Urban Elegance Awaits at the Los Angeles Athletic Club

There are some places, some buildings, that are so inviting and magnetic that you just don't want to leave after you arrive.  The historic Los Angeles Athletic Club is one such building.  As you pull up to the 100 year old Beaux-Art style building, it's very presence says "Welcome" to you and your guests.  It is - without question - one of the most elegant, spacious, stylish, and memorable venues for your Los Angeles wedding. 

The history of the building adds depth to the venue.  The Los Angeles Athletic Club began it's life in 1880 at a location on Spring Street downtown.  When a hotel was demolished on the current 7th Street location, they seized the opportunity to build their club building, and opened this location in 1912.  It was the first building in Los Angeles to have an indoor pool on an upper floor.  Entering the building, you sense the feeling of time, the feeling that you are almost taking a step back to another time and another place.....that embodies our romanticized visions of what glamorous Los Angeles life was like over the course of the past 100 years.  It is at once comforting and refreshing, and offers a perfect backdrop for your event.

The ballroom floor will make your jaw drop from the time the elevator doors open.  It is simply beautiful and welcoming.  The high ceilings, dramatically large windows, the rich flooring and detailed carpet, the warmth of the wood paneling, the feminine touch of the intricate chandeliers, the spaciousness that allows your guests comfort throughout your day are all magnificent.  The Los Angeles Athletic Club is one wedding venue where your guests will never feel cramped or claustrophobic.  You and your guests have the entire third floor at your disposal...the ballroom, the foyer, the club room with a quintessential wooden bar, and the vast hall.  

The rooftop is available for both ceremonies and receptions as well.  When you step onto the rooftop, it takes your breath away.  On one level, it almost makes you feel like a kid again, looking up at the skyscrapers surrounding you like a modern day forest.  The iconic Southern California skies shine down on you and your guests as you celebrate your love and your future in a place that so few people will ever see.  It is magical.  At An Amazing Affair, we recommend having your ceremony on the rooftop, and your reception in the ballroom for a perfectly wondrous event (although you can do both in either place).  

But what about the food?  Certainly your food choices are one of the most important aspects of your wedding!  Rest assured - the food at your LAAC wedding will be memorable for all of the right reasons!   The gourmet food is not only delicious and varied, it is also beautifully presented and graciously served.  

Working together with the chef, you can personalize your Los Angeles Athletic Club wedding menu to reflect the style and taste of both of you, as a couple.  

There is a delightful Bridal Lounge where the bride and her attendants can relax and prepare for the big event.  It is private, quiet, and offers to opportunity for some great candid shots and posed portraits.  The bridal party has access to this lounge throughout the event, offering a refuge from the madding crowd if needed!  

One of the reasons we love the Los Angeles Athletic Club is because the attention to detail, the style, the feeling, the romance, permeates the entire building.  Frankly, in some venues, the foyer and entryway are nice, and the front of the ceremony room might be nice, but the rest of the place may be vanilla and plain.  Not so at the LAAC - every detail - down to the newly built women's restroom on the third floor - is authentic, inspiring, and beautiful.  

If you are considering a Los Angeles Destination Wedding, you definitely need to look at the LAAC.  The boutique hotel is highly rated, and newly renovated.  Your guests will be treated to breakfast each morning, and will be able to use the gym as well during their stay.  Having your wedding at the LAAC makes it easy to turn it into a whole weekend event, maximizing the amount of time you have to spend with friends and family creating memories that will last a lifetime.

As far as style goes, this is a venue that allows you to have any type of style or theme at your wedding that you desire.  If you are considering having an Art Deco themed wedding, it would be hard to find a place better suited than the Los Angeles Athletic Club.  

A few practical notes about having your wedding at LAAC - 

*  Even though it has a vibrant downtown location, parking is no problem as they have their own private parking garage.

*  The LAAC Ballroom and third floor will accommodate up to 350 guests wonderfully.  The rooftop will hold 200 guests comfortably.

