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Inspiration + Events
Playlist: Latin Favorites
Downbeat artists and DJ’s perform a wide range of music genres to suit every taste and style, including Latin music! To liven up any party, check out our latest "Latin Favorites" playlist on Spotify:
LATIN FAVORITES:
Suavamente - Elvis Crespo
Suavecito - Malo
Bailando - Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno
Listen to hear more!
TruBlu + Monarch Beach Resort
Jazz band TruBlu is highly sought after by high-end brands and companies that want to take their events to the next level. The group’s jazz instrumentalists recently traveled to Orange County’s luxury Monarch Beach Resort to perform at a private event for Oribe. Whether it’s as a trio, quartet or full band with the crooner female and male singers, TruBlu makes a statement:
If you're looking for live entertainment for your dream wedding or next special event, CLICK HERE to receive your free quote. To see and hear more from jazz band TruBlu, visit their artist page here.
Romantic Valentine's Day Date Ideas
Happy Valentine’s Day! Make your significant other feel celebrated with these romantic Valentine’s Day date ideas:
1. Take in the arts!
2. Stay in and cook a meal together!
3. Dress up and treat yourselves to dinner!
4. Make it an al fresco affair!
5. Dance the night away!
Photo Credits: Brooke Cagle, Chris Gramly, La Crema Winery, and Quentin Dr Photgraphy
Playlist: Wedding Grand Entrance Favorites
Wedding days are made up of so many memorable moments, and the bride and groom’s grand entrance to the reception is one of them! It’s traditional for the entire bridal party to be announced, and your band or DJ should be prepared with music to accompany them as they enter. Downbeat put together a "Wedding Grand Entrance Favorites" playlist on Spotify, listen below:
WEDDING GRAND ENTRANCE FAVORITES:
Feel It Still - Portugal The Man
Glorious - Macklemore Skylar Grey
Mi Gente - J Balvin, Willy William
Listen to hear more!
Afters Ice Cream - Dessert Vendor
We love when couples get creative with wedding day desserts, and Afters Ice Cream is a dessert vendor we love seeing at weddings and events! This California-based innovative ice cream company serves over 20 locations and their Instagram-worthy creations are even more delicious than they look!
For more information about the delicious dessert vendor Afters Ice Cream, visit their website at www.aftersicecream.com.
Soultones + The Meritage Resort (Napa)
Soultones loved performing at The Meritage Resort in Napa Valley.
Interested in booking live entertainment for your next special event or dream wedding? CLICK HERE for a free quote! See and hear more from dance band Soultones by visiting their artist page here.
Top Wedding Recessional Songs (Playlist)
The processional walk down the aisle may be one of the most anticipated moments for a couple on their wedding day, but it’s important not to overlook the significance of the recessional as well! After the “I Do’s”, make your first walk down the aisle together as newlyweds count by choosing a celebratory song to accompany you.
We’ve put together some favorites in our "Top Wedding Recessional Songs" playlist on Spotify, listen below:
TOP WEDDING RECESSIONAL SONGS:
Rather Be - Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne
Firework - Katy Perry
Best of My Love - The Emotions
Marry You - Bruno Mars
All You Need Is Love - The Beatles
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder
You Make My Dreams - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
Valerie - Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse
Love Never Felt so Good - Michael Jackson, Justin Timerlake
Take On Me - a-ha
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
I'm So Excited - The Pointer Sisters
Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader
Hey Ya! - OutKast
Happy - Pharrell Williams
New LA Wedding Venues for 2018
Los Angeles is full of incredible event spaces to suit any need, and venuereport.com reporter Alyssa Brown recently published a collection of brand new wedding venues to watch out for across the city in 2018:
1. Valentine
“DTLA’s newest events space can be rented independently or in collab with next door neighbor Grass Room, lending its space for an event of up to 750 guests. Valentine is reminiscent of a greenhouse, with 30 foot high glass ceilings and tons of lush greenery.”
2. Grass Room
“Grass Room is a quirky, artsy space located in DTLA that can be easily dressed up or down depending on your vibe. It sits just beside Valentine and the two venues combined can accommodate an event of up to 750 guests, moving through multiple indoor and outdoor spaces and a hidden alleyway too.”
3. Freehand Los Angeles
“The newcomer to LA, Freehand offers a wide variety of party, event and wedding spaces for the discerning event host. Choose from a party pad in a loft suite, in one of the restaurants, at the poolside bar or in another of the outdoor settings.“
4. Office Party
“When the brilliant team behind YEAH! Rentals (see also YEAH! Furniture, YEAH! Weddings, The Flashdance, Smilebooth, and Sharkpig) announced they were opening a venue last year, we knew it would be good but didn’t know it would be this good. Office Party is a massive Highland Park loft space with huge vaulted ceilings (think 30’), cement floors, really good natural light, and a modular setup that makes events easy to customize.”
5. Kim Sing Theater
“A classic LA story, the Kim Sing has walked a life as a vaudeville theater, zoot suit riot house, Kung Fu theater, event venue, and now, a micro-hotel to retire to when the party has ended. Reopened in Autumn 2017 to cater to the luxury crowd, this spot is as exclusive as it is lauded with LA lore.”
