VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Catering: Anoush Catering DJ: Soundwave Productions Photography: Cakes & Kisses Venue: Le Foyer Ballroom Many people say that family is the most important thing in life, and for Barbara and Craig, this certainly rings true. The two tied the knot at Le Foyer Ballroom on October 6th in front of 200 beloved family and friends. The couple met at a birthday party during high school, and celebrated their 9-year anniversary only 4 days before the wedding! Barbara and Craig spent the 1st year of their engagement researching all of the pertinent details for the big day. They’d narrowed the location down to 5 choices, but went with Le Foyer after seeing the beauty of the interior and discovering that the venue could accommodate all of their guests for both the ceremony and reception. Barbara was elated that their event planner perfectly understood the couple’s vision, culture, and values, and spared no detail in the planning process. Their traditional Jewish ceremony included many of the custom rituals like reading the ketubah, the seven blessings, and breaking of the glass. During her very first shopping excursion, Barbara knew that she would find “The Dress.” After a few hours of trying on several “no” options, Barbara was certain she’d found the perfect one when she saw the look in her mother’s eyes. The beautiful gown was Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner. The floral arrangements were handled by Barbara’s aunt Cristina, who Barbara says is a “master and professor in the art of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangements. It was a dream come true to have her design all the different pieces throughout the venue.” Christina flew to California from Brazil only 2 nights before the wedding, and was able to create such stunning decor in a very short timeframe. Music played an important role in the wedding. Barbara says she and Craig put together an obscure list of Brazilian and Jewish music, and Soundwave Productions procured all of the requested songs. And for a wonderfully unexpected surprise, Barbara’s family had arranged for a samba band and dancers to put on a spectacular performance. Since she’d wanted to spend the big day with family in Brazil, her father opted to bring “Brazil back to us!” Barbara was thrilled and noted the dance floor was packed all night! Guests dined on a succulent 4-course meal prepared by Anoush Catering, which Barbara explains “rivals the best meals we’ve ever had.” With appetizers like smoked salmon, shrimp cocktails and cheese puff pastries, the couple had to remind their guests to pace themselves for dinner! (Persian rice, salmon, kebabs, and julienne chicken flambé.) She and Craig chose this cuisine since they knew both sides of the family would love these types of flavors. Barbara’s godmother Claudia designed the cake and dessert table. In an incredibly impressive feat, Claudia made 1,500 individual Brazilian delicacies, while Barbara’s grandmother made the 9 wedding cakes that were served. (1 for each year the bride and groom have been together!) The largest cake was a replica of Barbara’s parent’s wedding cake from nearly 30 years ago. The couple’s first dance was to an upbeat version of Frank Sinatra’s “Day by Day.’ Many years ago, Craig had come across the song and it became “their song.” Barbara says that the lyrics express their love for one another, and become truer day by day. After the wedding, they honeymooned in Maui and enjoyed their first week as newlyweds by hiking, snorkeling, surfing and exploring waterfalls. Congratulations to Barbara and Craig from all of us at LA Banquets!
By admin
January 17, 2014
The holidays bring certain inevitable joys – scrumptious desserts, unattractive sweaters, time with family, and creamy eggy drinks. But with the holiday merriment also comes added stresses – shopping, travel plans, and crowded parking lots. Add party planning into the mix and you’ve got a …
By admin
December 20, 2013
Dinner, drinks, dancing, a silent auction, and a chance to wear your finest. What’s not to love about attending a gala? But when the proceeds benefit thousands of women across the nation and support a foundation as wonderful as that of Alpha Phi, the event takes on a whole new meaning. Since its inception in 2004, the CSUN Red Dress Ball has been raising funds to support women’s cardiac care. Once a year, members of the sorority along with mothers, fathers, sisters, aunts, alumni and friends gather to garner awareness about a subject that hits close to home for many attendees. The red dress was utilized as a symbol of Alpha Phi’s commitment to heart health over the past several decades. In 1956, Alpha Phi established their Foundation, and was one of the first women’s fraternities to do so. The Founders intended for the organization to act as a trust for grants specifically pertaining to scholarships and cardiac aid. During that time, rheumatic fever (which causes serious heart damage) was rampant among school children and often claimed their lives. Alphi Phi chose cardiac aid as way to help these kids, but also allow the organization to contribute to additional programs. Over the next several decades, developments in modern medicine reduced the amount of fatalities from rheumatic fever, as heart disease became the most prominent killer of women in the U.S. Alpha Phi is proud to band together as a united group of women to fight this battle. Today, the