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Inspiration + Events
The A-List + Houdini Estate
The A-List took the stage to provide an evening full of music for a wedding under the stars at the unique Hollywood venue, Houdini Estate. The celebration was full of love and of course, magic.
Wedding Planner: Love Anne Joy Design & Events // Venue: Houdini Estate // Photographer: Justin Element Productions // Videographer: Shutter and Sound Films // Florals: Zuniga Flower // Cake Designer: King's Hawaiian Bakery // Hair & Makeup: Marie Tran Beauty // Wedding Band & Music: Downbeat LA (AMFM) // Dance Floor & Rentals: TMM Pro
Book the best in live entertainment for your next event! CLICK HERE for your free quote.
AMFM + Hotel Bel Air
AMFM celebrated a beautiful wedding at the always elegant Hotel Bel Air, one of most iconic and historic five-star luxury hotels and event venues in the Los Angeles neighborhood.
The evening went off without a hitch thanks to all of the incredible vendors who worked together to make it happen, especially the event design and planning team So Happi Together.
AMFM had guests dancing all night with the full 10-piece ensemble, including a horn section, and a DJ to keep the party going in between sets.
Congratulations to our newlyweds! To make your wedding or special event a celebration to remember, CLICK HERE to receive a free quote for live entertainment!
Soultones + Camp Ramah (Ojai)
Soultones traveled to Ojai, California to perform at a wedding set in Camp Ramah. The venue was beautifully adorned with market lights and spring florals and packed with guests who danced the night away with the 10-piece band!
See more from this amazing evening below:
Learn more about Soultones by visiting their artist page here. To book live entertainment for your next special event, click here!
Popular Honeymoon Destinations for 2018
The options are endless when it comes to finding the perfect honeymoon destination. Whether you're newlyweds who envision a once-in-a-lifetime adventure somewhere exotic, or are looking to relax and unwind on one of the world's most beautiful beaches, there's no wrong way to vacation with your partner. Take your pick from these romantic destinations and get ready for the trip of your dreams:
Zurich, Switzerland
According to Pinterest's 2018 wedding report, the most popular honeymoon destination is Zurich, Switzerland (pins for Switzerland are up 856% since 2017). The country has so much to offer, with its gorgeous mountain ranges and alpine scenery, charming towns and romantic waterfront spots. Zurich is the country's largest city and a vibrant cultural hub swarming with museums, cafes, and world-class cuisine, and a only a short hop away from Germany, Italy and France for the adventurous newlyweds.
The Maldives
Southwest of Sri Lanka, this small nation of islands is tailor-made for ocean-going couples. Snow-white sand and waters so blue that you’ll run out of shade names to describe them, the Maldives are home to some of planet's most beautiful beaches. With close to 100 resorts to choose from each encompassing its own private island, like Soneva Fushi, Cheval Blanc Randheli, The One & Only Reethi Rah and more, you’ll find a fit whether you’re five-star types or back-to-nature gurus. The warm waters are also home to a shocking array of sea life from jewel-like coral walls, bobbing sea turtles, and even massive gentle-giant whale sharks. Pack your snorkel–these sights are not to be missed (harpersbazaar.com).
Amalfi Coast, Italy
There are many reasons the Amalfi Coast continues to be at the top of honeymooners’ bucket list. It’s hard to picture more classically romantic a scene than Positano’s steep village streets, Moorish architecture, azure water and colorful loungers and umbrellas lining the dark sandy beaches. Glamour comes easy, especially at the five-star Le Sirenuse, where the formula for a sexy, sophisticated getaway is tried and true (brides.com).
Comporta, Portugal
Ibiza is so 2017. Instead, we suggest newlyweds turn their sights on this seaside getaway. Just an hour south of Lisbon, this cluster of villages is often referred to as “the Hamptons of Portugal,” with high profile names like Christian Louboutin, Jacques Grange, and Philippe Starck all boasting homes along the rolling dunes of this rice paddy-striped coast. Relaxed sophistication is the order of the day here, making it a perfect choice for honeymooners looking for a place where they can walk down the beach in bare feet and also choose from a full roster of vintage champagne (harpersbazaar.com).
