A bit of an overdue review, but my husband and I had our wedding at Padua Hills theater this past June and had a great experience with the team! We initially liked the fact that the venue had separate spaces for our guests to experience and explore, and that there was so much variety in the venue's views, from the olive grove, to the Spanish-inspired architecture, to the mountains. As we worked more and more with the team, we also appreciated how organized, thoughtful, and kind Isabela, Ryan, and Kristina were with the actual planning process. Before we booked the venue, we were a little bit hesitant because of some older reviews of the venue mentioned bees and poor management communication led to folks having bad experiences with the venue, but we felt really supported and had all our concerns addressed the entire time. Our guests really appreciated the venues service as well, highlighting how generous the portion sizes were for the serviced dinner. This was a bit of a relief because one of the concerns we had about the venue was meal quality compared to venues like a hotel or a country club that offer full catering in conjunction with operating restaurants on site. The food turned out great, and we (but more importantly, our guests) really appreciated the menu! Our wedding was beautiful, with much of the credit going to the Padua Hills team! Would highly recommend. read more

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As the CFO of four companies (including one in food service)...I tend to over-analyze expenditures in a way that makes the bean-counters nervous. I have a slight touch of OCD and examine procurements, labor costs, efficiency, and everything else financial in search of loss and avoidable waste. I tell you this because I consider the selection of a wedding venue to be little more than a business transaction and I do not get emotional in business. I am unlike the standard father-of-the-bride types in this mindset, which will become evident as you read on. Most dads refuse to read the menu from right to left when planning their little girl's big day. You'll find my analytical perspective helpful too...stay with me. When I first walked the property at Padua, I was stunned by the incredible romance and beauty of the location. It stood head and shoulders above the crowd in esthetics alone. None of the other venues we checked out could hold a candle to Padua. It is simply perfect. A warm yet impressive hideaway in the hills with magnificent scenic views, a flawless layout of buildings and open space, splendid lighting and décor inside & out, ample parking and is easily navigated to...close to the freeway but far enough you cannot see or hear it. This place is private! The outside world falls away, Padua resides in a setting of solitude and elegance. It is so unique in design and landscaping I cannot imagine a way they could improve it and I was able to do that with every other wedding venue we inspected. No traffic, no noise, no flyovers by planes, no competing with anything the usual wedding venues are compromised by...Padua is an oasis of tranquility. The multiple locations for the wedding ceremony make it ideal, should your special day experience unexpected weather. Padua has back-ups...no risk of wet guests! The main hall is breathtaking once the tables are decorated and the dancefloor is spacious. Lighting options provide an added bonus and Padua offers so many cool options (that are unavailable at other venues) it will take you a while to hear and see them all. Visit on a day you aren't rushed, you are going to enjoy this. Padua's staff directed us to vendors for an officiant, cigar bar, florist, cakemaker, photographers, DJ and everything else we needed. These people knew the venue inside-out and in working with the highly diligent Padua staff, had everything running like clockwork. Lemme tell ya, weddings can be stressful but when the operation is this closely monitored and run, there is little anxiety. The special effects worked great, the bartenders were fast, personal and well...gorgeous. The management staff at Padua oversaw everything and everyone, and they did it with a caring, softly spoken confidence that made us feel calm and catered to. And our wedding had a lot of add-ons. There seemed to be plenty of things that could go wrong. Nope. This venue is a tightly run ship that even my "observe the system" mentality could not improve. Padua sets the customer care bar so high, other wedding venue staffs need to charter a plane just to see it. Here's the one thing I didn't anticipate. The cost. This venue was so much more than every other location we visited, I expected it to cost double or triple. But they were actually less expensive than some of the hotels, clubhouses and restaurants we shopped. Padua should raise their rates. We got so much more for the money than we would have otherwise...the bean-counter's, bean-counter (me) felt we underpaid and that just never happens. But the one thing I discovered during our event and the one overwhelming takeaway you should glean from this review is every single person working for Padua and those on their referral list CARES ABOUT YOU! They take great pride in what they do, they are on a mission to not merely meet your needs and expectations but to exceed them to such an extent you too will draft a review like this. I don't know how many times I was asked if there was anything I needed, if I had any concerns, was there something they could do for me...these people went well above and beyond all expectations and I am extremely grateful to Padua for making the wedding perfect. And I do not believe perfection is achievable. Padua did it somehow. Looking for a magical location with a five-star staff and so many options you'll be able to create the wedding atmosphere you want (literally any theme) and all at a price you will smile about...Padua Theater is it. I cannot remember the last time I felt I received more than I paid for...and by a large measure. Don't waste your valuable time visiting other venues first like I did...go see Padua first. You'll instantly recognize the other places cannot compete. Not in aesthetics, not in personnel, not in food, not in any way. read more

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Attended a wedding here and it was a beautiful venue. Nice ceremony area. The view was spectacular and perfect while watching the sunset. The reception was held inside the theater and it was pretty. The food were good. We got the chicken and the steak. Overall nice wedding venue. read more

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The location is beautiful. The venue is spacious and old. It will be a great place for a wedding. Plenty of parking. Padua is a venue where needing a wedding planner is pointless, they have everything you need and they will guide you through everything. It kinda plug and play. I will give them a 5 star rating. read more

