Ways To Involve Your Father With Wedding Planning

A wedding day is a very special and emotional time for brides, it’s a day they’ve probably dreamed about for many years. The wedding day can also be an emotional day for the father of the bride.

“I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That’s getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition. I know. I’ve just been through one.” – Father of the Bride movie

A father is the first man a daughter will love, the one that she can count on no matter how difficult life may get, the one who will show her the right way a man should treat a woman. So, it’s easy to imagine how equally happy and sad a father can be about his daughter’s wedding. One way to ease your father’s emotions about your wedding is to include him in the planning process. We’ve got a couple ideas for you to try.

Detective Dad

We know every father wants the best for his “baby girl.” When he met your future husband, he must have asked a million questions and examined your future husband’s every little move. Put those skills to good use by asking him to research various wedding banquet halls and vendors for you. He can research the top venues and vendors, read their reviews and then update you on the best ones.

Follow His Interests

Think about what your father enjoys. Does he enjoy gardening? Ask him to help you with the floral arrangements for your wedding day. Does he love to eat? Have him help you select the menu for your wedding. Does he have a sweet tooth? Let him taste test wedding cakes with you. The point is to find his interests and let him help you on that aspect of the wedding planning process.

Father/Daughter Dance

Watching a father slow dance with his newlywed daughter is one of the most heartwarming sights to see. If your father enjoys music, why not have him pick the father/daughter dance? Chances are he may already have a song in mind because many dads dream about this very important moment.

Running Errands

Another way to get your father involved in the wedding planning process is by assigning him wedding errands. From picking up invitations to taking wedding outfits to the dry cleaners, your father will be happy to be doing his part.

Let Dad Be Dad

Every father has his quirks, but let your father be himself on your wedding day. Don’t try to get him to behave a certain way, appreciate the person that he is. At the end of the day, this isn’t just your special day, it’s his special day too!

Things To Consider When Choosing an Event Venue

Choosing the right event venue or reception hall can be an overwhelming process, especially if you don’t know what to look for or what questions to ask the event venue manager when touring the facility. To help hosts make the best possible decision regarding their event location, the coordinators at De Luxe have identified the most important questions your should ask before booking a banquet hall, restaurant, conference center, hotel, or winery.

Before You Start Your Event Venue Search, You’ll Need To Know:

How Much You Can Spend on the Venue (Budget)

This is the most important factor when determining where to host your next event, so before you do anything else, find out how much you can spend on the venue, food, entertainment, and, if you’re planning a wedding reception, the flowers, photos, and attire, as well.

How Many People Are Attending (Guest Count)

Because catering companies often charge based on guest counts, knowing how many people will be at your event will help establish your budget and whittle down your event venue options. When touring a venue, be sure to ask how many people can fit comfortably, not just how many people will fit in the venue if crammed shoulder-to-shoulder.

What Type of Event You Plan on Hosting

Determining your desired level of formality will help you find a venue that best fits the look and feel of your upcoming event. Weddings and galas, for example, often call for opulence and elegance, while birthday parties and other social events typically demand a more energetic, casual atmosphere.

Once you’ve established the basics, you may also want to inquire about the services and amenities the venue offers by asking questions like:

Is Event Planning Included?

As an added benefit to potential clients, many banquet halls and conference centers offer event planning services – decorating, entertainment booking, and catering services – as part of the reservation package. For a host unfamiliar with planning an event, this can be serious selling-point.

Does The Venue Have On-Site Catering?

Though venues without on-site catering services should not be immediately discounted, in-house catering can simplify the planning process and help your event to run smoothly. Also, because the catering company will not have to transport the food from the kitchen to your event location, venues with catering companies can guarantee your food will be hot and fresh.

Where Will My Guests Park?

In big cities like Los Angeles, parking can be a nightmare, especially for older guests who have trouble seeing at night and can’t walk long distances to the venue. Choosing an event venue with an attached parking lot or valet car service will ensure that all of your attendees are well cared-for.

De Luxe’s Guide To Choosing The Right Wedding Suit or Tux

For men, figuring out just what kind of suit to wear on their wedding day is one of the most important decisions to make, and with so many different options, it can be a difficult one. To help both grooms and brides determine what will look best at the alter and on the dance floor, De Luxe Banquet Hall offers this comprehensive infographic for picking out your wedding-day attire.

Collars and Cuffs

Most traditional Western-style shirts use either a classic, semi-spread, spread, or button down collar, though variations of these can help the groom look more fashionable or like a risk-taker. In general, cuffs will be noticed by few, so it matters little what style you choose, as long as the buttons are all buttoned and the cuff links, if included, are properly worn.

Different Suit Cuts

Body type and fashion sense play a large role in selecting the type of cut that “suits” the groom best. An English cut is ideal for shorter grooms who desire lots of mobility, though an English cut suit will almost certainly need to be tailored to fit the wearer. Italian cut suits are the pinnacle of fashion, but this option’s no-vent design decreases mobility and comfort. The American cut is a flexible suit made for larger waistlines, though has the propensity to look boxy and ill-worn if the groom is not properly measured. Lastly, the tuxedo represents the combination of traditional style and suave, upper-class sophistication, though the bow tie, waistcoat, and shiny shoes may not appeal to all grooms.

