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Inspiration + Events
Millennium Biltmore Hotel - Wedding Venue
The Millennium Biltmore hotel in Los Angeles is today's featured vendor! This gorgeous property is set in Downtown LA's cultural district and designated as a historic-cultural landmark, with original features dating back to 1923 including frescos and murals, carved marble fountains and columns, crystal chandeliers and embroidered tapestries.
Downbeat LA has had the pleasure of performing at events in this glamorous location and it's no wonder the venue is highly sought-after for wedding celebrations! See for yourself:
Here's what they have to say about the wedding packages they offer:
"For more than 90 years, we’ve been helping couples celebrate their special day in glamorous style at our premier LA wedding venues. Our professional team will assist you in picking out a beautiful venue, and propose an all-inclusive wedding package. You can even request an innovative customized menu by our world-class culinary staff. It’s your big day so let us fuss over you." - Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles
Find out more about this incredible hotel and event venue by visiting their website HERE.
AMFM + NeueHouse, Hollywood
The Hollywood location of NeueHouse was transformed into a gorgeous wedding, which AMFM had the pleasure of performing at with their full 10-piece ensemble of singers, horn players and musicians! The couple utilized the venue's indoor and outdoor locations on the property and it was a fun and romantic evening for everyone in attendance!
Interested in booking live entertainment for your special event? CLICK HERE for a free quote! See and hear more from dance band AMFM by visiting their artist page here.
Must-Capture Wedding Moments
Experts agree you should secure your wedding day photographer at least nine months in advance, or more if they are an in-demand vendor. Finding a trusted team will ensure your special wedding moments will be captured and preserved for you and your family to cherish forever.
Any professional photographer/videographer team should have a checklist of important events and moments that occur over the course of your wedding day timeline, but we recommend the following must-capture moments be included in the final shot list:
- BRIDE AND GROOM GETTING READY BEFORE THE CEREMONY: Plan on having time for the photographer to be with both sides of the bridal party. Solo portraits of the bride and groom once they are ready are just as important and candid moments between the bride and her bridesmaids as well as the groom and his groomsman.
- EXCITEMENT OF YOUNGER BRIDAL PARTY MEMBERS: There's nothing more precious than capturing moments of excitement among the younger guests, especially the flower girl and ring bearer.
- FIRST LOOK: Ideally this happens before the ceremony in a private location away from guests and other bridal party members.
- INVITATION SUITE AND DETAIL SHOTS: A lot of money goes into the finer details when it comes to planning a wedding, so make sure these are packed up and brought along for the big day and have your photographer design a shot to include invitations, wedding rings, bouquets and other mementos you want to remember.
- BRIDE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE: Whoever walks the bride down the aisle is an important person, so capturing this moment is a must.
- GROOM WAITING AT THE ALTAR: His expression will say it all!
- VOW AND RING EXCHANGE: These separate moments deserve separate shots.
- FIRST KISS: One of the most romantic must-capture moments on this list!
- RECESSIONAL: After the pronouncement of marriage, capturing the facial expressions walking down the aisle is priceless.
- BRIDAL PARTY PORTRAITS: These can be taken before or after the ceremony, depending on what your timeline allows. Group shots are important, but make sure you take the time to get one-on-one shots with the members in your bridal party as well.
- FORMAL FAMILY PORTRAITS: Make sure you communicate the important groupings of family members in advance, and don't leave out extended family.
- GUEST GROUP PHOTO: A great time for this is during cocktail hour before or after formal family portraits OR during the reception when the dance floor opens after dinner. Have your photographer find a vantage point where they can get everyone in one shot.
- OVERALL CEREMONY AND RECEPTION SITE SHOTS: One before guests arrive, and one when everyone is seated.
- THE FIRST DANCE: This is usually a very emotional and beautiful moment that deserves both close-up and wide shots.