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I wish I could give Padua 100 stars!! I seriously can't imagine having gone anywhere else for our wedding. I've been to two other weddings here as a guest and they were absolutely perfect with amazing loving vibes permeating throughout the space. When it came time for me to get married, my husband and I looked at many different venues but in the end we kept coming back to Padua. With its breathtaking views, beautifully kept grounds, a comfortable and intimate square footage, and lots of things to keep your guests interested along with the dramatic and inviting theater, Padua Hills Theatre has it all. The absolute best thing about choosing this place is that it is basically all-inclusive. These guys are experts at what they do. You can avoid the hassle of working with a billion vendors by coming here. They have all the little pieces you may need like table number holders. Their expert staff will walk you through all of their carefully thought-through options and never force you into making a decision you didn't want (this goes even for the initial consultation). They are also so flexible if you change your mind about something. The communication on their staff is next level. All my questions were answered in a prompt and timely fashion. They know this is a stressful time for couples and do everything in their power to relieve you of it as possible. I sent our awesome planner Crystal so many last minute emails and she got everything we needed with a positive attitude. Now the food... Oh man, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE FOOD. The first time I came to Padua almost 10 years ago, the couple gave guests ribeye steak and fish. It was absolutely gigantic, almost the size of the entire plate. It was cooked to perfection. The fish was also so thick and juicy. I would not stop talking about that steak for days, then even years afterwards. When it was time to get married, my husband said there was no other option but to give our guests the same thing, especially because he had heard me raving about it incessantly. He agreed it lived up to the hype and so did all our guests, many who had several days worth of leftovers. One called it a "Flintstone" steak. We ate it with the gourmet housemade compound butter and... man. Our guests also enjoyed the chicken with the beurre blanc sauce and said it was really moist. Even our vegan friend who usually can't eat food at weddings was able to enjoy the eggplant parmesan because they took her and others' dietary restrictions seriously. Even the kids meal had good reviews. I loved there is a spacious bridal suite with its own bathroom in the venue in case you need private time. The dance floor is equipped with professional lighting fixtures, a spotlight, a fog machine, a bubble machine, you can even customize a gobo to project on the wall or even have A/V if you wanted to do a slideshow. You really feel like you're at a club or something during the dance portion because the speaker system is amazing. You also are able to customize the lighting scheme of the entire reception area. That's just one reception area. What's great about Padua is they are so dedicated to you having your perfect day they have three different areas that could be options for both ceremony and reception. There is the Enchanted Garden area surrounded by beautiful olive trees and twinkle lights, the Sunset Terrace with great views of the Claremont area facing the sunset, and the theater area. If it's raining, the main lobby area becomes a rustic ceremony option. They have a plan for everything! Our day-of coordinators Cadence and Brittany along with the in-house DJ Entertainment Express were a dream team who also had a plan for everything. The day flowed so smoothly and they were very conscious about when they needed us for something without being overbearing or disturbing the guest experience. You and your new spouse just felt like you were a VIP all day. Best of all, the price was very reasonable. I was anticipating some serious sticker shock after our guest list expanded but they do such a good job with meeting you where you are that there will be a package just right for you. Also, large free parking lots!!! The only thing that was a little interesting was that I guess some locals use this area to do their daily walks so we had some strangers wandering around the area, but thankfully they were pretty harmless. This place otherwise is pretty remote so you don't have to really worry about wedding crashers. As you can tell, we had the best time at Padua as guests and as the guests of honor. What a perfect venue for a perfect day. Thank you Padua team for creating such a special space! read more

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My daughter and son in law used this venue for their wedding reception on 10/31. Amazing is the only word to describe the experience. The staff is beyond helpful and friendly. Kudos to this place!!! read more

Padua Weddings - My daughter and I - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Claremont, California

Where do I even begin? Choosing Padua Hills Theatre for our wedding was hands down the best decision we could have made. I truly don't have enough words to describe how special the team made our day but I'll try, because they deserve every ounce of praise! From the very start of planning, the staff treated us like family. They were endlessly kind, patient with our questions, and always made us feel like our wedding was the most important event on their calendar. That kind of warmth and attentiveness immediately put us at ease, and on the big day, it was shown through in every detail. The service on our wedding day was impeccable. Every single staff member went above and beyond; from making sure my husband and I had a drink and plate of appetizers in our hands the moment photos were done, to discreetly checking in to see if we needed anything at all. Our family and friends were so impressed by how attentive and friendly everyone was; it honestly felt like the entire staff cared about us personally, not just as "clients." The venue itself was spotless and absolutely breathtaking. It's one thing to see photos of Padua Hills online, but walking into the space, surrounded by the gardens and mountain views, everything perfectly maintained and sparkling clean. Our guests were blown away, and so were we. And let's talk about the food. WOW. So many of our guests told us it was the best wedding food they had ever had. Every dish was served hot, beautifully plated, and absolutely delicious. Even weeks later, people are still raving about it! We felt so spoiled by the quality and the care that went into making the meal feel like a true fine-dining experience. But above all, what we'll never forget is how the Padua Hills team made us feel. Every detail, every moment, every interaction was handled with such kindness and efficiency that we were able to be fully present and actually enjoy our wedding without stress. That is a gift beyond measure, and it's something we will cherish forever. If you are looking for a venue that combines beauty, professionalism, kindness, and pure magic, look no further. Padua Hills Theatre is perfection. They didn't just host our wedding, they created an experience that will live in our hearts for a lifetime. read more