Black Tie vs White Tie

Although this distinction is typically reserved for formal events like galas and balls, its nonetheless important to know that the differences between the two dress classes extends beyond color. For example, white tie jackets end above the sleeves in the front and at the back of the knees in the back, while black tie jackets resemble traditional suit coats.

Ties

There is really only one rule when wearing a tie: if you choose to wear a traditional tie at your wedding, the tip of the tie should fall right at the belt buckle. There lots of ways to tie a tie, so grooms should research the type of knot that will look best with their particular suit choices.

How To Periscope Your Next Event at De Luxe Banquet Hall!

De Luxe’s Ballroom can accommodate a lot of people (up to 400!), but what if you want your organization’s presentation or speech to be heard and seen by thousands?! Or suppose your friends back home can’t attend your wedding but still want to experience it with you, in real time, instead of waiting months for the wedding video to come out? Now, thanks to new streaming technology and an app called Periscope, all of this (and much more) is possible!

To help our clients understand exactly what this revolutionary new platform is and how to use it, we’ve included a helpful Periscope Q&A in our banquet hall blog. For more information, go to https://www.periscope.tv/.

Q: What Is Periscope & How Does It Work?

A: In a nutshell, Periscope is simply an app, just like Instagram or Twitter, that allows anyone to record an event, presentation, or concert on their mobile device and simultaneously broadcast it over the internet. The “periscoper” may allow only a specific person or group of people to see what they’re recording, or they can choose to allow the general public to view it live, as it’s happening. Once each broadcast is over, the user may even choose to make the video available for replay.

Q: What Can I Broadcast?

A: Anything! One of the great things about Periscope is the ability to record live events with almost no setup or preparation; just open the app on your mobile device, and you’re ready to go! Use the app to expand your presentation’s audience, document an exclusive interview, share a “behind the scenes” look at an event, or allow friends and family members to see exactly what you see and hear exactly what you hear. The possibilities are limitless.

Q: Do I Need Any Special Equipment?

A: Aside from a mobile device and an internet connection, the short answer is “no.” However, because Periscope sees exactly what your smartphone or tablet camera sees and hears, broadcasts run the risk of being shaky and difficult to hear. If you want your stream to look and sound professional, investing in a tripod and a smartphone microphone makes a world of difference.

Q: What Are Periscope’s Advantages?

A: In a word: exposure. Not only does Periscope allow your broadcast to reach every other person with the Periscope app (over 10 million users at the time of publication), Periscope’s comment section means that you will be exposed to your audience’s opinions, suggestions, and priorities as well – for businesses and organizations, this dialogue is extremely valuable.

Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Professional Entertainer

The right professional band, DJ, or lounge singer can take your event to the next level, but finding the perfect guy (or girl) to do the job can be an arduous task. To make sure the entertainment you select is exactly what you were expecting, De Luxe Banquet Hall has identified four questions you MUST ask before hiring your party or conference’s all-important performer. They are, in no particular order:

Question #1: How Do We Know You’ll Follow Through With Your Commitments?

Nothing is worse than getting a call a week before your event and learning that your entertainment professional can no longer play. To prevent this from happening, most professional entertainers provide a written contract which outlines all of the terms of service, including fees, overtime, and the legal name or entity of all parties involved. Scheduling a face-to-face meeting with your DJ, band, or lounge singer before your event is also a great way to evaluate a person or group’s professionalism.

Question #2: Who Will Actually Perform at Our Event?

While it may seem obvious that the person you speak with on the phone or meet will be the same person arriving at your event with turntables or instruments in tow, this is not always the case. Large entertainment companies often subcontract many different performers, and if the entertainment company’s name is the one on the contract (instead of the individual entertainer’s name), you’ll have little choice but to suffer through the stranger’s performance. Asking about who, specifically, will be performing – and getting it in writing – will save you from a surprise on the day of your event.

Question #3: How Much Experience Do You Have?

Nothing against inexperience – everyone’s gotta start somewhere, right? – but it’s best to make sure your important event isn’t the performer’s first gig. Asking the number of years the entertainment professional has been regularly working can give some indication of their proficiency, but better to be ask for their experience level regarding your specific type of event. Speaking to a performer’s former clients is a good way to gauge their professionalism, too, so don’t forget to ask for a list of references.

Question #4: Will We Get To Choose Our Own Music?

The precursor to this question, of course, is: “Do I even want to choose my own music?” Some event hosts, like couples at their wedding reception, will want to exercise a lot of control when choosing the music, while hosts for corporate events may not want any part in choosing the songs at their company’s gathering. Once you decide how much say you want to have in the music selection process, find an entertainer who can work within your guidelines. (Note: Many bands are limited in the number of songs they know and can play; if you want a band or lounge singer to learn a particular song, best to give them at least 3 months notice!)

How To Attract Millennials To Your Corporate Event

Like it or not, Millennials (men and women born between the mid-1980’s and the year 2000) are yielding more and more power, not just as consumers, but also in the business world. To appeal to this distracted, tech-savvy generation, companies must shift their approach away from the traditional “I talk, you listen” corporate event structure to a more engaged, lighthearted atmosphere. The following are five ways today’s businesses can attract and impress the world’s newest buyers, employees, and leaders.

