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!)
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 we have this stunning styled shoot from Elevate Photography, featuring a newly renovated art deco venue in Colorado, Ironworks Denver. With classic 1920s wedding style, the gorgeous details of this shoot are the perfect match for the spectacular art deco venue itself! Click the images below for more detail. Design and Decor: Decor …
Love the rich crimson tones, amazing vintage venue, black & white film backdrop and moody images from this Art Deco movie theater wedding inspiration shoot, sent to us from photographer Tuan B & Co. As a nod to the original Vaudeville era of this gorgeous 1915 venue, the Logan Theater in Chicago, Illinois, they even …
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 …
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
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 …
Art Deco Venue | 1920s Wedding Style
Up today we have this stunning styled shoot from Elevate Photography, featuring a newly renovated art deco venue in Colorado, Ironworks Denver. With classic 1920s wedding style, the gorgeous details of this shoot are the perfect match for the spectacular art deco venue itself! Click the images below for more detail. Design and Decor: Decor …
Art Deco Movie Theater Wedding Inspiration
Love the rich crimson tones, amazing vintage venue, black & white film backdrop and moody images from this Art Deco movie theater wedding inspiration shoot, sent to us from photographer Tuan B & Co. As a nod to the original Vaudeville era of this gorgeous 1915 venue, the Logan Theater in Chicago, Illinois, they even …
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 …