If your wondering where your wedding should take place I would say look no further then Padua Hills Theatre!! They pictures online are all beautiful but it does not do this place justice. The canyon views in the back, to the lights in the trees to the inside was all truly amazing and well maintained. And their customer service was amazing!! From the DJ to the accountant to the managers here to Crystal who answered dozens and dozens of emails everything was perfect. Special shootout to Crystal who was really patient and calm with us answering all of out questions. We were in contact with Padua for maybe 10 months before the wedding date. There's countless meetings with the DJ, dinner to check out the food we ordered, meetings with their staff in regards to details, going over to pay them, and many other meetings. It can definitely be overwhelming. But they do a great job keeping you up to date and keeping you afloat on things. Definitely not their first time hosting a wedding!! They definitely made the process bearable and even more important enjoyable. Our day of coordinator was really good too!! Made sure everything was taken care of the day of. Everything ran smoothly. The DJ made sure everything ran according to the timeliness. So we were free to just enjoy the evening. They really stressed and handled all of that for us so we didn't have too, which was a huge weight off our shoulders. Then there's the food!! Ribeye was huge!! And not only that it was really really good!! Tender, perfectly cooked. Everyone enjoyed it. And everyone was full! The chicken dish was also really good. When the sun goes down, then it becomes even more beautiful!! The lights in the trees!! The contrast between light and dark. Is simply breathtaking and magical. Truly a sight to behold. The inside theater too is beautiful. Extremely tall ceiling in the ballroom. The large GOBO lighting of our name. The sound system in here is truly first class. The light system too really keeps the vibes up too. Really large room for all my guests to dance and walk around and talk and eat. Most definitely a comfortable room for everyone to enjoy themselves in. I also love the bridal suite to the side. Great place for the bridal party and the groomsmen to chill, eat a snack and freshen up. Everything about this place was really great. Our wedding day went off without a hitch. Yes you pay a pretty penny to have your wedding here. But the quality of service and how it goes down is definitely worth it. For 180 guests (food, happy hour), and the DJ (included in the use of Padua) and the optional gratuity it was about $40,000. And it was on a Sunday which was a little bit cheaper than having it on a Saturday. But all our guests said they had a really great time. Some even said this was the best wedding they have ever been too in their lives!! And people can't stop talking about the food!! As the pictures are coming in from our photographer, the wife and I cant stop looking at how beautiful everything turned out!! Everything went great. It was really enjoyable. Even during the stressful times you guys did a fantastic job.Thanks Padua for an unforgettable time!! read more

A hidden gem in the hills. I couldn't get over the trees that surround the theatre and the ample shade they provide. The details of the lighting fixtures and the tile behind the fountain are lovely. The views are amazing! Provided the opportunity, visit! read more

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The staff at Padua hills did an excellent job in executing our wedding. It was very easy communicating with Isabela and the team. They responded to my emails within 1 business day and always answered all the questions I had. I would also like to give a big shoutout to our day of coordinator Brittany and Kaydance ( apologies if I misspelled the names). They were very kind,organized, offered to help bustle my dress, assisted in taking off my veil, checked in to see if we needed food or drinks and did so much more. I would definitely recommend Padua Hills for any wedding and events. The stunning view is also a plus. read more

Being in a same-sex relationship, my husband and I specifically looked for a venue where we felt safe, welcomed, and excited as we tied the knot. Padua Hills Theatre was above and beyond. Not only did we feel what we hoped, but Kristina, Ryan, Crystal, and their entire staff from the day we first visited to the night's end of our wedding made us feel like family. It was truly overwhelming to feel so embraced. I can tell everyone part of the Padua team is in this industry for the passion and love what they do. As a venue, we value that they're essentially a 1-stop shop for a well-rounded wedding package. With the few additional vendors, we wanted (e.g. photography, flowers, cake, signage, hotel, makeup and hair), we specifically worked off their preferred vendors list, which made the entire process truly turnkey and easy - for us and for them. As a result, we not only had the memory of our wedding day, but also the memories of enjoying the various planning meetings with them and our family and friends who joined us at those times. Even our guests felt the love and embrace, and CARE, from Padua. A dear friend of mine requires a wheelchair, and they went above and beyond to ensure a staff member was always on standby to assist her as needed, as well as planned our wedding (per our request) around accommodating her needs and mobility throughout the venue. Honestly, it was touching to witness their genuine love and care for their guests. As for the food, it was above and beyond what we hoped for. We knew based on their repution everything would be great - and that anticipation grew at our tasting (which they made special like a beautiful evening night out!). When the wedding arrived, the quality, flavor, serving portions, presentation, service, and continued flow of appetizers, main courses, and cocktails were unmatched. Our family and friends still rave about everything and every detail about our wedding to this day. Lastly, what was touching was the intentionality of the team to be mindful of our walk in life. The little nuances of referring to the Bridal Suite as the "Grooms Suite" during the wedding, ensuring that all paperwork was not gender-specific, and being very conscientious of all verbiage and etiquette does not go unnoticed. It's those little things that are actually the big things that can easily cause someone to mentally check out of the moment. And thanks to Padua, we felt so seen, embraced, and accepted with open arms. I hope to work with them again someday, and if not, then I'll gladly root for them and praise them from start to finish on every mountain top. Cheers! read more

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Attended a wedding here and place was very beautiful. Nice cliff view of the mountains and nice set up. Food for the ceremony was so good and tender. read more

