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Wayfarers Chapel
Rating Details »
Categories: Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Churches
5755 Palos Verdes Dr SRancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 377-1650
34 reviews for Wayfarers Chapel
I have now attended two weddings at Wayfarer's Chapel and feel I can give a just and honest review...even if I have not personally been involved in planning / paying for a wedding that's taken place here. This review is only coming from someone who has attended two ceremonies here.
The location is amazing! Nestled on a hill overlooking the pacific ocean, perfect for anyone who is looking for an ocean themed wedding without the sand and surf. The grounds surrounding the chapel are nicely lanscaped and features a really cool water fountain that is lit up at night.
The chapel itself is quite small (max comp. only holds about 100 people). Built by Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, the architecture is really remarkable. I only have one problem...being how this structure is made of glass and is surrounded by pine trees and other trees, the glass roof collects all of the loose leafs and pine needles. Both weddings I have attended had huge collections of these droppings. I would think for the money you pay (which I hear is really expensive) to have your wedding here, the least the grounds crew could do once a week would be to get all of these needles and leaves down off the roof!
As I mentioned, I have attended two weddings here. One was a mid-day ceremony and the other was a sunset ceremony. The ceremony at sunset was beautiful! So if you are considering getting hitched here, consider the sunset wedding because the sunlight coming through the glass makes the natural lighting very cool. Plus you can take pictures with your bridal party in front of the already set skies overlooking the ocean out to Catalina.
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I am not much of a church person, but I went here for my sister's wedding. It is in a nice area in Palos Verdes, but a pain to get there. The roads are quite bumpy on the way there, but it is nice and scenic near the ocean. If you watched Innerspace, I think wedding scene is filmed there. It looks so familar, but since it was filmed 20 years ago the background changed, there are many houses.
Anyways the chapel is small and is made out of glass, so it gives you the feel of you are outside in a way. Anyways the wedding went by really quickly and the pastor did not go on rambling on and on like some weddings, unless I got older or something. Anyways a great place to take a ton of pictures in the nice ocean breeze. I went inside the gift shop and they sell postcards and bibles and more religious stuff.
We had our wedding at Wayfarer's Chapel May 2009. It was absolutely wonderful. The chapel is beautiful, the architecture is outstanding, the location is gorgeous and the grounds are very well kept. It's a tasteful and dignified venue for a small wedding, elegant and very attractive.
The staff were wonderful, lovely warm people and very helpful. The organization was great and everything ran very smoothly, and we felt very comfortable and reassured throughout that everything was under control. Every detail was taken care of in advance.
The price was also very reasonable.
The service was beautiful and the chapel minister was excellent.
All around, couldn't have been better, and this chapel will always have a special place in our hearts.
I'm Jewish & I love this place!!! Built by Frank Lloyd Wright's son in his father's style, it is one of the most beautiful structures for worship, built on one of the most pitturesque locales imaginable. This could easily be one of the top 100 most adorable houses of worship on the planet. I'm not exaggerating. And it's all done so efficiently on a relatively small plot. Still, it doesn't feel claustrophobic. It's lovely & peaceful. Whenever I have friends visiting from out of town, I love to take them here.
minus one star because i dislike weddings & the drive was bumpy & long & my straightened hair was not as straight as i'd have liked due to the extreme wind when we came this past sat for my bf's friends wedding
ok, im giving you back the star.
my wedding grumpiness shouldnt reflect on wright architecture..
perfect venue for those non religious folks, but if youre related to roger mahoney & gettin married soon, he'll approve; this chapel has enough of that "non denominational religiosity" that it'll please everyone & offend no one..
clean fresh pristine phenomenal views romantic serene and just perfect for wedding grumps like me & my bf..
according to gps, its 4 miles from the main road to the chapel's parking lot but it'll seem longer than that so be patient.
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Talk about a breathtaking view! Wowwwwwww! This cute little glass chapel is nestled high on green hills of R.P.V. But the view is anything but little! Miles and miles of beautiful blue ocean, high cliffs, beautiful homes, spectacular horizon, and if you are lucky, the extraordinary sunset!