Contact us for more information or to schedule a tour of this iconic, historic, romantic venue at bridgetanndooney@anamazingaffair.com.  An Amazing Affair will be happy to help you create the wedding of a lifetime for you and your loved ones.  

A Romantic Soiree Under the Stars...Il Cielo Beverly Hills Wedding Venue

Snuggled in the outskirts of Beverly Hills is a romantic escape at the beautiful Il Cielo Restaurant.  Located on Burton Way, Il Cielo is in a charming building that used to be a home.  And when you walk through the gorgeous front entryway, you will feel as if you have arrived at a special home indeed.  The architectural details are delightful, and the atmosphere is intimate.  It has an old world feel that transports you and your guests to another world even though you are right here in the city.

The owner, Pasquale Vericella, has built a restaurant in Los Angeles that feels like an Italian bungalow!  He grew up in both the country side in Italy and the country side in Pennsylvania.  he has brought the magic, serenity, and charm of those places to life in this spectacular Beverly Hills wedding venue.  Il Cielo is widely considered to be one of the most romantic spots in all of Los Angeles.  It has also been ranked as one of the top 7 places to get married in Los Angeles.  

And before we get too lost in what Il Cielo offers for your wedding day, let's not forget the food!  The food at Il Cielo is spectacular.  

Zagat rates the food and service at "very good to excellent", and the decor at "extraordinary to perfection".  

Yelp users have ranked Il Cielo a four star restaurant with over 130 5 star rankings ( more 5 star rankings than any other number.)  This is a favorite among locals for sure.

Not only will your guests feel the magic of the atmosphere at Il Cielo, they will be happily satisfied by their meal in celebration of your love!

Il Cielo offers several different areas for your event - both indoors and out.  The ceremonies take place in a room with a retractable glass roof, giving you the option of a starry night wedding!  For cocktail hour, you and your guests can move to the front patio which is open air three seasons of the year, and has a Cinderella-like clear tent in the winter months.  The tent just adds to the charm ~ there are two stunning sister chandeliers suspended from the peak of the tent.....just lovely.  The twinkling of the stars combined with the twinkling of the lights creates a magical sight.

The inside of the restaurant is equally charming, with a heart warming fireplace, and elegantly rustic decor throughout.  The fresh take on the bar area gives your guests another place to chat, visit, and celebrate.

There is a private room for the bridal party to prepare for the wedding, and for the bride and groom to lounge in private after the ceremony.  The potential for great wedding photos is great.  Il Cielo feels as if it was created to celebrate love.....a place where fairy-tales are brought to life.

Frankly, Il Cielo is so lovely, it should be a go to place for nearly any romantic event you need to plan.  Looking for the perfect place to pop the question?  Anniversary dinner?  Ready to take your relationship to the next level?  Make a reservation at Il Cielo right away.

We consider Il Cielo to be a wonderful venue for vow renewal as well. 

A few considerations in regards to having your wedding at Il Cielo ~ it is a perfect venue for an intimate, exclusive celebration.  For an evening with dining and dancing, your number of guests should be about 90 or less.  They can accommodate a few more guests; however, you will lose some of the dance floor space if there are many more over 90.  

So if you are looking for the feel of a Tuscan wedding without having to leave our beloved city......then Il Cielo is for you!  Contact us and we will be happy to send you more information, or meet with you to view this precious venue for your wedding needs.   With An Amazing Affair wedding coordination and Il Cielo as your Beverly Hills wedding venue.....you are guaranteed a memorable celebration!  Contact us at bridgetanndooney@anamazingaffair.com. 

A special place for your Malibu wedding.....

Here at An Amazing Affair, one of our favorite parts of our jobs as wedding coordinators and event planners is scouting out the best venues for your event.  Of course, what may be perfect for one bride may be laughable to another.  So each week, Max Gough and I tour a different venue, always on the hunt for a place with that special something, that different vibe, that energy that cries out to be THE SPOT where two live, two families, two worlds collide and combine to create something new. 

