There’s something perfect about hosting a wedding in downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District. Just as older generations give way to younger people beginning their own lives together as couples, this is a part of LA that has transformed from its industrial past to a creative, lively, and fresh home to artists’ lofts, retail, and residential development.
As for Arts District venues, Millwick is the place for brides and grooms who love that history as much as its present-day renaissance. A super-loft structure, it’s a combination of about 4,500 square feet of interior space immediately adjoining an additional 3,000-square-foot garden courtyard. The site accommodates up to 175 people for a sit down, wedding caterer reception in the interior; judging from abundant social media posts, the courtyard is most popular for the wedding ceremony.
The Los Angeles wedding caterers who are hired for events at this space have to be approved by the venue, but the list of accepted vendors comes with many options. The bridal couple can separately hire their own professional bartenders as long as they are insured.
The menu for any event at Millwick should have some kind of a touchstone with the venue itself. Step inside this location (800 East 4th Place) and feel the juxtaposition of bricks (nearly a century old, from when it was a livery and later a cold-storage warehouse) with lush, vertical garden walls. In the interior space, the Grand Hall, nine overhead skylights allow in natural light between soaring wooden bowstring trusses. It’s an understated oasis with dramatic moments.
So what can wedding catering in Los Angeles deliver that is just right for Millwick? At points, this is a virtual jungle, so think along tropical themes for at least the appetizers and perhaps the bar signature drinks. The rough walls of the original structure suggest a substantial main entrée (Mesquite grilled tri-tips? Pork tenderloin roulade? Hangar steak with peppercorn rub?) and perhaps a late-night snack, post-dancing, of street tacos or bahn mi mini sandwiches.
What adds an element to Millwick that is just so right is how the venue offers little niches with more than a hint of romance. “Nina’s Lounge,” typically a dressing room for the bridal party, has comfy couches for respite. “The Fondrevay,” a mini-bar-like corner could be a place for beverages – or maybe a live performer. The “Magic Gardens” are reminiscent of places young lovers go for a private conversation, a surprise small gift – or a first kiss. And if any of that gets caught on video, Millwick has a 25-foot digital cinema screen and DJ sound booth, where everyone in attendance can watch and weigh in as critics (this is LA, after all).
Millwick’s owners are proud of having created this venue in an environmentally responsible way, saving it from the wrecking ball while heating and cooling it with minimal use of energy by passive means (e.g., the layout captures natural breezes). Guests arriving from neighborhoods on the Metro Gold Line might even be able to take the train to an event here via the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station.
Taking the train to a wedding in LA? Now that’s a modern transformation.