Foundation’s mission remains the same, to “advance women's lives through the power of philanthropy.” In 2010, the Foundation ran a ten million dollar leadership campaign, the largest in National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) history. The organization receives nearly one million dollars annually from collegiate chapters that host galas, heart walks and campus-wide talent shows. This year, we were honored to host the Red Dress Ball at Brandview Ballroom. Thanks to Alphi Phi coordinators Gabrielle Velasquez (their VP of Marketing) and Jessica Martin the (Director of Social Media), the event was meticulously organized and flowed smoothly. Guests dined on family-style Mediterranean fare provided by Anoush Catering, amidst a multitude of beautiful dresses in varying shades of ruby, scarlet, rose, cherry, and burgundy. Fundraising efforts were an overwhelming success as the event raised $12,000 – the largest amount to date! All of us at LA Banquets and Anoush Catering were honored to donate 15% of bar proceeds to the Foundation. During the gala, we held a Facebook contest for attendees to upload photos of themselves in their red dress. The photos with the most votes would determine the winners, so ladies were encouraged to share and seek help from their friends. The first place winner received an iPad mini and second place won a $200 voucher towards Anoush Catering. 1st place winner Katrina Brkic (pictured with CEO Vrej Sarkissian below) says her favorite part of the contest (besides scoring an iPad!) was being able to spread awareness about the Foundation even further than those who were in attendance at the gala. Congratulations to her and 2nd place winner Meghan West! We’d like to personally thank everyone involved in the Red Dress Ball and applaud Alpha Phi for a sensational event!
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December 3, 2013
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
(Photography by Solana and Miguel Torres at soulmateweddingphotography.com) On October 13th, Rocio and Jose Angel said “I do” to a new life together at a beautiful ceremony in Glendale. Surrounded by family and friends, the bride and groom exchanged vows and held their reception at Brandview Ballroom. The couple met in 2005, when neither were actively seeking a relationship. But as Rocio explains, “We quickly realized that we shared the same values, and that we had more fun together than apart. What began as a casual, dating relationship turned into true love. We are truly blessed to say that we are marrying each other's best friend!” Rocio envisioned a traditional wedding with modern elements that would reflect her and Jose Angel’s vibrant 8-year relationship. White and purple roses filled the crystal-adorned vases. Table numbers were designed in the shape of menus. And Rocio decorated the bottom of her shoes with rhinestones to spell out “I do” that guests could see when she kneeled during the ceremony. Family is very important to Rocio and Jose Angel, so they wanted to honor the memory of Jose’s late uncle, a former Captain at the Compton Fire Department, in a unique way. They were picked up after the ceremony in a fire truck and rode to the reception with blazing lights and sirens! In an edible homage to the Captain, the couple chose Julien Flambe (which is lit on fire prior to being served) as a main course. And guests enjoyed a signature drink called the “Firefighter-tini,” a martini that’s set ablaze before consumption. During the reception, guests dined on family-style entrees and desserts provided by Anoush Catering. It was a presentation style that neither Rocio nor Jose Angel’s families had encountered at a wedding before. Rocio says she was excited about introducing them to something new and liked the sharing concept associated with this style of service. Rocio’s favorite part of the planning process was spending quality time with her family. Her motivation throughout the stressful times was knowing that she and Jose Angel would celebrate their love with the people who matter most. And now the couple is thrilled to start their new life together after honeymooning in St. Lucia. Congratulations from everyone at LA Banquets to Rocio and Jose Angel!
By admin
October 31, 2013
We’re always excited to host events at our venues, but we are particularly thrilled to share that Le Foyer Ballroom recently welcomed a TV production crew, along with Rebel Wilson and Ashley Tisdale, to film an episode of “Super Fun Night,” airing Wednesday October 23rd on ABC. The show stars Rebel Wilson as Kimmie Boubier, a bumbling attorney trying to navigate the roads of friendship, family, and romance. In this episode, Kimmie plans an engagement party for her sister Jazmine (played by Tisdale) but their mom (guest star Jacki Weaver) relinquishes control and plans the party her way. (Think coconut bras and lei necklaces.) While we’re no strangers to cameras, lights, and dancing, it was a fun change of pace to watch the ballroom transform into a luau-themed beachy wonderland. Instead of flowing white wedding dresses twirl across the floor, we loved seeing grass skirts swing across the stage among palm trees, surfboards, and a faux shark head. Though we will probably continue serving our champagne in glass flutes at Le Foyer, this time we’re happy to toast in plastic pineapple cups. Catch the episode this Wednesday October 23rd at 9:30p on ABC. (Photo credit: ABC)
By admin
October 21, 2013
