Up today, we’re featuring what just might be the West Coast’s most perfect art deco venue….
In 1925, James Oviatt was already a successful businessman. His department store, Alexander & Oviatt, had been attracting a high-end Los Angeles clientele in downtown LA for nearly a decade. He was in the midst of plans for their next expansion, a new building, constructed from the ground up…
… when he took a business trip to Europe. The original building design was in Italian Romanesque style, but luckily for us, he happened to find himself in Paris at the dawn of a new age… 1925 was the year of Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, the birthplace of Art Deco.
Oviatt was awed by these new designs, and upon his return to the States, he ordered the architects to construct the new building in the brand new style. He spared no expense, importing over ten tons of Lalique glass for use throughout the building.
And so the first true art deco building made its debut in Los Angeles in 1928 (and it included a 10 room art deco penthouse on top for Oviatt’s own residence.) The store closed in the 60s, but both the main space (a restaurant and venue now known as “Cicada“) and The Oviatt Penthouse are available for weddings and events, and they are the perfect backdrop to a Los Angeles art deco wedding. Take a look!
(also: If you are an art deco fan who happens to be visiting Los Angeles, be sure to check out the wonderful LA Conservancy and their incredible walking tours. They have an Art Deco Tour that features Cicada and the Oviatt Penthouse, and the other stops on the tour are a delight as well. They do great work!)
Absolutely adore this elegant 1920s style wedding in Hartford, Connecticut. Sent to us by photographer Michael Justin Studios, these two grooms celebrated their big day with carefully selected vintage design elements, a fabulous art deco venue and quite possibly the world’s best wedding tuxes (LOVE.) Click the images below for larger photos and more details …
This absolutely stunning Gatsby wedding style shoot from Brienne Michelle Photography features one of our favorite West Coast venues, Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, and a dazzling array of deco delights, including this breathtaking vintage inspired headpiece and veil from Deborah Lindquist Eco Couture… Click the thumbnails below for larger shots and more details …
Up today, a beautiful Chicago art deco wedding shoot from Spark + Tumble Photography. One of my favorite American cities, Chicago boasts incredible architecture around every corner, including the gorgeous buildings featured in this styled 1920s wedding shoot: the Madonna della Strada Chapel at Loyola University and The Powhatan Apartments. The details are amazing, …
Up today we have a glamorous 1920s style wedding from Corey Ann Photography and Kirkbrides Wedding Planning + Design. With art deco inspiration through and through, this elegant wedding in Cleveland, OH is filled with lovely details. The venue, invitations, floral designs, cake, gowns… this wedding is a vintage-inspired delight from top to bottom! Click …
Art Deco Venue | Cicada + The Oviatt Penthouse
Up today, we’re featuring what just might be the West Coast’s most perfect art deco venue….
In 1925, James Oviatt was already a successful businessman. His department store, Alexander & Oviatt, had been attracting a high-end Los Angeles clientele in downtown LA for nearly a decade. He was in the midst of plans for their next expansion, a new building, constructed from the ground up…
Photo via Flickr user Floyd B. Bariscale
… when he took a business trip to Europe. The original building design was in Italian Romanesque style, but luckily for us, he happened to find himself in Paris at the dawn of a new age… 1925 was the year of Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, the birthplace of Art Deco.
Paris Art Exposition, c.1925
Oviatt was awed by these new designs, and upon his return to the States, he ordered the architects to construct the new building in the brand new style. He spared no expense, importing over ten tons of Lalique glass for use throughout the building.
And so the first true art deco building made its debut in Los Angeles in 1928 (and it included a 10 room art deco penthouse on top for Oviatt’s own residence.) The store closed in the 60s, but both the main space (a restaurant and venue now known as “Cicada“) and The Oviatt Penthouse are available for weddings and events, and they are the perfect backdrop to a Los Angeles art deco wedding. Take a look!
(also: If you are an art deco fan who happens to be visiting Los Angeles, be sure to check out the wonderful LA Conservancy and their incredible walking tours. They have an Art Deco Tour that features Cicada and the Oviatt Penthouse, and the other stops on the tour are a delight as well. They do great work!)
Related Posts
1920s Style Wedding | Kurt + Justin | Hartford, Connecticut
Absolutely adore this elegant 1920s style wedding in Hartford, Connecticut. Sent to us by photographer Michael Justin Studios, these two grooms celebrated their big day with carefully selected vintage design elements, a fabulous art deco venue and quite possibly the world’s best wedding tuxes (LOVE.) Click the images below for larger photos and more details …
Gatsby Wedding Style | Union Station Los Angeles
This absolutely stunning Gatsby wedding style shoot from Brienne Michelle Photography features one of our favorite West Coast venues, Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, and a dazzling array of deco delights, including this breathtaking vintage inspired headpiece and veil from Deborah Lindquist Eco Couture… Click the thumbnails below for larger shots and more details …
Chicago Art Deco Wedding | Styled 1920s Wedding Shoot
Up today, a beautiful Chicago art deco wedding shoot from Spark + Tumble Photography. One of my favorite American cities, Chicago boasts incredible architecture around every corner, including the gorgeous buildings featured in this styled 1920s wedding shoot: the Madonna della Strada Chapel at Loyola University and The Powhatan Apartments. The details are amazing, …
1920s Style Wedding | Karen + Robert
Up today we have a glamorous 1920s style wedding from Corey Ann Photography and Kirkbrides Wedding Planning + Design. With art deco inspiration through and through, this elegant wedding in Cleveland, OH is filled with lovely details. The venue, invitations, floral designs, cake, gowns… this wedding is a vintage-inspired delight from top to bottom! Click …