Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, a Magical Wedding!
Posted by Dana | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
I had the pleasure of being the Event Coordinator for Felicity and Jack on their big day. Their wedding was held at a truly beautiful location, set in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve at the top of a mountain in the San Fernando Valley. The property once belonged to the Ahmanson Family and was known as the Ahmanson Ranch until fairly recently. So if you’re searching for Ahmanson Ranch Wedding, you’ve come to the right place, it’s just changed names.
The property caretaker Joan was also on site and played an active roll with her assistant, to insure that all the aspects of the evening were taken care of. This venue offers a gorgeous outdoor setting for the ceremony and reception. Depending on the size of your event, creating the most romantic outdoor setting can be accomplished. In addition, the 1939 fully restored Ranch House is available for use, dressing areas, restrooms, and kitchen with scullery for your catering staff’s needs. The Open Space Conservancy allows you to bring in all of your own vendors and event professionals from catering, wait and bar staff, entertainment such as DJs and live musicians, décor and coordination. From the coordination perspective, this location allows me a great opportunity to be creative, the grounds of this facility are very large and offer a 360 degree view of the San Fernando Valley, but there are gorgeous trees everywhere and placing small areas here and there for different aspects of the event, such as dinner, cocktails, ceremony, dancing, and even designated smoking areas can all be created with an interesting design aspect. Also, a huge selling point to this property: You can party until 12:00am and potentially stay until 1:00am. Very few outdoor locations in Los Angeles allow events to go beyond 11:00pm and most outdoor wedding sites in Ventura County close you down at 10:00pm. So keep that in mind, you get to hire your favorite caterer and aren’t locked into an “exclusive” company, and you can stay and play past midnight!
DJ Jason Jones from Elegant Event Entertainment and I had a terrific time with all the wedding party and guests. Bride and Groom Felicity and Jack had a great community of family and friends. I have never heard so many heartfelt and wonderful speeches. The Groom and his family were from Norway and the culture of their weddings calls for lots of toasts, which was truly a wonderful aspect of this wedding and the venue provided a perfect setting for the intimacy of speeches without feeling long and drawn out. I credit the toasters and the Toastmaster Kixx Malone, a long time friend of the groom for keeping the toasts moving and adding that special intimate touch to all of the introductions and speeches, Kixx was awesome! Read the rest of this entry »
Moorpark Country Club, a great location for a Wedding.
Posted by Jason | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
I hope my reviews of Wedding locations in Southern California aren’t all beginning to sound repetitious, but I must say, this summer our company has been working at so many great wedding and banquet facilities that I felt the need to write about each of them. I honestly can’t think of any bad things to say about these venues and while I know they are all distinctly different, I want to share with you why I like each one of them individually.
Moorpark Country Club is no exception, I really like it there. Located on a beautifully manicured golf course in the hills of Moorpark, California, this facility is a great venue for your wedding or any event. The scenery is great, the hills are beautiful, the banquet room is large but very nice. The Ceremony location is on the property and features a gorgeous and intimate gazebo with lots of mature vegetation and landscaping. The grounds and facilities are above par, no pun intended!
I was honored to be the DJ at Pamela and Eran’s wedding on August 23, 2009 and it was a perfect day for this bride and groom. I must admit, the service at the country club is stellar, the banquet manager Jarvis is one of the kindest and most accommodating people in this industry, every Bride and Groom will love him. Director of Catering Anna Padilla is also great, she has had many years of experience in the Wedding industry, having a great career at a few of the premier properties here in Ventura County, she has exhibited vast knowledge and great professionalism in her field. Anna is passionate about what she does, and so is her staff at Moorpark Country Club , which is why our company loves to work there!
This wedding was a perfect example of cohesion between great wedding vendors in Ventura county, we had Suzie of Your Neighborhood Florist working her magic with the flowers, our great friend Josh Beller of Mi Belle Photography who also provided the photos for this article, Moonlight Video Productions shot the live action, the beautiful cake was provided by For Heavens Cakes, and of course, providing the entertainment was me, DJ Jason Jones of Elegant Event Entertainment! Read the rest of this entry »
A Sherwood Country Club Wedding; from the DJ’s perspective.
Posted by Jason | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
I gotta tell ya, I honestly love my job, I love our company, and I love working with so many great people, clients and colleagues alike. On September 5th, I was the Wedding DJ at Sherwood Country Club for Toni and Maxx, and I absolutely love it there. It’s a gorgeous place that reminds me so much of many of the venues and country clubs in my home state of North Carolina, or even many parts of Virginia. The clubhouse has a Georgian or colonial style architecture, built with tens of thousands of bricks and adorned with gleaming white trim and moldings.
Sherwood CC is manicured so well, you’ll think Disney World moved to Westlake, California. One thing is certain, if you’re having a Wedding here, your photos will look amazing, because there isn’t an inch of this property that isn’t picture perfect. Although it seems annoying at first, all of the vendors like myself are required to wear dress slacks and a collared shirt to set up their gear. No shorts, t-shirts without collars or denim allowed. But, that’s fine with me, I always wear a nicely tailored suit while DJing a Wedding, so I change into that after the set-up is complete.
