Wedding and Event Planning Tips Los Angeles-
Wedding and Event Planning Tips Los Angeles – My mom and dad loved to throw parties at our home. My parents owned a floral business, which was established in 1914 and for them entertaining was fun and enjoyable.
My mom loved setting the dinner tables with their china, crystal, fresh florals, along with their favorite Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., tunes playing in the background. I loved to see the final look of the table decor with the flickering candles. Beautiful lighting was mesmerizing to me.
What I loved most about the parties were the guests. My parents had great friends that were fun to be around. My mom taught me that parties aren’t about being perfect, but being able to enjoy your own party. She would take time to plan details from the menu to beverages to her table settings.
Sometimes they had BBQs with everyone enjoying cocktails, while my father grilled steaks. Even then, my mother paid attention to detail with having the outdoor patio furniture set with colorful napkins, place settings along with flowers and votive candles. Everyone would arrive in their colorful summer outfits and she would offer them a libation upon their arrival.
My husband and I love hosting parties and having friends and family over to our home.
Since I love to plan events, it seemed natural when I was promoted while I was working for Game Show Network (GSN) to Director of Special Events and Trade shows.
There is nothing like a first impression when guests enter a party or wedding. I want them to be wowed. Wowing them is not about how much someone spends, but the style of the room or area, as well as the table setting and lighting.
Here are some of my favorite tips:
- Invitations – I love invites that are mailed out to the guests. However, with current events happening due to Covid, some rules have been broken due to the fluidity of current mandates. Invitations, whether paper or online should be informative and reflect the tone of the event. Remember to have at least three to five people proof the invites, since it is super easy to overlook a typo.
- Florals – Select your florals that are in season. You will find better quality and not pay such a high price tag. I love to add citrus fruit to the table decor, along with monochromatic florals since they show off the flower. Playing with different vessels is fun and gives the table setting more personality.
- Guest seating – I have mixed views on this one. When it comes to a wedding, I always guide my clients to do table assignments. However, when it comes to placing your guests in specific seating arrangement around the table, many times guests will place themselves next to the person they want to sit next to and your hard work and time spent doing this task goes out the door. On a different note, I love to separate couples at smaller dinner parties, since this allows conversations to flow and guests to get to know one another. Sometimes it is fun to place a guest next to someone that they know and one that they don’t know. If you do this, it is great to have someone sit next to the other person whom they have something in common, i.e., same city they grew up or high school or college.
- Lighting – Hands down, I love beautiful lighting. Whether it is candle light mixed with lighting in the room on dimmers. Every place I have ever lived has had dimmers. I love being able to adjust the lighting. Having great lighting at a wedding or special event is especially important, since it creates a vibe that you can see and feel when you enter the room or an outdoor setting.
- Guest comfort – whether it is parking for your guests or the weather, it is so important to make sure that your guests are safe and comfortable. Having guests too cold or too warm can ruin a party and end it early.
- Venue – Right now everyone is concerned with indoor events and Covid. Consider an outdoor venue for your next event. Whether it is at your home or renting a private property. Our company has access to hundreds of private properties in the greater Los Angeles area. https://giannaandcompany.com/estate-location-rentals-greater-los-angeles/
Food and Beverages –
- If you are having a wedding or special event, I recommend having a mixture of vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. Talk with your venue about wine selections and menu options.
- I love to have a signature cocktail whenever possible at weddings. Couples can consider choosing their favorite drink to serve to their guests.
- If this is a smaller party, consider your guests dietary restrictions and what they can and cannot eat. I suggest checking with them beforehand and come up with a menu that will have something for everyone.
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