#1: The Focus Should Be on Education, Not Sales

No one likes to sit through a boring sales pitch, and Millennials especially have little patience for the cheesy marketing methods of yesteryear. With online classes and Youtube offering free ways to better oneself, the best way to attract and maintain the focus of younger attendees is to teach them something valuable and unique. Next time you give a presentation, instead of “pitch,” think “lecture.”

#2: Provide “Instagrammable” Food For Guests

Stuffy corporate events are a thing of the past. Today’s business conferences feature relaxed, lighthearted atmospheres full of conversations, music, and of course, food! Because Millennials are obsessed with social media and want “Instagrammable” moments, be sure to include photo-ready foods like candy stations and “donut walls” at your event!

#3: Distribute Handouts Electronically

It’s rare to see a Millennial without their smart phone in hand, and most young clients or employees would rather scroll through presentations on their iPhone than flip through actual pieces of paper. For you next corporate event, save on the printing costs and make links to materials available through emails or, better yet, through a scannable QR Code on the event program. (Note: Don’t forget to include major talking points, facts, contact information, and link to the organization or businesses website on your online marketing materials.)

#4: Individual Connection Matters

Tech-savvy or not, people like to feel like, well, people, and Millennials are no exception to this long-standing business rule. If possible, try to greet everyone who attends your conference or presentation personally. Recruiting Millennial staff members to welcome attendees and pass out materials will help increase engagement and make Millennials feel more comfortable, as well.

#5: Make Use of Social Media

Sorry computer-illiterate CEOs, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are here to stay. To take advantage of this increasingly-ubiquitous trend and engage the younger generation, corporate events should include social media hashtags, discounts for followers, and shareable content as part of their presentations.

Sound Proper With De Luxe’s Wedding Invitation Infographic!

Choosing an elegant wedding venue, hiring the right caterer, and finding the perfect wedding dress are tasks that typically dominate a couple’s thoughts in the months after an engagement ring has been slipped on her finger. While these are all important aspects of one’s nuptials, finding the perfect wedding invitations (and knowing how to word them correctly) deserves a fair amount of attention as well. To help our couples sort out the Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Invitation Etiquette, De Luxe Banquet Hall has included this helpful infographic in our wedding preparations blog. Now get writing!

The Host Line

The bride’s parents are traditionally listed in the Host Line because they traditionally paid for the wedding expenses. Today, however, many other arrangements are common, so it is not uncommon for the Groom’s Parents or the Couple themselves to appear on the Host Line.

The Etiquette “Order of Operations”

If the Bride’s Family Issues the Invitations:

Father of the Bride followed by Mother of the Bride
If Mother of the Bride is remarried, husband of the Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Bride, followed by Father of the Bride (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Mr. Jack Brown
If divorced and not remarried, Mother of the Bride followed by Father of the Bride

If the Groom’s Family Issues Invitations:

Father of the Groom followed by Mother of the Groom
If Mother of the Groom is remarried, husband of the Mother of the Groom, Mother of the Groom, followed by Father of the Groom
If divorced and not remarried, Mother of the Groom followed by Father of the Groom

If Both Families Issue Invitations:

Bride’s Family precedes Groom’s Family
Or each family may issue their own separate invitations

If Couple Issues Invitations:

Bride precedes Groom (i.e. Miss Jane Doe and Mr. Will Turner)

If Everyone Issues the Invitations:

Family, Bride, Groom (i.e. With Their Families, Miss Jane Doe and Mr. Will Turner)

The Request Line

Be sure to specify is your guest is invited to the wedding ceremony or to the reception only. Note: It is considered bad manners to invite a guest just to the ceremony, although a guest may choose to leave before the reception. Some Request Line phrases include:

request your presence at
cordially invite you to
would be delighted by your presence at

The Bride and Groom Line

The bride and groom’s names are announced without courtesy titles and joined with a “to” or “and.” Also, if the groom or bride’s family is not mentioned in the host line, they may be included on the Bride and Groom Line.

The Date and Time

Formal Version:

Saturday, the seventeenth of November, two o’clock in the afternoon

Informal Versions:

Saturday, November 17, 2012, 2 o’clock
November 17th, 2 p.m.
November 17, 2012, 2 PM

Reception Information

If the reception is taking place in the same place as the wedding ceremony, you need only say “reception follows.” If it is in a different location, couples often include a separate card with new location, driving directions, parking information, etc.

Don’t want kids at the reception? Write “adult reception”
Words to use for dress code: black tie, semi formal, cocktail attire, festive attire, creative black tire, white tie, black tie optional, dressy casual, informal
Not serving dinner? Say: “a cocktail reception to follow,” hors d’oeuvres reception to follow,” “dessert reception,” or “cake and punch reception”

RSVP Line

You can include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the RSVP, or many couple’s are omitting the envelop and asking guests to RSVP online.