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This review is incredibly overdue, as my husband and I were married in March 2024, but I wanted to share my experience working with Padua and hosting me and my husband's wedding reception there. From the moment we toured Padua, we knew that we wanted to have our reception there! The owner was incredibly kind and showed us the property and answered all of our questions. He gave us a good breakdown of costs, what was included, and what we could do, and was open and honest with us from the get-go. The catering is included, they have an in-house DJ service (that team is GREAT also!), and a list of vendors they work with so it was a no brainer for us to work with them! We worked with Ryan after we booked the day, and let me tell you, he is AMAZING! He made the process so easy for my husband and me and made us laugh every time we met with him. He is truly a good person through and through, and having someone like him help us made the process leading up to the big day so wonderful. On the day of our wedding, Ryan was our emcee, and we had two day-of coordinators. The two coordinators worked SO hard to make sure the timeline of events was followed, that everyone was where they needed to be at certain times, and made us feel so at ease with their efficiency. I wish I could remember their names, but they were impeccable. We felt so taken care of, and everything ran so smoothly; I had no worries the whole time I was at Padua that night! I could write on and on about how fantastic the staff was at Padua (this review would be a novel), but overall, we were so happy with our choice to trust them with the biggest day of our lives. Our guests had a fabulous time; we were so happy, and we would recommend Padua to any couple looking to have a beautiful day! We are so grateful to them and have nothing but good things to say about everyone we encountered at Padua. Truly worth the investment, trust me. read more

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Brittany and Cadence were Amazing they did anything and everything for our sons wedding they went above and beyond customer service these two gals worked there tails off they helped us out immensely we had a Great Wedding and these two gals rock one of the best wedding venues I have ever been too !! read more

Padua Weddings - Beautiful landscape - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Claremont, California

From the day I went to tour the venue, to the day of our wedding, everything went perfect! Not only is this a gorgeous venue but the staff is just as amazing. The food was so good as well! My guests all loved it. My day of coordinator helped us so much. She made sure my husband and i were taken care of at all times. I highly recommend this venue. I don't have the pictures back from the photographer yet but will post once I do. read more

This wedding venue is a dream! We looked at multiple locations to have our wedding, but nothing truly captured our attention like Padua Hills Theatre. Beautiful inside and out this venue is a dream. The whole team at Padua is truly with you from the start of your planning process to your final dance with any questions you have and to lend a helping hand. You truly do have a day-of coordinator with Padua (something I was worried about). They made sure I had everything day-of and walked me thru my rehearsal the day before. Mixed with Entertainment Express my wedding timeline was planned perfectly from the minute I arrived to the final song and they always made sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. I've received compliments about the food from every person in attendance (120 people!) with their only complaint being they wished they brought a to-go box with them because the serving sizes were huge and the steak was amazing. Even my vegan friends were raving about their pasta! If I could eat Padua food on my anniversary every year I would! I honestly already miss it. A huge thank you to the whole team Padua team (and a special shout out to Ryan!). Our wedding was a dream and we wouldn't have wanted it anywhere else. read more

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This indoor/ outdoor venue is surrounded by rolling hills. The outdoor has a Spanish look and the indoor has a traditional look. Lighting is essential for this venue and the sprawling trees are a keystone here. The timing of the ceremony and portraits is really important to keep the lighting even for photos. read more

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Amazing people for management to staff! Our experience was top of the line, and the scenery is so beautiful. You don't realize you're near the city. read more

We are so happy we chose Padua Hills Theater as our wedding venue. The moment we stepped foot on the property, we loved it! We made an appointment to view the property and ended up spending almost 2 hours talking about all the options. Every meeting we had with the staff, was always pleasant and well spent. Ryan was attentive and made us feel like we were his top priority. He responded right away to any questions we had and made all the changes needed for any of our requests. He guided us throughout the whole process which made it stress free. When the Big Day came, April 21 2023, it was perfect and we could not have been more happy with Padua Hills. The food portions were huge and tasted amazing. The venue is gorgeous! Our wedding night was definitely one to remember. To this day, our friends and family still talk about how beautiful our wedding day was. read more

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Choosing Padua Hills Theatre for our wedding venue was the best decision we could have made. Our entire experience was wonderful from the first meeting to our wedding day. The staff was friendly and helpful, Ryan assisted us through the planning and answered my many questions, he was absolutely amazing! The day of went so smooth, they made sure everything was taken care. Our guests loved it as much as we did! Hands down the best food, location, trees, spectacular view! Highly recommend! read more

Padua Weddings - Reception - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Claremont, California

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It's has taken me some time to write this review, because frankly, your wedding day is supposed to be the "happiest day of your life." And honestly thank God for my florist and entertainment express that saved the freaking day!!! Padua although beautiful, the professionalism is lacking! I had my wedding in April of 2022. I lived through the nightmare called Covid and was a Covid bride that had to postpone as Padua was not willing to refund my deposit. First, we met with Rick, he sold us the dream, (which isn't cheap BTW.$30k+) signed with Jennifer, and NEVER saw them again. Padua lacked communication entirely. The only time they would communicate is if I was the one be reaching out. Ryan and Cheryl I'm not sure if they communicated, but they weren't on the same page. This creating a nightmare of anxiety that no bride wants to deal with when they are paying so much money. Literally had to send my invites out WITHOUT knowing what I was serving my guest. When I brought this to Sheryl's attention she says" well at least you got them out". The tasting was 2 months before my actual wedding. And there were several couples there having a tasting, and specifically one couple that had their wedding just two weeks out! I was treated as I was a problem, but for such an exorbitant amount of money, I expect premium customer service. I was hoping that the day of my actual wedding things would be smooth. WRONG! Sheryl had another wedding being set up during my reception and kept insisting that I allow them to relocate the outside bar. She literally had to ask me again as I was out to my reception. Then we were promised a take home meal for the bride and groom, not only was our wedding food thrown out, but they never gave us a take home meal. Offered to explanation as to why we were not given this "customary service." No apologies were given, they don't communicate with each other in the office, and lack customer service. No bride or groom should ever feel like "you're a problem." Stay away and find a place that values you and your hard earned money. At the very least a place that recognizes they screwed up and want to make it up to you. read more

