Planning a Los Angeles Wedding? Create a Timetable.
Posted by Chris | Filed under Wedding Planning
I was going through the web today looking for content and I came across this blog. Planning a wedding, the timetable I asked myself, “are brides creating a timetable these days?” Recently its seems that DJs are among the last vendors to be booked. We have received calls from clients asking us to DJ their Wedding with less than 4 weeks to spare before their event. In this time-table linked above, the author suggests booking your entertainment or DJ about 6-9 months prior to the event.
In an effort to help our clients, I would like to suggest a few reasons why you might want to consider booking a DJ (especially some of the more competitive Los Angeles DJs) well in advance of your event. Although I have done it numerous times in my career, as a DJ, I don’t like to just show up and play music the day of your Wedding. The DJ likes to get a feel for your vision for your Wedding, and it takes time and communication to carry that out. We will often speak with the venue or your other vendors to arrange and organize the timeline and flow of events, we spend time collecting and arranging music, we set and take meetings or phone consultations with bride and grooms, etc… If you wait until the last minute to book your DJ, it leaves us little time to prepare your entertainment and to make sure that everything runs smoothly. I’m confident that all of us at Elegant Event Entertainment can easily pull off a great Wedding even if we have very little time to prepare for it, but it is so much nicer to have that time to bond with my clients and help them realize their dreams for the perfect wedding.
Furthermore, my services as a DJ are based upon my availability. Many Brides and Grooms do book their DJ well in advance, and they often have the pick of the cream of the crop for DJs and Entertainment Companies that best suit their needs and budgets. Our company only hires very talented and experienced Wedding DJs, but each of their personalities are different. If a client waits too long, they may not find that match with the DJ they’re looking for, simply because the DJ has already been booked. Read the rest of this entry »
A Tasty Way To Make Every Penny Work Double-Time
Posted by Chris | Filed under wedding tips
This blog caught my attention. A clever idea!!!! Photo by: Forever Photography by Kylene
A tasty way to make every penny work double-time
Wedding DJ saves the Cake!
Posted by Jason | Filed under Tips for Hiring a Wedding DJ
As you can imagine, in my 11 year career as a DJ, particularly a Wedding DJ, I have seen just about everything, and if I haven’t seen it, one of my colleagues has, or I soon will.
I want to tell you a story that might help you better understand the role that a DJ has, especially at a Wedding.
Many clients assume that a DJ simply sits back and plays music, or maybe he performs a few tricks with his mixing abilities that the average I-tunes user can’t do. Clients should expect their DJ to have a sense of how to keep the guests involved, on the dance floor, and having a good time. Honestly, that is the majority of what Wedding DJs are supposed to do. But oh, there’s so much more to it.
When I first began my career back in North Carolina, I didn’t have a clue about all the crazy things I was going to see and deal with as a DJ. I quickly learned that due to the simple fact that we have the microphone, Wedding DJs become the Person In Charge in almost any situation, whether we like it or not. Fortunately our clients like it that way and I feel that our DJs handle the responsibility really well. It is our job to convey to your guests the order of events, the plan of the party, the story of the celebration and virtually every major detail of the event. We must do this in such a way as to not be “Cheesy DJs” or obtrusive on the microphone. We can do it with music and with specially arranged and coordinated announcements and work done “behind the scenes.” We must be concise, to the point, friendly and upbeat all the while. But it also becomes our job to try to avert disasters, or to keep certain things from causing problems, things that go unnoticed by most people at an event. This of course, goes well beyond the ability to mix music properly or make the Grand Entrance announcement. This is the role of the DJ that many clients don’t see at first and usually won’t fully realize until the event is over and they are showering the DJ with many praises for his “above and beyond” performance all across the board.
So I want to provide you with an example of how a DJ can work well beyond the conventional “job description” to improve your event. Of course, we feel that these are common standards for our DJs, skills they must all possess in order to be an Elegant Event Entertainment Wedding DJ.
What follows is The Story Of The Falling Wedding Cakes, and how I, the DJ, went beyond the call of duty to help in a time of crisis!
If you’ve ever been to North Carolina in August, you know it can be very hot and humid. If you haven’t, then turn your shower as hot as it will go, close all the windows and doors and put the heat thermostat on 85-90 degrees. Now, stand there in a tuxedo for 6 hours. That’s what an August wedding in NC feels like. And honestly, it isn’t much better in Southern California, minus the really thick humidity.
At any rate, long about my 3rd year as a DJ, I was faced with an interesting problem at a mid August NC wedding. The Cake was delivered, it was a gorgeous 5 tier cake, very traditional, but absolutely beautiful. About 30 minutes after the cake was set up, the icing began to melt. The Bride and Groom finished taking pictures at the church and were in the limo heading to the reception site at about the same time I noticed the cake beginning to “lean” shall we say? I quickly alerted a catering staff member, who assigned someone to stand guard with a platter to catch the cake if it fell. Brilliant! 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.
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, 