The History of the Modern-Day Bridal Shower

One of our most beloved pre-wedding customs, bridal showers are a fantastic way for the bride-to-be to celebrate her upcoming nuptials with friends, family members, and her bridal party. But while many women choose to partake in the tradition, few likely know where the modern-day bridal shower originated and why we give gifts to the soon-to-be-bride (who is about to get lots of wedding presents anyway!). To shed light on these, and other, interesting bridal shower mysteries, the event coordinators at De Luxe Banquet Hall in Los Angeles scoured the internet for clues about the origins of this much-loved pre-nuptial bash. Here’s what we found:

Early Accounts of the Bridal Shower: 16th Century Belgium

While the precise origin of the modern-day bridal shower is unknown, many historians believe the tradition originated in 16th Century Brussels, Belgium. According to popular legend, a beautiful young girl fell in love with the village miller who was so good to the poor that he failed to amass any wealth for himself. The girl’s father, desiring her to marry the richest man in town, threatened to without her dowry if the girl chose to marry the miller. When the poor citizens (to whom the miller had shown kindness) heard that the girl would lose her dowry, they “showered” her with hundreds of small gifts which, when combined, were far more valuable than her dowry.

Bridal Showers in the United States

Although the practice of providing a dowry is nonexistant in almost all modern cultures, the tradition of showing the bride-to-be with gifts (while affirming her right to marry the man of her choosing) enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in America around the turn of the 20th century. During this time, primarily upper middle families began throwing gift-giving parties for their well-to-do daughters, and by the 1930s, the tradition had spread to middle and lower-middle class rural America. The earliest use of the actual phrase bridal shower” is attributed to the Grand Rapids Michigan Evening Press, which wrote, “The ‘shower parties’ that through mistaken hospitality the wedded couple are forced to attend […]” in June, 1904.

Because bridal showers aren’t steeped in the same rigid social, cultural, or religious traditions as weddings, the format of the celebration is fairy flexible, with one exception: bridal showers evolved from a gift-giving tradition, so gift-giving is the one mandatory aspect of the pre-wedding party. Historically, gifts tend to reinforce gender roles emphasizes traditional gender roles – women are often presented household items, such as cooking or cleaning-related items, or gifts that reinforce the role of the wife as a husbands “sexual partner” – but in recent years, gifts tend to focus more on the bride-to-be’s actual interests.

Five Wedding Day Must-Haves That Might Surprise You

Bride & Groom Riding to De Luxe Wedding Venue — Alone Time With Your New Husband or Bride is a MUST, Even If It’s Only in the Limo!

A bride’s wedding day is undoubtedly one of the happiest of her life, but it can also be one of the most stressful; with so many big things to think about, many brides forget to consider the little things that make a wedding run smoothly. To prevent a possible wedding-day disaster, the professional planners at De Luxe’s wedding venue have compiled a list of things many of our brides often overlook. On your big day, don’t forget to…

Provide Food for the Bridal Party

If you’re spending all morning and afternoon with your bridesmaids, they’re going to need something to substantial eat. (And no, a cheese and cracker plate won’t cut it!) Consider something light yet filling, like yogurt parfaits for breakfast and sandwiches with salads for lunch. Trust us, your girlfriends will love you for it!

Make Hair & Makeup Appointments For Bridesmaids

Though you’re not obligated to pay for your bridesmaids’ hair and makeup, it’s important that brides give their bridal party the opportunity to get their hair and makeup done by a professional. Scheduling appointments at the same place and time also gives you more time to catch up with your girlfriends and relieve unwanted anxiety.

Make a Plan for Keeping Wedding Toasts Brief

Wedding toasts can be one of the most memorable aspects of a wedding reception, but they can also be a train wreck if the microphone ends up in the hands of a long-winded, intoxicated guest. To prevent terrible toast-givers from ruining your party, pre-plan who will get to get to speak before the reception even starts. If you do decide to go with the “free for all” wedding toast format, instruct the MC to tactfully cut rambling speeches short.

Steal Some Alone Time With Your New Husband or Wife

Amidst all the excitement of the pre-wedding festivities, the wedding ceremony, and the no-holds-barred wedding reception, couples often forget to steal a few minutes alone together. Even if it’s just in the limousine on the way to the banquet hall or in the ballroom’s bridal suite, be sure you grab a few moments to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished! This day is about your love, after all!

Take a Break!

Sure, you want to spend as much time with friends and family as possible on your wedding day, but social and emotional over-stimulation can lead to unwanted stress, illness, and feelings of fatigue. To keep yourself from being overwhelmed, be sure to find a few minutes of solitude here and there throughout your wedding day.

14 Best Places to Propose in Los Angeles

Few would argue that The City of Angeles is one of the most romantic cities in the world; between the scenic mountains, pristine beaches, and phenomenal event venues, Los Angeles has countless places to take that special someone in your life and pop the big question.

Planning the perfect proposal setting for your love can seem scary, but your search ends here! Read on to discover our picks for the best places to propose in Los Angeles.

#1: Griffith Park Observatory

Located on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood’s Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory offers stunning views of Los Angeles by day and gorgeous stargazing by night. Lovers can see Downtown Los Angeles, the famous Hollywood sign, and the Pacific Ocean, all from one place. The panoramic views make Griffith Park Observatory one of the best places to propose in Los Angeles. And the best thing? It’s always free!

14 Best Places to Propose in Los Angeles — Credit: Flickr

#2: Franklin Canyon Park

On the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, this 605-acre park boasts a lake, a romantic duck pond (named Heavenly Pond), and over five miles of picturesque hiking trails. Older couples might recognize the Franklin Canyon Lake as the same one from the opening credits of The Andy Griffith Show! Young or old, Franklin Canyon Park is a beautiful and easily accessible proposal spot for any couple.