After 10 years I'm finally writing a review! First, my husband and I had our reception here. The location is amazing. We wanted a location that could give all our friends and family a good time, not just us. This was the case here. Cost, it's a bit on the pricey side. They have their packages set out and you pick one and pick the food and they take care of it. They also do the cakes there so you don't worry about someone spilling the cake on their way there. They have their favorite vendors and we were strongly encouraged to use them. At that time it was Carol's secret garden for floral (AMAZING, Amazing Amazing!) the Dj was great. Easy to work with and we were very specific with our music (what to play and what not to play) we gave him a specific list of songs in each genre that we were ok with him Playing, and he did great sticking to it. The tables and chairs all arraigned as we picked. Lighting was great and sound was great. We had a beautiful reception here and till this day, we get compliments on how fun and beautiful our wedding was. The only reason I can't give 5 stars is because there was a woman there that gave us a tour, sat with us for pricing and was probably one of the owners, that was not very nice. She would make some sarcastic / rude comments and acted like we wouldn't be able to afford our reception their. Felt like she looked down on us a bit. ... But we decide to not pay attention to her ignorance and move forward and enjoy our beautiful day. We did just that, and I would probably have another party there. I would recommend it to my friends and just give them a little warning to, ignore the lady that seems to hate making other's day a happy day. read more

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Absolutely stellar wedding venue that has a great layout for both guests and wedding party, an excellent network of vendors (some required by the venue and some recommended), and experienced wedding staff that can execute the vision for your wedding. First off, our guests made comments like "Hands down the best wedding we've ever been to". The Ceremony area, to our cocktail hour, to the grand dining area, and finally to the bubbling (literally), laser, spotlightted, custom lit dance floor, guests had an amazing time throughout. Our planning was smooth, with experienced operators like Tammy and Ryan to get the logistics of all of the main ceremony, cocktail hour, and dining/seating/menu down. Required vendor Entertainment Express will MC and DJ your wedding; they are awesome, with the venue having impressive sound and mic capabilities, as well as custom lighting and monogramming. We went mainly with recommended florists and desserts, and they delivered flawlessly, as they have intimate experience working with Padua. The actual wedding day was executed by the staff wonderfully. Everything about the ceremony area was set up according to plan, allowing the bride and groom to be the main focus. The microphone and sound system made the process seamless, with no hiccups. We did an open bar, and friends told me the drinks were awesome and smooth to obtain. If you want to do alcohol, you must go through Padua packages, so you can't save money DIY. Ultimately, I personally love the services from Padua; they really provide excellent service. They are seasoned operators. Finally, the food. I can't emphasize how good the food was. They really know how to deliver at scale, and really seem to be foodies. The Sea Bass is one of my all time favorite meals now. The 24-oz bone in ribeye was a massive hit with guests and me! I think most of the medium ribeyes were perfection. My brother did mention that his steak was overcooked, though, but he was able to try his wife's steak and said that one was perfect. So, I imagine that most people had excellent steaks, but there might have been a few steaks that weren't quite perfect. In hindsight, perhaps I would have chosen a smaller beef to have more consistent food delivery, but I still received comments from guests saying it was the best steak they've ever had. The dance floor was banging, the dj and mc were awesome. My bride and I stayed on the dance floor the whole night, and guests had a great time. Our MC Evan was awesome and we loved working with him! We met him early on in the planning stages and loved his personality, so we were sure to personally request him to be our MC. I think we did have a slight mishap where we tried to add Glowsticks as part of our package, and it didn't get on to our timeline, so we had to ask him on the day of the wedding, and he was able to find some glowsticks to distribute to guests. I'm not really sure if we were charged for it or not ever, but make sure to talk to your vendors when you think something might be slightly off plan. Ultimately, though, Evan was an integral and awesome part of the wedding, and he guided us, the wedding party, and the guests through an amazing night. He also designed a custom etching that was a cute bear that was light displayed on to the backwall for everyone to see. We absolutely loved the custom design, and it really was a unique touch to the wedding and our vibes. Working with Entertainment Express was awesome! My overall conclusion is that Padua Hills is a well oiled machine with experienced operators. My wife and I were able to use the canvas of the venue to create a beautiful day, and Padua was perfect. When we were looking at venues, this was about the 8th one we looked at. I immediately knew this was the one after meeting for a tour with the head owner/chef, and my wife slept on the decision and agreed. We toured the venue around Oct 2022. They were quite booked out, so we couldnt find a Saturday date we wanted in 2023, so we scheduled the day all the way to May 2024, 1.7 years in advance. The owners and staff are real people, as I dont think they are part of a larger corporate structure like other wedding venues are, so all interactions felt personal and real. Padua is a premium venue that can execute your vision seamlessly in all phases. read more

