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.
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!