Weddings take place here practically every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. No worries...you can still come and enjoy the splendor of it all...just stay out of the wedding party!
This place is truly majestic. I love to come here to reflect. I come here to cry. I come here for spirituality. I come here to laugh. Finally, I come here to show my appreciation and wonderment for each extra day we have on this Earth.
What are you waiting for? Come and sit on the little bench in front of this unbelievable view and see for yourself. You'll be glad you did!
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He who lives in glass houses, should not cast stones. He who visits the Wayfarers Chapel, should not cast stones either, especially if he is inside the all glass chapel.
This all glass, nature inspired chapel was designed by architect, Lloyd Wright, son of master architect, Frank Lloyd Wright -- the master who revolutionized architecture in the early-1900's. The Wayfarers Chapel is a sanctuary, perched on a hill top, over-looking the ocean and beautiful grounds. To venture to the Wayfarers Chapel is to be inspired, find serenity in nature, or peace in the ocean view. It's awe-inspiring. I often visit with my sweetie. We make it a point to visit the grounds and find a bench that overlooks the ocean. We practice the art of sitting and taking in the view. It's very zen, peaceful and relaxing. The Wayfarers Chapel grounds is one of those secret spots where you can take the time to meditate, pray, or just be in the solitude of nature.
Numerous weddings take place inside the chapel on the weekends here, so I would avoid it on a Saturday or Sunday. It's best to visit this place Monday through Friday (day). You can still walk the grounds during the weddings, but the number of people that frequent make it uninviting.
Tip: Plan a light lunch, bring a good book or coffee and practice the art of sitting in any of the nice benches. You'll find some serenity here. And it's free. Parking is also free.
"Serenity Now" my fellow yelpers.
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Yes. It is BEAUTIFUL. This chapel is considered as an architectural landmark, built by Llyod Wright, son of famous american architect Frank Lloyd Wright. A popular wedding site and refer to as one of the prettiest chapels in Southern California. The surroundings are also beautiful and perfect for picture taking.
As a wedding photographer, I've noticed things that are not noticeable by visitors or guests at the wedding. Here are the few things: 1. They are really strict on TIME. You and your guests have to MOVE OUT of the chapel quickly when the contract time is over. Since it's a popular wedding site, FOUR weddings on ONE saturday seems usual and normal. You might catch a glimpse of brides and grooms before and after your own wedding. You also have chance to view who showed up to the wedding before and after yours. 2. You CAN'T invite your own church's pastor or your favorite minister or priest who personally knows you. In order to tie the knot at the Wayfarer's Chapel, you have NO choice but to have Wayfarer's own minister. 3. It's not cheap. If you have the budget then no problem. 4. Less than 80 guests are ideal for a wedding at the Wayfarer. (I would say, maximum of 100. If more, than others just have to stand outside and watch the wedding from the lawn area.) 5. NO reception banquets or restaurants near the chapel. You only have few places nearby. PV Country Club or White Lotus Chinese restaurant are the closest. If you don't mind asking guests to drive several miles from the chapel to the reception than I guess it's OK.. Well, this is my take on Wayfarers Chapel. I also posted some wedding pictures I took at this chapel. I hope you find my review useful.
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We got married here on Sept. 7th, 2007 during a candle light service that looked absolutely spectacular. Yeah, it's expensive. But, we've got the most gorgeous photos of our wedding that will last a lifetime. The staff was great, the music was wonderful, and everyone who attended couldn't stop talking about how beautiful it was. (click on the photos above and see one of our B&W pictures)
If you are thinking about having your wedding here, stop it. Just do it. You won't regret a single dollar you spent to have it here.
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Wayfarers has some decidedly mixed memories for me. My parents were married here in October of 1982, and the first glimpses I had of Wayfarers were in photo albums of two smiling people, looking perhaps a bit forced and over formal, but still filled with an eager anticipation of the future. My mom in the starched whites of her dress, her curly eighties hair framing her face; my dad looking eager and nervous, as if suddenly the ceremony--and perhaps the tux--was just too big for him.
