Milestone birthdays are something worth celebrating. And when you steer a company that plans and caters parties for other people, you know how to celebrate in style. When L.A. Banquets’ CEO Vrej Sarkissian took over the Glenoaks Ballroom to host 200 people in honor of his 40th birthday, that style was hard to miss. Vrej’s wife Ani Keshishian transformed the already elegant ballroom to reflect the guest of honor’s personality, draping the walls and ceiling, and bringing in black carpets and a gleaming black dance floor. Ani created a lounge in half of the room, and placed five long rows of transparent Plexiglas tables and chairs to extend throughout the other half for seating reminiscent of a royal banquet.Red roses were everywhere: 4,000 of them massed in high and low arrangements down the centers of the tables. Candle light shone from floating votives in tall crystal holders and from pillars in suspended glass bubbles.The whole feel of the event was completely magical. For a remarkable 360-degree tour of the re-imagined ballroom, click here. A server dressed as a champagne table set the festive mood and welcomed guests as they entered. Inside the ballroom, the array of appetizers prepared by Anoush’s chefs was dizzying.Among the tray-passed specialties were lobster skewers with watermelon and feta cheese, tuna tartare with cucumber and sesame seeds, fig bouche with Gorgonzola mousse, beef sliders with sharp cheddar and onion jam on brioche, and ceviche toast points served with cucumber gazpacho shooters. Served table-side were risotto croquettes with saffron aioli, flank steak skewers with Peruvian chimichurri, chicken satay with coconut-peanut dipping sauce, and mini cheese beoreks. A magnificent display of European cheeses and charcuterie was surrounded by fresh fruits, nuts, and breads, and yet another display offered Mediterranean, French, Spanish, and California-style olives. As if those weren’t enough, there was also eggplant caviar, hummus, baba ghanouj, mouhammara, kimchee, and tzatziki. In the cocktail area, the stunning,mirrored bar featured flaming alcohol shots and a full selection of premium liquor, including Anoush Signature Cognac. Poster-size photographs of Vrej as a child lined the walls in mirrored frames. Every surface reflected light and added to the magical feel of the evening. And just when the guests thought there simply couldn’t be any more food in the Anoush kitchen, dinner was served:Waldorf salad with figs, green apples, goat cheese, candied pecans and balsamic vinaigrette, followed by lamb chops and kabobs of chicken, beef, shrimp, and vegetables. Then, an astonishing and strikingly decorated five-tier upside-down birthday cake was presented, and Vrej blew out the candles as family, friends, and the entire L.A. Banquets and Anoush Catering staff cheered. Renowned Armenian singer Tigan (Tiko) Asatryan entertained to accompaniment from his six-piece band as guests took to the dance floor under dramatic red laser lights.Everyone was having such a wonderful time that the party went on until the wee hours of the morning. It was an extraordinarily special night for Vrej because he and his beautiful wife Ani were married in the Glenoaks Ballroom in 2002, and it was also in that room that they celebrated the christenings of their children. We wish them many more joy-filled occasions to share. Check out this sensational time-lapse view of the party from start to finish: Venue: Glenoaks Ballroom by L.A. Banquets Catering: Anoush Catering Entertainment: TigranAsatryan, AraMartirosyan, Highclassdj Serge, SamvelSahakyan, Vic Antonyan Flowers: Petals LA Video & Photo: Jay Jay Productions Planner: Terri Castillo, Bellisimo Events Mixology: MasisMkrtchyan, Anoush Catering Signature Bar Cake: Ruben’s Cakes Rentals: White Night Rentals, CMC Rentals
By admin
October 13, 2014
You’re about to make the biggest commitment of your life and you want to do it in your own words. It all sounded wonderfully romantic when you both decided to write your own vows, but now that you’re facing a blank page, it’s daunting. Not only are you going to compose very personal thoughts and feelings meant for the person you’re going to spend the rest of your days with, but you’re going to announce them in front of a lot of other people. Before you keel over in a dead faint at the prospect, here are some guidelines that will help. Check With Your Officiant Some religious ceremonies require specific wording included within the wedding vows. Make sure you know what’s acceptable within your tradition. Take Some Private Time to Put Your Thoughts Together Curl up with your cat or dog on your lap, take a walk in the park, or sit at the beach and watch the waves. Go wherever your mind can be at peace and thoughts can come to you. Think about this person you’re about to marry and why he or she is the one. Plan With Each Other Before You Start Writing You each have your own style of talking and writing, but discuss whether you’d like the tone of your vows to be similar. If one of you is planning an Elizabethan sonnet and the other intends something less formal, consider if you’ll be comfortable with that; it might sound as if you’re not at the same wedding. Consider Parallel Construction You may want to come up with a list of sentence starters that you can each then complete on your own. Parallel construction can help your vows flow easier, but be careful not to make it sound too much like a nursery rhyme. Things like “When times are good I promise to…,” “When times are hard I promise to…”, “When I first saw you I…”, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you because…” Keep It Short Vows shouldn’t take longer than about a minute each. That’s about 150 words. If you’ve got more you’re aching to say, use it in your wedding toast, whisper it to your new spouse while you’re dancing, or put it in a love