Wedding Tips for Los Angeles Couples
Wedding Tips for Los Angeles Couples
Are you recently engaged? Here are our top suggestions for Navigating the Waters – after nearly 20 years of organizing special events, including weddings –
First, take a moment to breathe and embrace your new engagement. Our office often receives calls from newly engaged clients sometimes just a day after their engagement, and here’s what we suggest to them.
Before securing a venue or hiring an event professional, we strongly advise –
Establish the guest list – begin with your A list and create a B list – once you know your budget, then, you know if both lists will work or only one that aligns with your budget.
When it comes to the budget, initiate the discussion with your fiancé, and then have individual conversations with parents if they are contributing financially. I always recommend that our clients encourage their fiancé to speak with their parents, and the same goes for the person we are on the phone with. These discussions can be delicate, so it’s wise to keep financial matters private.
Once you have your guest count and budget sorted –
and if you choose to book a private home, we suggest allocating 20-25% of your total budget for the property. Since everything needs to be brought in, including rentals, catering, decor, lighting, generators, and sometimes even bathrooms. Private homes offer stunning options and provide privacy and uniqueness. Rental prices can start at around 20k and increase from there per day.
Reflecting on trends – when I look back at the weddings we organized in my early days of my company, many of them possess a timeless charm with the flowers, linens, lighting, attire, and decor. Yet, there are a few that embraced the trends of their time. Sadly, those that followed the latest fads now have photos that can seem somewhat outdated. I recall one very popular trend where a well-known couture dress designer and a luxury five star hotel showcased a specific look for their brides, featuring dresses with sashes. I coordinated a few weddings with that style, and it now it looks somewhat dated. Many of our clients attend weddings and take note of what their friends are doing or what’s trending on wedding websites or in their local area, and they love to incorporate those elements into their own weddings, which is wonderful. However, following trends can be a tricky path. Logos and Gobos projected onto dance floors and walls, along with sweetheart tables that place couples on stages with lighting and decor, don’t always stand the test of time.
Choose your favorite flowers that are in season (better pricing and quality) along with your favorite color, and design your decor with beautiful bars and a stunning dance floor. If you can, set aside a budget for lighting when possible – nothing enhances a space more than exquisite lighting that flatters guests and creates a delightful atmosphere, rather than harsh overhead lighting on dimmers.
And finally, it is essential to hire a wedding planner with whom you feel a connection and visa versa. I learned this lesson the hard way years ago. You want a mutual connection. It’s almost like renting a friend. Don’t let finances be the only consideration – is the planner aligned with you and your fiancé, do you appreciate their experience, and do your tastes match?
I hope this information has been helpful, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to discuss options.
Our contact info – 310-994-7789 or email us at giannaandco@gmail.com
Wishing everyone a great weekend!
Please check out our estates at https://www.giannaandcompany.com/estate-location-rentals-greater-los-angeles/