Bali, Indonesia
Another destination that made Pinterest's 2018 wedding report was Bali, with a 145% spike in pins since last year. A honeymoon in Bali is pure magic. The Indonesian island—the only one in the huge country that’s Hindu—is a perfect place for passion. With a bit more of an exotic feel than the tropical islands closer to the US, Bali doesn’t only offer unspoiled beaches, surfing, snorkeling and massages, it’s full of culture, art, music, rice terraces and temples, many, many temples. Nature is celebrated here, and it’s easy to get into the spirit at lush, authentic properties such as Four Seasons Bali at Sayan and Uluwatu Surf Villas (brides.com).
Paper Cake Events - Desserts/Bakery
It's impossible to look at any of the baked creations from today's spotlight vendor without wanting to eat them all! Paper Cake Events is a a boutique, made-to-order bakery specializing in weddings, dessert tables and fancy cakes and we loved working with their team at a recent wedding!
Just look at their sweets creations - they all look as gorgeous as they taste delicious:
To learn more about Paper Cake Events, visit their website at www.papercakeevents.com!
Wedding Highlights
Here are some of Downbeat LA's most memorable wedding moments with each of its bands:
GOLD STANDARD
Galway Downs (Temecula) & Calistoga Ranch (Napa Valley)
AMFM
Millwick (Downtown LA) & The Beach Club (Santa Monica)
SOULTONES
Beverly Hills Hotel & Vibiana (Downtown LA)
THE A-LIST
Pelican Hill Resort (Newport Beach) & Spencer's (Palm Springs)
Looking for live entertainment on your big day? CLICK HERE for a free quote and to learn more about our bands!
Wedding Planners & Packages: Choosing The Right One For You!
Weddings - no matter how big or small - involve a certain degree of planning and design. Some couples may opt for a smaller scale, DIY route while others have more extravagant and involved plans in mind.
Downbeat LA consulted with expert wedding planner Bianca of Rosé Events to gain insight into how couples can choose the right wedding planner for their big day and decide on a planning package that fits their needs and style best.
"Are you the couple who just wants to show up to the party, or do you want to be included in the decisions and details?"
Whaley suggests couples first figure out the answers to the following questions?
- What is the total wedding budget?
- How much do you want to be involved in the process?
There are wedding planners who offer full-service planning, which includes conception, design and execution from the engagement to the "I Do's", and there are coordinators who simply offer services for the month or day-of. Some packages can be customized to incorporate design and decor elements, but its important to nail down which is best for you, so Rosé Events has broken down the pros and cons:
FULL-SERVICE PLANNING: THE PROS
- LESS STRESS!
- Someone to share your ideas with who can run with them and make it happen.
- Viewpoint from someone who can offer unbiased ideas, opinions and suggestions other than family members and loved ones.
FULL-SERVICE PLANNING: THE CONS
- COST! Full-service planning typically requires a large budget.
MONTH/DAY-OF COORDINATION: THE PROS
- Suitable for lower budgets.
- If you're someone who already likes to be in control and is organized and detail-oriented, you don't have to pay someone to do extensive planning for you.
- You still get support close to and on the big day to help you stay in the moment and enjoy it.
MONTH/DAY-OF COORDINATION: THE CONS
- MORE STRESS! You can't just show up to the party, as there are more details to work on and think about leading up to the big day.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to be ready for your big day! So whether you have a small or large budget, we highly recommend hiring a professional to help with your event!
If you'd love to talk to Bianca from Rosé Events, we'll leave their info here.
Design Visage - Makeup Artist
It often takes a village to plan and execute the perfect wedding, and an important member of any wedding day village is the bridal glam squad! We recently performed at a wedding where Design Visage provided the bridal hair and makeup services, and the results were incredible! This Orange County and Los Angeles-based bridal hair and makeup team created stunning looks to compliment everyone in the bridal party, and the photos speak for themselves!
See more from this amazing glam team below:
To learn more about this vendor we love, visit their website at www.designvisage.com.
Spring 2018 Wedding Inspiration
Downbeat LA shared the Top Wedding Trends for 2018 earlier this year, but with springtime in full bloom it's out with the cold (yes, cold) and in with the new when it comes to colors, details and trends.
1. When it comes to color palettes and themes, watercolor tones, pastels and lighter neutrals are typically found in March, April and May wedding day details. Be sure to incorporate these colors in the invitation suites, bridal wear fabrics, day-of signage and more!
2. According to Glamour, bridal fashion trends to look out for this spring 2018 season include black accents, belts, deep v-necklines, extreme sleeves, off-the-shoulder bodices and side cutouts. Traditional wedding dress silhouettes and styles will never go out of fashion, but seasonal trends are fun to incorporate in the big day!
