Month: July 2005

  • We’ve been searching up and down the Southern California coastline looking for a venue.  We’ve narrowed down our search to a few (but still totally open to suggestions).  I’d really appreciate your input!! 


     


    (1)  The Ritz-Carlton (Laguna Niguel)


     











    PLUS

    MINUS


    *  Breathtaking views of the ocean


    *  Nice bridal suite


    *  Nice neighborhood


    *  The Pacific Promenade ballroom is          


       completely private and separate building


    *  Has the right atmosphere I’m looking for

    *  Location is far (70 miles from West LA)


    *  No good churches nearby


    *  Not familiar w/ OC vendors





    Here is the view from and walkway to the Pacific Promenade. 



     


    (2)  Trump National Golf Club (Palos Verdes)













    PLUS

    MINUS


    *  Breathtaking views of the ocean


    *  Close to where I grew up


    *  Nice neighborhood


    *  2 great options for churches nearby

    *  No high-end hotels nearby


    *  Random golfers might be around for the late 


       afternoon portion






    (3)  Walt Disney Concert Hall (Downtown LA)


      











    PLUS

    MINUS


    *  Landmark


    *  Would be memorable for guests


    *  Designed by Frank Gehry and catered by


       The Patina Group

    *  No high-end hotels nearby


    *  Event coordinator is very unresponsive


    *  No good churches nearby


    *  No ocean views


    *  Risky b/c the “out of the box”-ness could


       backfire


     



     


    (4)  La Venta Inn (Palos Verdes)


      











    PLUS

    MINUS


    *  Breathtaking views of the ocean & city (the


        best of all the places we’ve seen)


    *  Close to where I grew up


    *  Nice neighborhood


    *  2 great options for churches nearby


    *  Completely private – only 1 reception/day


    *  Cute cottages for bride & groom to get


       ready

    *  No high-end hotels nearby (this place isn’t


       really an inn)


    *  The layout is odd – there are 4 separate


       areas connected by wide entrances (3


       dining and 1 dance floor)


    *  Atmosphere is “cute,” “quaint,” “charming” –   


       I’m looking for “upscale,” “formal,” “classy.”


     




     


    These are some of the places we also considered:


    -          Hotel Bel Air


    -          St. Regis (Monarch Beach)


    -          Ritz-Carlton (Marina Del Rey)


    -          Ritz-Carlton (Pasadena)


    -          Verandas (Manhattan Beach)


    -          The Beverly Hills Hotel


    -          Casa Del Mar (Santa Monica)


    -          Four Seasons (Beverly Hills)


    -          Four Seasons (Newport Beach)


    -          Luxe Hotel (Bel Air)


    -          Luxe Hotel (Beverly Hills)


     


    I’d also appreciate any other suggestions you might have…we want to have an indoor formal evening reception with gorgeous views (ocean, city or mountains)…seems like it would be easy enough to find, right?  Nope…we are having so much trouble finding the perfect place. 


     


    If you’re interested in any of the places I mentioned then I can send you my pics and any other info you need! 


     


    Thanks in advance for your thoughts!! 



  • Bella Bella Bella!