LOCATION RANT…
Is it me? Maybe it’s me. (But) I feel the need to ask: “Is it UNCOMMONLY, IRRATIONALLY, RIDICULOUSLY HARD TO FIND A WEDDING VENUE THAT IS BEAUTIFUL, PRACTICAL, AVAILABLE, SPACIOUS, AFFORDABLE , (DOESN’T COST THE PRICE OF A YEAR’S WORTH OF GROCERIES PLUS SHOES NOT ON SALE!) and especially (drum roll) … WITH A STAFF WHO WILL ACTUALLY RETURN PHONE CALLS and EMAILS and is vegan-friendly?????? As I said, maybe it’s me!?  Ai yai yai, I feel like I’m searching for Al Capone or something. I’d LOVE to put the places on blast who have said “they’d get back by the end of the day/within a day/in a few days”… to answer a simple question like if they can cater a vegan menu or allow outside catering? Yet, WEEKS  have gone by and I have yet to receive a response back from them. (I’m feeling like a venue stalker!)  I’d love to blast them but since we’re all friends here and (your cousin’s uncle’s friend’s sister’s hairdresser might be the owner of one) suffice it to say ahem ahem, ok a hint: there’s a grand, historic venue in Long Beach, a science-related place downtown, a country club in the valley, and a studio in the heart of Hollywood, to name a FEW. Yes dear friends, wedding planning amidst unbelievably high-priced and unresponsive venues can be FRUSTRATING! On a positive note (and, as life would have it) my favorite favorite person to work with thus far happens to be connected to a venue we’ve decided against for the big bash. It’s called Fantasea Yachts (cute name no?). They are perched in the Marina del Rey section of Los Angeles. What I loved about them was the fact that they offer COMPLETE PACKAGES including food, tables, linens, FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS, planner, staff, and most impressively, they have this salesman named John Williams-Jacob who is seriously, to die for. He’s like something straight out of a wedding fairy-tale movie, where the bride commands nothing but the best. Ultra accommodating, smart, eagerly responsive (yes, I’m talking a real-live person in LA, people)!!! If only I could take him with me to whichever venue I ultimately torture myself into choosing…but I CAN’T, so he’ll still be there for you to grab! (Can you tell, I’m a little excited that someone was so nice to me AND was happy to make a full-on vegan accommodation!!) Though as I noted, torture myself I must, because all-in-one service would just be too easy. Oh no, I’m set on panoramic views, flower gardens and highly-restrictive regimes. For instance, the place I am most leaning towards, is a BEAUTIFUL outdoor venue in a GORGEOUS park-like setting. PROS:

Breath-taking Italian cypress tress, beautiful architecture (viewed externally), a balcony that overlooks the city, romantic fountains and the like.

Has an intriguing Hollywood-esque history that makes for a nice backdrop and storyline for our touristy guests.

BYOC (Bring your own catering)

Outdoor locale = less energy used = more eco-friendly

Did I say beautiful??

THE CONS:

Must be a daytime event. (Can daytime weddings have all the dancing and general frolicking of night-time ones?)

No candles allowed (Just shoot me.)

When all is said and done, expensive!

Outdoor locale..(what if it’s HOT, rains, cold, windy?…) We’re set for October, so HOPEFULLY the temps will be mild but…

EVERYTHING must be brought in in the form of rentals (every table, chair, fork, knife, napkin, carafe…this is where expensive can come into play).

So what to do?? The place I find to be the most beautiful, also has the most restrictions/additional considerations such as no on-site kitchen, rentals for everything, etc.

I can’t remember the last daytime wedding AND RECEPTION I’ve been to, so if anyone has ideas on how to make a daytime reception every bit as romantic as an evening candle-lit one filled with dancing until midnight, please let me know!!! (Will people even dance in the daytime???)

Ah, answers… hopefully soon to be found. This pic below, definitely makes you wanna’ fairy-tale swoon though, no?

Tags: Friendly Service, Locations, Outdoor Weddings, outside catering, Pros and Cons, Vegan-friendly locations