#3: Crystal Cove State Park

Regarded by many Angelenos as the most beautiful beach in Los Angeles, Crystal Cove State Park is 3.2 mile-long stretch of coastline in the city of Newport, just north of Laguna Beach. The stunning views are a prime example of the picturesque coast that California is known and loved for. Couples visiting Crystal Cove can walk arm-in-arm past blue tide pools, rocky outcroppings, and spectacular cliff-side houses.

#4: The Echo Park Lake Boathouse

There’s just a certain charm about paddling around an urban oasis that gets us feeling all mushy inside. For one of the best romantic date experiences in Los Angeles, you can’t beat renting a swan boat from Boathouse at Echo Park Lake. Enjoy the perfect L.A. sunshine as you coast across the lake.

#5: The Santa Monica Pier

Touristy? Yes. Romantic? Definitely. Win your date a teddy on the Midway, then buy an ice cream cone and steal a kiss on the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel. The shining lights and ocean backdrop make the Santa Monica Pier an unforgettable spot to propose in Los Angeles.

#6: Hollywood Bowl

If you and your beau are music lovers, the Hollywood Bowl is an amazing place to enjoy live music together. Iconic and awe-inspiring, this beautiful outdoor amphitheater holds over 100 performances each year. Buy that special someone tickets to their favorite musical artist, and when the after-show fireworks come, you’ll know it’s time to get out the ring. With the buzzing excitement leftover from the concert, it’ll be a moment neither of you will ever forget!

#7: Boat Ride on the Pacific Ocean

Is there anything more romantic than a glimmering sunset over the ocean horizon? Treat your partner to a breathtaking excursion out on the Pacific. Book a private boat ride at Marina Del Rey or look into one of the several businesses that offer pre-planned proposal packages. With champagne, wind in your hair, and stunning ocean views, love will be in the air!

#8: Disneyland

Make”The Happiest Place on Earth” even happier! Release your inner child and bring your partner to Disneyland to share a day full of fun, food, and magic. She’ll feel like a princess, and you’ll feel like Prince Charming when you pop the question in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

#9: El Matador Beach

Saphire blue water sprinkled with sea caves and massive rocks make El Matador Beach one of the most romantic places in Los Angeles, and a gorgeous spot for asking the big question. The walk to the beach is relatively steep, but completely manageable, and completely worth it. After sharing a romantic picnic, tap into your adventurous side by exploring the rock caves at low tide, and start a lifetime of adventures with your partner when you get down on one knee!

#10: The Getty Center

Located up in the hills of Brentwood, The Getty Center is a world-famous museum and an iconic Los Angeles landmark. Together, couples can stroll along hundreds of years of art history before landing in the romantic gardens. With stunning views, elegant architecture, and gorgeous gardens surrounding you, she’s guaranteed to say yes.

#11: The Getty Villa

Like the Getty Center, the Getty Villa boasts picturesque gardens and beautiful artworks. However, while the Center is more of a modern space, the Villa’s architecture and gardens are inspired by ancient Roman models. Both are equally gorgeous, and the Getty Villa is a beautiful location to share a cultural experience and make your engagement one to remember.

#12: Sofitel Helipad

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Sofitel is a luxurious French-inspired hotel with a helipad that boasts views like no other. Depending on the time of year, Sofitel offers an exceptional helipad proposal package that includes set-up time, champagne, and unparalleled 360 views of Los Angeles. It’s the perfect location for popping the question if you’re looking for panoramic views of the LA skyline.

#13: Huntington Botanical Gardens

Just outside Pasadena, the Huntington Botanical Gardens encompass 130 acres of land and showcase 16 uniquely themed gardens. With such a vast garden space, you can take your pick and customize your engagement to the perfect setting. Huntington Botanical Gardens is guaranteed to host a romantic getaway and unforgettable proposal.

#14: Carlsbad Ranch Flower Fields

In the springtime, you can find the vast flower fields of Carlsbad Ranch about two hours south of LA. Couples can share a romantic stroll through rows upon rows of flowers together. If you’re lucky enough to catch this spectacular annual burst of color and life, it’s undeniably one of the best places to propose near Los Angeles.

Special Mention: De Luxe Banquet Hall

Okay, we admit: we’re a bit partial here. Maybe it’s not the prime proposal location, but with our venue’s gorgeous dance floor, gorgeous lights, and upscale in-house catering services, few could argue that our banquet hall isn’t one of the most romantic places in Los Angeles, especially for wedding receptions. Once you’ve popped the question contact De Luxe Banquet Hall to take a complimentary tour of our unparalleled ballroom!

How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Dress (Infographic)

Women’s bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and knowing which wedding dress design is right for each body type can make all the difference in a bride’s confidence and wedding-day photos. To guarantee you look your best on your big day, consult De Luxe Banquet Hall’s Wedding Dress Infographic before purchasing your bridal gown!

The Ball Gown Wedding Dress

A classic wedding dress, this design is ideal for women with an Inverted Triangle shape (broad shoulders, large bust, small waist and hips). Brides with Triangle-, Hourglass-, and Rectangle-shaped bodies can also look great in the Ball Gown dress.

