PORTFOLIO
Inspiration + Events
Plan a Surprise!
Wedding guests may have an idea of what they can expect when it comes to attending a reception, especially close friends and family who have been clued in on certain details and arrangements. Something to consider is planning for a surprise that guests don’t see coming!
Here are our top picks for ways to surprise guests at a wedding:
- Late night snack station
- Surprise dance performance or song dedication
- Family heritage ceremony
- Fireworks or sparklers
- Grand exit for the bride and groom
Whether it’s simple or grandiose, guests will love an unexpected treat during the celebration!
Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel boasts an “unparalleled beach wedding location,” and having performed at numerous weddings there with our bands and DJs, we can attest to that!
It doesn’t get much better than exchanging vows overlooking the ocean in Southern California and celebrating in the most elegant of settings. See for yourself why we absolutely love being a part of weddings and special events at this venue.
Photography: Lin & Jirsa
#sundayspotlight #downbeatlaapproved #weddingvenue #eventvenue #ritzcarlton #lagunaniguel
Adults Only or Kids Allowed?
When debating whether or not to have children at the celebration of your wedding, it’s important to consider family dynamics, wedding guests and the desired degree of formalness for the reception. For some couples the decision is easy, but it can also be a delicate subject for some.
CONSIDER FAMILY DYNAMICS, TIME OF DAY, LOCATION AND FORMALNESS!
If your family gatherings are packed with little ones then it maybe you can’t imagine your big day without them. If your wedding will be mostly friends and adults looking to party into the night, it might warrant the call for an adults-only celebration.
When it comes to formalness, if you’re hosting a black tie wedding reception that starts in the evening, then children would be better left out of the equation. On the other hand, if it’s a daytime wedding with a more casual vibe, kids tend to be the life of the party! Just remember to have fun activities, appropriate menu options and possibly hired supervision to keep them safe and entertained.
Photos: Andrew Craner | WeddBook |
Doily Design Haus
Doily Design Haus is an amazing full service wedding company, and we are always blown away by their floral creations and day-of-coordination expertise. They are always wonderful to work with, and we love that they’ve recently added ‘’Proposal Planning and Coordination’’ to their list of services! Check out some of their work below.
WWW.DOILYDESIGNHAUS.COM
Tags: #sundayspotlight #downbeatlaapproved #weddingflorist #weddingcoordinator
Must-Play & DO-NOT Play Lists
Chances are the band or DJ you’ll book (or have already booked) for your wedding is already prepared with songs to get the party started and keep it going all night. While it’s important to give them freedom to make song decisions based on their expertise, don’t be afraid to make special requests.
MAKING SONG REQUESTS WITH YOUR BAND OR DJ
Aside from the first dance and parent dances, communicate a select handful of meaningful songs that would make the night complete. Additionally, if there are any songs or artists that you don’t want to hear, be sure to communicate that as well.
DJs and bands will appreciate the input, but trust that they’ll be reading the crowd throughout the night in order to play what everyone wants to hear, so keep requests minimal
Tags: #weddingtipwednesday #weddingmusic #downbeatlaweddings
Chard Photos
Photographers play an important role in capturing moments and memories to last a lifetime. Rich of Chard Photos, based in Southern California, has an impressive portfolio of stunning wedding and portrait photography and we’re always thrilled to work with him.
#sundayspotlight #downbeatlaapproved #weddingphotography #eventphotography
Photo vs. Video Booths
PROP, DROP AND POSE
Who doesn’t love dressing up with fun props and having their photos taken at weddings? Photo booths provide the perfect opportunity for wedding guests to come together and get silly in celebration of the happy couple.
KEEP THE PARTY GOING WELL AFTER THE BIG DAY IS OVER!
In addition to photo booths, we’re seeing video booths make their way to more and more receptions as well! Whether it’s slow motion cameras, gif-capturing technology or guests recording personalized video messages for the bride and groom, videos are equally as memorable and might even be more fun to have during the party
Both photo and video booths give guests something to look forward to after the big day is over and supplement professional photos and videos that may have been taken as well.
