Beverly Hills Weddings
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Beverly Hills is a city in the western part of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together entirely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles. The area's "Platinum Triangle" of wealthy neighborhoods is formed by Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Bel-Air and Holmby Hills. The population was 34,980 as of the 2006 census.
Beverly Hills is bordered on the north by Bel-Air and the Santa Monica Mountains, on the east by West Hollywood, the Carthay neighborhood of Los Angeles, and the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, and on the south by the Beverlywood.
Beverly Hills contains some of the largest homes in Los Angeles County and the nation. These homes range from the extravagant and luxurious in size, to the more elegant and modern homes, and then to the many small duplex rental units and detached homes with less than 3,000 sq ft. The city's average household income is just over $87,000.
In 2007, Coldwell Banker lists Beverly Hills as the most expensive housing market (second year in a row) in the United States, with a median home price of over $2.2 million.
Beverly Hills is an enclaved city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, surrounded almost entirely by Los Angeles. Since the 1950's Beverly Hills has marketed itself as a high-end shopping paradise and home of the rich and famous, which still rings true today – its reputation has even been the basis of a few popular TV shows such as The Beverly Hillbillies and Beverly Hills, 90210. Santa Monica Boulevard bisects the city, with most of the businesses to the south, and the north being primarily residential. Most visitors come to shop or dream of shopping, or to try and hunt down their favorite celebrities' homes.
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Beverly Hills Weddings
Traditions
Why Beverly Hills?
Marriage License Requirements
In Southern California, the legal age for marriage is 18 years old. Couples under 18 must have parental consent. Both the bride and groom must apply for and sign the license together. A valid photo ID or driver's license is required. Residency and blood tests are not required. There is no waiting period to obtain the license, which is valid for 90 days. If either the bride or groom has been previously married, he or she must present the bureau with the divorce decree or death certificate. In San Bernardino County, these documents only have to be presented if the divorce or death was within the last 90 days; in Los Angeles County, the documents must be presented if the divorce or death was within the last two years. All offices are open Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted. Only cash, check or money order are accepted. Please call ahead to get all of the details.
After you obtain a marriage license, which is valid for 90-days, you may be married by your choice of one of the following persons qualified to perform marriage ceremonies:
1) a priest, minister or rabbi of any religious denomination who is 18 years of age or older; 2) an active or retired Judge, Commissioner, or Assistant Commissioner of a court or record or Justice Court in this State 3) by a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages.
Marriage ceremonies conducted by the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriage are performed at the following offices of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk:
9355 Burton Way, 1st Floor Beverly Hills (310)288-1261 Thursday, by appointment 11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., 6th Floor LAX Airport (310) 727-6142 Friday, by appointment 4716 E. Cesar Chavez Avenue Los Angeles (323) 260-2991 Friday, by appointment 7807 S. Compton Avenue Room 215 Los Angeles (323) 586-6192 Friday, by appointment 12400 Imperial Highway Norwalk (562) 462-2137 Monday-Friday, by appointment 14340 W. Sylvan Street Van Nuys (818) 374-7176 Friday, by appointment
At least one witness must be present at the ceremony unless the couple is marrying using a confidential marriage license in which case no witness is required.
The fee for the civil ceremony is $25. Payment can be made by cash, check or money order. If paying by check, valid identification (i.e., Driver's License) of the signer is required and must be presented at time of request.
How To Get There
Get in
By Plane
- From Los Angeles International Airport: Travel on Interstate 405 North (San Diego Freeway), then exit into State Route 2 East which is Santa Monica Boulevard.
- From Bob Hope Airport in Burbank: Travel south on Hollywood Way, exit into the Ventura Freeway (California State Route 134 and US 101), then go south on Coldwater Canyon Drive.
By Public Transit
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority provides bus service into Beverly Hills, connecting with the rail network.
Get around
Beverly Hills has several large, well-marked public parking garages in its downtown area, but they tend to fill up quickly. Virtually all of the shops and restaurants are walkable from any of the garages. Parking in Beverly Hills is extremely difficult even with the large parking structures, so it is strongly advised to walk or use public transport. If you choose to drive, be aware that there is a law against oversized pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds.
Get out
- Travel east on Santa Monica Boulevard through West Hollywood - it's pretty obvious that this is the gateway to Hollywood.
- West on Santa Monica Boulevard is Century City.
- West on Santa Monica Boulevard also leads to where else but - Santa Monica. Beautiful beaches, and of course the Santa Monica Pier.
- South on Robertson Boulevard leads to Culver City, which has been recently having a resurgence of nightclubs and bars.
