Once the fawning over the ring and congratulatory brunches are over, a date has been set, and it’s time to begin the real work, even the most Type A brides can feel a bit overwhelmed. While some newly engaged ladies might feel that they’re capable of pulling off the biggest event of their lives, the reality is that involving a wedding planner is always going to be in the best interests of your sanity. No matter how connected you are or how good your organizational skills are, a good wedding planner can do the things that most busy brides aren’t always capable of. These marriage magicians have contacts with vendors for every type of service imaginable, and they’re perfectly poised to make your wedding details come together spectacularly. While the perfect wedding planner is going to make your wedding experience so much easier, it’s not always easy to find that wedding wizard who is the perfect combination of responsibility, energy, and personality (with a little bit of psychologist thrown in for good measure). When it’s time for you to begin interviewing for the perfect wedding planner, be sure to ask these five questions to help ensure that you work with the best for your big day. 1. References When word gets out that you’re newly engaged, you’ll likely be inundated by recommendations from friends and family members. Of course, these people have your best interests at heart, but unless you have first-hand knowledge of the person they’re suggesting, it’s wise to be sure that you conduct your own background checks as well. When you meet with prospective planners, ask for client references. You’ll want to personally speak with both current and past clients to get a feel for how the planner operates. Are/were the clients satisfied? Were there any problems or mishaps that weren’t immediately resolved? Would they recommend this planner to others? Additionally, ask for vendor references. If the planner’s preferred vendors speak highly of him or her, that says a great deal about their professionalism. 2. Budget Basics Working with a planner who will stick within your personal budget is tantamount to a successful wedding, but some planners simply aren’t able to do that. If your budget is set in stone, you’ll need to make sure that you aren’t hit with some nasty surprises along the way. When you meet with potential planners, outline your budget right away. Ask if they are able to work within the budget amount successfully, and ask to see some details and examples from other weddings that were held for a similar budget. A good planner should be able to work within any budget and meet most of the couple’s needs while doing so. 3. Vendor Variables One of the main reasons to hire a wedding planner is that the bulk of the details falls to someone else, and ideally that someone has the connections necessary for the job. A good wedding planner should have relationships with caterers, dressmakers, furniture and prop rental companies, florists, photographers, bakers, and all of the other businesses that help make a wedding the most wonderful that it can be. Quiz your potential planner about the vendors that he or she prefers. Why is Business A better than Business B? Does the planner receive any discounts from preferred vendors? Does the planner utilize backup services and vendors in case of emergency? While your planner may be the most important person in your life in the days leading up to your wedding, his or her vendors should rank a close second. Make sure that you know exactly whom you’ll be working with. 4. Communication Style The ability to effectively communicate with your planner during the months leading up to your wedding is crucial, so you’ll need to know the best way to accomplish that before you begin. You’re not likely to be your planner’s only client, so relaying information and discussing important details in a timely manner is of the utmost importance. Does your planner prefer to communicate by phone or by email? Are you able to text him or her and expect to receive a reply quickly? Does the planner’s schedule allow for frequent in-person meetings? All of these are important topics to bring to the table during an interview. Additionally, ask if he or she utilizes social media platforms. Pinterest and Instagram can be great ways to communicate ideas and photos without the need to schedule a meeting or lug around a binder full of pictures and magazine clippings. 5. Additional Services More and more wedding planners are expanding their businesses to include other services that the bride and groom may require. If you’d like to remain relatively hands-off during the planning stage, you’ll need to be sure that the person you choose to work with is up to the challenge. Will the planner handle the addressing and mailing of the save-the-date cards and the invitations? Can your maid of honor consult with the planner for the bachelorette party details? Does he or she offer honeymoon planning services? While many planners will be happy to point you in the direction of other companies that can manage these details for you, if you want your planner to handle all of the duties, establishing that fact up front is crucial. Creating the wedding of your dreams may seem daunting initially, but that’s what wedding planners are for. Ask all of the right questions during your interviews with prospective planners, hire the one who is right for you, and your wedding can become the proverbial piece of cake.
Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and with good reason. These types of affairs allow couples to celebrate their big day in an exotic locale while sharing the experience with family and friends. It’s a fantastic opportunity for a bride and groom to create a foundation of special memories that involve travel to a beautiful part of the world. However, destination weddings are simply not right for everyone. The expense of travel may prove too great for some guests, some family members might not be able to fly for health or personal reasons, and the amount of planning and effort that goes into a destination wedding might not be feasible for some brides and grooms. Luckily, there are countless ways to incorporate a destination theme into your wedding, even if you’re holding your ceremony and reception in your home town. A great wedding planner will be a wealth of ideas for a travel-themed wedding, but you can always incorporate your own ideas, tastes, and personal aesthetic into your wedding plans, which will allow you to create an exotic and luxurious atmosphere that evokes all of the destination-wedding magic that you dream of. Put the passports away, cancel the visa application at the embassy, and dive into these wonderful ideas that can help you plan the destination wedding of your dreams without ever leaving home. Make Your Venue Feel Worlds Away Once you’ve decided that you want your wedding venue to invoke the aloha spirit of Hawaii or the lush jungle temples of Asia, the first step is to consult with your wedding planner. Let him or her know that you have a vision, and the two of you can work together to make your dreams become a reality. Exotic plants and flowers are a perfect way to make your space feel as if it’s worlds away. Potted palms, orchids, flowering plumeria trees, and jasmine are all incredible choices that will make your venue come alive with the heady scents of the islands. Combine these tropical blooms with linens in cool, beachy colors, bamboo accents, and soft lighting, and your guests will feel as if they’ve been whisked away to the tropics. A ukulele player and cocktails bursting with fresh fruit can’t hurt either! A good wedding planner should have all of the resources and vendor contacts to make your destination ideas happen. Whether you dream of the islands, a summer night in Paris, or a New York state of mind, ingenious furniture ideas, stylish linens, and other decorating tricks will make your venue come alive —and will allow your special day to be that much more special. Say It With Food Once you’ve decided on the perfect way to bring your destination theme to life with your beautiful venue, it’s time to think about your menu. Food is a fantastic way to bring your ideas full circle, and your menu allows you to subtly guide your guests on a journey around the world. When you meet with your prospective caterers, be certain that you’re clear about your theme, and add as many details as you can. While a luau-themed dinner might seem like it’s perfect for your wedding, it can easily become too kitschy before you know it. Understated elegance is a great way to approach your catering ideas. Think of a sexy seafood dinner with a few local delights thrown in to transport your guests to Hawaii. Imagine a dim sum cart laden with scrumptious treasures that will make your guests feel like they’re in the mysterious and exotic city of Hong Kong. You can even serve your guests delectable wild game dishes if a mountain cabin is your ideal getaway. The possibilities are endless. If your caterer can provide service staff that will immerse themselves in your theme then your event can be even more spectacular. A Bollywood-costumed waiter offering a tray of delicious curried chickpea appetizers? Yes, please! Dress the Part While an aloha-print dress might be right for some brides, most will want to stick with a more traditional style of dress for themselves and their wedding party. However, this absolutely does not mean that you can’t incorporate some of the spirit of your destination into your attire. For instance, sari fabric with its bright jewel tones and delicate embroidery is beautiful and can be used for custom-designed dresses for your bridal party, which will instantly mesh with an Indian-inspired wedding. Traditional and elegant qipao-style dresses in crimson and gold will make a beautiful Asian statement and may leave many of your guests asking where they can get one for themselves. Even if you want to wear a traditional white gown for your big day, it can be easy to choose a dress that feels as if it would be at home on the beach. Choose a gauzy, flowy dress with thin straps and a low-cut back, and ask your hairstylist to incorporate tropical blooms into your updo. Consequently, your betrothed and his groomsmen can add orchids to their boutonnieres, or they can even don pocket squares in a subtle Hawaiian print that matches your color scheme. With just a little bit of work and some careful attention to detail, you and your planner can easily create the destination wedding of your fantasies right at home. Deck out your venue, choose a delicious and exotic menu, and have fun with the clothing choices for yourself, your groom, and your attendants. With this easy, breezy approach to a hometown destination wedding, you can leave the passports untouched until you need them when you board the flight to the honeymoon of your dreams.
