words can't describe our gratitude, from our first meeting with Richard and how he swept us away with the charm, beauty and history of Padua, to Jennifer, Tammy, and Lisa for all communications. You have such a wonderful staff that truly took care of us. You guys gave us the most romantic and magical night of our lives. Thank you so much!
Max L
5.0
6/20/2018
Our expectations were exceeded x100. What a perfect venue for a unique wedding experience. The property, staff, FOOD - literally everything was top notch. Highly recommend. Our gue...
sts are still raving about it.
Tiffany F
5.0
8/18/2017
Padua Hills Theatre was the last venue we were planning to visit and we knew instantly that it was the spot we wanted to have our wedding. The gazebo where our ceremony occurred i...
s beautiful and we loved that the hills offered a view of Los Angeles. I’ve found that the venues that are family owned seem to be more genuine and caring, and Padua Hills was no different. Padua Hills has a great team and we literally communicated with at least seven of their staff, mainly Jennifer, who patiently answered all of our questions and accommodated our requests. Deciding on linens and colors is not our favorite thing to do, but they were great in walking us through their vast inventory.
I’ve heard from all my friends and family members that something wrong always happens at weddings, but we really did not have that thanks to the Padua Hills staff. Our day of coordinator, Christina, was professional and efficient in the rehearsal and kept me calm pre-ceremony. Christina also got me water and fruit when I was inopportunely ravenous, and she also outfitted the bridal suite with champagne and fruit for my bridal party and family to share in. Later, Tammy was so sweet and made sure we were able to eat our delicious ribeyes. I surprised my fiancé with Ben and Jerry’s and they (along with Entertainment Express) were so great in keeping it a secret from him. The tables were arranged according to our vision and the dance floor was ample big for our guests to do whatever they pleased. My only regret is not extending the time a touch longer because it was truly a magical space to celebrate with friends and family. We highly recommend Padua Hills Theatre for a) their staff b) the beautiful venue and c) tasty food.
Amanda H
5.0
6/20/2017
We held our entire wedding at Padua Hills Theatre. From the ceremony to the reception we had the greatest service.
Being OCD on our own we knew exactly what we were looking for an...
d the lovely team at Padua put it together and made our dream come true.
The food was amazing and all of our family and friends raved about how great it was and what a beautiful property Padua was for our special day.
Response from Padua Weddings on 06/20/2017
Oh we are so excited and happy that the two of you choose us for your special day! You wer...
e such a joy to work with and we wish you all the happiness as you begin this new chapter in your lives.
From the Entire staff at Padua Hills Theatre
Clare S
5.0
10/24/2016
My husband and I spent several months going through vendors across Southern California. After dropping two vendors, we heard about Padua and visited immediately. As soon as we step...
ped onto the property, we were in love. The grounds are stunning, romantic and unforgettable. It is a great deal for everything that it includes and it is worth every penny. The people we worked with were kind, professional and on top of their game. The only hiccup we encountered was a little confusion about the meals and who ordered which option, but that was fixed quickly and everyone loved the food. Every moment at Padua was magical (including a visit by a black bear later in the evening) and I would highly recommend this venue!
Natasha A
5.0
10/11/2016
Choosing Padua Hills was the best choice i could've possibly made when selecting our wedding venue. They made the process so incredibly easy their and every person I worked with wa...
s extremely helpful, friendly, and kept me calm.
Food - Chantrelles Catering is their in house catering and it is amazing! They can customize the menu and make pretty much whatever you want, so when we asked for peking duck, walnut shrimp, and fried rice, they made it happen and it was delicious! My husband and i love food, and so this was a very important part of the wedding for us and they did not disappoint. Their crostini, potatoes, and prime rib are all well seasoned and very good. As part of their catering, they make the cake, which was exactly what we had envisioned. The flavor was great and the design was exactly what i wanted which I provided to them based off a Pinterest picture.
Decor - Padua is a gorgeous venue that doesn't really need much decorating to begin with. The exterior has beautiful trees which provided great shade and offer a ton of decorating options. The view is breathtaking and provides such a great backdrop to any picture. Indoors the chandeliers and drapery provide a touch of elegance that removes the need for much else. We brought additional signs and pictures during the rehearsal which the coordinators set up for us in the areas we asked and everything looked amazing.
Our wedding went off without any crisis thanks in large part to the amazing staff at Padua. They're not cheap, but you get your money's worth here. If we had to do it all over again, we'd definitely go with Padua.
Melanie W
5.0
8/11/2015
My husband and I used Chantrelle's Catering for our wedding on 7.25.15 since we were getting married at the venue they operate: Padua Hills Theatre. We were very impressed by the t...
aste and service.
We had a buffet and served prime rib and chicken along with sides and heard from several people about how delicious everything was.
They also provided our wedding cake (which was Snickerdoodle flavored on some tiers and chocolate on the others) and everyone loved it. We also had a dessert bar for those who may not like cake and heard rave reviews about almost everything.
We ran into a slight hiccup with many of our out of town guests not being able to attend at the last minute due to insane flight costs. When we reached out to Chantrelles they were so accommodating. Since we'd been budgeted for 40 more people than were going to show, they kindly offered to add an additional appetizer at cocktail hour so we didn't "lose" any of our money.
They even offer to-go boxes for guests who enjoy the food but weren't able to eat it all in one sitting...which is a really nice touch. I designed my cake toppers myself and they did an excellent job arranging them and highlighting them on the cake.
They have flexible menu options as well as bar packages that fit different tastes and budgets and are willing to work with you to customize things to your liking. I highly recommend Chantrelle's catering and the wonderful people that make sure you and your guests enjoy every minute of your special day.
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