My (now) wife and I just recently had our wedding at Padua Hills and I can't rave enough about the entire experience. The coordination between venue, entertainment, vendors, and us was exceptional. We had several meetings with the venue and their onsite DJ's (Entertainment Express) throughout the nearly year long process and everything was incredibly clear and organized. The amount of detail they plan for blew us away. By the time the wedding day arrived, everything was planned out to the minute. When we first met with the guys at Entertainment Express (who handled a lot of the structure of the day), the first thing they stressed to us is that they wanted us to be able to have fun that day. They didn't want us to have to worry about anything or answer any questions. While that seemed like a lofty goal, we honestly had to do almost nothing on that day. We showed up, had three different wedding coordinators on site to assist, and just followed directions. Further, the vendors that they've worked with were equally up to the task. When we first met with the facility, they provided us with a list of numerous vendors they like doing business with, and they were afraid to tell us which ones were more expensive and which ones provided nearly the same quality for less money. All of the choices we went with were from that list and we weren't disappointed with any of them. In fact, we were more satisfied than we imagined we would be. As mentioned, the day of the wedding was handled beautifully by the entire venue. Sean (or Shawn I'm not sure of the spelling) was always nearby helping with any questions and alleviating any concerns. The little details he watched for (telling the guys to make sure their pants were zipped up before the procession) were just small things that helped make us all comfortable. One thing I'll never forget is, when we were about to make our entrance, he pulled my wife an I aside and told us to take a breath when we walked in the room, that everyone there was celebrating us, and to enjoy it. It was a perfect thing to say and a great reminder when, through the course of a crazy day, you can get lost in the worry and not allow yourself to enjoy those things. Also...the food. Oh man the FOOD! The steak we got was enormous (20oz. boneless ribeye) and everyone who got it raved about it. We also got the Red Snapper and at the tasting, I was considering getting that instead of the steak. It was phenomenal too. The choices they provide you with for dinner and appetizers can be a little overwhelming, but you likely can't go wrong. No one had anything bad to say about that. The worst we heard was that the vegetarian option was just so-so. Lastly, I do appreciate that we never ONCE felt pressured to buy more things. Quite the opposite in fact. When discussing bar service, they suggested the cheaper option(s) because they didn't want us to pay money for something that wouldn't get used. In fact, even though they can provide things like "fancier" glasses or plates, they didn't even offer them to us until we asked about other options. They answered all of our questions and always seemed to watch out for us doing things that felt "unnecessary". Thank you to all of those people at Padua who helped make this day one we'll never forget. read more

Choosing Padua Hills for our wedding venue was hands down the best decision we ever made. Padua Hills is the whole package- incredible staff, beautiful location (with indoor and outdoor views to die for), and a comprehensive wedding package (including what many of our guests described as the "best dinner they've ever had"). I had a vision for my dream wedding and Padua made that vision come true. I am so thankful to the Padua team and will always remember my wedding day and the magic at this location. read more

Padua Weddings - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Claremont, California

We will be forever be grateful to the entire team at Padua for all their love, thoughtfulness and support in making our wedding a true celebration of who we are and creating the quintessential ambiance for our union. They really sought to understand our traditions and made the accommodations to reflect the needs of our Armenian cultural rituals. During the entire process they listened attentively to what was important to us as a couple and did everything to be true to us. From the initial meeting, to the tasting, entertainment express, and rehearsal every team member treated us with great love and understanding. The people, the food, the music, the environment were ethereal. Ever time our friends and family sees us, they can't help but mention a what a magical day it was. Thank you PHT!!! We love you!!! read more

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This is a long review, but well worth it! I grew up local to Padua Hills Theatre, and always dreamed of having my wedding here someday. I never thought that dream would become a reality! We were not going to go on a tour because I thought it would be out of our price range, but Richard gave me a call and worked with us to make it happen. My husband and I toured several venues, but none of them felt like "this was it." Pretty quickly into our wedding tour with Jasmine, my husband leaned over to me and whispered, "We have to find a way to make this happen!". My heart was so happy! We immediately booked with Jasmine, who was AMAZING to work with! She responded to my 100s of emails over the course of 11 months of wedding planning with promptness and kindness. She went above and beyond. Jasmine, thank you for making Nick, Conor and I feel so welcome from the moment we met you! As our planning progressed, everyone kept telling me how they couldn't believe I didn't have a wedding coordinator, which started to stress me out, but in the end, I didn't need one! Their team is amazing! Tammy was such a pleasure to work with. She took my vision and brought it to life. We received so many compliments on how beautiful the wedding was, that it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever been too. Watching our wedding video allowed me to truly appreciate the small details that Tammy and the staff did. Tammy checked on me multiple times while getting ready, and told me to take deep breaths and to stay calm. Tammy, thank you, you are amazing at what you do! Everything truly ran so smoothly. I don't think we had the typical "something wrong always happens at a wedding" moment, and if we did, our day of coordinator (I can't remember her name :( ) made sure we didn't know about it. She made sure my husband and I always had a drink in hand, she served us our food and even helped bustle my dress. She also made sure we had champagne and fruit in our bridal suite while we were all getting ready. We had our ceremony in the garden and it was magical! We got married at the end of November, so the sunset around 4:45. You were able to see the lights in the trees and the candles in our cylinders. Our photos on the terrace were beautiful with the sunset behind us. All of our photos came out amazing. The venue has so many beautiful spots. They are all so unique but made for great photos! The food, oh my goodness, blew all of our guests out of the water. Everyone kept saying "This isn't your typical wedding food!". They even packed us up a to-go box for us to enjoy the following day! Entertainment Express was amazing! Brett was such a pleasure to work with. He answered all my emails promptly and gave us great advice on how to have more dance time. He MCed our ceremony and reception and did an outstanding job, Everyone told me the music was great and that they wished they had more time to dance. The only thing I wish we would have done was to extend our time. The evening goes by so quickly, that by the time we made our rounds and did all our photos, it was the last song of the night. I've watched our wedding video and have looked at our gallery multiple times, which brings a wave of emotions. I truly get to relive the most perfect and beautiful day. Padua Hills Staff, thank you guys for making our wedding day one of the most beautiful, romantic, magical, and special days of our lives. read more

