Beautifully Designed Desserts
As an indulgent treat for your guests, offer a full dessert bar designed to match your color scheme. Boule, 310-289-9977, boelela.com, one of the most popular patisseries in Los Angeles, offers "Taste of Boule," a selection of delectable chocolates, pastries and tarts, starting at $20 per person. Favorite treats include Tahitian vanilla éclairs, mini fromage blanc cheesecakes and chocolate-pistachio biscotti. Some couples skip the reception meal altogether in favor of serving Boule’s desserts exclusively. A special events team will set up an eye-catching, customizable display of goodies at your reception.
Look-alike Cake Toppers
Goofy, but cool: For a cake-topper that’s truly "you," check out One & Only Figures, 626-823-1841, claymyfigure.com. These Alhambra-based designers sculpt clay cake toppers that look just like you and your groom to a tee, based on your photos. They offer several wedding dress and tuxedo options or can replicate your attire in detail. You can choose to have comic (big head, small body) or classic (read: normal) representations of yourselves. Prices range from $79 to $129 each.
The Next Big Thing
This hot event design company may be the new kid on the block, but their cutting-edge creations command—and deserve—attention. Modaflora’s experimental centerpieces are their forte, and chic brides love their unique approach. "Our goal with this design was to create windswept lightness, as though the flowers have been gently uprooted by a swift breeze and are blowing gracefully above the surface of the table," says Dan Levek, executive director of Modaflora in West Hollywood, 323-822-0992, modaflora.com. "We chose materials that have characteristics of movement. The petals of the gloriosa lilies, for example, seem to flutter in the breeze. And we manipulated wheat and flower stems, which were stabbed through the skin of oranges, to look like the wind has caused them to bend."
Custom Maps
A map that depicts the locations of your ceremony and reception sites, plus the sites you think your guests should check out, is a wonderful treat. If it’s possible, include spots with sentimental value, like where you and your fiancé went on your first date or where he proposed. You can include the maps with your invitations, send them later, or include them in welcome baskets. If you’re particularly artistic, try drawing them yourself, but we like the work of Stephannie Barba, couturemaps.com, who created this save-the-date map for an L.A. couple. Design fee: $350; printed maps start at $105 for 100.
Bride-Tested, Editor-Approved
A lot of the intricate details that you’re drawn to on gorgeous cakes are often, tastewise, less than expected. Esther and Erik weren’t willing to compromise taste or presentation, so they hired Heidelberg Bakery in Laguna Hills, 949-581-7060, heidelbergbakery.net. The couple chose this rolled white chocolate and raspberry design because they loved the clean lines, playful, fresh raspberry accents and overall organic feel. As for the taste, the baker kept it simple and fresh: Two tiers have white cake with strawberries and cream, and one tier has carrot cake. "We received so many compliments on how delicious it was. We can’t wait to eat it again on our anniversary!" says the bride.
Boutique Hotels
Boutique hotels, with their stylish decor and more intimate spaces, are a great option for smaller receptions, as well as rehearsal dinners and post-wedding brunches. Try the laid-back sophistication of the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, 866-SHADE77, shadehotel.com, which prides itself on its relaxing, ultra-modern atmosphere near the beach. There’s no need to choose between an indoor or an outdoor space because the open-air courtyard has both. Other reception spaces include a sleek, all-wood lounge and a rooftop with a pool. Crave privacy? For $50,000, you can rent the whole hotel for the weekend. Capacity: 120, courtyard; 160, all areas combined. Catering: in-house only. Cost: $2,500 and up. Catered weddings start at $100 per person. Food and beverage minimums start at $2,500.
Lighting Effects
Hiring a lighting designer may not rank as high on your list of priorities, but we think it should. Though there’s usually about a $1,000 minimum charge, strategic lighting goes a long way. "Lighting intensifies the elements of beauty in a space," says Sid Khera of Eventco Entertainment, eventcoent.com, 562-464-6900. "This dance floor is jazzed up with gobos, which can project a variety of graphics and are an inexpensive way to add texture to a large, flat space," Khera explains of this vivid ballroom scene. "Green and orange uplights romanticize the sheer drapery, which helps reinforce the color scheme, and we also pinspotted the tables to showcase the beautiful centerpieces."
Start Moving
Pretty maids all in a row is standard, but kind of boring. Having your photographer shoot your wedding party in motion will result in more natural-looking photos, while still being just as formal. "Most people feel uncomfortable in front of cameras, but people forget there’s a camera present if they’re walking," explains photographer Issa Sharp, 323-930-1808, issasharp.com. "It takes the stress and self-consciousness out of the situation." But being totally unaware of the camera can cause people to do things, like pull at bunched dresses, so this may take a few tries to get right.
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