letter. Don’t Make It Cutesy “I love you when you have pizza sauce on your chin” is the kind of thing you say to each other in the privacy of your own home, not when you’re committing to a lifetime of devotion in front of your parents and everyone you know. Don’t Fill It With Inside References You’re not texting each other or leaving notes on the refrigerator door. You’ve invited people to witness this exchange of vows committing yourself to one another; you want to be sure they can understand what you’re talking about. Above all, refrain from trying to slip in coded references to anything that’s really intimate. (Some codes aren’t all that difficult to crack.) Anything that has the potential to make you giggle while you say it is probably not a good thing to include. Don’t Fill It With Quotations If you want some inspiration, you can find lots of online sites with both traditional and offbeat vows, as well as romantic quotes from movies and literature. Given that the whole idea is to come up with your own original vows, though, think hard before you decide to fill them with other people’s words. Don’t Use Overworn Words Love, honor, and cherish are old words that will never lose their meanings. Awesome and amazing have been used so often to describe such mundane things as a pair of sandals or a vegan smoothie that they have completely lost their value in describing something really awesome or amazing, like the depth of your feelings for this person standing next to you. Make It Warm, Make It Real The point of writing your own vows is to make them personal and meaningful to the two of you. You might want to include a reference to any children the marriage is bringing with it. Don’t shy from including something light-hearted or even something unexpected that will bring a quick laugh. This is a joyous occasion, after all. But also keep in mind the very serious reason you’re getting married, and the mutual obligations and responsibilities — albeit loving — that go along with that. Read Out Loud to Yourself as You Write If something sounds stilted or is difficult to say out loud, revise it. Try moving the words or the sentences around. Getting a first draft on the page is the hard part; re-writing is always easier. Often a new and better way of saying something will come to you if you give it a day or two before you re-read what you’ve written. Write Out Your Vows for the Ceremony This is no time for three-hole notebook paper. Write or print your vows on a nice 3x5 or 5x8 card or even on a small scroll. Rehearse You’ll have the written copy to guide you, but try to memorize as much of your vows as possible so you can recite them while you’re looking at the other person instead of down at your notes. Practice speaking clearly and not too quickly so everyone seated in your beautiful wedding venue will be able to hear you. After the Wedding Frame your vows and hang them someplace where you’ll see them every day!
You’re about to put a whole lot of work into planning a party that your guest of honor won’t know anything about until he or she walks into the room. It would be so deflating if your honoree found out ahead of time. The party would still be fun, but that special element would be missing. Here’s how to throw a surprise party that’s really a surprise: Before You Even Start Make sure the person you want to surprise will enjoy it. Some people really hate to be surprised, and after all this party should be what they want. Enlist a Fellow Conspirator You’ll need someone to wrangle everything before you get there. Or it might be more reasonable that someone else bring the honoree to the party. In either case, if you live with the honoree, have your conspirator be the one who accepts the RSVPs. Invite the Guest of Honor Tell him or her you want to go out for the big day. Just the two of you. Or if it’s a really big birthday and you want to avoid all suspicion, pick a date other than his actual birthday. The Saturday before might be a good time to spring something. And if you think even that might arouse curiosity, make the party a Sunday brunch. Who would suspect a surprise brunch? Alternatively, invite him to go to a party for someone else. But be kind and, whatever the diversion, make sure he’ll be dressed for the event you’re really going to. (This goes double if your honoree is female. Even a guest of honor will be unhappy if she’s dropped unprepared into a dress-up party.) Invite Guests by Mail or Phone Use snail mail or the phone, no exceptions. Make it very clear that it’s a surprise party and that the invitees are honor-bound to reveal nothing. Remind them to be careful not to let anything slip or ask questions that they wouldn’t normally ask. Do Not Email Anyone About the Party Even if you’re sending an email on a different topic, don’t include anything about the surprise party. People forward emails without giving it too much thought, and also have an annoying habit of responding to emails with copies to people who shouldn’t be seeing them. Soon enough your guest of honor is reading all about the big surprise next Saturday night. Do Not Post About It on Facebook That’s a given, right? No matter how secret the page is. Don’t Tell Any Blabbermouths You can adore someone but you know that, given the slightest chance, she’ll unwittingly spill the beans. Tell your Chatty Kathy to save the date, but tell her you’ll coordinate the details the day before. She’ll still have time to buy a present or write a birthday IOU. The Big Surprise Decide how you want to do it. It all depends on where you’re having the party and how well you think you can orchestrate the guests. It might be easiest to choose a venue that will take care of much of the set-up and planning for you so you can concentrate on the surprise. Do you want to walk into a dark room and then have the lights go on and everyone yell “surprise”? Do you want to be sitting at your favorite Los Angeles bar or restaurant and have people join you in ones and twos until the honoree realizes what’s going on? Do you want it to feel like a regular get-together of the gang until everyone just starts singing Happy Birthday flash mob style? Have Everyone Arrive Early If you’re doing the standard surprise and the honoree is arriving at 7, tell everyone to be there at 6 because the honoree is coming at 6:30. That way, even stragglers won’t be walking in just as the honoree gets there. Make sure you plan ahead if your guests will be traveling to the party on the freeway so you don’t let Los Angeles gridlock on the freeway interfere with your party plans. Open the bar at 6, though, so people aren’t standing around getting cranky while they wait. Don’t Let Cars Give It Away Friends know what cars their other friends drive. Although parking in SoCal is a pain, make sure people aren’t parking in your driveway, in front of your house, or right at the entrance to the restaurant. Should you be heading toward the party site and your honoree looks you straight in the eye and says “I know all about it,” you can still plead innocence. Look sad and say you didn’t think he’d want a party at all and you wish you’d thought of it. And if that doesn’t work, you may as well come clean. It’s not the end of the world. The truth is that surprise parties are often more exciting for the guests than the honoree. They’re the ones whose anticipation has built up, and they’re the ones who have enjoyed being complicit. Fortunately, it won’t take much convincing for the honoree to think of the blown secret as the opportunity to do a spectacular acting job. That way, everyone wins!
Your Wedding-Day Emergency Kit Big day. Lots of people. Lots of details. So many chances for minor mishaps that could be resolved easily if only you had the right stuff to fix them. Herewith, a suggested list of supplies that might come in handy for you, your wedding party, or family members. Hotel gift shops and housekeeping departments carry some of these items, and your wedding planner may bring some of them with her, too, but you’ll be ready for almost anything if you have your own stash right at hand. Pop the list into your purse and bring it with you as you make your ordinary rounds in the weeks leading up to the wedding. Check it when you’re in the drugstore, dollar store, or beauty supply shop and soon you’ll have everything you need. As a bonus, buy travel-appropriate sizes and packaging and pack everything into a tote. Then you can offload the ones that were wedding-specific and take the rest along on your honeymoon! For Personal Care and Grooming Some disposable toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, breath mints or spray, contact lens solution, eye drops, hand lotion, a few tampons and panty liners. Also hairspray, nail polish remover pads, nail polish (both clear and the color you’re wearing), an emery board, super glue, a comb, some bobby pins, hair elastics, Q-tips, and tweezers. Bring sunblock if your wedding is outdoors. Add a mirror you can use to see the back of your hair and dress, and any makeup you’ll want for touchups. Your perfume, too. Super-fastidious brides might also want to pack some drinking straws so they and their bridesmaids can hydrate themselves pre-wedding (with water or something more festive) after their lipstick is on. Don’t forget tissues for wiping smears as well as tears. For Minor Medical Issues Aspirin or other headache reliever, Motrin or other muscle pain reliever, Benadryl or other antihistamine, antacid, anti-diarrheal, antibiotic cream, and Band-Aids. Also, prescription medications and an Epi-pen if either you or the groom use them. If you’ve got room, toss in a can or small bottle of ginger ale; sometimes it’s better than anything else to soothe an unsettled stomach. For Wardrobe Malfunctions A sewing needle and thread (white, black, and the color of the bridesmaid dresses), small scissors, safety pins, straight pins, spare earring backs, a lint brush or roller, double-sided fashion tape, no-iron hem tape, stain-removing stick or towelettes, white chalk (for camouflaging stains), anti-static spray or dryer sheets, a travel-size steamer, a travel-size iron, a pair of sheer Peds for anyone who might need them. If you’ve got written instructions for bustling your dress, don’t forget to bring them. Also consider bringing a pair of white ballet slippers or other comfortable shoes to put on in case a night of dancing leaves your feet howling. For Miscellaneous Problems An extension cord, Scotch tape, and extra batteries for whatever might require them. A piece of sandpaper for giving traction to the bottom of a pair of brand new shoes. A book of matches or a lighter. A pen and a pad of paper or post-its. A bottle of club soda. For the Wedding Itself Contact lists of vendors and members of the bridal party, copies of your vows and the ceremony and reception schedules, copy of the music playlist (in case the bandleader or DJ left his in the car), cash for unexpected tips or other expenses. Some people recommend bringing “extra” wedding rings, but if by any remote chance yours are misplaced, how much nicer to temporarily borrow rings from family or friends. For Any Children in the Wedding Party Bring some non-sticky, non-sugary, won’t-spill munchies to keep them occupied pre-ceremony. Pretzels, bananas, or green grapes shouldn’t pose any problems. Juice boxes could be iffy, but definitely no grape juice. For the big girls and boys among you — yourself included — who might have skipped breakfast or lunch, you could bring a box of energy bars or trail mix. But no grape juice for any of the grownups, either. And that goes for red wine, too. For the Groom Duct tape. He will use it to fix everything the rest of the list won’t.