The A-Line (Princess) Wedding Dress

Perfect for Triangle (smaller upper body, broad hips) or Pear-shaped body types, the Princess Wedding dress is an extremely versatile design. Women with Hourglass, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, and Round figures will look fantastic in this dress as well.

The Empire Wedding Dress

Great for women with full busts, full hips, and not a lot of definition around the waist area, this flowing dress design can be worn with all figures.

The Mermaid Wedding Dress

Fashionable and edgy, the Mermaid Wedding Dress looks especially great on Hourglass shapes (full bust, full hips, waist definition) but can also be worn by Triangle-shaped brides!

The Sheath (Column) Wedding Dress

Ideal for women with small busts, narrow hips, and little waist definition (Rectangle Body Type), the Sheath design can also serve to accentuate the curves of brides with Hourglass figures.

For more great bridal advice, visit the De Luxe Banquet Hall Blog or contact our Los Angeles event venue today!

Four Simple Steps For Hosting An Inspiring Business Mixer

Exchanging Business Cards at a De Luxe Mixer — Business Mixers Are Great For Networking

Are you looking to branch out from your current audience, meet local business owners, or introduce your new company to the community? A business mixer is an excellent way for local businesses to get together in person, exchange business cards, and gain new contacts! If you want to elevate your business and increase your company’s brand awareness, consider these steps for hosting an informative and entertaining business mixer:

Step #1: Carefully Craft Your Guest List

Remember: the main point of hosting a business mixer is to network with fellow business owners, managers, and employees. Create a guest list which reflects your business’s goals, and invite people that have similar interests, business models, and company ethos. Other professionals may be able to help you and your business, so write down and memorize a short introduction—called an “elevator pitch”—that you can recite to engender interest in your company.

Step #2: Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right venue for your mixer is important. If possible, you should host your event in your office, shop, or restaurant; this will get people into your location and indirectly promote your services or products. If your business space isn’t large enough, consider renting a venue with plenty of room to mingle but quiet enough for guests to easily converse. A space that is visually pleasing and exciting, too, will make a lasting impression on your attendees, and catering and beverages services are a must!

De Luxe Banquet Hall During a Corporate Event

Step #3: Make It Fun!

Just because you’re hosting a corporate affair doesn’t mean the evening has to be “all business.” After all, you want your guests to enjoy themselves, stay throughout the event, and fondly associate your company with the mixer. Consider hiring entertainment—musicians, stand-up comedians, and motivational speakers are always crowd-pleasers—to put your guests in a great mood. You can also ask different vendors and business owners if they would be like to donate door prizes; this is a fun way to get people excited while promoting local products at the same time. Who doesn’t love getting prizes?

Step #4: Remember, It’s All About Networking

Create an atmosphere that encourages mingling. Don’t place too many chairs and tables around; instead, make sure people are walking around, talking, and exchanging information. Include a table (or multiple tables) for fellow businesses to display merchandise or brochures about their services and products, and consider organizing networking exercises as ice breakers—these can be as simple as encouraging people to talk to someone they’ve never met, or something more creative, like drawing names of famous couples from a hat and asking everyone to mingle until they find their “missing half.” Finally, remember to keep it light and talk with as many guests as you can; try not to overwhelm the evening with speeches and presentations.

Make Sure Your Venue Has Enough Space For Speakers!

As you can see, a business mixer can benefit your business in a number of ways. For more tips on hosting a successful mixer, contact De Luxe Banquet Hall today!

De Luxe’s Tips On Taking Perfect Wedding Photos

Congratulations on your engagement! Now that you’ve said “I will,” it’s time to find the perfect photographer for when you say “I do!” Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, so capturing important moments throughout the day should be treated with equal importance. Having clear skin and a bright smile is essential to great wedding photos, of course, but so is finding a photographer that will suit your personality and style. Follow De Luxe Banquet Hall’s tips to achieve perfect photographs you can cherish for a lifetime.

Choosing The Photographer

Before making any decisions, you should meet or talk on the phone with a few photographers in your area. Try to do this as soon as you get engaged, because photographers tend to book up fast (especially the really good ones), and you want to be sure you’re getting your first choice for your big day. Most professional wedding photographers will have a beautiful website displaying their past work, but by interviewing them, you’ll get a better feel for their personality, whether or not they’re good listeners, and if they’re willing to go out of their way to take the kind of photos you want.

Tip #1: Make Sure You Like Them!

Getting a feel for how they act and treat you as a person is a legitimate reason to meet with the photographer in person. You will be spending many, many hours with your photographer on your wedding, so liking them is important! Nothing (short of a tornado or tsunami, maybe) would be worse than hiring a pushy or uncooperative photographer that doesn’t listen to what you and your new spouse’s requests.

De Luxe Blog Wedding Photos — Choosing The Right Wedding Photographer Can Make or Break Your Wedding Photos

Tip #2: Determine Your Style

When meeting with your photographer, bring along pictures of the style you hope to emulate on your special day. By doing this, you can minimize any miscommunication and make sure the professional has experience shooting this type of photography, or at least feels comfortable (better yet, excited!) with your desired style and direction. Do you fancy whimsical, romantic shots or more structured, traditional poses for your wedding photography? These preferences should be defined before your initial meeting takes place.

[See this handy STYLE GUIDE From Here Comes The Bride for more on defining your unique vision!]