3. Greenery was listed as a top 2018 wedding trend, so including tropical greens and leafy arrangements in spring wedding floral designs is in. Think plant-lined aisles, floral arches, ceiling treatments, lush centerpieces, garden vignettes and more, the options are endless.
4. Trusted vendors never go out of style. For California weddings, no matter what time of year, find out some of our favorite vendors on our blog. If you're looking for entertainment for your big day, a live band can make it a celebration to remember! Listen, watch and learn more about what Downbeat LA bands can offer.
Congratulations to all the couples getting married this spring! Need more inspiration for your big day? Take a break from planning to swoon over these gorgeous images below:
Soultones + Marriott, San Jose
Soultones traveled to San Jose for a private corporate event over the weekend! The band helped this Northern California-based company celebrate their year's successes by playing modern dance favorites and classics, and the floor stayed packed with guests all night.
Take your next to the next level and impress guests with the best in live entertainment. CLICK HERE for your free quote, and visit the Soultones artist page to listen and watch more.
Honeycomb Affair - Floral Designer
Most wedding vendors specialize in one area of expertise, but we love meeting teams who can do it all! At a recent wedding in Santa Monica, we worked with the Los Angeles-based luxury botanical floral design team Honeycomb Affair, who provided all of the gorgeous floral displays adorning The Beach Club ceremony and reception areas as well as the planning services.
Started by Christy Villasenor, Honeycomb Affair has been in business for more than six years and has supported events throughout the Southern California region and beyond. Christy's arrangements add a "fresh twist on classic wedding flowers, and embrace the narrative of every couple's love story."
Read her philosophy below:
"We believe in creating custom pieces that reflect the unique personality and style of each individual we work with, while encompassing the overall event day vision. Our work is inspired by natural elements with a love for luxury garden details. We aim to find the most special blooms and foliage that showcase color, texture, movement and depth for each arrangement. From bouquets, to dessert tables and installations, no event is too small or too large for our services. We look forward to to having the opportunity to design and create for your special day!" - Honeycomb Affair
For more information about Honeycomb Affair, visit their website at www.honeycombaffair.com
The A-List + Spencer's, Palm Springs
The A-List traveled to Palm Springs to perform at a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception hosted at the elegant Spencer's Restaurant. The band brought their full 10-piece ensemble, including a full horn section, to take the dance party to the next level. See more from this celebration below:
Looking for live entertainment for your next special event? CLICK HERE to receive your free quote and learn more about The A-List and other Downbeat LA bands.
Santa Barbara Wedding Venue Favorites
Santa Barbara offers some of the most beautiful resorts and properties along the coast of Southern California. Downbeat LA bands have traveled to the region to perform for numerous luxury weddings and private events and have fallen in love with a handful of venues for their views, customer service, overall experience and more!
Find our our top five favorite Santa Barbara venues we recommend for weddings and events:
SAN YISIDRO RANCH
AMFM + The Beach Club, Santa Monica
Santa Monica's Beach Club sets the perfect scene for coastal weddings. AMFM kept guests dancing all night at a recent wedding in this gorgeous venue and it certainly was a celebration to remember!
Secure the best in live entertainment for your wedding or special event, CLICK HERE for your free quote from Downbeat LA!
Playlist: 90's Pop/Hip-Hop Favorites
Everyone loves a throwback! Downbeat’'s newest featured playlist on Spotify has all of your favorite pop and hip-hop hits from the 90's. Listen on your Spotify app, or check it out below:
90'S POP/HIP-HOP FAVORITES
Waterfalls - TLC
Doo Wop (That Thing) - Ms. Lauryn Hill
I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
Listen to hear more songs!
Vendor Spotlight: A. Blake Photography
Finding the right wedding and event photographer is no easy task, but it is arguably one of the most important vendors to lock in in order to make the big day perfect. Soultones recently performed at a gorgeous Heritage Estates wedding and had the pleasure of working with Ashley and her the dream photography team, A. Blake Photography.
This premier San Luis Obispo wedding photographer captured nothing but magic, from the intimate ceremony to the nonstop dance party at the reception, and her portfolio is full of beautiful wedding, engagement and lifestyle shoots we love!
Check out Ashley's work below and see why we chose to spotlight this talented vendor:
To learn more about A. Blake Photography, visit their website at www.ablakephotography.com.
Playlist: Disco Favorites
Music from the disco era is always a hit at parties! Songs that became popular in the 1970's would fill the dance floor thanks to their funk and soul influences, synthesizer-driven melodies and heavy, rhythmic beats.