By admin
September 24, 2014
All those months of planning are over, the wedding venue was beautiful, the honeymoon dreamy, and now you’ve kicked off your shoes, unpacked your suitcases, and are ready to settle into married life. Not so fast. There are still some details to take care of. 1. Change Your Name If you’re changing your last name, the first place to contact is the Social Security Administration. Go to ssa.gov for complete instructions and to fill out an application, but you must apply for the name change in person. In general, the application, proof of identity, and original or certified copy of your marriage certificate (not marriage license) will be required, but check the website for additional paperwork that might be necessary under special circumstances. There is no charge to change your name on your account, and your social security number will remain the same. You’ll receive your new card in the mail about 10 business days after you submit your application. Once you’ve changed your name with Social Security, you can change it with the Department of Motor Vehicles. California residents should visit dmv.ca.gov for complete instructions for changing your name on your driver’s license or ID card. Applications are not available online because they’re individually bar coded, but you can request that one be mailed to you if you want to fill it out at home. You’ll have to go to a DMV office to complete the process. Make an appointment unless you like standing in lines, and be prepared to have your picture taken. The fee for a name change is $27. You may as well change your name on your vehicle registration at the same time. You have to apply in person, but there’s no fee. After your new major identification sources are in sync, you can change the name on your bank accounts and with whomever issues your paychecks. Then go down the line and have your name changed on your credit cards, health insurance, car insurance, passport, voter registration, student or car loans, and any professional licenses or certifications you have. If your maiden name is on a continuing mortgage, lease, utility account, or any other business that sends you regular bills (cell phone, ISP), change your name on those. Don’t forget to change your name and contact info for your pet’s chip, inform your alumni association and any membership organizations you belong to, and of course let all your business contacts know your new name. 2. Clean and Protect Your Wedding Dress If your dress was visibly soiled, we hope you asked someone to take it to be cleaned as soon as possible after your wedding when stain-removal would have been most effective. Otherwise, the sooner the better is the time to have it professionally cleaned and packed for storage. Even if your dress looks pristine, you did wear it for hours, were touched and hugged by countless people, and the hem probably hit the ground or the floor any number of times. A shop experienced in wedding dress preservation will carefully clean it, layer it in acid-free tissue paper, and pack it in an archival box that will keep it protected. The service can be pricey, depending upon the fabric and intricacy of your dress, but that dress is probably the most expensive piece of clothing you’ve ever bought or are likely to buy, and if you have any notion of passing it on to a future daughter, the cost is well worth it. Even if you decide not to preserve your dress, consider preserving at least your delicate veil. There are many fine cleaners in the Los Angeles area; your bridal shop may offer a suggestion, or search “wedding dress preservation” to find one you’re comfortable with. 3. Start on Your Thank You Notes Get them out within a month (two at the max) to everyone who gave you a gift or performed a special service. A handwritten note is the most appropriate way to do it. Email is better than nothing, but you should probably still write a special note to loved ones, especially older family members who may not use the computer frequently. Absolutely no “thanks for the great present” blasts; each email has got to be personal and mention the specific gift. 4. Return Borrowed Items and Duplicate Gifts Return everything you may have borrowed, with appropriate thanks, and return duplicate presents to the store as soon as you can. Your bridal registries may have programs that offer you a post-wedding discount when you buy items for yourself that you didn’t receive as gifts. For example, Macy’s will give you a 15 percent discount for up to six months, Crate & Barrel gives a 15 percent discount for three months, and Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma give a 10 percent discount for six months. You might want to wait until near the deadlines because you’ll probably still be receiving gifts after the wedding. 5. Take Care of the Big-Time Stuff You don’t have to take care of these the day you come home, but don’t put them off. The sooner you check these off your list, the sooner you can put them out of your mind. We’re talking about preparing wills and health care directives, and putting your names together as signatories and beneficiaries on retirement and other important accounts and documents. You’re a legally recognized couple now and have shared assets and responsibilities to each other. Put your financial house in order when you embark on life together, and you’ll be getting off to a smooth start.