Lights, camera…engaged! When Aris decided to propose to Gina, he wanted to forgo the intimate and quiet tradition of asking over a candlelit dinner. Instead, he began planning a romantic and humorous cinematic endeavor. The couple met in 2010 through mutual acquaintances. Aris’s friends worked at a local private high school where Gina also taught. Once Aris and Gina met, they started dating and Aris knew she was “The One.” (Fun fact: Gina’s mom was Aris’ Spanish teacher in high school!) Aris enlisted the help of family and friends, in addition to the staff at Maya Cinemas in Bakersfield, their favorite destination for Date Night. A month prior to the big night, Aris asked Gina’s parents for permission (which they happily granted), and they started filming the 10-minute proposal video. Gina’s best friend set up a “fake girls night” at the theater with faux movie vouchers that she’d allegedly won in an office contest. Aris rented out the entire theater and stealthily arranged for some of the employees to sit behind the girls. As the movie played, a friend captured Gina’s reaction on his cell phone. Gina slowly realized what was happening as the story unfolded, a mixture of montages and a throwback to “The Wedding Singer,” their favorite film. She happily said yes and they embraced as the theater burst into applause. Congratulation to Aris and Gina from everyone at LA Banquets!
By admin
February 26, 2014
Many couples think that destiny plays a part in meeting their soulmate. For Cristale and Azad, fate most certainly brought them together. The two initially met at Azad’s jewelry store (perfectly appropriate!) but they went about their separate ways. It wasn’t until they bumped into each other during a college class that they reconnected. Soon thereafter, they started dating, and the rest, they say, is history. For Cristale, the most exciting part of the planning process was watching the details meld together and “come to life!” She teamed up with Petals LA for the floral arrangements and incorporated whites, purples, and pinks to flow with the pewters of the wedding theme. The bridal party held bouquets with deep purple calla lilies, a gorgeous contrast against the white roses, white calla lilies, and stephanotis in Cristale’s bouquet. Much like a bride and groom being meant for one another, a bride and her dress can be destined to come together. Cristale had planned on a custom-made “dream dress,” but during a shopping excursion, there was a change in plans. She noticed a stunning dress on a mannequin and knew it was The One. Cristale immediately tried on the dress and says, “I didn’t want to separated from their floor sample!” When it came time to pick the music, Cristale decided to embrace a unique tradition and chose BlueZurna, a band that specializes in Armenian wedding folk music (with instruments like clarinet, duduk, and zurna). The upbeat music played as Azad and his family arrived at Cristale’s house to bring her to the ceremony, and also during the couple’s big entrance at Brandview Ballroom. The fun folk tunes made guests get out of their seats and shimmy out to the dance floor. After the festivities, Cristale and Azad packed their suitcases and honeymooned in Oahu. As Cristale says, “It was the most relaxing, much-needed vacation after all of our wedding planning!” Congratulations to Cristale and Azad from everyone at LA Banquets!