As pristine and ornate as Sherwood is, you still have permission to party and have lots of fun, and Maxx and Toni’s Wedding was no exception. They even had an early wedding, which ended well before evening, and it was still a blast. Unfortunately, many early weddings are not the most fun, but I honestly have to say, this one rocked! Of course, some of the credit goes to the DJ, right? But truthfully, this was a great group of guests, which always makes my job easier. The guest list included 2 other couples whose weddings I have DJ’d recently. I’m beginning to see the positive residual effects of Read the rest of this entry »
Los Robles Greens Wedding and Banquet Center
Posted by Jason | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
A few weeks ago our company was hired and I was the DJ for Justin and Casey’s Wedding at Los Robles Country Club, also known as Los Robles Greens, in Thousand Oaks, CA. This is the second time Elegant Event Entertainment, Inc. has been there this year and each event was really great. The staff at Los Robles is extremely professional and helpful to their clients and other outside vendors like ourselves. We really enjoy working at this facility.
If you’re considering a wedding at Los Robles Greens, I can certainly attest to the fact that it’s a very nice place for a wedding in Thousand Oaks. The views of the golf course and mountains in the distance can be enjoyed by all during your Ceremony and throughout the reception. The Banquet hall has floor to ceiling windows which spotlight the views.
Read the rest of this entry »
LA Wedding DJs first Wedding at Shade Hotel
Posted by Chris | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
This past weekend I had the privilege of DJing a wedding at a boutique hotel in Manhattan Beach. If you’re looking for a beach setting, have a smaller, more intimate guest list, then the Shade Hotel is right for you.
The Shade Hotel is beyond gorgeous and beautifully kept! This was Elegant Event Entertainment’s first time to work in this hotel and I speak on behalf of our company by saying, it’s a great spot. For anyone looking to get married somewhere unique and special…especially a Los Angeles Beach Wedding, THIS IS YOUR PLACE!!! They go out of their way to make your special day INCREDIBLE. Sitting on the roof of the Shade Hotel provides an exquisite 360 degree backdrop of Manhattan Beach and the Ocean. Though the deck only holds about 75-80 people, it makes for a very friendly & cozy environment.
The staff was extraordinarily helpful – they treated me like a guest rather than hired help and I appreciate it. From Jen Peterson (wedding Coordinator) to the gentlemen parking the cars, everyone was so accommodating and extremely friendly. They are a top-notch establishment that left me impressed.
Photography-Cheryl of Ogden Photography was extremely professional and a dream to work with.
I am really looking forward to seeing her photos and working with her again. She knows her stuff as a photographer and knows our industry really well.
I want to personally thank all of the Cast and Crew of this beautiful Wedding at the Shade Hotel, and offer a special Thanks and Congratulations to the Bride and Groom Cheryl & Cooper!
Our Top 5 Best Picks: Los Angeles Garden and Estate Wedding Sites
Posted by Chris | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
So, you’ve determined that a Garden-Style Wedding is what you’ve always dreamed of and you decided to have your Wedding Ceremony and Reception at the same location.
There’s just one problem. How in the world do you choose from so many great facilities and gorgeous locations? We’ve put to together a short list to help you look closely at some of our favorite locations as wedding DJs. Through the years Elegant Event Entertainment has performed wedding DJ services at many garden and estate venues. We happen to like these 5 a lot.
These venues do not appear in any particular order: They all made the grade! Keep in mind, the locations listed are primarily outdoor venues, consider tents in colder or wetter months, and also consider that July, August, and September can be brutally hot, set your event start time late in the afternoon and early evening. Don’t make grandma or anyone else endure the heat.
1. Maravilla Gardens- located in the Santa Rosa valley and minutes from the 101 this family owned nursery is a real treat for your Wedding Venue. This property features a fully outdoor Ceremony/Reception experience with tenting as an inclement weather plan. The added bonus here is the full service on site exclusive catering provided by Command Performance Catering Group. Maravilla Gardens is a gorgeous setting, in the hills with great views and the Gardens are amazing, you can save big money on flowers, you won’t need much more than centerpieces and minor accouterments here. Able to accommodate up to 350 guests, yet intimate enough for a gathering of any size, this site is suited for weddings, family reunions and corporate events. Their on-site coordinator and their owners are wonderful and they are extremely accommodating to vendors and guests. Music stops at 10:00pm here.
2. Hartley Botanica- This site is located in Ventura County and is a real gem, offering garden weddings and receptions. You have to see these gardens, truly a fantasy land here. The catering is offered exclusively by Command Performance Catering Group. We really like the setting here, for outdoor and garden weddings, it certainly does not disappoint. One of the best. You can find pricing on their website or call them for custom quotes. Our services are well respected and accommodated here as well. Music stops at 10pm.
