FAQs: Catering & Beverage Service

Planning an event at a private estate can be very fulfilling, but there are so many questions that come up along the way.  We wanted to focus a bit on catering an event at a private estate and what questions you should be asking your venue!

Can I bring in my own caterer?

• Although, catering and beverage service is often provided in house, many private estates will have a preferred catering list which will have different vendors available with a variety of menu options and pricing and can customize to your specifications.  Many venues will allow outside catering as long as they are a licensed and insured.

If I have religious or cultural guidelines or special dietary concerns, do I have to go through your catering service?

• Most estates will allow you to bring in your own catering service in this case, and may wave any outside catering fee.

My guest count is very small, do I have to pay the outside catering fee if I decide to use my own caterer?

• Many venues only charge for outside catering when you reach a certain amount of guests.  Usually the fee is only assessed when the guest count reaches around 75 guests and above.

Will the caterer have access to the kitchen?

• Every estate varies, but some will allow limited access to the kitchen.  Others will need to have a build out kitchen set up on the estate (oftentimes the garage).  Keep room in your budget for your caterer to bring in their own appliances for the build out kitchen.

Are there food and beverage minimums?

• Ask your venue if they have any food and beverage minimums.  Some venues will have minimums that you must meet that might be well above what you were planning on spending.  Private estate events typically are much more flexible than traditional banquet halls and do not have food and beverage minimums, which leaves you with more freedom to spend that money on something else.

Can I bring my own alcohol or add my favorite beverage to the menu?

• If you have a specific brand of wine or signature cocktail that you would like served, most services allow you to customize their beverage menu.  Some estates may let you bring in your own alcohol for a lower fee, while they still provide the bartenders and the non-alcoholic drink options.

Our Favorite Romantic Garden Wedding Locations

The Cape Cod Estate

This charming estate, located just north of Los Angeles, will transport your guests to Cape Cod. With its pristine gardens and charming exterior, guests can relax in the California sunshine surrounded by beautiful foliage.

Casa Corinna

Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, the Casa Corinna features a beautiful poolside garden setting as well as views of surrounding vineyards. With several outdoor living rooms, this property is ideal for weddings and private events which are looking for a backyard vineyard aesthetic.

 The Emma Estate

With its rose gardens, breathtaking ceremony backdrops, and the charm of an Austen novel, this Rancho Santa Fe estate is an idyllic romantic garden location that is sure to charm your guests. With the glow of market lighting and the property’s lush landscaping, this property is the perfect warm and welcoming summer outdoor wedding location.

The Valentino

The Valentino seems to capture a certain feeling of a Southern wedding. The property features an equestrian center and a park-like setting with sprawling lawns and willow trees. With the ability to host a ceremony along side the property’s private lake, this expansive estate has the perfect relaxed environment for any event, large or small.

What to expect for an Estate Event

Have you ever considered having an estate event with us but you aren’t sure what to expect?

We’ve put together a list of things to keep in mind when planning an estate wedding with Estate Weddings and Events!

 

Some of the pros:

1. You get the intimacy and privacy of having a garden wedding, without worrying about all the prep work and cleanup associated with having it in your own backyard!
2. Break away from traditional hotel reception halls and their restrictions, and find a stunning estate of your dreams! (See our previous blog entry on our top 5 reasons to pick an estate vs. hotel.)
3. Customize every aspect of your event from your linens to catering and beverage services, without anyone dictating your options to you.
4. Ranch properties are a great blank slate to get your creative juices flowing, bring in tenting or dance the evening away under the glow of our market lighting, the possibilities are endless!
5. The estate is available to you for a total of 12 hours on your special day, and usually 5 of which are for your event time, but additional hours can always be added on, and customized requests are always welcome.
6. Holding both your wedding and reception at the estate will be more convenient for both you and your guests and will give you more time to spend with one another.
7. We provide staffing to manage the estate on your wedding day to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the property.
8. We provide special events insurance which protects both the homeowners and the clients in case of property damage.

Some of the cons:

1. Although music at the majority of our venues must end at 10pm due to noise ordinance laws, that either means you have more time to go out afterward, or spend some quality pre-honeymoon time with your new spouse!
2. Expect to pay more for a private estate than you would for a traditional hotel/reception hall venue.  You will need to bring in everything including tables and chairs, lighting, dancefloor, to some more unusual rentals like luxury restroom rentals, generators, and build out kitchens for your caterer.
3. In case of bad weather, you might have to leave room in the budget to bring in tenting to keep your guests dry and warm for any outdoor weddings.
4. We require either valet or shuttle service at our estates, but some estates only have a shuttle option as there is not enough space for all of the guests to park at the venue.