- PARTY PICTURES: On your wedding day, it's impossible to be everywhere at once. Make sure your first and second photographers are covering all the bases at the reception, including the dance floor, photo booth, bar, outdoor areas, etc. You will love looking back and seeing all the experiences your guests had and how much fun your wedding was!
Soultones + Beverly Hills Hotel
There was no shortage of energy from newlyweds and their guests as dance band Soultones kept everyone moving on the dance floor all night for a wedding at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel. The romantically low-lit ballroom was bursting with florals and beautifully draped fabric lining the walls, which created a stunning ambiance and a dream setting for the couple's big day.
Interested in booking live entertainment for your special event? CLICK HERE for a free quote! See and hear more from dance band Soultones by visiting their artist page here.
Wedding First Dance Favorites Playlist
Weddings are full of important moments that should all be unforgettable, and one of our favorites is the couple's first dance! Music contributes a great deal to this memorable moment, and the song should be a meaningful reflection of who you are as a couple!
Whether it's a modern hit, a classic favorite or a personal song that is special to just the two of you, the selection process should be a fun one! Downbeat put together a versatile collection of songs in its "First Dance Favorites" playlist on Spotify suitable for everyone's taste, check it out below and be sure to follow us on Spotify for more music recommendations for the big day!
WEDDING FIRST DANCE FAVORITES:
Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur
Remedy - Adele
I Was Made For Loving You - Tori Kelly, Ed Sheeran
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
Like I'm Gonna Lose You - Meghan Trainor, John Legend
See more on our Spotify page!
Moana Events - Wedding Planner
Hawaii is home to some of the world's most beautiful and luxurious wedding destinations and venues. Whether it's an elopement or a grand destination celebration, we cannot say enough about the wonderful boutique wedding and event planning team at Moana Events.
Owner and creative director Morgan Childs brought together and impressive vision that has allowed her and her team to build an incredible portfolio of custom-designed celebrations across Kauai, Oahu, Lanai and the Big Island of Hawaii and earn accolades from industry heavy-hitters such as Vogue, Bride, US Weekly, Style Me Pretty and more!
Moana Events' mission is as beautiful as their work:
"We believe in CELEBRATING life’s occasions. Bringing people together in beautiful environments and creating opportunities for JOY. We believe in SERVING our clients well. We believe in getting to know our clients and what is important to them, being their advocates throughout the planning process and respecting their investment. We believe that BEAUTIFUL environments and MEANINGFUL details make a difference."
"Custom design is a gift and there is no better job we can do than to get to know our clients so well that we can make their dream day a reality. We believe in TRANSPARENCY, HONESTY and RESPECT in dealing with our clients and vendors. We believe in GIVING BACK. We partner with Aloha Harvest to donate any and all leftover food from our events to the needy in our community. We also partner with our florists to donate flowers after our events to hospitals and nursing homes. We provide career coaching & host clothing drives for Dress for Success to benefit disadvantaged women."
For more information about Moana Events, visit their website: www.moanaevents.com
Top Wedding Trends for 2018
New Year, new trends! 2018 has already seen some gorgeous winter weddings, but the entire year lies ahead and there are new trends to incorporate into planning for the big day! Our friends at Brides.com compiled a list of 2018's biggest wedding trends from celebrity planners and industry pros, and we wanted to share our favorites:
1. "Greenery instead of fabric drapery for outdoor, tented weddings. Think clear tents with lush greenery installations to bring in that natural element and really make things feel organic" - Mindy Weiss, Mindy Weiss Party Consultants
Some of Mindy's other trend predictions for 2018 include metallic colors, French service dinners, smaller but more flowers, gift lounges, less focus on the wedding cake, less-traditional invites, colored candles, balloons, less-formal invitations, and Italian touches.