3. Bella Victorian - Elegant Event Entertainment founder Chris Mortillaro has performed for many Weddings and parties at Bella Victorian, he loves it, our clients love it, what else can you say? Though this is a winery, it feels like an estate or garden wedding facility. The owner is great, she helps with coordination and works extremely well with our DJs. The grounds hold up to about 200 guests and accommodate Ceremonies and Receptions. And of course, you can have wine tastings here as an added feature to your event. This place is just very unique, like most of the locations on this list. DJ’s Catering is fabulous as well. We love the staff and it’s always a great time for our clients.
4. McCormick Home Ranch- Just over the Santa Rosa Pass and right off the 101, this is an ideal location for your event. You’ll have the option of having a ceremony in a garden, your cocktail hour in a private backyard setting, and reception under huge Eucalyptus trees in front of a gorgeous country colonial style home. You can bring in all of your vendors here, and we are unsure of the details on that for this property, but our experiences working here have been really stellar, no matter who catered it. This is just an absolutely beautiful location for a wedding or private event. They accommodate about 250 and music stops at 11pm.
5. Saddlerock Ranch- The Santa Monica Mountains never dissapoint. This is another location off the 101, up a mountain, and far away from the hustle and bustle…and although it can be a little difficult logistically, it is truly stunning. They have gardens, meadows, views, vineyards and very private settings. They can accommodate up to 5,000 people here…can you imagine? Most parties are up to 400. No noise restrictions here either, a big plus for the wild parties!
Tips for choosing a Los Angeles or Ventura County Wedding Site.
Posted by Jason | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
Elegant Event Entertainment has performed DJ Services at hundreds of Los Angeles and Ventura County Wedding Venues. We’ve had many great experiences at each location and it’s our goal to help clients narrow down their choice of venues for their Wedding or special occasion. Below is our short checklist for picking a Los Angeles Wedding venue.
So, how do you make this decision? We think you have to ask yourself a few quick questions.
- What is my budget? Does the venue offer a wide range of services and pricing options?
- Will I have my Ceremony and my Reception there? Can the facility offer both services on site?
- How many guests do I expect to attend? Can the facility accommodate them?
- Do I want a facility that offers all inclusive catering, rentals (i.e. tables and chairs) or do I want to provide my own catering and party rentals.
- Does the facility offer an on site Wedding Planner/Coordinator? May I bring my own Event Planner?
- Do I want a Beach Wedding, Garden Wedding, Country Club or Hotel Ballroom Wedding? What type of location best suits our needs and personalities?
These are questions which we believe everyone needs to ask themselves first and foremost. But once you have determined these basic needs, what’s next?
You need to visit the locations, and try to narrow it down to about 5 of your favorites. Look at their websites, talk to their coordinators or sales staff, and make an appointment if it looks like a place you want to see. Great venues book up fast, especially during popular months and Saturdays. You’ll want to try to secure the facility about 9-12 months in advance or consider a Friday, Sunday or off peak weekend for your event.
And of course, another very important step is to read reviews and articles, listen to what others are saying about the facilities you are looking at, and talk to vendors who have worked in those facilities. That’s where we come in!
Over the course of the next several blog articles, we will try to help you narrow down your choices by picking and listing our favorite locations in Los Angeles and Ventura County. We plan on writing a Top 5 Garden Wedding Locations, Top 5 Beach Wedding Sites, Top 5 Country Club Wedding locations, and many more similar lists.
Stay Tuned.
We are exhibiting at the Los Angeles Wedding Showcase February 7, 2009.
Posted by Jason | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
This Saturday, February 7, 2009 Elegant Event Entertainment will have a vendor booth in the Padre Serra Wedding Showcase in Camarillo. The Showcase is sponsored by Command Performance Catering Group
The Serra Center at Padre Serra Church is a new location with indoor and outdoor facilities available for a number of uses accommodating more than 400 guests. It’s conveniently located near several hotels and also near the 101 Freeway. This new venue may be great for your gathering.
At the show you can meet with Los Angeles Wedding Professionals:
- Disc Jockeys
- Coordination
- Photography
- Floral Design
- Cakes
And best of all you can hang out with us!
For more information on the Padre Serra Showcase visit http://www.cpcatering.com/quote/showcase.asp
Los Angeles Wedding Reception Venue map – Free and regularly updated.
Posted by Jason | Filed under L.A. Wedding Reception Venues
This map shows some of the Los Angeles wedding reception and party venues that Elegant Event Entertainment has played:
View Los Angeles wedding reception venues map in a larger map
Use this map to find an event location that you may not have considered before.
Once you get to the Google maps interface, you can also choose to overlay this map on Google Earth and fly around in semi-3D. Very cool.
We’ve learned a lot about the places around Los Angeles to throw a great wedding reception or party – we hope the map is helpful, but it’s also not the same as getting our specific recommendations. If you need the services of a professional wedding planner or DJ, give us a call.
– Jason Jones
If you are an experienced wedding DJ who loves working to serve the needs of your clients,