THE Venue GUIDE
This italian inspired estate spans 177 acres of manicured landscapes, offering a variety of stunning settings for your celebration. Villa Montalvo is an ideal backdrop for a morning of mimosas and pampering with your closest friends, while the groomsmen enjoy their own space to get ready in style.
With several unique ceremony locations, you’ll find one perfectly suited to your vision. Say "I do" beneath the trees on the Great Lawn or beside the elegance of the Love Temple.
As you stroll through Villa Montalvo's grounds, you’ll capture memories that will fill your home with beauty for years to come. Under the twinkle of string lights on the balconies or in the Villa’s elegant halls, you’ll dance the night away surrounded by family and friends who feel right at home in the warmth and elegance you’ve created.
Driving down the Villa's winding path at the end of your night, hand-in-hand as newlyweds, you’ll smile at one another and know you’ll cherish this beautiful day forever.
It's the day of your wedding and sunlight is streaming through a cypress-tree path while the wind gently blows amongst the gardens of the Love Temple. A great lawn sprawls between you and the Villa with mountains in the distance...
THE PERFECT VENUE
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browse two of my favorite galleries
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Brandi & Dan
“A gorgeous venue and even kinder staff. Highly recommend.”
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Regina + CJ
“From the moment we stepped foot on the property, we knew it was the perfect venue for our big day.”
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Simon & Liz
III
No
“Stop what you're doing right now and reserve Villa Montalvo! The space is absolutely incredible.”
Explore a few of our favorite images
The great lawn
The lawn is your unique opportunity to feature the villa as your backdrop for your ceremony OR your reception!
The villa
The Villa is where you'll get ready, host cocktail hour, dance the night away, and have a covered area for your portrait needs in the off-chance of rain.
The love temple is picture perfect for romantic portraits and as a backdrop for your ceremony.
Love temple
CHARLESTON
location inspiration
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FOLLY BEACH
location inspiration
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The vast variety of locations is one of the greatest things about weddings at the Villa at Montalvo Arts Center. Whether you're looking for a tuscan-inspired wedding or a ceremony in the gardens, there is something for you! Explore some of the spaces below.
YES! Both of you getting ready on-site eliminates unnecessary travel time between hotels and the venue and helps ensure the day flows seamlessly and is as effortless as possible! There's plenty of space for wedding parties to join you, or you can opt for a quieter morning as you get ready.
To make the most of Villa Montalvo’s stunning lighting, plan to start your ceremony 2 to 2.5 hours before sunset. This timing captures the golden hour glow for your vows, leaving ample natural light for photos and a seamless transition into your reception. Remember, sunset times vary seasonally, so adjust accordingly to make the most of this beautiful setting.
Because each wedding day is unique when it comes to lighting & location, this is a decision we will make on the day of to ensure your family formals are both nearby and in a location that has the best lighting for the most flattering skin tones!
This will vary based on if you share a first look. If you're opting to keep things more traditional, you'll want to have an extended cocktail hour of 90 minutes. If you are sharing a first look, all of your wedding party portraits will be completed prior to the ceremony, leaving only the family formals and your JUST MARRIED portraits for after the ceremony. You can plan for a 60 minute cocktail hour.
Safety is the number one priority. For that reason, Villa Montalvo does not allow fireworks and sparklers on property, due to wildfire dangers in Northern California. Instead, you may opt for a bubble exit, or a vintage getaway car.
The short answer, as much time as you'll give me! My couples reserve 60 minutes of portrait time on wedding day when sharing a first look and 30-45 if you choose to keep a more traditional aspect to your day.
While Villa Montalvo doesn’t require a wedding planner, it’s highly recommended for many reasons. A planner ensures your wedding day runs smoothly, keeps everything on schedule, and works with trusted vendors to maximize your budget. Most importantly, they bring your vision to life, making your entire wedding day is stress-free and seamless from start to finish.
Picture this: You’ve spent countless hours planning every detail of your wedding, yet there’s a lingering worry. You’re hoping for an effortless day, where you can be fully present with your partner, surrounded by the people you love most. But the stress of balancing timelines, coordinating details, and making sure nothing gets missed feels overwhelming. You want your wedding day to flow smoothly, to capture those raw, genuine moments without constantly posing or worrying about what’s next on the schedule.
Your dream? To feel a deep sense of calm, knowing everything is in experienced hands. To see each laugh, each glance, each joyful tear beautifully captured, allowing you to savor every moment as it unfolds. With thoughtful, hands-on support, you can have that day—the day you’ve always dreamed of, shared with the person you love most.
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Whether you’re getting married at Villa Montalvo or someplace in California (or beyond!), I would love to be considered for your day.
If you’re interested in working with me, the best way to reach me is by either filling out the form or sending an e-mail to info@kristenampbellphoto.com with your wedding date and location. If you’ve filled out the form and haven’t heard from me in a few days, please email me directly.