Tip #3: Ask About Coverage

Don’t forget to inquire about pricing and what his or her services includes. Some photographers work for eight hours and no more, while others shoot for the entire day no matter how long your ceremony and reception lasts. The amount of coverage may be important to you, especially if you have any special photography or specific moments you want captured. Also, ask if the photographer will be bringing along an assistant. After a long, tiring day of work, a photographer may not able to provide consistent quality; an assistant can help with the work-load and provide unique, second perspectives.

Once you’ve chosen a photographer, you should thoroughly discuss the timing of the big day, moment by moment. These pictures will serve as the definitive memories of your wedding day, and you want to make sure you create a schedule that allows for every moment to be appropriately documented.

On The Big Day

After all the planning, scheduling, and long nights creating centerpieces, it’s finally time to enjoy the day you’ve been dreaming about! Now that you’ve made it (yay!), here are a few tips to consider for lovely, natural photographs:

Tip #4: The Right Makeup Matters

Be sure to request air brush makeup from your makeup artist. This type of makeup is highly concentrated pigment that is brushed onto your skin with a finely-misted makeup gun. With only a few drops of foundation, you’ll have completely flawless, completely covered skin without looking or feeling heavy. Air brush makeup is also sweat and tear proof, so you can cry and perspire all you want without worrying about your makeup wearing off.

Wedding Makeup at De Luxe Banquet Hall — The Right Makeup Can Have A Profound Impact on Wedding Photos

Tip #5: Take Portraits Before The “I Do’s”

You can ask your photographer to schedule time before the ceremony to capture your personal portraits as well as photographs with your parents or bridal party. This way, your hair and makeup will be fresh, and you can capture your lovely look before the tears start to flow. Having fun in front of the camera BEFORE the wedding will also help work out any nervous jitters, and will make walking down the aisle much less stressful.

Tip #6: Walk Down The Aisle With Confidence

Many brides are so nervous walking down the aisle that they tend to shrug and keep their head down, but this will clearly show in your pictures. Remember to straighten up, hold your head high, and most importantly, smile! Do this, and you’ll look relaxed in your wedding photos.

Tip #7: Do What Feels Right

The best photographs are the ones where you look like yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable doing a certain pose, just skip it. The awkwardness will show in your pictures, and you want to look comfortable and happy.

Tip# 8: Have Fun!

Lastly, and most importantly, just have fun! This is YOUR DAY and you should enjoy every minute of it without worrying about your hair, makeup, or whether the icing on the cake is melting.

A Wedding Reception Dance at De Luxe Banquet Hall — The Most Important Tip: Have Fun!

For more great tips on finding a photographer and perfectly capturing the most important parts of your special day, explore the De Luxe Blog or contact our expert wedding planners here.

Planning A Sweet 16 Party: Everything You Need To Know

The day has finally come – your little girl is about to become a beautiful young woman, and only a huge celebration will sufficiently mark the momentous occasion. To help you plan, book, and organize a Sweet 16 Party your princess will never forget, De Luxe Banquet Hall has prepared a list of important advice that every parent or guardian should know.

#1: Book Your Venue in Advance

To ensure that the excitement of her coming-of-age birthday will still be fresh in your daughter, granddaughter, niece, or sister’s mind, we recommend scheduling her Sweet 16 party for the Friday or Saturday directly following her birthday; doing this gives parents and guardians a limited number of options, however, especially if trying to book a venue only a few weeks in advance. To get the perfect date, most upscale venues recommend reserving your event space 6-8 months before the big day.

#2: Narrow Down The Guest List

The guest list is one of the most important aspects of the Sweet 16 party, and careful consideration should be taken to make sure all the right people get an invite to the party. If your venue isn’t large enough to accommodate the entire guest list, sit down with the birthday girl to help her separate the “best friends” (those who MUST attend) from the mere acquaintances. Keep in mind relationship dynamics, too, and encourage your daughter, granddaughter, or niece to only invite people who get along; after all, nothing can ruin a party faster than a fight between two guests.

#3: Send Out Invitations

First impressions are important, especially to teenagers, and the right invitation can be the difference between the best night of your little girl’s life and an empty venue (and broken heart). To set the right tone for the party, De Luxe recommends coordinating the invitation with the party’s theme – whether it be the party’s colors or a more specific theme, like a “Luau” or a “Princess Party” – and having the invites custom made for the event. Also, try to send your Sweet 16 party invitations out no later than 4-6 weeks before the big day; this will give guests time to clear their calendars, pick out new dresses, and buy the perfect presents.

#4 Rent a Limousine

Unless they happen to be the daughter of a celebrity, dignitary, or high-profile businessman, most 16-year-olds have likely never seen the inside of a limousine. To make your special girl’s party memorable, rent a stretch limo, stretch Hummer, or party bus for her and 10 of her closest friends. Allowing the birthday girl and her special guests to be escorted to the party unchaperoned (no parents!) will make her feel like a real adult, and setting up a “red carpet walk” – complete with flashbulbs and screaming “fans” (party guests) – when she arrives at the venue will make her feel like a true rockstar.

