Shanghai Red’s is a cozy restaurant set right on the harbor of Marina del Rey.  The back patio area overlooks the harbor.  On this day, there was a slight breeze on a perfect day and sunset occurred while the bride and groom had dinner with all their guests.  The sunset was clearly visible through all the windows throughout the intimate room.

The ceremony took place in front of a gazebo which was decorated with flowers.  The ceremony area (patio) is separated from the general restaurant guests by different furniture, so the guests will be able to enjoy the ceremony as well.  There is no wall between the harbor walkway and the patio, so some people may casually stroll by a wonderful event.

The reception room held 12 tables which would be the maximum with a dance floor.  The Sweetheart table was set with the back to the windows overlooking the harbor which created a beautiful view.  The DJ booth had to be adjusted to accommodate the location for the booth.

Cocktail service with hor d’oeuvres were served in the ceremony area, where some tables were brought in and most of the chairs taken out to provide a more social atmosphere.  The bar was located near the rear of the ceremony area, and this is where the bar stayed throughout dinner and receptions as well.  Dinner was buffet-style which moved fairly smoothly.  The buffet tables were located in the adjacent room, which was later modified into the candy table and cappuccino service.

Services provided:  Ceremony, cocktail hour, reception music, dance lighting, wireless microphone, uplighting, cake highlighting, Sweetheart table highlighting, projection services

Congratulations Amanda and Wayne!

Sweetheart table with DJ booth in background

The San Gabriel Hilton is a beautiful building which stands out among all others in the area.  The large ballroom can be divided into smaller rooms; this wedding used one-third of the ballroom.

The ballroom is already equipped with a projection screen above the stage (the couple would have to move to enjoy the video/slideshow).

Services provided: Sound, music, dance lighting.

Congratulations April and Dean!

Cake and ocean

Located right on the beach (even has its own piece of the beach), has beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.  With two ceremony areas, either outdoors on the beach or indoors with a view of the ocean, Chart House offers choices for the bride and groom.

The indoor ceremony room, used during this wedding, was a narrow, long room that has six seats per row (2 x 3 with aisle in between).  The ceremony room is adjacent to the reception area, which is the dining room of the restaurant.  The reception area, like the ceremony room is covered with windows with beautiful views.

The restaurant was closed for the morning and afternoon, but needed to be vacated for evening dining service.

Services provided:  Ceremony sound, music, dance lighting.

Congratulations Barry and Stella!

Close to the end of the evening, switched the amber uplights to sound-active mode to change with the music and create a festive mood.

Congratulations Melissa and Julian!

(Before and after photos)

Uplights in sound-active mode.

December 15, 2012

Intimate reception on a busy night.  The hotel had two other events with thousands of people.  The room (Orange County Ballroom) was the furthest from the entrance.  Luckily everyone was able to find the right room.  Cute theme:  Hello Kitty, Asian dolls, snowflakes on the side walls.

Contemporary and traditional Cambodian reception.  The groomsmen wore traditional Cambodian attire and the bridesmaids wore contemporary dresses.  Traditional Cambodian wedding blessing dance, for which music was provided to me ahead of time.  The evening included top-40, hip-hop and Cambodian music.

Services:  Audio, music, microphones, dance lighting (drapery, uplighting, pinspotting and gobo lighting provided by a single vendor, not myself)

If the ballroom didn’t have to be cleared, the crowd would have danced until dawn.  Fun night.

Congratulations Vandra and Neangry!