Next week we will have some Frequently Asked Questions answered for you regarding having your event at a private estate.

Creative ways to use an iPad at your next event

In this digital age, we are constantly connected to our iPhones, Blackberries, and any other device that allows us to stay connected to our digital world.  Although events are a time to experience something new and unique, we say, if you can’t overcome the connection to technology for a few hours, then embrace it.

We’ve compiled a list of ways to creatively incorporate an iPad into your next event. Read on to see how technology can actually enhance (not distract) from your next estate event (or any event, for that matter).

Use an iPad as “digital decor”

At a corporate event in May, we were blown away when we heard that our client was going to place three iPads on each table in order to share a slideshow of awards and accolades.  Although not all clients will have the budget to provide 30 iPads for a single event, using an iPad on a check-in table is a great way to showcase a wedding couple’s engagement photos or a corporation’s noteworthy milestones.

Create a pop-up photo booth

With free new apps like PopBooth, you can add a photo booth to your event without the high cost of bringing in a heavy, space consuming photo booth. With the ability to pass the iPad around to your guests and have them share their photos directly via Facebook or email in “Party Mode,” your next conference, social event, or wedding can be transformed into an interactive experience. Your guests can also order prints directly from the iPad which still allows your guests to get a traditional printed photo strip (that they wont leave behind on their table after a few drinks). We think that PopBooth is the perfect solution for casual events at unique locations such as the beach or park.

Live stream your event for those who can’t attend

When the story of a bridesmaid attending a wedding via iPad made national news, it was inevitable that the trend of virtual event attendance would catch on. Aside from usingFaceTime to be able to interact with other guests (as did the bridesmaid), you can now easily stream your wedding for multiple guests to experience your event in real time. UStream is a live video broadcast platform that allows you to broadcast your own station with an internet connection. With the ability to password protect the stream, anyone from your company’s employee that is away on business, your relative that is stationed over-seas, or your ill grandmother in Idaho can keep from missing out on your amazing event.

Have your guests “sign” a digital video guest book

As a more personable (and memorable) touch to your next event, have your guests leave a video message, rather than simply signing their name on the mat of a photo or on a dotted line. The Thrilled For You app (for the iPad, iPhone, or Mac desktop) allows your guests to leave an unlimited number of video messages which can be customized to suit your event theme.

Set up a Social Media Lounge

Social media and networking is a never-ending task for companies (and indivuals) these days, so why not have your guests join in on the project. Set up an inviting Social Media Lounge where your guests can Tweet, Facebook, and blog about your event from their perspective. Set up a Facebook page for your wedding and have your guests post their favorite wedding memory on the wall or have you guests Tweet with a unique ‘hash tag’ so that you can see what all your guests are saying about the event. Integrating social media into your event is perfect for your tech savvy guests, allowing them to share your event with their own social media network.

5 Reasons to Choose a Private Estate over a Hotel

When beginning the search for the perfect event venue, you can become bombarded with choices. Hotel ballrooms, luxury resorts, public parks and beaches, gardens, museums… the list goes on and on. Time and time again, however, we have found that private Estates give amazing perks over a traditional hotel setting. Read below to find out some of the great ways in which private Estates “take the cake:”

1. Escape the “box” of the ballroom.  When considering a venue, you have to think: how many ways can you really dress up or disguise a standard hotel ballroom? With a private Estate, your guests will experience something completely original as they enjoy your event surrounded by tropical gardens, water features, artwork, gardens, rotating views, or beneath the stars. With such beautiful surroundings, you need even less decor to make the event memorable, which also provides a cost-efficient option for events on a budget. Even with minimal lighting and decor, your guests will still be overwhelmed with sensory experiences. 
2. No food & beverage minimums.  Without food & beverage minimums raising your overall event cost, you are free to spend your event budget where you want and free to choose an option that perfectly suits your event. Without the requirement to use on-site catering, your event has endless food & beverage possibilities.  Want to bring in an In-N-Out truck for a retro diner-style event or authentic Indian cuisine complete with Tandoori ovens? No problem– the menu choices & budget are completely up to you.
3. Unlimited DIY potential.  With the growing trend of do-it-yourself event decor, hotels can be somewhat limiting, given that you cannot alter main entrances and public hotel spaces.  Private Estates give an unlimited amount of options, allowing full creative license to add or adjust any aspect within the property lines. Whether you hang hundreds of ribbons off of tree or place floating candles in the pool, an Estate venue will provide the perfect backdrop for endless DIY options.  
4. No double-booked events.  When choosing a popular hotel or resort, one always runs the risk of getting bumped out of their preferred event space (for a client with a higher event budget) or having your venue access time constricted (for an event directly before or after your event); there are few things worse than reserving an iconic grand ballroom at an iconic hotel, only to be bumped to a standard ballroom down the hall. With a private Estate venue, however, this problem simply does not exist. Given that you have 12 – 14 hours of property access for the day of your event, your chosen Estate truly becomes exclusively yours for the day.
5. Complete originality.  With the flexibility to use the property as you would like, you are almost guaranteed to have an event that looks unlike any other event that has taken place at the Estate. Your guests will be electrified by the unique surroundings and the unique way in which you have chosen to use the space. With an Estate as your backdrop, there is no such thing as a “typical” event.