Find all of the hits on Downbeat's "Disco Favorites" playlist on Spotify, and listen below:
DISCO FAVORITES
Best of My Love - The Emotions
Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Listen to hear more!
Top Palm Springs Wedding Venues
Palm Springs is perfect for couples looking for a quintessential desert wedding. The area known for its warm weather and summer vibes! Everything from Coachella's festival grounds to the swanky Ace Hotel can be found in this California desert oasis, making it perfect for any party!
For brides and grooms looking for a destination wedding in Palm Springs, here are the area's top venues and event spaces to consider:
Avalon Palm Springs
Designed by Kelly Wearstler, this Hollywood Regency style boutique hotel is one of the top wedding venues in Palm Springs. Located within walking distance to all downtown has to offer, Avalon has multiple event lawns that you can utilize over the course of an entire weekend, with events in all different areas of the property. Poolside? Check. Palm tree canopy? Check. Fruit tree gardens? Check. (from VenueReport.com)
ARRIVE
Between the futuristic architecture, chic room décor, and the most gorgeous pool in Palm Springs, this 32-room boutique hotel will most definitely have guests feeling like they’ve arrived in style. ARRIVE has both indoor and outdoor options for weddings and you’ll definitely want to do a buyout so you can have this amazing venue all to yourselves. (from VenueReport.com)
Spencer's Restaurant
We've played many events at Spencer's and we must say, there's a lot to Within easy walking distance of fabled Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs lies a gateway to an unspoiled wilderness: San Jacinto Mountain, whose waterfalls and treelined canyons are held sacred by the Cahuilla tribe. Ensconced at the base of this imposing natural monument is Spencer’s Restaurant, a local hotspot with an award-winning wine list, picturesque grounds and a hip private event space, the Bougainvilla Room. The buildings are a tasteful interpretation of ’50s modernism, and picture windows, patios and outdoor event lawns make the most of the scenic desert terrain. Spencer’s shares its historic facilities with the venerable Palm Springs Tennis Club, which has been an exclusive gathering place for celebrities since its launch in the late 1940s. The Bougainvillea Room was the site of many a star-studded soirée during Hollywood’s Golden Age. (Make sure to tell your guests that they’re sipping martinis where Sinatra once partied!)
Spencer’s has recently renovated the spacious Bougainvillea Room so that contemporary hipsters, including your own entourage of glitterati, have a fresh place to party. Located on the Tennis Club’s second floor, the room is wrapped with two walls of picture windows. One side overlooks the treetops, a turquoise swimming pool, and the town just beyond. Its windows are lined with planters filled with bromeliads, ferns and other tropical foliage. The other wall of double-tall windows frames a spectacular mountainside waterfall that cascades down weathered, rocky outcroppings—a pleasant habitat for sundry birds, desert flowers, and butterflies—before flowing inside to the room’s own rock pool. When decked with luminarias, the waterfall becomes the breathtaking centerpiece of your celebration.
If all this proximity to nature has you yearning for more, then step outside to the adjacent grassy bluffs. Two expansive, terraced lawns surrounded by colorful gardens let you drink in a sweeping panorama of Palm Springs: behind you, the dramatic face of the mountain burnished by the rays of the setting sun; before you, the evening lights of the city, just beginning to sparkle. What a magnificent spot for saying “I do”!
Korakia
Korakia is the kind of mediterranean venue you’d expect to find in a small town in Greece, but here it sits in the middle of colorful, playful Palm Springs. This is the kind of wedding venue where time seems to stand still while vows are exchanged. Best for a crew of 130 or less, book this spot if you’re looking for pure desert romance. (from VenueReport.com)
Mr Lyons
Mr. Lyons is a luxe steakhouse in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs. Known for its upscale, retro-style atmosphere, the venue can accommodate parties up to 140 for hosts who want to impress guests with the restaurants American cuisine with a modern twist.
Gold Standard + Galway Downs
It was a perfect weekend in Temecula with Gold Standard providing the entertainment for a wedding at Galway Downs. The couple celebrated the ceremony under blue skies and a canopy of trees, and had guests move into the main house to continue the party!
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 dance band Gold Standard, visit their artist page here.
Playlist: Top Big Band Songs
"Top Big Band Songs" playlist on Spotify.
TOP BIG BAND SONGS:
L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole
You Make Me Feel So Young - Michael Bublé
Ain't That A Kick In The Head - Dean Martin