It's a bit odd to look back at those photos after my parents' divorce over fifteen years ago, but Wayfarers still has a special place for me personally. As a kid, I'd travel up there and wander about in the woods, stop in the odd solemnity of the glass chapel, and just reflect on the awkward beauty and fragility of the entire scene.
The place took another slightly odd feel to it, when my first college crush got married there to an absolutely amazing guy a few years back. I had strange intersecting memories--childhood summers in the woods, times spent with this girl, and the ghostly memories of Mom and Dad in their own formal ritual, enacted before I was born.
The Swedenborgian Church is a strange crisscross of geometric shapes set into the rocks of the area, and it is beautifully out of the way spot, overlooking the sea. The chapel itself is rather small, so keep that in mind if you are planning a wedding, and keep in mind that it is a rather popular matrimony spot, so you won't have oodles of time there to get married, either.
All in all, a haunting, different spot when you're in the South Bay.
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I remember coming here as a kid in the early 80's with my parents. We would walk around and enjoy the view and take pictures. I recently drove up here with my girlfriend and she loved the breathtaking view ..One of the reasons I liked this place was after we left we would go to Marineland which was below the chapel .It was a cool place to see the killer whales,dolphins, and all kinds of sea life.....
So if you ever get a chance check out this place... the view cannot be beat
Really pretty site if you dig architecture or landscaping.
This is a very popular wedding venue, and if you come during a wedding you may have to kill some time in the visitor's center before being allowed in the chapel.
The lady at the visitor's center suggested that if you just drop by, try to do so at an odd hour--11am, 1pm, 3pm--as the chapel should be open. (Weddings are scheduled on even hours, with up to an hour of photographs.)
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we got married here last month and it was so-o worth it. it was worth it not just for the beautiful pictures, breathtaking view (which we didn't have because it was super foggy on our wedding day), but it was also cheaper for us to get married here than, say, our reception site (la venta inn) where we would have had to pay a separate "ceremony fee" and tons of money for flowers.
otherwise, the wedding coordinator we had was pretty much useless. there was a loud harley outside while we were exchanging the vows and she was no where close by or simply didn't bother closing the door. moreover, my chapel length veil got caught on something as i was about to make the bridal procession (with no one, other than my dad, by my side while everyone rose to see my entrance) and the coordinator only came to help when she realized i couldn't move forward without my veil coming off.
so, if you're getting married here, make sure you have someone (other than bridesmaids and family members) by the door (and outside with you) to come to your rescue in case anything goes wrong or to at least straighten out your dress before your procession begins.
lastly, even though the chapel requires you to use their minister, seriously consider bringing another person to co-officiate your wedding if you want a personal touch, faith-based wedding, or what not. the chapel minister (who does not attend the rehearsal) reads off a boiler plate wordings that is read five times a day on weekends. i think the best decision we made as far as the wedding ceremony is concerned was inviting another minister to co-officiate, giving us a meaningful message and a sincere blessing.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/18/2008
i hate weddings and i hate planning.
figures why i'm still single ... but not for too long. i'm… Read more »
Sometimes, we need a little God in our lives. Sometimes, we just need a moment of respite and an ocean view. Sometimes, after surfing, we needed to ride our skateboards down from the Wayfarer Chapel parking lot onto PV Drive South. It would surprise the hell (oops) out of the northbound drivers as they rounded the curve to be ambushed by howling skaters. But they put the brakes on that. Something about lawsuits. I wondered if I broke my leg in the church's parking lot, wouldn't that be an "act of God"? Why would I sue for that? But they didn't see it that way. Ah well. At least they didn't burn me at the stake as a witch with a surfboard instead of a broom.
Set in a park-like piece of paradise and surrounded by large pine, native shrubs and flowers, you can walk the PV-stone path to the entrance of the church and behold God's handiwork in the hands of architect Lloyd Wright. Above the glass-enclosed altar is the spectacular Toyon tree framing the whole scene, itself framed in the large circular chapel window which could represent a halo for the minister. Hell, I dunno. It's a big halo, though. It'll fit a mighty big head.