The “Grand Lawn” at the Emma Estate

Intimate Dinner & Dancing for 40 guests

vs.

Formal Tented Wedding for 200 guests

Top 5 Estates for your Holiday Party

With the Holiday season fast approaching, there is no better time to start the planning process for your Holiday party. Our Estates which feature interior use options are the perfect inviting and unique party venues. Take a look at our Top 5 list below to take a glimpse at some of our favorites.

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The Marina 5 in Little Italy

This luxury penthouse, with its modern, luxurious, and open floor plan makes it the perfect backdrop for an intimate dinner party (for up to 50 guests) or festive cocktail party (for up to 70 guests). The estate’s  5,000 square feet of usable interior and exterior spaces feature an open-air patio, promising a chic and unique event for your guests to enjoy. With its incredible views of Downtown San Diego and the Marina, your guests are sure to fall in love with the charm of Downtown.

The Sky Loft in Downtown Los Angeles

The Sky Loft is a one of a kind private residence located atop a historic building in Downtown Los Angeles. It has a total of 16,000 square feet across two levels and has the feel of a modern boutique hotel with touches of its illustrious 94-year history throughout. The rooftop has amazing 360 degree views of Downtown LA, which also features one of two theater screens, perfect for showing holiday movies or a tribute video to celebrate your company’s success.  With the space to accommodate up to 500 guests, this Loft is the perfect venue for any event.

The Bali Gardens in Rancho Santa Fe

The Bali Gardens is the perfect private estate for your next memorable Holiday pary. This property, with more that 15,000 square feet of indoor/ outdoor event space is situated on an impressive nine acres of land in Rancho Santa Fe. It is enveloped by lush botanical gardens, providing the perfect serene environment with 5-star Resort like qualities. Hold a formal gala on the tennis court or dine on the front veranda while taking in the incredible views of San Diego. With event spaces for up to 500 guests, the Bali Gardens can bring a bit of the tropics to your Holiday event.

The Laguna Luxe in Laguna Beach

This ultra modern estate is the perfect backdrop for a cool, comptemporary corporate event or Holiday party. The estate sits up high overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offering the most amazing views for up to 75 guests, especially at sunset. The outdoor deck is the perfect location for cocktails or dining. Guests can mingle under the cabanas and enjoy the views. Four levels of entertainment space, including an indoor screening room (perfect for dancing after dinner), a gourmet kitchen, and multipule outdoor decks, make up this 5,000 square foot estate.

The Cairo in San Juan Capistrano

Looking up the driveway, your guests will be awe-struck with the spectacular views of the Cairo estate. With its impressive sweeping staircase, grand entrance, marble covered foyer, and its own indoor reception space (which can seat up to 150 guests indoors), and a tennis court (that can be tented to accommodate up to 300 guests), this estate’s European elegance is sure to take a traditional cocktail reception or seated dinner over the top.

Contact the Estate Event Group at your earliest convenience to receive a custom proposal and to view these (or any of our other estates) in person.

“Cool Summer Nights” at the Bali Gardens Estate

A few weeks ago, we held our “Cool Summer Nights” industry event at the stunning Bali Gardens estate to showcase the beautiful estate and some of our favorite vendors in the event industry.  Both the exterior and interior of the estate are now available to use for everything from corporate meetings and retreats to your company’s annual holiday party.

Thank you to all of our amazing catering and dessert vendors who delighted us with delicious bites and treats: MAISON catering of Los Angeles, Stone Brewing Co., Authentic Flavors Catering, Tailored Sweets, & Sweet Cheeks Baking Company. We would also love to thank EMBELLISHMINT- Floral & Event Design Studio, Adrianne Smith Floral Design, Concepts Event Design, Hire Elegance, and Wayne Foster Music & Entertainment for creating such a relaxing and gorgeous atmosphere at the Bali Gardens Estate for our guests to enjoy. A special thanks to Preferred Valet Parking for taking care of our guests, and being our exclusive valet service.