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As a very type A bride, I can tell you with complete confidence that the team that works at Padua Hills will make your day MAGICAL! The pandemic brought in so many stressed around planning and vendors, but Padua supported me the entire time. They allowed me to reschedule with no additional charge, they answered all of my detailed questions, and on the day of, they literally felt like family. The food is amazing, the drinks were amazing, and the venue is STUNNING! You need to have your special day here! read more

Padua Weddings - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Claremont, California

We were scheduled to have our wedding April 25th of 2020 but of course life threw us all a curve ball!Padua worked with us the last two years changing the date twice! We finally were married April 25th 2022! Padua went above and beyond to make everything extra special along with Entertainment Express,no detail was left unchecked and every moment was magical!The whole night was worth the wait!I can't imagine our day being any more perfect. Thank you! The Cartagena's read more

Padua Weddings - Padua theater out door area,under the olive trees. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Claremont, California

Attended a friend's wedding here, and everything was absolutely gorgeous. Her theme was a Cinderella fairytale, and this venue worked perfectly. Ceremony was held outside. They have beautiful trees everywhere which were lit up with tiny lights. Super romantic. Cocktail hour was held in the indoors area which separated the ceremony area from the ballroom. She had around 150 guests and mingling with everyone was fun. The ballroom was beautiful and comfortable. Chandeliers are very pretty. The DJ was great and the food was good. My friend had a desert bar which was amaaaazing. This place is definitely a bit on the expensive side for being in the Inland Empire, but the result was truly memorable!!! read more

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Thank you Padua for our daughter's beautiful wedding! Everyone at Padua went above and beyond to ensure that the Wedding was hassle free and a success. The Padua Staff on the day of the wedding was exceptional. Our guests loved the Venue and the food!! Most importantly, we are impressed by Padua's professionalism and its attention to detail in every step of the way. read more

Padua is absolutely amazing! I would 100% recommend Padua to anyone booking an event, especially a wedding! We were married in April 2022 and everything from booking to the day of our wedding was perfect. I cannot thank the padua crew enough for going so above and beyond to make our wedding special. Everyone was so amazing! Wedding planning is suppose to be stressful, but Padua made it so easy. Kristina was down to earth and made the booking process easy. She answered a ton of questions throughout our planning, and even got me a sash! Ryan was so helpful and charming. He made sure every request was fulfilled. Richard was always the first to greet us when we were on the premise. Jenn has such excitement, especially when it came time to talk about colors and themes. She helped us figure out our style and how we wanted to celebrate the day which gave us a sense of confidence when making decisions. Sheryl was so wonderful and lighthearted! She went over the entire menu in such detail it was almost impossible to choose what to have for dinner. She knows so much about Padua's history and has seen it all. Hearing her talk about the venue and how they got to where they are today made us feel part of their history too, which was really special. Tammy is the most enthusiastic person. She is such a delight to be around. She helped out so much with the floral design and table layout. She speaks with such and it's like painting a picture of how your day will turn out and I couldn't help but to feel excited after each conversation we had. Overall, I could not have imaged our day going any better. My guests are still raving about the venue/food/drinks/flowers/music/staff. I feel blessed to have had such a wonderful group of people to guide me through this process. Our day was beyond perfect and our dreams came true! I wanted to get divorced just to relive it all over again, but my husband said no :( read more

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Let's begin with how gorgeous and private this venue is. Tucked away at the foot of the mountainside in Claremont, it feels like a hidden gem amidst nature. As a photographer, it provided plenty of various backdrops with its stunning interior, exterior, and the olive tree garden. As the sun sets softly behind the mountains, a warm iridescent glow lights up the space in hues of orange and pink. Definitely a favorite without traveling too far for an LA, IE, or OC local. read more

