Bride and Groom’s First Dance Idea: A Candlelight Dance?
Posted by Chris | Filed under Wedding Planning
A few weeks ago I was the DJ for Tony and Niya’s wedding at Hartleys Botanica Gardens, one of our most frequented Wedding Reception sites in Ventura County. This couple had several unique ideas at their wedding, but most impressive was their very different approach to the Bride and Groom’s 1st dance. Everything was prearranged with me, the Master of Ceremonies, so I knew how to organize this special moment to make it easy for the guests and perfect for the Bride and Groom. We had all the guests, 150 in total, come up to the dance floor and make a big circle around the floor where the Bride and Groom would soon bask in this beautiful limelight. Then, the guests were given candles to light from the unity candle. The end result was truly moving. This was one of the prettiest 1st Dances I have ever seen in over 17 years of working as a Wedding DJ. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you may want to consider this idea. You will need to check with your venue first, and most likely you’ll need some type of fire permit. I can’t offer much more advice on that but I can tell you that a Candlelight First Dance is stunning and truly unforgettable! Just take a look at that photo again.
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Our Wedding DJ’s in San Diego at The Dana Hotel
Posted by Chris | Filed under San Diego Wedding Venues
From the moment the guests arrive at your wedding, they will know they’re attending something really special.
The Dana Hotel on Mission Bay is one of the most romantic settings for San Diego weddings. I’m thrilled to have worked there a few weeks ago as the Wedding DJ for Kimberly and Hugo.
Click Here to Use our Free Wedding Reception Venue Map to locate The Dana Hotel
They have a great website which lists prices, menus options, and lots of other important details. You can see that a Wedding can be done for a reasonable budget within or below the National Average.
You can have your Wedding Ceremony here, which offers a picturesque waterfront location that’s perfect for your special day. The elegant reception site has a spectacular ballroom with 18-foot floor to ceiling windows overlooking the water.
Additionally, the catering team led by Robert and the finely tuned staff will work hard to ensure that your event is highly personalized and completely perfect.
The Dana Hotel on Mission Bay is definitely the place for a magical wedding or special occasion. Our DJs in San Diego offer the perfect options for music and entertainment for all types of events at the Dana Hotel.
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.
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Bridal Show and Wedding Expo in Westlake Hyatt, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Jason | Filed under Announcement
Elegant Event Entertainment, Inc. will be showcasing at the Bridal Show in the Westlake Hyatt in Thousand Oaks On Sunday August 9, 2009. Doors open at 11:00am. The show is produced by Bridal Premier. Click here for more information.
Plus, we’re giving away Free Tickets to the Bridal Show, call today if you’re interested and would like to claim yours. 818-484-3230
Come on out to the show, you’ll find many of the top companies in the Wedding Industry there. Come by our booth and let us know you saw this Blog. We hope to see you there and congratulations on your upcoming Wedding!
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!
Cafe Firenze Restaurant in Moorpark-A True Touch Of Italy
Posted by Chris | Filed under Event Planning Tips
On May 2nd, 2009, my wife and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary. We decided to go to Cafe Firenze in Moorpark, California, recently made famous by it’s owner Chef Fabio Viviani who made it to the finals of Top Chef on Bravo Network.
From the outside, you see a restaurant in a strip Mall, Cafe Firenze doesn’t look much different than most eateries in Southern California, but when you walk in… Read the rest of this entry »
Cafe Mozart Wedding
Posted by Jason | Filed under Orange County Wedding Reception Venues
Ah, early April in Southern California. Gorgeous weather, blue skies, a light breeze. There is no better place in the country to have a wedding than in Socal, the weather is almost always cooperative. Recently, I was hired to DJ a wedding at Cafe Mozart, a restaurant and Event facility in San Juan Capistrano. Although the drive for me personally is a little far, I was so pleasantly surprised by this place that I wouldn’t mind working there every week, but since we have Orange County Wedding DJs who work for Elegant Event Entertainment and live further south, they too will love to DJ events at this location.
The owners chef Hans and his wife Carla are wonderful people and both are great chefs. Hans is a highly trained European chef and Carla is an incredible pastry chef, she makes the Wedding Cakes, so you can check that off your list right away. The cake at this wedding was gorgeous and tasted great! 
The food was wonderful, from the passed hors d’oeuvres to the salads and entree, I could tell everyone was enjoying the food immensely, which is not something you always expect at wedding facilities. Nevertheless, the ambiance of this quaint reception area is set in a courtyard with a beautiful fountain flowing gently throughout your reception, the architecture has that wonderful Spanish influence, and the lighting is very romantic when the sun goes down, reducing the need for any outside lighting to be rented and brought in, which can be a costly venture. This facility also holds events inside for up to 150 people and outside up to 250. Read the rest of this entry »
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.
If you are an experienced wedding DJ who loves working to serve the needs of your clients, 