Old Hollywood Wedding at the Oviatt Penthouse | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

Written By Sarah Boller

Can you believe I got to shoot this wedding all because of a payphone wall in Charlotte, North Carolina?

Bride and Groom walking back down the aisle from their ceremony as guest cheer

From a Payphone Wall in North Carolina to a Penthouse in Los Angeles

Back in 2020, when I first moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, I came across an old payphone wall and immediately started dreaming up an elopement shoot I wanted to create there. It took years to finally make that shoot happen—and when it did, everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

But somehow, it all paid off.

The images came out exactly how I had envisioned them—cinematic, nostalgic, and full of character (you can see them here). What I didn’t know at the time was that Michelle would stumble across those photos while traveling through the Carolinas and save me as a photographer she loved.

Originally, Michelle thought she and Naveed might elope in North Carolina. But life had other plans.

In 2024, I moved to Los Angeles—and by pure coincidence, ended up living just minutes from where Michelle and Naveed lived. If you know how large LA is, you know how wild that is.

Michelle first reached out to me in 2024 while they were still figuring out their wedding plans. Then, in early 2025, she reached back out once they had settled on their date and venue: the iconic Oviatt Penthouse in Downtown Los Angeles.

Groom wearing his suit adjusting his watch in front of a red door
black and white photo of reflection of bride sitting on the edge of the bed in a mirror.

A Wedding at an Art Deco Icon in Downtown LA

Located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, the Oviatt Penthouse is a true Art Deco gem. Every room is rich with character—ornate details, bold murals, historic textures, and a timeless elegance that feels effortlessly cinematic.

One of the most striking features of the venue is the rooftop, which offers a 360-degree view of Los Angeles. It’s the kind of space that instantly elevates a wedding day while still feeling intimate and personal.

Michelle and Naveed were intentional about using the venue to its full potential. They didn’t want their wedding photos to feel confined to one space—they wanted variety, movement, and moments that felt alive.

Bride and groom smiling and looking at the camera out on the balcony of penthouse
Bride and groom embracing and smiling as they look into each other eyes
bride leaning against glass door looking of to the side and groom is seen in background sitting on bed looking in opposite direction
Groom sitting on edge of pink bed with bride sitting on his leg looking at him
Bride and groom in red bathroom. Groom is leaning against a wall facing the camera but looking at his bride. bride is opposite of him but can be seen in the mirror door next to groom
Black and white photo of bride and groom sitting opposite each other holding champagne glasses
bride and Groom laying on their stomach on a pink bed pushed up on their elbow looking at each other
Bride and groom laying on their stomachs on a pink bed. Groom is leaning over kissing brides cheek.
Bride and groom in red bathroom. They are standing opposite each other. Bride is seen in mirror door next to groom and groom is facing camera.
Bride and her father walking down the aisle with guest looking on
Groom smiling look down the aisle
Bride and groom smiling and laughing during their vows.

Nighttime Photos, Movement, and Trusting the Process

One thing Michelle was especially drawn to in my work was the nighttime imagery from that Charlotte shoot—the same one that first introduced her to my photography.

So once the sun set, we stepped outside.

We headed down to the street, letting the city become part of their story. No stiff posing—just movement, trust, and letting moments unfold naturally. Exactly how Michelle and Naveed wanted their wedding documented.

Bride and Groom dancing at night with guest waving balloons in the air and a giant robot dancing next to them
Groom leaning against a lit up wall looking at the camera and bride is leaning on his chest also looking at camera. Both are looking serious at the camera.
Bride and groom kissing on the sidewalk at night
Bride and groom walking across a crosswalk at night smiling
Bride and groom dancing at night surrounded by their guest
Groom with a balloon hat on dancing on the dance floor surround but people and long balloons
bride and groom standing in front of a mural. Groom is feeding bride cake.
Bride and groom holding cake and kissing in from of a mural

A Celebration Filled With Meaningful Details

Their day was filled with happy tears, deep belly laughs, and the kind of joy you feel when you’re surrounded by people who truly know you.

Imagine 120 of your closest friends and family gathered inside a penthouse, celebrating love high above the city.

From champagne towers to cake cutting in front of a stunning mural, every detail felt personal—including the red dishes that may or may not have been stolen together on Michelle and Naveed’s first date.

The night ended with a full-on rooftop dance party… complete with a giant dancing robot joining the celebration—because honestly, why not?

Bride and Groom standing on a little balcony. Bride is leaning against a railing look off. Groom is leaning again a door looking at bride
Bride and groom leaning in for a kiss with the sun glowing behind them.
brides and groom sitting on the rooftop enjoying a drink and the sunsets behind them
groom leaning down to kiss the forehead as she leans back into his chest.
Groom has pick up the bride and is spinning ad the sun shines behind them
Bride and Groom standing on a little balcony. Bride is leaning against a railing look off. Groom is leaning again a door looking at bride
Close up shot of groom kissing the brides hand

A Wedding Day That Felt Timeless, Personal, and Unforgettable

Michelle & Naveed’s wedding was a perfect blend of stunning architecture and real, meaningful moments. Nothing felt forced. Nothing felt trendy for the sake of it. It was elegant, playful, emotional, and deeply memorable.

From a payphone wall in North Carolina to an Art Deco penthouse in Los Angeles, this wedding is a reminder that the smallest creative risks can sometimes lead to the most beautiful full-circle moments.

Vendors:

Venue- The Oviatt Penthouse

Coordination/Planning: Willow and Bloom Events

Makeup- Phoebe Make up

Styled - Sourced by Stacy

Catering - Taste of Chelo

Churro Cart - Gourmeletas

DJ - Custom G Entertainment

Cake - Cake Queen LA

Robot -La Hora loka Orange County

shot from a above looking down on the bride and groom's ceremony and the minister speaks
shot from above as bride and groom dance on the checkered dance floor surrounded but guests also dancing
Sarah Boller
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