Padua Hills Theatre

As wedding photographers, we have had the privilege of working at various wedding venues, but Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont is truly exceptional. From the moment we stepped onto the property, we were captivated by the enchanting ambiance and breathtaking decor. First and foremost, the staff at Padua Hills Theatre are nothing short of amazing. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to ensuring a seamless wedding day experience are truly remarkable. As photographers, collaborating with such a supportive and efficient team is a dream come true. They go above and beyond to accommodate not only the couple but also all the vendors, creating a harmonious atmosphere that allows us to capture the magic of the day effortlessly. Now, let's talk about the decor. Padua Hills Theatre is a visual masterpiece. The outdoor ceremony space surrounded by lush gardens and towering trees feels like a fairy tale setting. The architecture adds a touch of Old World charm, making every corner of this venue a photographer's paradise. The reception area is equally stunning, with its warm and inviting ambiance, perfect for capturing those candid moments and the dance floor action. The attention to detail in the decor is impeccable. From the beautifully adorned tables to the carefully chosen lighting, every element contributes to creating a truly magical setting for the newlyweds and their guests. As photographers, it's a joy to work in an environment that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also designed to enhance the visual storytelling of the wedding day. In conclusion, Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont stands out as a top-tier wedding venue from a photographer's perspective. The exceptional staff and exquisite decor make it a joy to work there, and we highly recommend it to couples seeking a venue that will not only exceed their expectations but also provide a stunning backdrop for their wedding day memories. ❤️

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!!!

The drive up to Padua is easy and pretty (a must for all our out of town guests). There's was plenty of parking (a must for all our in town guests!). And It’s secure and safe but not too far off the beaten path. You walk in and it's beautiful without even being decorated or set up. Upon first visit we wandered around the venue for a while and then we ran into Wayne (who we didn’t know at the time was the chef) he asked us if we needed any help -because we were clearly just wandering, haha. We told him we were just looking around and he said, “Let me find someone to show you around!” Wayne grabbed Evan (from Entertainment Express) and Evan gave us a tour that sealed the deal. He gave us a light demo and showed us the amenities. He let us walk around without feeling like we were breaking rules and answered so many questions. I walked away knowing I needed to book this venue. When discussing specifics everyone at Padua endured question after question from me. They even answered when my now husband wanted to know where they got their beef from as he grew up on a cattle ranch (haha). Ryan was so attentive and patient with me through every step of the planning process. They never made me feel like I was bothering them and seemed almost excited to hear from me every time I called. They were always straightforward and easy to communicate with, which is absolutely necessary when you’re planning your wedding across the country. The wedding rehearsal was easy and seamless. If you need someone to whip your bridal party into shape they’ve got your back. They know how to maximize the hour you have with them and at no point did I feel stressed that we were forgetting something. In the months leading up I was worried about only having a venue coordinator and considered hiring a day of planner but am so happy I didn’t spend the money. They seriously had it all together and cared that the day went according to OUR plan and were not just concerned about making the venue look good as I had heard some venue coordinators at other places do. The wedding day was absolutely perfect. Unless our bridal party has kept all the missteps and disasters a secret, I truly feel like nothing went wrong. I was calm the whole day and not at all nervous. I knew there was nothing to worry about. Everything went according to plan and everyone has told us they had a great time- a few even claiming it was the best wedding ever. The food was excellent - from the hors d'oeuvres to the entrees -and HUGE portions, Wayne even came out to admire his handy work - something my parents loved (they have been raving about him for months, honestly they may never stop). When we did our tasting we thought surely they won’t give us that much on the actual day, but they did and it was just one more thing that impressed us about Padua. At the end of the day Padua was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. Picking a wedding venue is so hard, there is so much riding on it and you don’t want to live to regret your choice. You hear horror stories of rude coordinators or inedible food. Throw COVID in and it will stress anyone out. But, I can wholeheartedly say that I will never feel that way and never did. I would pick Padua again in a heartbeat. They do weddings right- they take care of their couples and they do it professionally, happily and lovingly. It makes you want to throw a party all over again - maybe in 15 years ;) So, thank you Padua for making our wedding day a wonderful memory. We have looked at pictures and talked to so many people countless times and all of that couldn’t have happened without all of you. We are so grateful and blessed that we chose you!

This place is literally the best! It's a beautiful venue and a great place to throw a party! They have everything in house pretty much besides desserts, flowers and photographers but they have a wonderful list of recommendations. They make everything super easy and convenient and you don't even need to find someone to coordinate day of because they do that too! Entertainment Express (the DJ/entertainment services that you have to use) is also amazing and they took care of keeping everything on track so you don't have to think about anything during your wedding!

Padua as a venue alone is beyond beautiful. The scenic backgrounds for photos is endless. But it doesn't stop at being just a location for a wedding. The team has honed in on their craft and offer a wide variety of other wedding details like food (that is actually highly reviewed), alcohol, tables/chairs, linens, a complete sound system through the whole venue, day of coordinators, and I'm sure more that I am forgetting. In our minds, there wasn't another venue that comes close to comparison and we would do it all over again in the same place if we could. The staff was beyond accomodating, helpful and never made me feel like I was overwhelming or inquiring about too many things. The food is still a top 5 highlight of the wedding day (we had bone in ribeyes and chilean seabass). And their preferred vendor list has nothing but the best in the area, I highly recommend maximizing that list if you can. The only thing to be aware of is that partnering with Padua means you have to partner with their DJ/MC company Entertainment Express, which is not a bad thing. It enhances the experience and elevates things up a notch. I could go on talking about all the details of Padua, but if there is only 1 thing you take away from the review it should be that you need to see it, and trust that you will be in the best hands with their team. Photo credit: Robert Paetz