2. "A big call for casual vibes: lawn games, umbrella-topped picnic table seating, local craft brews, al fresco lighting, and an overall chill garden party vibe." - Calder Clark of Calder Clark
3. "As we anxiously await the next Royal Wedding in May, we think American couples will also embrace the British tradition of children-only bridal parties. A group of charming flower girls and ring bearers make adorable attendants for an elegant bride—we think the flock of adult bridesmaids have had their day." - Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events
4. "Bold and dramatic floral patterns! From the tablecloths to paper and the dance floor, we're seeing dramatic floral prints with saturated colors on black backgrounds as a huge trend right now." - Shannon Leahy of Shannon Leahy Events
5. " The biggest wedding trend will be couples moving to more modern, clean, and minimal wedding styles. From stationery that is not filled with loopy calligraphy to minimal table designs, I think the trend coming up will be a less-is-more approach to the wedding. I do not want people to think that a minimal approach means we are doing away with installs or thinking outside of the box for decor, but I think couples will invest in a few more magical things, rather than multiple, less special things." - Jove Meyer of Jove Meyer Events
6. "The after-party is no longer an afterthought. It has become a critical part of the wedding celebration with its own entertainment experiences!" - Augusta Cole and Lynn Easton of Easton Events
7. "Destination weddings continue to be big! And our clients are thinking bigger—we have couples coming to us saying things like, “Wouldn’t it be epic if all of our friends vacationed in Italy together?!” Well, you can! Invite lists become smaller and the goal becomes more about creating authenticity, creating an environment that is relaxing and inspiring, and giving their guests the best possible time." - Alison Laesser-Keck and Bryan Keck of Alison & Bryan
80's Party Hits Playlist
There's something about 80's music that always puts us in a great mood! This era of music was fueled by infectious dance-pop hits that are still widely popular and requested today! Downbeat put together a playlist of epic 80's Party Hits on Spotify you can follow and listen to anytime you're in the mood to travel back in time. Check out our song picks below, did your favorites make the cut?
Take a listen and be sure to follow Downbeat on Spotify for more wedding day music inspiration!
Villa Visuals - Wedding Photography
Dance band Soultones rang in the New Year at a stunning Downtown LA wedding and had the pleasure of working alongside the dream photography team at Villa Visuals. These Southern California-based photographers clearly love what they do, as we witnessed first hand how incredibly they captured the evening and all of the bride and groom's special moments.
"For us, wedding photography has always been about telling the whole story - honoring where people have come from and celebrating where they’re going. More than a wedding day, it’s the start of a marriage. Because love is the best thing we do." - Villa Visuals
If you're looking for a photographer to capture your special day or event, visit Villa Visuals at their website to learn more: www.villavisuals.com
Soultones + Alexandria Ballrooms
Soultones is known for creating the best live entertainment experience to ensure newlywed brides and grooms always get the wedding of their dreams! The band recently performed at a gorgeous wedding held in Downtown LA's Alexandria Ballrooms, and as you can see below there was never a dull moment during the performance!
The venue was staged beautifully and the band's singers and musicians made sure to keep the energy going all night by making their way onto the dance floor to party alongside the bride and groom and all of their guests during each set!
Are you in need of live entertainment for your wedding or special event? Head to Soultones' artist page to see and hear more, or click here to receive your free quote!
TruBlu + Fox Television Animation
Jazz artist TruBlu provided the live soundtrack for the evening at the Ebell of Los Angeles for recent client Fox Television Animation. Guests enjoyed crooner classics and jazz favorites performed by the band throughout the entire night!
Thinking about booking TruBlu for your event?
The A-List + Young Wedding
Dance band The A-List recently hit the stage with their full 10-piece ensemble at the Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena for the Young wedding. Love was in the air as the couple exchanged vows then headed straight for the party!
Having the three-piece horn section made all the difference, as the dance floor stayed packed and all of the band members made their way out onto it to dance with the guests!
The venue was decorated beautifully for the newlyweds!
Have a look at some of the winter decor:
If you are interested in booking entertainment from Downbeat LA, click here for a free quote!
