Intimate Wedding at The Adamson House in Malibu California

A Timeless Coastal Wedding at the Historic Adamson House in Malibu

Photographed by Jenny Tenney Photography (now Golden Hour Elopements)

Years ago, I had the honor of photographing a wedding at one of the most breathtaking coastal venues in California: the historic Adamson House in Malibu. At the time, I was working under my original business name, Jenny Tenney Photography, and though this wedding took place back in 2011 when I was only a few years into my photography career, the timeless elegance of the day still resonates so strongly with my current style and vision at Golden Hour Elopements.

This wedding was filled with effortless beauty, meaningful moments, and a setting that simply took my breath away. It’s the kind of event that reminds me exactly why I fell in love with wedding photography in the first place—and it still perfectly represents the elevated, heart-driven celebrations we love to document today. What I would give to photograph at the Adamson House again, with 14 more years of wedding photography experience under my belt. It is one of those places that is just begging for dreamy elopements, and I am here for it! There were so many inspiring artistic and historical details at the Adamson House that make it feel absolutely magical. It’s a place that calls to me, all these years later. It’s no wonder that this wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty, and this stands out in my mind as one of my favorite weddings. Jennifer Naylor Catering did an amazing job with the planning, florals and event design and was wonderful to work with.

Adamson House Wedding in Malibu: The Perfect Coastal Venue

Nestled between the ocean and the mountains, the Adamson House is a hidden gem along the Malibu coastline. This Spanish Colonial Revival estate is known for its incredible tilework, lush gardens, and stunning ocean views. It’s no wonder so many couples dream of an Adamson House wedding—it’s a venue that radiates both character and natural beauty.

The architecture and thoughtful details of the Adamson House make it ideal for couples who value history, charm, and a rich sense of place. Every tile and archway offers a unique photo opportunity, and the view of the Pacific creates a romantic, open-air feel that’s hard to beat. If you’re searching for a venue in California with both luxury and soul, an Adamson House wedding in Malibu is a standout.

Managed by California State Parks, the Adamson House offers weddings and events from April through October. All events are held outdoors, using areas like the sycamore lawn, front courtyard, and the gorgeous rear lawn by the star fountain. While the interior of the home isn’t used for events, couples can arrange private tours during cocktail hour for an added touch of charm.

You’ll need to bring in all rentals and vendors, which gives you full creative control over the look and feel of your wedding day. Because of this, hiring a full-service planner is highly recommended. For more information, you can contact the special events coordinator at malibu.specialevents@parks.ca.gov.

A Wedding That Still Inspires Today

The bride wore a stunning Jenny Packham gown that floated effortlessly in the coastal breeze—a perfect pairing for the old-Hollywood-meets-European-countryside vibe of the day. Her look was classic, refined, and had just the right amount of sparkle to catch the afternoon light.

The ceremony took place under the sycamore tree, and the reception followed with glowing candlelight, vibrant florals, and the kind of laid-back luxury that Malibu does best. Though this wedding took place more than a decade ago, the style is as relevant today as ever. That’s the magic of intentional design and heartfelt celebration—it doesn’t go out of style.

The Adamson House provided a naturally stunning backdrop at every turn. Favorite photo spots included the balcony, the carriage house near the pool, towering palms, and sweeping ocean views—all bathed in that unmistakable California golden light.

Photography Rooted in Experience and Connection

With over 17 years of experience photographing weddings, I’ve been honored to document love stories in all kinds of places—from mountaintops in North Carolina to iconic venues like the Biltmore Estate in Asheville to the Adamson House in Malibu. What has remained constant through the years is my dedication to storytelling, artistry, and connection.

At Golden Hour Elopements, we work as a team of experienced creatives who specialize in elopements, proposals, and intimate weddings. Each of our photographers has extensive wedding experience, and one of our greatest strengths is pairing each couple with the team that best fits their vision—including photographers, officiants, and other creative collaborators.

