101 Tips for Planning a Luxury Wedding on a Budget
101 helpful tips for planning a luxurious wedding without breaking the bank.
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Tips for Planning a Large Wedding
One of the initial steps in wedding planning is to prepare a guest list, and this is because everything from the number of servings in the wedding cake to how large the church and wedding reception venue need to be are based on the number of guests who will be in attendance. While some people are focused on having a small, intimate affair, others have large families or may not feel comfortable only inviting a few of their closest friends. In some cases, parents of the bride and groom also want to invite their own guests to attend. If you are planning a large wedding, rest assured that the process is the same. You simply have to think on a larger scale. Choose the Right Wedding Venue When you are planning a large wedding, your options will undoubtedly include the finest and grandest wedding venues. While you may initially think about the high cost of expensive wedding venues, there are perks associated with them as well. Consider, for example, that many of the finest ballrooms in your area may already have elaborate décor, and you may have to spend very little to dress them up. In fact, in some cases, flowers, candles and table decorations may be all that are needed to set the stage for a gorgeous event. In addition, large wedding venues give you and your guests plenty of opportunities for different experiences. For example, there may be space for dining tables and catering tables. There may also be space for a photo booth, a DJ or a band stage, a dance floor and even a lounge area with couches that are brought in or that the facility provides. This can make the event much more of an affair than a small wedding, and it surely will be the talk of family and friends for years to come. Personalize Your Event While large wedding venues often are beautifully decorated and may require little effort on your part to dress them up, you may want to personalize your event in different ways. Some, for example, may hold true to family or cultural traditions, and with a big venue, there is ample space to create sections that provide unique and personal experiences for your guests. You may want to include a cash bar, a giving tree or other unique elements that show off your personal taste and style. From the traditional father-daughter dance and the tossing of the bouquet to throwing rice or blowing bubbles, you’ll have room for it all without worrying about “set changes” on your big day. Select a Diverse Range of Dishes and Beverages One of the challenges that many people have when planning a wedding is deciding which dishes and beverages to serve. With a smaller wedding, you may only need to serve one main entree and a few side dishes, or you may even only serve appetizers and drinks. There simply is not a need to serve more than this and it may not even be an option from your caterer to accommodate several entrees with a smaller guest list. Also, with a big wedding, comes more diversity and it is much more difficult to accommodate everyone who has special dietary or cultural need with regard to food. It also may make it more likely that some of your guests will not find something being served that they like to eat. With a larger number of wedding guests, your caterer can easily serve several main dishes as well as numerous sides and appetizers. Choosing family style service is a great option for ensuring that that more of the guests' unique needs and preferences are met. While it may not be possible to please everyone, there is a better chance that you will please most when you serve a wider range of dishes and beverages. Think About Photo Opportunities A wedding is an event to remember, and you may want to enjoy looking back on the fond memories made at your wedding for years or even decades to come. When guest lists include your friends, neighbors, work colleagues, boss, college roommate and any number of other people, you have a tremendous opportunity for photos, but with so many guests it’s easy to miss some of them. To ensure that you have a memory find ways to include opportunities for guests to be documented. This can be as simple as having several photographers or a combination of photographers, videographers, photo-booths, and especially a specific wedding hashtag for social media postings on Instagram and the like. While a large wedding may be more costly, keep in mind that a marriage is a special event that is worthy of bringing together all of those who are nearest and dearest to you, your family and your spouse-to-be. It can be a challenge to plan, but you will find that there are far more possibilities available to you when you do have a larger venue to work with and in the end, the costs can balance out.