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We started our wedding journey a year prior to our big day. I spent hours on the internet searching for a place to hold our long awaited day that would be the end all-be all of venues. I saw a few venues which left me feeling very blase and uninterested. It had become a silent criteria that this venue needed to have high ceilings in its reception hall. Otherwise, I didn't even consider it. I saw some photos online of Padua Hills Theater and thought what a beautiful place this was. I was apprehensive, however, because it seemed like the experience would mirror that of an e-date -- only the absolute best photos are chosen/ edited for viewing then when you see it in real time, you're left wondering WTF. Anyway, the fiance and I made our appointment. Drove into the parking lot after a peaceful, easy trek up Padua Ave, and thought oh cool, lots of parking. We walked up the steps turned our heads right and were wow'd by the gazebo area, canopy'd by lush trees and string lights. Next, we went to the courtyard which had the most fantastic view of the mountains. This would have been an awesome alternate spot for the reception if not the gazebo area. I was in complete awe of how gorgeous everything was. Finally, we were given the lightshow into the reception hall, which, off the record, is when I truly fell in love with this venue. Words and photos cannot even capture its beauty. Wow isn't even the word.... We sat down with the ladies who semantics, numbers, all the not fun stuff, and quite honestly it was well out of our budget, but I didn't care, I nudged my now husband and said this is it. Lovingly, he always agrees to whatever makes me happy. Throughout the next year, and moreso in the month leading up to the big day, I was in heavy communication with the girls here. Let me tell you they are all fabulous. I love their laid back demeanor (which the more conservative people may find too aloof?), but they joked with us, worked with us in any way possible, and made all the planning as light hearted as possible. Melisa, Jen, gosh, I couldn't have planned as well as I did without their support. On the day of, Kristina, she was amazing. Everytime I had was stuck in a conundrum, she took care of it. She tended to my every need, on a whim, without batting an eye. She was so sweet and I am eternally grateful to her for keeping me sane. Most of my guests expressed it was the best wedding they had been to, that everything flowed so easily and well. I have my whole crew of vendors to thank for that. Oh and by the way, the food? freaking spectacular. We a ribeye carving station, macadamia crusted chicken, salads, veggies, a ton of sides, dessert buffet, appetizers -- the food was out of this world. Hands down the best wedding food ever, and I didn't really get to eat much, but that's what everyone kept telling me. My experience with Padua Hills/Chantrelles/ My lovely homegirls in the office was beyond my expectations. I am truly and utterly floored by how it all went. And for those wondering about numbers... we had a 155 guest count, and billed in the 27K range or so. -Photos to follow- read more

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Stunning venue at the base of mount baldy! I came for a family wedding one Friday night in the summer and the weather was just perfect for an outdoor wedding. The ceremony space was open overlooking the Claremont valley and town, dinner was outside in a gorgeous courtyard with twinkling trees and the real party kicked off in the ballroom inside! What a great variety and all just breathtaking. I'm not sure if the foot was provided by an outside caterer but the beef option was absolutely decadent and massive! The property has a historic feel with Spanish mission influence and the many trees with solar lights strung around the property really add a dreamy swoon-worthy element! My one bit of feedback includes having a single bar to serve all those people. It may have gone quicker with just beer and wine but one bar for a wedding with two ladies just hustling their tails off seemed almost cruel. All in all, this is a stunning venue with the perfect balance of history, charm and whimsy in the inland empire and I'd highly recommend it! read more

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I am a wedding photographer and I cannot recommend this venue enough! I love the lighting.. the beautiful vignettes and corners that are perfect for shooting... THE VIEW! Wow this place is stunning. If I ever get married again.. I would want to be married here! This place is stunning. The staff is warm and friendly.. just adore everyone here! read more

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Three words to sum it all up... Mind-blowing, Magical & Unreal!!!! Where do I even begin...... I'm literally sad the day is over & my face hurts from smiling at all the pictures from that evening and the memories just overwhelm me with joy. Staff: Everyone on your team is awesome!! Big shout out to Kristina, Tammy, Faith & Ryan (Bartender) they were all so gracious and went above and beyond to make sure our event was amazing! Every planning meeting we attended the staff was super detail oriented and accommodating to make sure all the small things were taken care of. Food: OMG!!! The guest were all raving about the food! It's excellent, the flavor was delicious and the portions were huge. Guest were sending me pictures of their leftover steaks the next day LOL!! They have so many options and everything tasted wonderful it was hard to choose. Grounds: The ceremony site is absolutely stunning & the terrace had breathtaking views where we hosted our cocktail hour. Then when they opened the grand ballroom with all the lighting and flowers it was absolutely gorgeous. Then at night the entire facility is open for guest to enjoy. Everything is lit in twinkling lights and the outdoor fireplace was a hit! It has almost been a week since our event and guest are still texting us saying how gorgeous everything was. I can't wait to have another event at Padua... it was worth every single dime!! I would give you guys 10 Stars if I could. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! read more

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Such a beautiful venue with the absolute ugliest care for their guests and brides. My good friend got married here in Oct and the entire wedding was crammed into a corner one hour before the set time due to a live beehive that the owners were aware of for weeks before the event. During the ceremony I was stung in the cheek and was swollen and in pain. The owners couldn't be bothered and didn't care at all. I had to leave the wedding early to get home as my face had become so swollen and uncomfortable. Sadly I wasn't the only guest to be stung and the owners had zero empathy. Don't waste your money and keep your guests and your wedding vision safe because this place clearly only cares about money read more

Was part of wedding party at this venue and I was really impressed. The location is beautifully located in the hills of Claremont. The food was delicious and everything was scheduled accordingly. read more

Padua Weddings - Picture of outdoor area - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Claremont, California

My husband and I are still on a natural high 24 hours after our wedding at Padua Hills Theatre. We fell in love with this venue for its breathtaking scenery, lush landscape complete with a canopy of trees, a charming reception area, AMAZING FOOD (our guests could not stop raving about the delicious and hearty salmon and chicken dishes), and ease of access to the best entertainment company: Entertainment Express (check them out too!). The staff at Padua was consistent, professional and went above and beyond on our wedding day to ensure our every desire was met. If you are looking for a venue that will keep your guests raving for days, Padua is your place. read more

Padua Weddings - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Claremont, California