There's been earthquake damage so you can't dance your "I found God!" euphoria away playing on the low boundary walls anymore. That's another lawsuit, no doubt.
It's an incredibly beautiful location for a marriage ceremony but, be warned, that probably won't be a factor in any future (and probable) divorce proceeding. You won't be able to say "But judge, the chapel was so fuckin' awesome!" He will not be swayed by your emotional outburst.
However, you are free to make use of the benches and the views to picnic and inhale the fresh ocean breeze carrying with it traces of eucalyptus, rose, sage, pine and native shrubs You just can't skateboard or dance on the walls.,,legally, that is.
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One can only echo the enthusiastic reviews of this favorite place for a wedding.
But it was not built to be a wedding chapel in the style of Los Vegas West.
It can be useful to keep in mind the religious nature of the building and the beliefs of the Swedenborgians who built it.
Without getting too heavy here, the belief system is not exactly Christian, but a mixture of the Scandinavian Gods of the Woods with Christianity. Sort of the God is Nature kind of thing.
The blending in with nature, being in the midst of natural beauty, is not just good site selection but a fundamental part of the religion.
Not a major religion -- this is one of five Swedenborgian churches in the USA.
You do not have to be a Swedenborgian to appreciate and enjoy this chapel (or to get married in it), but it does help to understand it if you also know the religious background of the structure.
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Nice place. My uncle lives out in Palos Verdes, and I pass by that place all the time. The greatest part about the chapel is the view- nice visas of Catalina Island, the Channel Islands and passing ships. Nice place.
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Need a romantic moment with your SO? Definitely stop by here.
Universally known as the "glass church," many people frequent this chapel to admire its architectural beauty, to stroll through the breezy, bloomy garden and to gasp at the grand view of the Pacific Ocean... Not surprisingly, it has been used for movies like "Innerspace" and tv shows like "The O.C."
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One of the most beautiful place in the area!! Maybe it was because of the occasion (wedding, of course), or maybe simply because the place is located at a magnificent place! Ah, I think the glass chapel would have something to do with it. Yes.
Wedding or not, it is a great place to be. Indulge yourself in this picture perfect place called, Wayfarers Chapel.
Even if you're not religious, it's worth visiting the Glass Chapel! Didya know that Elizabeth Taylor was married there? OR that the OC tv show was filmed there too!
It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's son, Lloyd Wright. To keep it in the family, FLW's grandson, Eric Lloyd Wright designed the Visitor's Center in a similar style! It's a beautiful and elegant blend of architecture within nature.
It's worth a stopover if you're driving along the Palos Verdes coast or just visited The Korean Friendship Bell!
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I first spotted this chapel overlooking the Pacific when I was in high school and out on a drive with some friends. We stopped in to check it out and were amazed by the beauty of the grounds and the view of the ocean/Catalina. I vowed that I would get married in the glass chapel overlooking the sea.
Cue to 2003 and my husband and I were married at Wayfarer's in mid-December. The chapel was all decked out with poinsettias and other holiday-themed foliage (but not too Christmas-y). Our photographer got some amazing pictures that we will treasure forever.
The minister was very accommodating and a really nice guy. The price was just right for the service and well worth the cost. All the guests were wowed by the beauty of the location. I have nothing but good things to say about Wayfarers. I love that it's non-denominational b/c we don't belong to any churches and weren't made to feel as if we should commit to a religion or anything like that.
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Such a beautiful church, seriously gorgeous.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that it's situated on a hill right by the cliffs and the ocean. Especially gorgeous around sunset time. The inside of the church itself is pretty small, but this is a popular well-known site. I think it became more widely known after all the weddings they filmed here for the OC ;)
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This unique chapel is a sweet little stop when touring around the palatial mansions of the Palos Verdes Penisula. There's a visitor's center, the chapel and small gardens. The chapel is quite cozy but considering it's made of glass and surrounded by trees it definitely fits the location. You feel like you're in a forest but still protected from nature. There's a bench in the garden that has a view of the ocean - a nice spot to catch your breathe, although the noise from the road below kind of spoils the serenity. The visitor's center has all the requisite Frank Lloyd Wright stuff to buy (although his son designed the chapel), as well as information about the woman that commissioned the chapel to be built. She was a member of the Swedenborgian Church and apparently Lloyd Wright was into it too.
