Weather doesn’t get much better than what we’ve got here in Southern California. Even in December, it’s likely to be sunny and warm. However, if you were raised on the classic winter images from magazines, greeting cards, and the movies, the holidays just don’t seem right if it’s not snowy, hot-chocolate weather. You can’t change the temperature outside, but you can create a winter wonderland inside to surprise and delight your guests. Whether it’s a year-end company party or your annual holiday event, here are some tricks that will have people believing that Jack Frost is nipping at their noses. Set the Mood Conjure winter in a Los Angeles event venue with decorations in white, tones of icy blue, and lots of shimmery, reflective surfaces. Tall birch branches sprayed with fake snow and lit with chilly blue uplights can form an arbor as guests enter, and more can be arranged in clear glass cylinders on the tables with crystal icicle ornaments hung from them. Clear Plexiglas tables and chairs are the ultimate in frostiness, but sparkling white tablecloths and silver accessories will also provide the right look. Lots of white candles are a must for their holiday glow and warmth. Pillars and tapers massed on dining and buffet tables in heights high and low, votives hanging in clear glass bubbles and tucked next to place settings in holders that look like snowballs, wherever and however you can place them. The scent of evergreens will take guests right to a winter forest, so use them in the décor, too. Arrange pine cones amidst sprigs of fragrant fir, pine, or spruce, and dust them all with snow. With the room lighting low, white twinkle lights strung across the room will add to the feel of being outside on a nippy night. Add to the effect by hanging snowflakes from the ceiling on clear filaments. Serve Winter at the Bar The offerings at the bar can also continue in your wintery theme. Snowball martinis in stemmed glasses rimmed with crystallized sugar feature whipped cream flavored vodka. Velvet snowflake martinis are decadent with vanilla vodka, white crème de cacao and white chocolate Irish cream. White Russians are a luxurious blend of vodka, coffee liqueur and cream. Try a holiday favorite: egg nog with bourbon, rum, or brandy and a sprinkling of nutmeg. Sparkling apple cider is a festive non-alcoholic choice, with candy canes as swizzle sticks. After dinner, hot chocolate with marshmallows is the perfect winter treat. Have an Abundant Holiday Buffet You can’t go wrong with the traditional turkey, ham, and all the fixings. You could also do a spread based on the holiday traditions of other countries. Or you could just serve whatever delicious food you think everyone would like. Abundant, beautiful platters of it. When it comes to dessert, there is almost no end to the choices. It might be fun to have a French bȗche de noël or towering croquembouche, an Italian panettone, an English plum pudding, or an Australian pavlova. To keep the wintry theme going, serve trays of the German pfefffernüsse, Greek kourabiedes, Mexican wedding cookies, and Russian tea cakes that are all rolled in snowy white powdered sugar. And don’t forget the white chocolate truffles and coconut sno-balls. A delectable array of any holiday cookies is always a crowd pleaser. Fruitcake? That’s up to you. Make It Musical Music brings every party to life. You probably planned to have a DJ or a band, but you can also hire a group of carolers, a choir, or an exceptional local musician (a classical guitarist, for example) to put on a performance. The Los Angeles area is home to a remarkable number of fine professional musicians who are happy to play at private parties; you might get lucky hiring from craigslist, but also check the Internet for booking agencies. Share the Spirit If you’d like to involve your guests in sharing the spirit of the holidays, display a big pile of teddy bears or other stuffed animals and let each guest select one and write out a nice card to go with it. After the party, deliver them to a hospital or shelter. Transport your SoCal holiday party to the North Pole this winter with these helpful tips. Happy planning!