By admin
November 18, 2013
On the last weekend of August, Stella and Michael said “I do” in the presence of hundreds of family and friends. The pair combined their Armenian and Greek heritages for a cross-cultural picture-perfect ceremony and reception that elegantly highlighted food, family, fun and tradition. Stella confides that the best part of the wedding was not planning it. She left the grand task in the capable hands of Kristine from Chic Sparkles. And for good reason. Though nestled in New York, Stella and Michael chose to wed in Stella’s hometown, Los Angeles. Looking to avoid the hurdles of planning a cross-country wedding, the pair’s first order of business was booking a wedding planner. Kristine transformed Stella and Michael’s vision of a traditional, yet modern wedding into reality. She helped the couple plan and execute every last detail, from welcome baskets at the guests’ hotel to picking their venue, LA Banquets’ Brandview Ballroom. The wedding was planned around creating various areas for the guests to congregate. Out on the Patio (one of the first events at our brand new Patio at Brandview!), guests enjoyed hookah in an intimate setting under billowy drapes. Inside, guests mingled at the open bar, picked up treats at the dessert station, and bites to nibble on at the seafood station all while being serenaded by a solo harpist. For Stella, the highlight of the wedding was the cake cutting. While she and Michael prepared to slice into their gorgeous six-tier cake by Art’s Bakery (designed by their wedding planner), Michael’s friends prepped champagne bottles by giving them a vigorous shake. As the couple sliced into the cake, the champagne bottles were popped, spraying everyone and everything with a bit of bubbly. “It was like nothing I have seen before! Not the traditional off-to-the-corner cake cutting!” And the wedding itself was full of many things some of the guests had never seen before. Many of the out-of-town guests had never experienced an Armenian wedding and loved the all-night family-style food service provided by Anoush Catering. In another nod to Armenian culture, traditional Armenian dancers walked the couple into the banquet hall at the beginning of the reception. Our deepest congratulations from everyone at LA Banquets to Michael and Stella! Photographer: Armen Poghosyan, Wedding Planner: Kristine Piloyan, Chic Sparkles, Flowers: Avant Garden, Cake: Art’s Bakery, Venue: LA Banquets Brandview Ballroom, Catering: Anoush Catering
By admin
October 10, 2013
by Vrej Sarkissian, CEO of LA Banquets What’s your definition of a large wedding? 100 guests? 200? How about 300 or 400? The most spacious of our LA Banquets venues easily accommodate 500 guests, and weddings that size are a weekly occurrence. When your guest list swells in size, it doesn’t mean you have to let go of the intimate wedding you always envisioned. Over the hundreds of weddings I’ve seen at our venues, here’s what I’ve learned about making large weddings feel intimate and fun. 1. Facetime: Meet and greet with your guests I can’t stress how important it is for the bride and groom to personally greet and talk to all of the guests. This is true for weddings of any size, but particularly so of large celebrations. Stop at each table during dinner or after the cake cutting and thank everyone for coming. Ask your photographer to come around to each table with you and take pictures with your guests. You might need to cut down on dancing time, but your family and friends will remember and appreciate your gesture. 2. Family Style Dining You can’t have a wedding without food, and for a large wedding don’t even think about a buffet. With a guest list in the hundreds, buffet lines will become unmanageably long leaving you with cranky, hungry guests. A timed and plated dinner service is also difficult to orchestrate for large weddings and can break up the natural rhythm of the event. One of the best ways to make a wedding feel more intimate is to serve dinner family style. With family style dining, you recreate the atmosphere of dinners at home with everyone sitting around the table, passing food and conversation around. Each table will feel like its own intimate dinner party. 3. A Separate Lounge With the music thumping on the dance floor, your guests may tire of yelling to each other across the table to have a conversation. But you don’t want to turn the music too far down either. A separated lounge area with comfortable seating will provide your guests (and you!) a place to get away from the main action for a bit. Guests can mingle in a quieter setting, catch up with far-flung relatives and relax for a few moments. If weather permits, consider an outdoor lounge area as well. 4. Photo Fun with Photo Booths Some of your friends and family may be shy about dancing, but they don’t need to miss out on all the fun. Photo booths are a great way for your guests to interact with each other and entertain themselves. And you’ll get likely a lovely scrapbook of all the silly photos. For large weddings, focus on creating a fun, inviting atmosphere and the intimacy will follow. Take time to meet with your guests and personally thank them for attending. Large weddings are all the more reason to celebrate! flickr credit: http://goo.gl/XuWJ0E http://goo.gl/W07Vsy http://goo.gl/kVcV8D http://goo.gl/11SIvU