By admin
September 18, 2014
When you’re planning your wedding reception, sometimes it can seem as if deciding on the theme is the most difficult part. With so many options to choose from, it can feel daunting; you need to choose a theme that reflects you and your personal style without becoming too kitschy or overdone. Borrowing styles and ideas from Hollywood films is a great way to evoke the glamorous feeling of different periods in moviemaking history. Since you have the advantage of living in Los Angeles, the movie capital of the world, gathering the props and decorations to pull off a Hollywood-themed reception is much easier than it would be elsewhere. When you meet with your planner, discuss your ideas with him or her and ask questions. A good Los Angeles wedding planner should have contacts with many of the businesses that specialize in props for film and television shows, which will make your vision come to life in a spectacular way. Here are some great glam wedding reception ideas that can help you turn your reception into an Oscar-winning performance. The 1920s and “The Great Gatsby” The 1920s have always been an era that people look back on fondly. Chances are if you’ve been to a costume party recently you’ve found yourself faced with a 1920s theme. Thanks to last year’s release of Baz Luhrmann's “The Great Gatsby,” 1920s style is more popular than ever. If you’re in the mood for an over-the-top reception, you could throw a full-fledged costume party. Ask your guests to come decked out in their best flapper attire, serve champagne in vintage coupes or saucers, offer a cigar bar for the gentlemen, and hire a jazz band to play ragtime classics from the period. The decadence of the 1920s will shine through and make your guests feel as if they’ve been transported to the Prohibition era. If you’d rather keep the 1920s theme subtle for your reception, there are plenty of art deco touches that are understated yet elegant. Choose stylish linens in black and white for the tables. Ask your caterer to set the tables in heavy, classic silver utensils coupled with a stylish plate in white. Ask your florist to use large blooms such as peonies and to add ostrich or peacock feathers to the arrangements. Keep the lighting subtle to really evoke the speakeasy mood. “Casablanca” and the 1940s The 1940s were an interesting time in the United States. Half of the decade was spent at war, yet some of the most classic American films were released during that decade. “Casablanca,” “Citizen Kane,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” were released during the 1940s, and these films remain some of the best-loved classics. The style of the time was classic and elegant, and all of these themes are perfect for a wedding reception. Borrowing ideas from “Casablanca” is a great way to style your vintage-themed reception. Evoke a sultry, Middle Eastern/North African feel with linens and draperies in bright jewel tones, and ask your planner to find some Moroccan-style lanterns for the tables. Use vintage postcards on the tables to guide your guests to their seats, and consider setting up a hookah lounge outside. Just a few simple touches, which may include a Panama hat or two, can make you and your guests feel as if they’re having a drink at Rick’s Cafe and that Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall will walk through the door at any moment. 1960s “Mad Men” Style The 1960s were a time of duality in America. There was a holdover of the style from the 1950s combined with the emergence of counterculture hedonism later in the decade. If you’re a fan of the classic style of the earlier part of the 1960s, think “Mad Men” for your wedding reception style. A martini bar is a must and creates a chic cocktail party feel that your guests will love. Decorate with period props such as vintage typewriters that your guests can use to write well wishes to the happy couple. Roses and baby’s breath were very popular at the time, so be sure to tell your florist that you’ve been inspired by “Mad Men” and would like your flower arrangements to align with that theme. You can apply the 1960s theme to your menu as well. Dishes like chateaubriand and beef Wellington were popular at the time, and are certainly decadent enough for an elegant reception. Be sure that your band or DJ is well versed in the music of the time, and have a dance floor that encourages your guests to take part. If you’re inspired by a bygone Hollywood era, it’s quite simple to apply that theme to your wedding reception. With carefully chosen props, decorations, and flowers, your reception venue can be whisked back in time to another decade. Outline your plans carefully with your wedding planner, then watch your old Hollywood reception come to life.
By admin
September 4, 2014