By admin
November 5, 2014
So you’re engaged, you’ve chosen your bridal party, you have a thousand and one dress ideas, you’ve hired a planner, and you’ve established a budget. While everything may seem as if it’s falling into place, the fun — and the potential headaches — are just beginning. Sticking to your budget may be the most difficult part of the planning process, especially when it comes time to choose your menu. With so many delectable choices of cuisine and your desire to give your guests the best possible experience, it can be easy to become tempted to increase your budget. However, if that happens you’ll ultimately find yourself cutting costs elsewhere. With the help of a good planner, you’ll find it easy to stick within your budget and still offer your guests the wedding feast that they want. Simply follow these simple rules and your wedding reception will shine as brightly as you do on your special day. Work Closely With Your Planner Your wedding planner is your best ammunition when faced with a budget battle. He or she has the necessary experience and the roster of catering contacts that will help you stick to your spending limit. It’s important that you’re absolutely clear about the amount of money you have to spend on catering, then you can let your planner work their marriage magic. Your planner may also be able to secure discounts with various vendors and caterers, which can ultimately save you money. Additionally, depending on the size of your guest list, volume discounts may also be available. It never hurts to wheel and deal a bit as long as you’re not sacrificing quality by doing so. Lastly, keep your planner apprised of any budget changes that may occur along the way. It’s crucial that he or she is fully aware of your financial limitations throughout the planning process. Choose the Right Catering Company When you begin to plan your wedding, you’ll likely be overwhelmed with recommendations from friends and family. Someone’s uncle, cousin, or father is bound to own a catering company, and business cards will fall like rain. While it might be a great opportunity to work with some of these family-owned companies, you’ll need to make sure that your final catering choice is the best one for you and your reception, no matter who owns it. When you and your planner begin to interview caterers, pay close attention and take notes. Yes, the food has to be delicious and in line with your theme, but there are other details to consider. Can this caterer work within your budget? Does your catering budget cover the number of people who will attend your reception? Can they offer several different types of cuisine? How much does it cost to hire the servers, bartenders, and busboys? Are linens included? A good caterer will be honest about costs and will strive to give you the menu that you want for the price that you can afford. Once you feel confident about your choice of caterers, you can step back and let your planner handle the rest. Consider Your Menu Carefully It’s natural to want to give your guests the best while they’re helping you to celebrate your special day, but you’ll also want to be aware of how much you can afford. The pricey filet mignon on the surf and turf menu may sound like a great choice, but if your budget can only provide that delicious steak for half of your guests then it’s a disaster in the making. Plated meals are always a great choice for a reception, but this option can also be the most expensive. Adding a large wait staff to your catering bill can eat away at your budget in no time. If your wedding is a smaller, more intimate affair, then this could be the perfect option. However, if you’re hosting more than a hundred guests you might want to consider other avenues. Buffet-style service has evolved a great deal in recent years, and choosing this option for your reception could leave you pleasantly surprised. Many chefs are eager to elevate different foods and showcase them in a new light. Plus, you’ll be able to choose a few different varieties of food for your buffet menu, which will please your more finicky guests, especially children who may be in attendance. And last but certainly not least, family-style catering is a choice that combines the best aspects of several different service styles. You’ll meet with the caterer and decide on a menu that features several food choices, from appetizers to dessert. Your guests will sit at their assigned tables, and servers will be able to offer the food right away. Gone is the need for time-consuming menu ordering and lines at the buffet station. Family style allows you and your guests to enjoy a more intimate, less hectic dining experience, and this choice can be a money-saving one, as well. Choosing the right caterer and menu for your reception can feel a bit trying, but if you’re true to your budget and are willing to think outside the box, you can find yourself with a fantastic spread for your big day. Now all that’s left is to eat, drink, and be married!
Venue: Brandview Ballroom Photography: Eliz Photography Videography: Mher Video Photobooth: OnThreee Catering: Anoush Catering Florist: Petals LA Dessert Station: My Cuppy Cake Pops Dessert Station: Sweets By Ana DJ: DJ Hovo Fragrance Bar: Starring Fragrances Date: June 2014 Much like a wedding dress is custom tailored to perfectly fit a bride, a bridal shower should also be customized to suit a bride’s taste. When Suzie started to plan a shower for her sister Rosie, she wanted to make sure the celebration was a beautiful and fun reflection of Rosie, and her love of fashion. Along with the help of their sister Seta, Suzie decided to go with a fashion-themed soiree at Brandview Ballroom with 150 of their closest friends and family. Suzie and Seta were having lunch at the Glendale Americana one day and decided to stop by Brandview to “try it on for size.” Suzie says that within the first few minutes, she knew they wanted to book Rosie’s shower there. After enjoying a lunch provided by Anoush Catering, guests were treated to a dessert bar courtesy of Sweets by Ana and My Cuppy Cake Pops. Among bedazzled cake pops and high heel accouterment were chocolate covered Oreos, chocolate drizzled fortune cookies and cupcakes decorated with dresses. Suzie says her favorite part about working with Ana was the attention to detail and Ana’s dedication to high-end ingredients. She also noted, with a smile, that Narine from My Cuppy Cake Pops would send photo updates of the desserts, and everything ended up picture perfect! Suzie knows that the perfect scent complements the perfect outfit, and she wanted to do something unique for Rosie. Suzie called upon Starring Fragrances for a perfume bar where guests could create, bottle, and take home a custom scent. Suzie contacted Starring Fragrances a year in advance to ensure that the amazing perfumes would be an aromatic success. Just like a fashion show, the shower was accessorized with style. The soft, beautiful flower arrangements, provided by Petals LA, matched the dessert color palette. Floral displays were dressed up with mini mannequins. And the sweetest accessory? A “wishing tree” where guests could hang messages with warm sentiments across its branches, written on fashion tags! In between nibbling on desserts and creating fragrances, guests grooved to the tunes of DJ Hovo, who Suzie says has spun at her family events for the past 3 years, and really “knows how to get the crowd on their feet!” When they needed a dance break, guests meandered to the photo booth, threw on some novelty sunglasses, an oversized hat, and struck a pose. From our team at LA Banquets, congratulations to Rosie on her upcoming nuptials!