If I ever get married, this would my top choice for locale. A visit will take about 20 minutes. I'm sure weekends are busy with weddings, so try stopping by during the week for uninhibited gawking.
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This place is absolutely AMAZING. Beautiful chapel nestled within an outdoor sanctuary. A must see.
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I am planning on having my wedding here this summer. When I went to take a look at the place, I was bit disappointed at how small it was (max occupancy is 100), but it's so beautiful and intimate! There is a great view of the ocean from the front of the chapel and a cute little rose garden behind it. I'm sure in the summer it'll be even more beautiful! They are bit pricy @ $2500 for only 2 hrs, but it's a once in a life time thing right? We're planning on having the reception at Palos Verdes Country & Golf afterwards.
The view from this place is gorgeous. I went here for a summer wedding, and we took plenty of pictures with the ocean and greenery as our background.
Downsides - The sun was gleaming down on us during the ceremony, and since the small chapel was completely packed, it felt like a greenhouse. Also, the wedding was an afternoon wedding, so it started getting a little cold outside after the ceremony.
Overall, if you have a small wedding, this place has the best views for pictures. Being away from hustle and bustle, it sits high above and sets the mood for a romantic day.
who doesn't love the glass chapel? the beautiful drive up, the warm sun on your face and the ability to wear sunglasses inside without everyone cracking smart ass jokes.
the first time i came here for an actual service i hadn't been in a church in years... so you can imagine my horror when they had us all stand up, hold hands and sing as we walked out. the people were friendly which made it much easier and the bookstore was pretty cool. i don't know much about swedenborgianism but i got to learn all about it after the service. i'm not one for getting married but if i did make that trip down the aisle, it'd be here or not at all.
100 million stars for aesthetics.
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absolutely beautiful, my friend got married here last year and it is truly stunning...small, but it's nice and intimate.
can't beat the views!
Frank Lloyd Wright is a hard act to follow. His son Lloyd Wright equalled his father with the design of this chapel. It smacks of the Talesin- Organic Architecture theory, but it is a very beautiful church and grounds. I couldn't help notice the 30 and 60 degree angles everywhere I looked and all of the Southern California plants that look like feral houseplants. Half the beauty is the spectacular view from the site of the California coast. I'm not a religious person and have no need of chapels but if I needed one, this would be it. It outranked my other favorite chapel Pretty Place, NC.
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The glass church (all faiths welcome) was designed in 1946 by Lloyd Wright (Frank's son). The ocean views from this elevated location are beautiful, as is the scenic drive along the Palos Verdes coastline to this destination. There are parks around the landscaped grounds. Many celebs have been married here. "Pause for a moment, Wayfarer, on life's journey.........."
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I am not sure what I can add to the reviews of this place aside from photographers may want to take a wide angle lens and its bit of a long drive from Redondo! Its absolutely stunning and definitely worth a look although wedding location hunters beware - it only sits 150! :)
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i love this place. the location is just incredible.. the ocean just a glance away.
when i was in hs lots of kids would roam this place because it was so called haunted. i went once and it was kinda spooky.. but minds can play tricks. off topic.
anyways its a fantastic place to visit for the architecture.
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I can't tell you all the historical background of this place, but I can tell you it's famous and what it looks like. It's a chapel, made out of glass (duh), kind of like a greenhouse, I guess? I love the stonework along the stairs, walk, and planters. Small garden and fountain and a view of the ocean. Great place for weddings, as many celebs have opted for. There was actually a wedding going on the last time I went.
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The building and the grounds are gorgeous! I believe it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.? My friends had their wedding here. Only thing about the place is that it is VERY small so you can't have a huge wedding and they are so booked that you really have to make sure to start and finish on time because another wedding will already be right behind you!
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The view is incredible. Enough said.