Photography: Mebo Photo | Sprout Squared Photography
Videography: Nathan Strubhar of Sunlit Films
A Good Affair
A Good Affair is a full service wedding and event production company based in Orange County, and we’ve had the pleasure of working with them on numerous occasions. Their portfolio includes a wide range of luxury weddings and special events and every detail is produced to perfection.
Check them out at http://agoodaffair.com/
Get Social
Wedding guests love snapping photos on the big day, so why not give them the opportunity to share them on social media for everyone to enjoy?
PERSONALIZED WEDDING HASHTAGS ARE A MUST!
Create a custom hashtag that includes a play on your last name or wedding location and encourage guests to tag every photo with it across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more! This will allow every photo to be easily accessed so you don’t miss any captured memories!
Provide friendly reminders, like including a sign at your venue’s entry point, to let guests know what and where they can post – just remember, bridal party members shouldn’t post photos of the bride or groom before they say “I do” to maintain the element of surprise.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch
The grounds are immaculate the outdoor locations for ceremony and reception are a dream.
BOASTING AN EXTENSIVE PROPERTY FILLED WITH SWEEPING VISTAS, OLIVE TREE GROVES, FOUNTAINS, SPANISH ARCHITECTURE AND MORE, EVERY EVENT HERE IS UNFORGETTABLE.
We love performing at Hummingbird Nest Ranch!
For more information, check the out at http://www.hummingbirdnestranch.com/.
Photography: Marianne Wilson | Duke Images |Brandon Kidd
Weather Planning
When it comes to planning a wedding, weather is one of the only elements we don’t have control over, which is why having a contingency plan is crucial.
As the date gets closer, monitor the forecast and implement the backup plan if needed. Make sure you have umbrellas and proper coverage for not only guests, but for vendors, power outlets, audio equipment, etc. More importantly, don’t let the rain get you down! Remember to have fun no matter what.
Photographers: 500 PX | Taylor Roades | Chelsea Nicole | Tony DiLorenzo
Quixotic Pictures
When videographers integrate speeches and vows into the wedding videos we can't help but catch all the feels! Our friends at Quixotic Pictures are such professionals and navigate every wedding and event with ease, capturing the greatest moments on film!
#sundayspotlight #downbeatlaapproved #weddingvideography #eventphotography
Open Bar Alternatives
DRINK UP!
Providing wedding guests with proper libations at a reception is necessary, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to cover the cost of an open bar. Most venues will provide couples with bar packages and options if an open bar doesn’t fit into the budget, but don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.
CREATE SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
Create 1-2 signature cocktails – think “His and Her” or “Mr. and Mrs.” – and make them available to guests during the party. This will cut down on the cost of stocking a full bar with drinks guests may not be interested in otherwise.
Alternatively, inquire whether your venue allows you to bring your own alcohol. Head to stores like Costco or BevMo and purchase bulk cases of local craft brews or your favorite beer. It’s your day, guests will be happy to celebrate with you no matter what!
Photography: Electrify Photography
Sweetheart Table vs. Head Table
DECIDING WHERE TO SIT
As the bride and groom, you'll need to make some decisions on arrangement of your guests. Some couples prefer to have a private area to themselves where they can enjoy each other's company away from guests, while others envision their entire bridal party surrounding them.
Leading up to the big day, you spend a great deal of time with your bridal party, so we’re sure they wouldn't be offended if they are seated separately with their friends and families at the reception. Dinner is only a small part of the night so don't get too caught up making these decisions, you will be mingling with your guests all night anyway!
Photography: Levine Fox Events, Gina & Ryan
Featured in LAMAG
TOP WEDDING BANDS - LOS ANGELES
We were honored to be featured in LA Magazines' top picks for entertainment at your event.
If you want to read the article, click here.
Not From LA?
We travel all over! If your event is outside of LA, contact us and we'll bring your vision to life.
Bel Air Bay Club
OCEANSIDE WEDDING VENUE
We love getting to be a part of weddings at the always-gorgeous Bel-Air Bay Club! This venue boasts insane ocean views as a wedding backdrop, a.k.a. every bride's dream!
#sundayspotlight #downbeatlaapproved #weddingvenue
Photography: Lin and Jirsa | Band Photography | Iris and Light
Venue: Bel Air Bay Club