AMFM + Millwick
Any opportunity to perform at a Los Angeles Marvimon property is a dream, and AMFM’s recent wedding at Millwick was no exception. The garden ceremony was followed by drinks and dinner held between the indoor and outdoor settings. The party finally got underway when the band kicked off their dance set and kept wedding guests dancing all night.
If you're looking for live entertainment for your next special event or dream wedding, CLICK HERE to receive your free quote. To see and hear more from dance band AMFM, visit their artist page here.
Modern Wedding Processional Songs (Playlist)
The wedding processional is a very special moment during the big day ceremony. Traditionally accompanied by an organ or string quartet playing classical songs, the music selection during this part of the ceremony helps amplify the moment’s significance.
It’s fun to think outside of the box and choose songs that are important to you, even if they break away from tradition. Follow Downbeat LA’s "Modern Wedding Processional Songs" playlist on Spotify for unique picks or listen below to find your best soundtrack for walking down the aisle:
MODERN WEDDING PROCESSIONAL SONGS
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova
Your Hand In Mine - Explosions in The Sky
River - Leon Bridges
Sparks - Coldplay
Till Forever - Joy Williams
Wild Horses - The Sundays
How Long Will I Love You - Ellie Goulding
Skinny Love - Birdy
You and I - Ingrid Michaelson
What Kind of Love - Childish Gambino
I Know Places - Lykke Li
Sweet Creature - Harry Styles
Latch (Acoustic) - Sam SMith
Wanted - Hunter Hayes
I Choose You - Sara Bareilles
I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz
With You - Waxahatchee
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
All of Me - John Legend
Make You Feel My Love - Adele
Marry Me - Train
Can't Help Falling In Love - Haley Reinhart
Why I Love You - MAJOR.
She Is Love - Parachute
Sajna - A.R. Rahman
Vendor Spotlight- SoHappi Together
California is a dream wedding destination, and a local event design and planning company we absolutely love working with is So Happi Together. Downbeat LA has had the pleasure of performing at weddings this team has designed across Southern California and they have all been incredible. Not only are they fun and easy to work with, but the beautiful, custom weddings they design speak for themselves.
Take a look at some of their most weddings below:
Founder and Principal Planner, Nancy Park, has a rockstar team and philosophy in place to ensure every client gets a the perfect custom experience for their wedding day:
"Our philosophy is that phenomenal parties are a result of purposeful planning. The unique identities and stories of our clients inspire the design of our events. No two are alike! Together, we orchestrate a day that harmoniously reflects your style, vision, taste, and love. We adore personal details and the challenge to creatively incorporate them into your day! From ballrooms to barnyards, we love it all as long as it speaks to and about you!" - So Happi Together
To learn more about So Happi Together and see more of their work from previous weddings, visit their website at www.sohappitogether.com
Wedding Ceremony Instrumentals Playlist
It's important to create a welcoming atmosphere as guests arrive to your wedding ceremony. The perfect way to set the tone while everyone is greeting one another and taking their seats is to have live or prerecorded instrumentals playing in the background. Whether it's classical music or string arrangements of contemporary songs, you can't go wrong!
Our "Wedding Ceremony Instrumentals" playlist is ready to accompany any wedding ceremony. Take a listen below and be sure to follow Downbeat on Spotify for more wedding day music inspiration:
Gold Standard + Boulevard3
Gold Standard spent the night performing in Hollywood at a recent CIM Group event hosted at the incredible venue, Boulevard3. The evening was packed with the city's best performance artists, which included aerialists, dancers, and DJs accompanied by live drummers. The main stage stood atop the bar, where flare bartenders were mixing custom craft cocktails for party guests. It was an unforgettable party, check out some of the action below:
Looking for live entertainment for your dream wedding or next special event? CLICK HERE to receive your free quote. To see and hear more from dance band Gold Standard, visit their artist page here.
Top Five Wedding Style Ideas
One of the first steps to planning a wedding is deciding on a wedding style, which is simply deciding how you want your celebration to look and feel. A certain aesthetic might be built in to the venue or location, but your wedding style should be a reflection of your personal taste and preference because, after all, it's your day!
We've listed the Top Five Wedding Style Ideas to spark inspiration for the big day:
1. VINTAGE GLAMOUR
2. BOHEMIAN
3. RUSTIC ROMANCE
4. CLASSIC ELEGANCE
5. MODERN CHIC
Soultones + Paséa Hotel
Orange County is home to some incredible event venues sprawling the coastline, and Soultones recently had the pleasure of performing at Huntington Beach's luxury Paséa Hotel & Spa for a corporate event hosted by McCarthy Cook.
Singers spent more time out on the dance floor interacting with guests than they did on stage, and it made for an unforgettable live entertainment experience! Check out some live shots from the event in the gallery below:
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.
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.
- AMFM 46
- Booths 6
- Corporate 51
- DJ Live 12
- Destination 13
- Dolce 5
- Downbeat LA 5
- Featured Wedding 42
- Floral Design 9
- Gold Standard 50
- Midnight Hour 1
- Music Recommendations 35
- Photography 10
- Planners 24
- Preferred Venues 46
- Soultones 58
- Sweets 4
- The A-List 17
- TruBlu 7
- Vendor Spotlight 57
- Videography 10
- Wedding Tips 65