This week, we went to the hidden treasure in Malibu - the Calamigos Ranch.  Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, surrounded by vineyards and estates, the 130 acre Calamigos Ranch offers a tranquil setting for your event.  It is almost hard to believe that you are so close to Los Angeles - there is no traffic.  No noise other than the falling water of the properties many waterfalls and the light breeze through the trees.  Beautiful open lawns with green grass and ponds, as well as pavilions nestled amongst the trees creating mini woodlands for your magical event. 

The place is rustically charming.  You almost feel as if you have been transported to a different time.  The Calamigos Star C Ranch was created in 1947 by Grant and Helen Gerson as a wellness and healing resort.  Amazingly, the ranch is still in the Gerson family!  Today, Glen and Mon-Li Gerson are carrying on the elegantly rustic tradition of excellent service in a fantastic environment that Glen's grand-parents and parents started over 60 years ago. 

Calamigos Ranch offers four different areas for your wedding or special event.  From small and intimate to a 500 guest extravaganza - Calamigos Ranch can handle your event.  Each unique and separate venue areas have their own individual style and charisma.  It is a ranch, and has a ranch style.  As we drove up the winding driveway, we were greeted by lovely horse statues on one side of the road, and growing grapes on the other.  Just lovely.

While everyone parks in the same area, (valet is available), there are several different paths leading to the four different venues.  The Garden Patio, the Ranch House, the Oaks, and the Garden & Pavilion.  

The Garden and Pavilion is simply breathtaking.  It is the grandest of the options at the ranch, with the ability to comfortably and seamlessly handle up to 500 guests.  The setting for the ceremony is under the embrace of a 100 year old oak tree with cascading lights.  The bridal party is perched up on an ivy covered elevation, giving all of your guests a framed view of your special moment. 

After your ceremony, you and your guests walk down a sycamore lined pathway with candles lighting the way.  The reception space is draped in white, with endless opportunities to create your own look, your own style in this lovely spacious area. 







If you guest list is somewhat smaller than 500, the Garden is an incredible alternative to the Pavilion.  It is a private enclave surrounded by majestic weeping willows and lush lawns for your guests, a lovely patio for your cocktail hour, and a lovely reception room centered around a natural stone fireplace flickering with warmth (in the wintertime, of course!).  





The magic of the Oaks begins as your guests step onto the path to walk up to the building.  It brings them into a garden with 100 year old trees, flowers, and ferns that create a feeling of being in another world.  As a bride, you cross a bridge spanning natural stone waterfalls to the ceremony spot.  You have indoor and outdoor choices for dining, and a fireplace to add vibrancy to the interior space.

The Ranch House offers a space for the most intimate affairs at Calamigos with a maximum of 140 guests.  The ceremony spot at the Ranch House is nestled against a limestone waterfall and seems almost dreamlike.  The ranch house also offers the option of dining under the stars or eating inside.

A few amazing things about Calamigos Ranch:

•  Even though they have four different areas with four ceremony sites and four reception venues, they all feel secluded, separate and private!
• Throughout the grounds, they have unique lighting outdoors.  Beehive lanterns, elegant chandeliers hanging from trees, bold light bulbs suspended on minimalist cords......it adds interest and a magnetic glow.
• They have a pond with a raft that is reminiscent of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn.
• This location offers to ability to have your entire event at one location, which can be a plus for many brides.
• If you want a Los Angeles or Malibu wedding with a different flavor than what is typically expected, this is a place to consider strongly.

While this posting has mainly delved into the possibilities of weddings at Calamigos Ranch, at An Amazing Affair, we feel this venue has strong options for may events including bar/bat mitzvahs, sweet sixteens, vow renewals, anniversary and birthday parties, graduation parties, company and corporate events, and of course.......hoe-downs!

Contact us at An Amazing Affair for more information or a guided tour. www.anamazingaffair.com  We would be delighted to help you plan the wedding of your dreams at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu!
http://www.calamigosranch.com/

http://www.calamigosranch.com/

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Wedding Planning

Won't a wedding planner just take over and try to run the whole show?
In a word - no.  We work with our clients to handle as much or as little for the event as requested.  It is still your wedding!  We are there to take your visions and dreams and turn them into reality.  The style, the ambiance, the unique aspects of the day will always be a manifestation of your desires.