Holiday Pop Favorites
Our favorite artists have released some incredible holiday songs and albums this season, including Sia, Gwen Stefani, Pentatonix, Kelly Clarkson, Ellie Goulding, Fifth Harmony and more! We put them all in one place for you to enjoy during your holiday travels and celebrations this year! Listen to our Holiday Pop Favorites playlist on Spotify
Here's some of our favorite videos:
Cole Drake Events
We cannot say enough about the Napa and Sonoma Valley-based wedding planning and eventdesign company, Cole Drake Events. With a recent front page appearance on Style Me Pretty, we had to feature this team our Vendor Spotlight blog!
"Cole Drake Events is an experienced team of luxury wedding and event planners in the Napa and Sonoma Wine Country with a combined experience of over than 20 years of design and production. Their philosophy is to keep your event or wedding day authentic to who you are and therefore to your vision. Through creative dedication, they strive to focus on creating a sensory story within your event, sharing your story, your life, your vision, in a simply beautiful, inventive way."
Boasting a "planning foundation based on appealing to the senses, using Honesty, Authenticity, Creativity, and (a sh*t ton of) Humor with just a smidge of sarcasm," Cole Drake's portfolio speaks for itself! Gold Standard performed at the garden wedding this dream team designed at Napa's Calistoga Ranch and it was absolutely breathtaking - have a look:
For more information on Cole Drake Events, visit their website at www.coledrake.com
New Year's Eve Wedding Must-Haves!
New Year's Eve marks the celebration of new beginnings, which is why it's also the perfectnight for a wedding! This holiday is a big deal for many who uphold traditions and attend annual parties, so couples planning New Year's Eve weddings have the big responsibility of exceeding guest expectations when planning the party of a lifetime.
There are plenty of ways to tastefully incorporate the New Year's theme into your celebration without having to sacrifice the traditional elements of a wedding. Here's what Downbeat LA suggests:
1. BLACK TIE AFFAIR
Take your party to the next level by enforcing a black tie dress code. Tuxedos and long gowns make for a festively formal night of celebration.
2. METALLIC COLOR PALETTE
Whether it's accents in your floral arrangements and tablescapes or you go all in with bridal party colors, don't be afraid to incorporate gold and silver metallics to give the evening a New Year's twist.
3. GUEST PARTY FAVORS
Make party favors available to guests looking to ring in the New Year the traditional way, with noisemakers, hats, poppers, confetti cannons, and more! These can be at every table or displayed in a separate location closer to midnight.
4. NEW YEAR'S COUNTDOWN
Have you band or DJ conduct the celebratory countdown to midnight. You want to make sure guests are all on the dance floor together to share in the big moment of the night. Don't forget to have a song chosen to mark the New Year (ask your band or DJ for recommendations).
5. MIDNIGHT CHAMPAGNE TOAST
A champagne toast is a perfect way to ring in the New Year surrounded by your loved ones. If you have more grandiose ideas for when the clock strikes midnight, talk to your venue about coordinating a balloon or confetti drop for the ultimate surprise!
Downbeat LA + Greenbar Distillery
Downbeat LA celebrated a successful year by hosting their annual holiday party at Greenbar Distillery in Downtown LA. The evening was full of live performances, delicious organic craft cocktails, local fare and so much more.
Red Carpet
Cocktail Hour
Party Time
Winter Wedding Inspiration
Winter is just around the corner, and for couples whose weddings fall between the months of December and March, there are so many incredible ideas out there for throwing the perfect seasonal wedding. If you happen to live in a snowy climate, you have the whimsy of snow and wonderland in your favor, but snow isn't the only factor when planning for a winter wedding.
Picture faux fur accents, leather and velvet fabrics, deep jewel tone and metallic color palettes, hot chocolate and mulled wine bars, evergreen foliage in the floral arrangements, cozy lounges with fireplaces, candle-lit tablescapes and so much more. It's one thing to read about it, but it's another thing to see it.
Take a look at these photos for more winter wedding inspiration:
Happy holidays, and happy winter wedding planning!