Rent a Limo For Sweet 16 - De Luxe Banquet Hall — Rent A Limo To Make The Birthday Girl Feel Like A Rockstar

#5: Find The Right DJ

There are few things more important to the success of your 16-year-old’s party than great music; the right DJ must know when to play fast songs (90% of the time), when to play “slow-jams” (10% of the time), and above all, they MUST be able to take requests and play all the most popular songs (even songs that were released only days earlier). To help your entertainment professional know what type of music to play at the party, ask the birthday girl to write down a playlist of her favorite artists and songs.

#6: Hire A Professional Photographer

Though hiring a pro can be expensive, we recommend making the investment instead of leaving the task up to amateurs, or worse, trying to do it all yourself! Professional photographers not only have the best equipment to take and edit your photographs, they also know how to get the best shots in darker settings and in environments with lots of movement. Give your little girl one of the most valuable gifts you can offer: memories that will last a lifetime.

#7: Keep It (Relatively) Parent-Free

Obviously some parental presence is necessary at your daughter, niece, or sister’s Sweet 16 party, of course, but allowing the guardian of every party guest to swarm the venue will lead to lots of self-conscious kids and an extremely dull party. “Bring in the parents of your daughter’s best friends to be your core chaperones,” suggests one mother who recently planned her daughter’s Sweet 16 at De Luxe, “and personally call the parents of every child on the guest list. Assure them that ‘hey, yeah, we’ve got everything under control’ and try to stay out of the way yourself. This is her day, after all. The most important thing is to let her enjoy it with her friends.”

Teenage Girls at De Luxe Banquet Hall — Girls Celebrate a Coming-Of-Age Sweet 16 Party at De Luxe

#8: Plan the Food

As you probably know, teenagers can eat – a LOT! To prevent the food from running out at the Sweet 16 party, opt for quantity or quality; pizza, microwaveable taquitos, Bagel Bites, and baked goods are popular because they can be consumed while standing and without the use of utensils. To add a fun touch to the party, you might consider hiring a professional bartender to make the underaged party guests “mocktails” (fake cocktails made with juices instead of alcohol) as well.

#9: Try Not To Cry

All we can say to this last piece of advice is: Good Luck.

Creative Touches For Your Perfect Baby Shower

De Luxe Banquet Hall Baby Shower Ideas — These Creative Ideas From De Luxe Banquet Hall Will Make Your Baby Shower The Talk of the Town!

Having a baby is a joyous occasion, and what better way to celebrate than by throwing a beautiful baby shower in one of De Luxe Banquet Hall’s elegant venues? If you want to make your baby shower truly memorable, try incorporating one or more of these unique party ideas!

Choose An Adorable Theme For The Shower

Because picking a cute theme can make planning the baby shower easier, we recommend choosing your theme early in the planning process. Consider the desired tone of the shower (silly? pampering? elegant?), the mother-to-be’s tastes, and the sex of the baby (if known) before settling on the perfect theme, and try to coordinate the invitations, food, beverages, and decorations around the chosen concept. If you’re having trouble deciding, just remember: as long as the theme is adorable, everyone will love it. Some of the most creative ideas we’ve seen include:

Children’s Books/Nursery Rhymes
Children’s Toys/Toys In General
Children’s Cartoons/Winnie The Pooh/Sesame Street
Cute Animals, Like Whales, Ladybugs, Owls, or Bees

Baby Books for Baby Shower from De Luxe Banquet Hall — Nothing Is More Beneficial To Your Baby Than A Robust Library. Ask Your Guests To Help Fill It!

Ask Guests To Help Build Your Baby’s Library

Onesies, bottles, diapers, and toys are always appreciated, but one of the most important ways parents can help their child develop is by reading to them each night. In addition to (or in place of) traditional baby shower gifts, ask guests to pick out their favorite children’s book and bring it to the party. For an extra special touch, guest can sign their name and write a short note to the baby on the inside cover; this way, you’ll always know where the book came from, and your son or daughter will enjoy the messages when they are old enough to read by themselves.

Play A Unique Party Game

An excellent addition to the time-honored “present opening” portion of the baby shower, playing an entertaining baby shower-themed game can invigorate your party and involve your guests in the festivities. For the popular “Guess The Baby” game, ask each of your attendees to bring a baby picture of themselves, then have everyone guess which person corresponds with each picture. Another fun baby shower game involves estimating the mom-to-be’s belly size by asking guests to cut lengths of string – the participant whose string is closest to the actual size wins.

De Luxe Banquet Hall Reveal Cake (photo courtesy of Cupcake Crazy) — The Perfect Way To Reveal Your Baby’s Gender Is With A Colored Cake! (Photo Courtesy of Crazy Cakes in Cincinnati)

Reveal Your Baby’s Gender In A Special Way

Keep your friends and family members guessing until the day of your baby shower, then reveal the gender of your baby by cutting into a cake made with colored filling. This is a great way to build suspense throughout your party, and guests will enjoy celebrating with you while eating your blue (or pink) colored cake!

Prepare Yourself For Motherhood By Collecting Advice

Though there are thousands of books that try to prepare mothers for parenthood, the best advice often comes from people that know the new mom-to-be best. Compile your own “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” tokens of wisdom by asking guests to write their advice, inspiration, or encouragement in a blank notebook or journal; their words might come in handy when you haven’t slept in days and your little bundle of joy won’t stop crying!

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