This is a very late post, but better late than never. My friend Sam above got married on the beach in Long Beach in July 2007. I think I initially didn't post this because I didn't anticipate blogging her wedding. Lo and behold, here I blog. As with most of my friend's weddings (since they'd like me to be able to enjoy the wedding), I did not do these decorations. The bridal flowers were by a florist whose name Sam couldn't remember the other night, Sam and her bridesmaids did the table arrangements and most of the draping decorations were done by the venue, La Palapa Delmar Restaurant.
La Palapa Delmar's location was spectacular -- right on the sand in Long Beach. But it being July, it was quite hot. La Palapa was a visually interesting venue, but perhaps not well ventilated. Thankfully, its right on the beach, so it wasn't hard to get out and catch the ocean breeze.
Sam's parents escort her to the altar. One of the things about getting married at the beach is that you might end up with an audience not included on your guest list. Unless you somehow end up on your own private beach; if you've got game like that, then you probably don't need this blog anyway.
You can tell I wasn't expecting to blog this wedding by the complete absence of overall room pictures. I'm usually pretty good at that. Anyway, if you look past Sam's very adorable mom, you'll see the draping that's already included in the room, from the chandelier in the center of the room. There are a few other restaurants that have similar ceiling drapes, like Almansor Court. But the room, in my opinion, didn't need much in terms of decoration -- check out those burgundy drapes and the fancy sheers. Plus, the room itself was not your usual blank canvas hotel banquet room -- like I said, visually interesting on its own.
Sam and her maid of honor with their yellow rose bouquets.
The places of honor, decorated with fancy netting and candelabra.
The places of honor, occupied.
Finally, the newlywed couple's first dance.
It was a great wedding, with great music deejayed by my buddy Moonie -- yes, Moonie, whose wedding was once also featured here. It was also my first time at La Palapa -- seriously, I was surprised I'd never heard of the place before.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Getting married on the beach in Long Beach
Friday, March 07, 2008
Bridal shows in the Los Angeles area*
So I realize there are a lot of people who enjoy going to bridal shows. These people include brides-to-be, the not-even-engaged, the hoping-to-be-engaged. Vendors generally include everyone from florists, bakers, caterers, event planners, chefs, gift packagers, deejays, bands. When you get all these people into one gargantuan room, that can be just a little overwhelming, which is why I'm not a fan of bridal shows myself.
But there are people who enjoy, nay, want to do this sort of thing, so I figure I'll try to compile a list of bridal shows in the Los Angeles metropolitan area for those who are interested.
Photo by Flickr's dkhlucy
March 9, Riverside Convention Center, $10 admission, 10 a.m to 4 p.m.
March 9, Bridal Showplace at Knott's Berry Farm, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 16, Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, $9 admission, $7 with advanced registration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 30, Quiet Cannon in Montebello, $9 admission, $7 with advanced registration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 20, Day of the Diva at the Corona Yacht Club, $12 admission, $10 in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 26, Anaheim Convention Center, $9 admission, $7 online, noon
April 27, Westin Bonaventure, $9 admission, $7 online, noon
May 4, Carson Center, $9 admission, $7 with advanced registration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 18, Redondo Beach's Crowne Plaza, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 18, Long Beach Hyatt Hotel, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 1, Orange County Fair & Event Center, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 15, Ontario's DoubleTree Hotel, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 28-29, Los Angeles Convention Center, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 29, Fairplex in Pomona, $9 admission, $7 with advanced registration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*August 3, For The Bride & Groom Bridal Show, Ontario Convention Center, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 17, Long Beach Queen Mary, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 17, Hyatt Westlake Plaza, $10 admission, $8 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*August 24, Ventura County Wedding Expo, $8 admission at the door, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 5, Knott's Berry Farm, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*November 1, The Great Bridal Expo, Westin Bonaventure Hotel, $9 admission at the door, $7 tickets if purchased online, 12 p.m.
*November 2, The Great Bridal Expo, Anaheim Convention Center, $9 admission at the door, $7 tickets if purchased online, 12 p.m.
November 16, Pasadena's Hilton Hotel, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I'll be adding to this as I go. Happy bridal show hopping! Also, if there are events you'd like added, or if you want me to widen my listing to include venue shows (events that showcase a particular venue and their affiliated vendors) or events outside Los Angeles/Orange/Riverside/San Bernardino counties, let me know with a comment.
*Newly added!
