Montalvo Arts Center

About Montalvo Arts Center

Nestled against a wooded slope in the private and secluded Saratoga hills is VILLA MONTALVO at Montalvo Arts Center, a lovely complex with a variety of venues for concerts, weddings, corporate events and private parties. For weddings, the focal point of this estate is its beautiful Mediterranean-style mansion, Villa Montalvo. Built in 1912 as the private summer residence of Senator James Duval Phelan, this National Register Historic Landmark is now home to an arboretum and a nonprofit center for the arts. An inviting one-way road leads up to Villa Montalvo. As you round the last turn, you get your first glimpse of the estate's expansive manicured lawns and colorful gardens, as well as the mansion's terracotta-tile roof, light stucco walls and wide veranda. To your left, you'll also see the Love Temple, one of two ceremony sites on the grounds; it's an open-air, white-columned pavilion set at the end of a wide brick path featuring historic marble statues. Couples get married on its steps, with a view of the surrounding Mediterranean garden and the Villa and woods in the background. Directly behind the Villa, the Oval Garden offers a lush garden setting complete with classical statues and wisteria-covered pergolas. This open-air courtyard is an intimate and delightful place for a ceremony; a brick pathway serves as the center aisle, and a column-supported arcade is the backdrop for taking vows. On June 9th, 2016, we christened a brand new garden, the West Lawn Garden, adjacent to the Oval Garden. It can easily seat over 300 for a wedding ceremony. It has a beautiful lawn, pergola and is surrounded by lush landscaping and 100 year old trees. It's also another area for the cocktail reception following a ceremony in the Oval Garden. The Villa's entire first floor, verandas, courtyards, gardens and outdoor grounds are available for ceremonies and seated dinners for up to 350 guests (more for stand-up receptions or with tenting). After the ceremony, guests can mingle in the Spanish Courtyard, enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and then move onto the Veranda for a majestic seated dinner while enjoying splendid views of the Great Lawn. The ornate fireplaces can be filled with glowing candles in the summer or warm cozy fires in the winter. Wedding ceremonies & receptions can be held indoors during the winter months. We look forward to meeting with you and touring the historic Villa and gardens.