Brides holding out for a Hollywood ending sighed with relief upon hearing the legendary Hotel Bel-Air had reopened this fall after a two-year closure for renovations. And the result is worth the wait. While the Spanish Colonial architecture and the signature Bel-Air pink exterior walls are still in place, the interior has had a modern face-lift with a nod to its glamorous Hollywood past through design themes from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. Frequented by dignitaries and celebrities (Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett tied the knot here), the secluded hotel affords the utmost in privacy and serenity.
The ballroom has been updated with a soft palette of silver, beige and cream, which easily adapts to any wedding color, and features a built-in stage, ideal for the band. Mercury glass chandeliers set off the lighting while a connecting bar with an Art Deco bar and glass-topped tables await cocktails. And dinner is sure to meet five-star expectations with catering provided by Wolfgang Puck.
Massage the prewedding knots away at the 4,000-square-foot Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie, featuring an expansive private couple’s room called The Enclave. This 570-square-foot suite features a shaded patio complete with a waterfall. It’s the perfect spot to spend the day getting prepped with your bridesmaids or canoodling with your new hubby (room for as many as 10 people; prices begin at $720).
And don’t fret, the lovely outdoor wedding sites have not been touched: Swan Lake and the lush front lawn are ready and waiting for your “I do’s.”