While our focus today is primarily on smaller celebrations, we still happily offer photography-only coverage for full wedding weekends—especially for weddings that are meaningful, thoughtfully designed, and rich in atmosphere.

We don’t offer planning services for full weddings, but we are always happy to work alongside your planner to ensure your day flows beautifully. If you’re eloping in California—or planning a wedding at the Adamson House—we would be absolutely thrilled to travel. Whether you need photography only or want to work with us to help you plan your elopement, we’re here to bring calm, creativity, and heart to your celebration.

A Word From The Bride, Catherine

“The story of Charlie and I is one of fairytale quality. After our first few dates it seems we knew we’d be together forever. We never said it to each other outright, but we knew. When we did decide to get married it was only a few months after we moved in to our apartment and we wanted to do everything together. We picked my
ring together, we picked the venue together and we even picked my dress together. This would not be your ‘traditional’ wedding. When it came to wedding details, the venue was very important to us. We spent a long time looking up and down the coast of California but eventually found the perfect place practically in our back
yard.

The Adamson House is an early 20th century masterpiece of Spanish-style
architecture and tile-work, right on the beach of Malibu. I am an archaeologist and Charles is a Classical scholar so its aesthetics and interesting history was key. Neither of us really had time to do everything ourselves so we were lucky enough to have a good friend working for one of the best caterers/planners in Malibu. Jennifer Naylor and her team were amazing. We spent time with them at the venue and told them about our vision of a laid-back but imaginative wedding that fit the venue itself. We came up with the plans for a 1920’s-inspired Moroccan-themed reception.
They not only took care of every detail, but went above and beyond any of our
expectations.

Aside from the venue, the food was very important to both of us. We travel around Europe for work during the summers and we wanted to incorporate
some of those flavors in our wedding. Jen’s training in Italy came in handy and she cooked up quite the feast! We even had Spanish seafood paella cooked live in front of the guest to go with our theme. And for desert we made sure to include French macarons and lavender crème brulee to bring out our love for Paris.

The day of our wedding was amazing. Being on the coast, we had a perfect view of the ocean and the mountains behind us. Charles and I didn’t have an official bridal party, so my mom and one of our best friends (and officiate for our ceremony) helped me get ready in the beautiful pool house of the venue. The ceremony was so personal since we had all picked out the readings together and it was only the three of us standing in front of the massive oak tree on the lower lawn. After the ceremony, the guests went to the front patio for cocktails, amazing hors d’oeuvres,
and flamenco guitarists while we took pictures around the grounds with our
fantastic photographer, who also happened to be a good friend of mine from college. The reception was the most fun with everyone dancing the whole time and enjoying all the food. Growing up on the opposite sides of the country, the presence of both friends and families together made it the most joyous occasion.”

Why We Still Share This Adamson House Wedding

This Malibu wedding is a perfect example of how timeless, personal, and elevated a celebration can feel when all the elements come together in a meaningful way. The venue offered elegance without pretension, the couple prioritized connection and beauty, and the details were thoughtfully chosen without feeling over-styled.

It’s also a reminder that even though styles shift and trends come and go, the heart of wedding photography is about capturing relationships, emotion, and the feeling of the day. That’s what we aim to do in every celebration we’re part of—whether it’s a private elopement on the Blue Ridge Parkway or a wedding weekend in Malibu.

Planning Your Own Adamson House Wedding in Malibu?

If you’re planning a wedding or elopement at the Adamson House or somewhere equally magical in California, we’d love to hear from you. While we’re based in North Carolina, travel is always on the table—especially for celebrations that value artistry, nature, and intentional connection.

We’d be honored to photograph your wedding or elopement in Malibu. Whether you’re looking for a wedding photographer or a creative team for your elopement or proposal, we’re happy to customize a package that feels like the right fit.

Reach out to us and let’s dream up something beautiful together. Send us a note here. See our portfolio.

Golden Hour Elopements
Elopements | Proposals | Intimate Weddings
Serving North Carolina & Destination Couples