Summer wedding season is steadily approaching and lovebirds are ready to recite their nuptials amidst loved ones and warm late nights. To mark an early kickoff to our next fun filled and glamorous wedding season LA Banquets invites you to take a look back to the Summer of 2013 for Michael and Stella’s fabulous soiree at the Brandview Ballroom. Throw on your party heels and your fanciest little black dress and enjoy the night just as all of their guests did. Welcome to Throwback Wedding Thursday with Michael and Stella. A Sweet Serenade! Stella knew that a simple glass of champagne wouldn’t do. This was to be a grand occasion. Guests saw the twinkling lights from the Americana sign across the street and felt the energy even before they entered. As the valet opened the doors to the Brandview Ballroom the soothing sounds of a harpist filled their ears. A beautiful champagne tower greeted everyone upon arrival and beside it was a seven foot golden harp. Only the first of many feasts for the eyes. Classic Beauty! This wasn’t just any ballroom. With a place in the National Register of Historic Places the Brandview Ballroom has been a national treasure for decades. World class chandeliers were adorned with draping to accentuate their vintage style, designed in 1921 and timeless ever since. Seafood station? Why not? Candy station? Who doesn’t have a sweet tooth that needs soothing? Every touch was thought of in advance by renowned wedding planner Kristine from Chic Sparkles. That the couple was planning cross country from New York didn’t matter. Chic Sparkles and LA Banquets worked together to make the dream wedding a dream in reality! Celebrate with Bubbly and More! Signature Cocktails were designed with the couple’s theme in mind. Doting nicknames and other special moments from their years together were the drink titles and laughter and enjoyment was had by all! Years of loving history were poured into every cocktail and guests sipped not only indoors but also in the outdoor “hookah station” on the Brandview Patio. But treats and drinks were only the start! New Beginnings and New Feasts! The melding of two families is a truly wondrous experience. Anoush Catering wowed the guests with its Signature Family Style Service! There was never a reason to stop dancing because the food kept on coming. Grilled confections, seasoned delights and 28 years of experience was a great introduction to hundreds of guests that were, for the first time, experienced award winning Anoush Catering Mediterranean cuisine. Let There Be Cake! No wedding is complete without a fabulous cake to complement the night! One tier? Of course not. Three? Not enough. Art’s Bakery crafted a six-tier confection that shimmered the evening through. Candles added a pop that could only be described as perfection. An “L” for love was the only way to top the flowers that rained down the cakes sides. And glass columns and cake stand reflected the love that shined through the happy couples eyes. Every detail carried the special touch of years of devotion and care. Magical Indeed! Thank you for taking the journey back with us for Michael and Stella’s fabulous affair! We can’t wait for more weddings from every season!!!!
People always say you should marry your best friend – someone who knows you inside and out. When Angineh and Hambeik tied the knot at Brandview Ballroom in February, they gave a whole new meaning to the term “best friends.” The gorgeous couple has known each …
He plays a rough and tough boxer on Showtime’s “Ray Donovan” but in real life, Pooch Hall doles out nothing but love for his family. Last month, the actor and his wife Linda hosted a Special Needs Family Prom (which doubled as a Sweet 16 for their daughter Djanai) at Le Foyer Ballroom to benefit their charity, Djanai’s Angels. The organization prides itself on offering a “one stop shop” for parents of children with special needs. The charity offers a diverse range of services to support the many needs of these families, ranging from social and developmental to entertainment and recreational interests. By bringing together typically able kids with those who have disabilities, Djanai's Angels teaches confidence, patience, compassion, and tolerance to children and their families. To celebrate the prom and Djanai’s birthday, guests received the red-carpet treatment, complete with a step-and-repeat, prom photos, and a candy cocktail hour. Among family, friends, and Djanai’s classmates from Grant High, a Prom King and Queen were crowned, and attendees were treated to a fashion show along with music from DJ Kripple King. The festivities were a great opportunity for families and supporters to learn more about Djanai’s Angels, and to give them a chance to mingle with celebrities and likeminded parents. The event also served as a fundraiser for the inClusion Clubhouse, a facility that will cater to those with special needs, and to bring awareness to the community. We were honored to host such a wonderful event, and on behalf of LA Banquets, happy belated Sweet 16 to Djanai!