Marianne Wilson Photography
Gold Standard had a blast performing at the recent wedding between Jessica and Brandon Price at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. What made the night even more special was getting to work with the rockstar team at Marianne Wilson Photography. From the absolutely stunning portraits to the candid moments on the dance floor that were captured, we couldn't recommend these photographers more!
This Southern California-based husband and wife photography team provides "awesome photos for rad people," and their end products are simply stunning! Not only were they great to work with, but they certainly know how to capture the magic of a wedding!
For more information about Marianne Wilson Photography, visit them at their website here.
Gold Standard + Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Southern California's Coachella Valley near Palm Springs is a perfect destination for couples looking for a dream wedding location set against a desert oasis backdrop with palm trees and mountain vistas. Gold Standard recently performed at the gorgeous Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa for Charlie and Maggie's wedding, and it was an unforgettable party!
The 10-piece band kept guests dancing under the stars all night! There were dance battles, live performances of the couples' first dance and special parent dance songs, and the singers never missed a moment to get out into the crowd during the high energy dance sets!
How To Keep The Party Going During Your Band’s Break
Today’s wedding tip comes from our friends at Brides.com. Jaimie Mackey, the site's content director and Real Weddings contributor, recently published an article shedding light on not only the importance of keeping the party going during the live music breaks during a reception, but how to do so! We couldn't agree more with the tips she shared, read her article below:
"There’s nothing quite like a live band at a wedding. A great one will give your party a huge energy boost, and becomes interactive entertainment that will have your guests dancing all night long. The only downside? Bands need breaks, which means a pause in the music. But the fun doesn’t have to stop just because the band isn’t on stage! We’ve rounded up a few tips to keep the party going."
Time it Right
Work with your band to time the breaks so they fit into your evening’s timeline. First and foremost, feed your band before the reception begins. The break for dinner is usually the longest, so if you can arrange to have the band members eat before they get on stage, the following breaks will be shorter. If the band will be playing during cocktail hour, time their first break to take place while your guests are eating. A playlist of background music will fill the space, but will barely be heard over the clinking of forks and knives, anyway! For the next break, grab the mic for toasts. Three-to-five minute speeches from the maid of honor, best man, and your parents will fill up that break in no-time! You could also add the cake cutting here. For a break later in the evening, have the garter or bouquet toss, or take a moment to say a few words yourselves while the caterer passes coffee and late-night bites.
Be Flexible with Timing
Even if you’ve got your timeline totally ironed out, allow your band to be flexible with when they take breaks. That way, if the dance floor is packed right when their 9:30 break is supposed to begin, the band can continue for a song or two and bump their break back so as not to kill the energy. The same goes for things like the bouquet toss—if everyone’s grooving, wait until there’s a lull in energy and use it as a reason to get everyone back on the dance floor.
Choose Your Playlist Wisely
Of course, a band break doesn’t mean guests have to stop dancing. Many bands will provide a playlist on an iPod that can play while they’re on their break, or you can customize the playlist yourselves. Just be thoughtful when doing so, and ask to review the playlist your band will be providing. If you’ve chosen a band known for their dance floor-filling tunes, your playlist should have the same energy—smooth jazz will just be a total buzz-kill. If you’re going for more of a mellow vibe, stick with the same types of music instead of jolting guests with something uptempo. For a genre-specific band, the break music should flow seamlessly—no Latin hits in between sets from your ‘80s cover band!
Pick a Bigger Band
Want a reception with no band breaks? When you’re interviewing bands and negotiating a contract, talk to the manager or bandleader about your options for continuous play. Look for a bigger band that can swap artists in and out, giving individuals time to get ready for their next set without ever stopping the music. Multiple vocalists make this much easier, as does a band that can play a variety of musical styles that use different instruments. Big numbers and the main set could feature everyone, while other moments could be smaller combinations of musicians for a different vibe. (A band like this might also be able to provide smaller ensembles for your ceremony or cocktail hour, then absorb those artists into the band for the reception, which is more affordable than hiring multiple different groups to play throughout the day.)