Can't I just plan my wedding myself?
Of course, you can plan your wedding yourself!  Frankly, the planning is part of the anticipation and fun of the engagement period.  However, it can also be a time-consuming hassle.  Checking out several vendors for each category of service and support needed, reviewing contracts and purchase orders, coordinating logistics, production elements, rentals, design, favors - all the details that need to be in place for your big day.    And - are you getting the best deal possible?  Or is your negotiated price higher than it should be because it is for a "wedding"?  (It happens!)  On your wedding day, your wedding planner will make sure that you and your bridal party, your family, and your guests can all relax and enjoy the fruits of your ideas and dreams.  You can focus on the beautiful memories being made, time spent with those you love, and the sweet elements of the ceremony and reception.  Let us handle all the rest.

Do I need a contract with my wedding consultant?
As in real estate, we recommend having an agreement in writing with your consultant.  Ideally,  there should be a formal contract or a letter of agreement outlining the scope of the services provided, fees, responsibilities of the parties, and timelines involved would be signed by all parties involved in decision making for the wedding and the consultant.

Do Bridal Consultants get "kickbacks" from suppliers and vendors they recommend?
Some vendors do offer commissions to consultants, much like airlines paying commissions to travel agents.  At An Amazing Affair, we pass on any commissions as discounts to our clients on the services in question.  Regardless of whom you hire, you should be informed of any additional payments the consultant may be receiving.   We take such disclosures seriously at An Amazing Affair.

We are a typical family - divorced/remarried parents, relatives all over the country (and some out of the country!), and both of us work.  How do we handle tensions or rifts in the family and still have the wedding of our dreams?   
With a wedding planner at your side, we can handle many of the detailed aspects of the wedding itself.  And we have the ability to smooth over the issues that may arise with today's complex familial relationships and history.  Ultimately, we want the bride and groom to have the people at the wedding that mean the most to them, and have their special day create memories for themselves and all of their loved ones.  Even obstacles that seem insurmountable can usually be overcome in honor of your wedding day.

Do I need a Bridal Consultant?
This is one of the times in your life that is precious......the time of your engagement.  Whether it lasts four months, a year, or longer, why not make this one of the most memorable times of your life?  Having a wedding planner at your side will be an asset for you as you plan your wedding.  You will always have someone to turn to at each step of the way, with the experience to handle the common stresses that may arise during the planning of such a momentous occasion.  Wouldn't it be nice to spend time with your fiance, your families, and your dearest friends rather than worrying about your big day?  One of our brides touched the lives of everyone in her bridal party (even the groomsmen!) and her closest relatives by writing heartfelt letters to each of them in the weeks leading up to her wedding while we reviewed contracts and arranged for parking valets and security.  Which would you rather do?  On the day of your wedding, you should be the shining star, emanating poise, grace, joy, and love while we meet the caterer and track down the florist!  Let us be the behind the scenes workers that make your day magical.

I don't know if I can afford a wedding planner.  I want a Bridal Consultant....but I have a tight budget.
In an ironic twist, it is in many cases even more important for a bride and groom on a tight budget to work WITH a bridal consultant!  Our clients save so much on flowers and floral design alone it usually covers the expense of the consultant fee (when working with our in-house florist).  Hands down, a bridal consultant will be able to negotiate lower fees in many instances, and will know which vendors will give you the most bang for your buck.  Your overall budget can remain the same, and you can have a lush, full day as big as your dreams.  Many couples feel that they just have to do away with the elements of their day because they cannot afford it; at An Amazing Affair, we work within your budget to give you everything you desire.  At the same time, we are up front with you about elements you may want that will stretch your budget too far.  Let us be your sounding board.

Visit us at www.anamazingaffair.com for more information.  We can assist you in creating not just a memorable day, but also a memorable engagement period, and wedding weekend.