Your Engagement Photo Guide
In a time when people are constantly taking pictures of everything they do, see, and eat, making special arrangements to have your photo taken is certainly out of the ordinary. But becoming engaged isn’t something you do every day, either. Why set aside time and get all primped to have engagement photos taken? There are several reasons. The first is so that you have a newspaper-worthy picture to submit with your engagement announcement. The second is so that you have a great shot to use on your wedding website or your save-the-dates. The third is so you can test out the photographer you’ve chosen to take the pictures on your wedding day. And the fourth is, well, because it’s fun! Follow the tips below to make sure your engagement photos are truly memorable. Choosing the Photographer A picture is worth a thousand words, and a good photographer is going to cost the equivalent. But skimping on this wedding expense is probably the one regret you’ll have. The time leading up to your wedding is going to speed by, and the wedding day itself is going to be over before you know it. What you’ll have left are beautiful memories and, we hope, beautiful photographs that capture every golden moment and the small, precious details that tend to fade with the years. There’s no better advice than to hire a professional who specializes in wedding photography. This may be your first time at the altar, but it shouldn’t be the first time for your photographer. He or she will have good cameras and good lighting, and will know how to get the right poses and compositions without being intrusive. Also, unlike a friend who may have volunteered for the job, a professional photographer won’t be sidetracked by trying to be a guest as well. Selecting a wedding photographer early — and you have to anyway, because the good ones book up well in advance — gives you the opportunity to have him or her do your engagement photos first. This gives the photographer a chance to know you as a couple and to experiment with getting your best angles and learning what will be most effective on your wedding day. Deciding What Kind of Engagement Photos You Want Indoors in a studio or outdoors in a natural setting? Formal or casual? You’ve seen engagement photos with a couple canoodling in a romantic location like water’s edge at sunset, or poised in silhouette against a stark industrial background, or in the park with their pets, or dressed in costume and acting out dramatic scenarios, or just grinning and holding signs that say things like “He asked. She said yes.” You’ve seen photos with a couple so far in the distance that you can’t recognize them, and shot in such close-up that every freckle is visible. Special photographic effects are also popular for engagement photos: everything from sepia to hyper-saturated color. Some look like high-fashion layouts, some look like scenes from a movie, and some look like candids taken with a selfie-stick. Many couples coordinate their engagement photo style with their beautiful wedding venue. Pictures tell a story. Just make sure it’s your story, and not something that’s going to feel artificial when you look back at the photos later. If you’d never go hang-gliding in your life, for instance, you may not want to have your engagement photos taken to look as if you’re about to jump off a mountain top… regardless of how apt you may feel the analogy is. Whatever style you opt for, remember that you’ll want one “standard” pose if you’ll be submitting a photo to a newspaper or other publication. This means a photo where your heads are close together, you’re looking at the camera, neither of you is wearing a hat, and there’s no distracting image behind you. Choosing What to Wear The style and location of your engagement photo session is going to dictate your wardrobe, but regardless, be wary of wearing prints or fad clothing that’s too of the moment. (Many ‘80s brides regret those shoulder pads!) Your clothes should coordinate with each other’s as far as appropriateness for the location, and should be in complementary hues as well as be equally subtle or bright. Unless you’re going for a comic effect, matchy-matchy is usually too much of a good thing. Remember that in close-ups your neckline is the most important part of your outfit, and don’t wear blingy jewelry that will detract from your own radiant smile. Scheduling the Photo Session You’ll want to take engagement photos as soon as you’ve selected a photographer. This is particularly important if you intend to send them to the local paper, your alumni magazine, or other publications, because there can be a several month lag between submission and seeing your announcement in print. Taking them as soon as you can is also necessary if you’re going to use them as part of your save-the-dates; you’ll want enough time to let your photographer perform his or her magic in perfecting them (oh, the joy of Photoshop), and then to print up your announcements and send them out so everyone has enough advance notice to join you on the big day. Newly engaged? Contact LA Banquets today to find your venue and set the tone for your big day.
Perfect Location for an Indian Wedding in Los Angeles
Indian weddings are wondrous affairs steeped in tradition and filled with ritual and celebration. With their many festivities over several days, it can be daunting to find a location that accommodates all of an Indian wedding’s gatherings and ceremonies. With its array of superb facilities, L.A. Banquets is the perfect answer. We’ve helped many couples celebrate their unions in Indian tradition. What’s more, from sangeet to mehndi to mandap and beyond, we know how to plan wonderful events that are affordable without sacrificing style. You’re welcome to choose from one of our preferred Indian caterers, or bring in your own favorite. Either way, skilled Anoush staff will be attentive, whether tray-passing, presiding at bountiful buffets, or presenting dinner with fine plated service or family-style. Our accomplished bartenders will delight with signature cocktails or mocktails as you wish. We offer a beautiful variety of ballrooms and smaller spaces for every step of your Indian wedding. For the