Insider Tips
Tipping
- Restaurants 15 to 20 percent of bill, none at fast-food restaurants
- Bars About US$1 per drink or 10% to 15% of drink prices
- Airport Skycap/Porter US$1 per piece of luggage
- Taxis 10 percent of fare
- Hotel Bell Desk US$1 per piece of luggage or per taxi summoned
- Hotel Housekeeping US$1 per person per day
- Hotel Room Service 15 percent of bill
- Parking Attendant/Valet 15 percent of parking rate
- Haircare/Personal Services 20 percent of bill
VAT & Taxes
Sales tax in Los Angeles is 8%. The tax on hotel rooms is 12%.
Voltage
110V AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the flat, two-pin type.
Local Gift Ideas
Given Los Angeles’ reputation for entertainment, entertainment memorabilia, from classic movie posters to Mickey Mouse dolls, is a good gift idea. Universal CityWalk and various shops near other movie studios and amusement parks are good shopping venues. World-famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills offers excellent shopping for luxury, brand-name fashion goods, while Melrose Avenue is home to many twentieth century antique shops and trendy fashion boutiques.
Best Time to Go
Climate
Beverly Hills, CA Weather
Beverly Hills, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.
The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 78.20 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 49.40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 17 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Beverly Hills is 18.68 Inches. Winter months tend to be wetter than summer months. The wettest month of the year is February with an average rainfall of 4.93 Inches.
Normal Climate
Normal Temperatures
(U C L A Weather station, 2.90 miles from Beverly Hills) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Max °F 66.3 66.9 66.7 69.2 69.6 73.2 76.9 78.2 77.9 75.2 70.7 67.0 71.5 Mean °F 57.9 58.4 58.7 61.3 62.9 66.3 69.5 70.7 70.2 67.1 62.3 58.6 63.7 Min °F 49.4 49.9 50.7 53.3 56.1 59.3 62.1 63.1 62.4 58.9 53.9 50.1 55.8
Normal Precipitation
(U C L A Weather station, 2.90 miles from Beverly Hills) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Inch 4.09 4.93 3.54 0.86 0.34 0.11 0.02 0.16 0.32 0.57 1.35 2.39 18.68
Beverly Hills Churches
Guests Must Do (Things To Do)
Beverly Hills is a hotspot of fashion and star spotting, but don’t think that’s all there is here. From luxury boutique shopping to tours to surprisingly interesting museums, this relatively small area near Los Angeles, Westwood, and Hollywood is full of things to do.
Rodeo Drive
Perhaps the best known of Beverly Hills attractions, this strip of shopping and dining hotspots is home to tourists, shopping aficionados, and stars alike. All the top stores are located here either on Rodeo Drive itself or cross streets. One particular cross street to watch for is Via Rodeo, a more modern addition to the area that will make you feel like you’re strolling down a European avenue. Window shopping is no crime here, but don’t miss the people watching either. Free parking is available, and avoid Sundays as many stores close down.
Trolley Tours
Like San Francisco, Beverly Hills has an open-air trolley to whisk you along a narrated tour route. One of your best options for Beverly Hills tours, these trolleys stop by well-known sites such as Rodeo Drive as well as historical and architectural spots around town. Tours depart from the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way for most of the year, but not all of it. Tours do not run in the rain.
Segway Tours
Another more unique option for Beverly Hills tours is to ride a Segway through town and see all the Beverly Hills attractions from your very own two-wheeled, gyroscope-balanced vehicle. Currently, a company named Segwow operates the tours, but ask at your hotel or at a tourist office for help locating a tour company or contact information.
Greystone Mansion
Built in 1928 for the son of an oil tycoon, Greystone Mansion today is one of the best things to do in Beverly Hills and remains the largest home ever built in this city. While visitors cannot go inside, several outdoor areas of the nearly 20 acres surrounding the Mansion as well as an inner courtyard are open to the public for free. Find a list of how many movies have been shot on the grounds and inside the home and be astounded.
Barakat Gallery
Perhaps your list of things to do in Beverly Hills does not yet include visiting a gallery filled with some of the finest ancient treasures anywhere, but it should. Located on Rodeo Drive, the Barakat Gallery has a collection of antiquities from Egypt to Asia to the Far East that rivals most museum collections.
Sunset Strip
Running between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip is another excellent area for shopping and people watching, including the occasional celebrity sighting since many of them live in the area. Many Beverly Hills attractions can be found along the Strip, including nightclubs such as the Viper Room and Whiskey A GoGo.
J. Paul Getty Museum
With a collection started by oil millionaire J. Paul Getty, this museum has grown to include so many pieces of fine art that it takes this 9-building complex (4 exhibition pavilions) on 750 acres of land to house it. Inside, view artwork by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and other well-known artists; outside stroll through 24 acres of gardens. The museum is free, but there is a charge for the parking garage.
George Page Museum
Just a few miles away from Rodeo Drive, the George Page Museum offers just about the complete opposite of Beverly Hills—the La Brea tar pits. The tar pits have yielded over one million fossils, on display at the museum. If you need a break from designer stores and fashionable restaurants, try spending the day with mammoths, saber tooth tigers, or giant sloth fossils.