Thanks to our lovely photographer Angela Stanton of Stanton Photo Studios, we would love to share the images from this fantastic night with you! Thank you to all who were able to partake in this event with us! We hope you had as wonderful a time as we did!

If you were unable to attend “Cool Summer Nights,” but are still interested in learning more about this breathtaking Rancho Santa Fe estate for your corporate event, we would be more than happy to send you additional information and schedule a private tour for you to view the estate.

If you book a corporate event with the Estate Event Group at the Bali Gardens, or any of our California properties before September 1st, you will receive your choice of the following offers:

• 3% discount off of master event bill

• 10% off event AV & décor services

• Complementary one hour beer & wine welcome reception*

• One complementary “break out” session*

• $1,000 off your second event booking

• Complementary dessert station*

• Complementary iPad 2 with Wi-Fi (16GB)

*up to 125 guests

Please contact us to receive a customized proposal tailored to your specifications.

Catering to a Crowd

Our Cool Summer Nights industry event at the Bali Gardens is closely approaching, and we are lucky enough to be working with some of the very best vendors to make this the best (and most delicious) event!  We will be having Stone Brewing Co., Authentic Flavors and Maison catering the event, and the delicious treats of Tailored Sweets and Sweet Cheeks Baking Company.  Planning this event, as well as our delicious tasting with Behind the Scenes Catering this week, has really helped us get our creative juices flowing (and our stomachs growling) coming up with creative ways to cater your next event!

Have you ever watched those competitive reality cooking shows on television and thought that you would be great at whipping up a dish on the fly with some mystery ingredient?  Get your fellow foodies together to have a cooking competition at one of our estates!

Not into competitive cooking, but still want to try your hand at some new recipes?  Hire a chef to come to your estate event to teach you new techniques and recipes to share with your friends and family, and then savor the meal you created!

Plan an around the world buffet, with a dish from each part of the globe.  Want to make it a bit more interesting?  Hire several different catering companies that specialize in different types of cuisine to get more authentic dishes and let your guests choose their favorite dish.

If you haven’t seen the amazing things that are coming out of the dessert world right now, I suggest you check out Tailored Sweets and Sweet Cheeks’ websites right away!  Have a wine and/or beer pairing at an estate with their amazing desserts.  Or have a more interactive event with several vendors with different types of sweets!

The sustainable food movement and farm to table events are becoming increasingly more desired in the event industry.  Our Sebastopol Sanctuary Estate near Sonoma, California has its own pinot noir vineyards, lavender farm, olive trees, and you can create gourmet hors d’oeuvres made with ingredients from the estate’s own garden.

Sebastopol Sanctuary

Do you have any great catering ideas to share?

New Service Available: List your Estate in our Directory!

We are always looking for new estates to list with us here at Estate Weddings and Events. If you are interested in booking your estate for weddings, corporate events, film, photo shoots, vacations, long term rentals, sale, estate swaps, etc. then feel free to contact us regarding these opportunities. By listing with Estate Weddings and Events, you are utilizing our top search engine rankings, on such platforms as Google, Bing & Yahoo, to market your property as an event venue to a targeted market of brides, corporate planners, and wedding planners. With our staff dedicated to marketing your estate to the ideal clientele, you, the homeowner, are insured to be completely comfortable with putting your estate in our hands.

We are in the process of launching a brand new website which we are ecstatic to share with you soon! In addition to our full service management which we already provide, we will be launching a directory service listing for homeowners that may already have a property manager or prefer booking and planning their own events. For a limited time only, we are offering a discounted monthly rate to list your estate on our directory. Visitors to our site will be able to browse estate listings with professional photographs and virtual tours to find the perfect venue for their event.  If you would like to learn more, please contact us at (888) 662-8360 and we would be happy to send you more information about this exciting new service!

A sneak peek at the new look of Estateweddingsandevents.com

Food Truck Inspiration

Over the last several years, food trucks have become increasingly popular and serve some of the most mouth-watering gourmet treats that you can imagine.  Chefs can now own their own traveling restaurant on wheels for low overhead costs and serve up their own unique dishes for their ever adoring fans.  Just this past weekend, the San Diego Food Truck Festival took place with 20 different vendors for a day of food nirvana.  Not surprisingly, food trucks have even become a trend at shabby chic weddings. Check out some pictures below from a couple of our favorite wedding blogs, and maybe you’ll be inspired to have one at your estate wedding!Top photo courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes

Middle photo courtesy of Wedding Chicks

Bottom photo courtesy of Enjoy Cupcakes