Smaller Gatherings The Legacy Lounge in Glendale is an ideal space for sangeet or mehndi. Classic sophistication is the keynote, with seating for up to 64 guests at square tables designed for easy conversation. To highlight its intimate size, careful attention has been paid to every detail, with graceful sconces providing gentle lighting, and a burnished wood floor that complements any color scheme you choose for linens and flowers. There’s even space for performance or musical entertainment. Le Foyer Lounge in North Hollywood offers lavish ornamental details, tiled stone walls, spectacular carved arches, and a gently bubbling fountain. Le Foyer Lounge accommodates up to 70 guests and can be arranged with round dining tables or one long table down the center of the room. The front of the room also offers space for a stage if you’d like. The Brandview Patio in Glendale is just the spot to take advantage of our wonderful Southern California weather for a traditional event or for a casual parting brunch or luncheon. This spacious open air deck accommodates up to 100 guests under the warm daytime sun. The space features comfortable lounge seating and even a fire feature to keep guests cozy. For the Larger Events The Glenoaks Ballroom in Glendale is extravagantly appointed with classic architecture, handcrafted woodwork, high ceilings, imported marble, mirrored walls, and a 60-foot crystal chandelier that will take your reception to the next level of elegance. With 4,500 square feet to accommodate up to 450 people, this sophisticated ballroom imparts the style of yesteryear from the moment your guests step into the red-carpeted entry. The Glenoaks’ open floor plan allows for your choice of seating options on both sides of the gleaming white dance floor, and the bridal party can take its place at the head of the room in front of a crystal-encrusted backdrop. The Glenoaks Ballroom offers a generous stage and, if you wish, the room can be customized with an alternate dance floor and your choice of materials to drape the walls to fit your design scheme. The Brandview Ballroom in downtown Glendale offers a sophisticated venue with 13,000 square feet, and can host up to 550 guests. Located in the historic art deco-inspired Huntley-Evans building, this premier banquet hall retains elegant stylistic details reminiscent of a bygone era but has been completely renovated for modern convenience. Your guests will enter via an amazing spiral staircase featuring a two-story crystal chandelier. The ballroom has Italian onyx chandeliers, breathtaking floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sparkling white dance floor. The space is completely customizable with seating and dance floor arrangements to suit your wishes. The Brandview also features a beautifully outfitted suite for the bride and her party to use for dressing or touch-ups during the reception. The Le Foyer Ballroom in North Hollywood has 5,500 square feet and can accommodate up to 550 guests who will enter through a foyer of imported Italian marble that features a breathtaking 25-foot fountain. The venue can be arranged to suit your needs, and the ballroom’s 16 arches and beautiful chandelier make a beautiful backdrop for any photos. Once dinner has been served, our lighting options can instantly transform your formal reception into a lively dance fest. Le Foyer also offers full butler service in its fully appointed bridal suite. All of our locations offer state-of-the-art lighting, Wi-Fi, full audiovisual capabilities, and valet parking. Whichever venues you choose, you’ll have at your disposal a talented and thoughtful L.A. Banquets event planner who can help you coordinate your catering, decorating, and other planning needs for a truly memorable wedding celebration.
4 Fabulous Places for a High School Reunion in Los Angeles
If next June marks a milestone number of years since you graduated from high school, now is the time to start planning a spectacular reunion. It takes more time than you’d think to contact everyone and make all the arrangements. Plus, getting together with old friends to plan everything is half the fun. The first thing you’ve got to do is pick a date and find a venue. Happily for you, we’ve got four great locations, and one of them is going to be perfect for you. A Spectacular Reunion for a Big Crowd The Brandview Ballroom in downtown Glendale is the area’s premier event venue. Offering a sweeping 13,000 square feet of style and sophistication, it can more than comfortably host up to 550 guests. Located in the historic Art Deco-inspired Huntley-Evans building built in 1921, the ballroom has been completely renovated for modern convenience yet retains elegant stylistic details reminiscent of a bygone era. Guests will enter via a dramatic spiral staircase enhanced with gold-leafed railings and set off by a two-story crystal chandelier, giving each of your classmates the chance to make a grand entrance. The ballroom itself is graced with Italian onyx chandeliers, tufted walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The space is completely customizable with seating and dance floor arrangements to match your plans. There’s even room enough for your school’s whole pep squad to lead the crowd in a nostalgic cheer. In addition to the Brandview’s stunning bar, you can designate part of the ballroom as a comfortable cocktail lounge. Adjacent is the outdoor Brandview Patio, which you may include as an intimate spot for cocktails, conversation, and hookah, too, if you’d like. A Trip Back in Time for the Whole Class The Le Foyer Ballroom in North Hollywood is today’s answer to the luxury of old Hollywood. With 5,500 square feet of exquisite architectural detail, it can accommodate up to 550 guests who will enter through a foyer of imported Italian marble that features a breathtaking 25-foot fountain. The ballroom’s sixteen arches are highlighted by a dazzling chandelier, and the room can be arranged in any of a number of ways to create the setting that suits you. Once dinner has been served, our lighting options can instantly transform your reunion into a lively, nightclub-inspired dance fest for showing you’ve all still got the moves. Guests who would like some fresh air can stroll out onto the patio and enjoy a hookah bar while sipping cocktails. An Elegant Evening for Everyone The Glenoaks Ballroom in Glendale is extravagantly appointed with classic architecture, handcrafted woodwork, high ceilings, imported marble, mirrored walls, and a 60-foot crystal chandelier that will take your reunion to the next level of elegance. With 4,500 square feet to accommodate up to 450 people, this sophisticated ballroom imparts the allure of yesteryear from the moment your classmates step into the red-carpeted entry. The Glenoaks’ open floor plan allows for your choice of seating options on both sides of the gleaming white dance floor, and special presentations can be made in front of a crystal-encrusted backdrop. The ballroom also offers a generous stage for the program and musical entertainment. All of our ballrooms are complete with capacious dance floors, full audiovisual capabilities, Wi-Fi, and state-of-the-art lighting that can be tailored to suit the mood as your reunion progresses from cocktails, through dinner, and on to dancing. Each of the locations also offers convenient valet parking. Anoush catering is another reason to choose one of these impressive venues. Our master chefs delight in creating delectable fare, using only the finest and freshest ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan requests are handled with ease. Skilled staff will pamper everyone, whether you choose a buffet, bountiful family style dining, or fine plated service. Anoush bartenders will add special flair with signature cocktails. And whichever venue you select, you’ll have at your disposal a talented and thoughtful L.A. Banquets event planner to work with you and make sure your reunion is everything you want it to be. This is the ideal time to book your 2016 high school reunion to assure the date of your choice. If your class was small, or you don’t expect a crush of people, we also have spaces in Glendale and North Hollywood that are ideal for 100 or fewer guests and offer the same exceptional style and service.
The Right People to Invite to Your Wedding
As soon as you start planning your wedding, you begin to realize that you can’t invite everyone you’ve ever known in your life unless you have limitless budget and space. Even at that, you’re faced with guest lists being thrust at you from all sides. What with your fiancé’s basketball pals, your mother’s extensive clan of cousins, and your future father-in-law’s business associates, it’s starting to feel as if Dodger Stadium wouldn’t be big enough to host your nuptials. Getting back to that imaginary unlimited budget and space, do you really want to have a wedding that’s indistinguishable from closing night at Coachella? Your wedding should be a very special and exclusive celebration of a sacred commitment. You want people there who mean something to you and to whom you mean something. Getting ready to winnow the lists and decide who you want to invite? Follow the guidelines diagrammed on our chart for wedding guest list bliss. Are They Family? First and foremost are family members from both sides. Relations by blood and by marriage should be the first names on your list. The people who knew you when you were little and watched you grow up, the people who love you no matter what. These are the folks, perhaps above all others, who will enjoy seeing you take the next step and who will be hurt if they’re not included. Not that sparing feelings should be the primary reason to invite someone, but as you head into this new phase of your life you do want to start out on the right foot. Inviting immediate family goes without saying. That means grandparents, parents, and siblings and their spouses. Aunts, uncles, and cousins of your generation come next. If you’re inviting children, then nieces, nephews, and maybe young cousins should be on the list. For some large families, these people alone will just about fill your venue. It might mean reconsidering the rest of your list a bit, but think how lucky you are to have such a big circle of family adding their warmth to your day. How far out you stretch the list of family is up to you. In-laws of in-laws? Third cousins? The determining factor should be whether or not you feel close to them. Family trees often don’t tell the whole story. Are They Friends? There’s a difference between friends and acquaintances. For one thing, friends are people who know and love both you and your fiancé, or at least know your partner’s name . If your save-the-date is going to come as a huge surprise, then that person probably isn’t part of your inner circle. But you might have lifelong friends that distance or the exigencies of life have separated you from and yet would still bring special joy to have with you on your wedding day. What about your parents’ friends? Some may be as close to you as relatives, and absolutely belong on the list even if they’ve never met the wonderful person you’re about to marry. Others not so much. This will take some honest conversation with your parents, especially if they’re paying for the wedding. If they’re important to your parents, and there’s otherwise room to include them without bumping your own besties, go ahead and invite them. Are They Co-Workers? This one is easy. If you often hang out outside of work and are involved in each other’s lives, then those co-workers are in the friends category and are absolute invite ‘ems. As long as you don’t make the other people you work with feel excluded, they’ll all understand. The same rule of thumb should apply to people your parents work with. That nice woman in Accounting would probably be shocked to get an invitation anyway. Are They in a Special Category? There might be some people in your life who aren’t the nearest of relatives and aren’t the closest of friends but will add something extra to the occasion. If you can’t imagine your wedding without them, then there’s nothing more to discuss. Especially if they’ll make the occasion more fun or more meaningful to you. It’s one of the most important days in your life, and you should be surrounded by people it will make you happy to share it with.
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