Luminaire Images Blog • by Molly Ann

Tuesday with the Pros is an ongoing blog series featuring experts in the wedding and event industry. Today’s authority is Brad Levine, event producer and owner of B. Levine Productions.

LI: What is the difference between an event producer and an event planner?
Brad: I believe many of the tasks are actually the same, however I think the title “producer” is more often assigned to someone who is in charge of a lot of the production aspects of an event and less of the design.  For example, most event planners are seen as figureheads who oversee the management of timelines and local independent suppliers and designers, like photographers, stationary, flowers, etc.  A producer is more involved in the logistics of the overall production, so flowers, linens, entertainment etc is brought in under the production company instead of independently hired by the client, and there is a better handle on audio, video, and other production levels so the event comes together more “as one” instead of piecing it together bit by bit.

LI: How would you describe your business?
Brad: B. Levine Productions is production design and logistics for corporate, entertainment, and social events.

LI: What sets your company apart from other production businesses in the industry?
Brad: I like to take a “boutique company” approach and stay on the smaller side of things so I can keep the focus on my clients and their details instead of taking on huge jobs and ignoring other, more intimate jobs.  I work within my limits and take special care not to drop the ball on anything.

LI: How did you get your start as an event producer?
Brad: I got my start in restaurants, working my way up from bussing tables to restaurant management to special event catering management in New York City. In fact, at one point I was offered a job as a catering manager at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park City.  Unfortunately, the job was offered to me on 9/10/01, and by the following day—obviously—the job no longer existed for the time being.  So I went back to school and worked in banquet halls until a professor of mine introduced me to event design and I moved out to Los Angeles with his company.  After about six years with An Original Occasion, I launched my own production company and here I am today!

LI: What are some of your favorite things about what you do?
Brad: I truly enjoy the service industry.  Even back when I was waiting tables, I always had a blast.  I also really love the production element—the technical aspects, the pressure, the unity when you bring everyone together…all of it, an event to me can be like a living thing!

For more about Brad and B. Levine Productions, check out:
The B. Levine Productions official site

Tuesday with the Pros is an ongoing blog series featuring experts in the wedding and event industry. Today’s authority is Rachel Coffin, catering sales manager at Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa in Dana Point, CA.

LI: What is your job like?
Rachel: I do corporate and social events and handle many wedding occasions here at Laguna Cliffs.

LI: What is it that makes this resort unique among other event venues in Southern California?
Rachel: Aside from our fantastic view?  Well, we’re a Marriott, for starters….so for clientele who want to use their Marriott points, or want the level of comfort that they’re accustomed to at a Marriott, they can be assured that they’ll receive that here.  At the same time, we are also a franchise and therefore given the authority by Marriott to stretch our legs a little, which allows us to have this beautiful resort atmosphere but still furnish Marriott rewards points and service at a familiar Marriott standard.

LI: How did you become involved with the event team here at the resort?
Rachel: I used to work at a trade show technology company and while I loved doing events and tradeshows, I really hated technology.  So it was time for a change…I started revisiting the hotels that I’d worked with as a trade show event specialist and talking with the staff and was eventually fortunate enough to be hired on as an event specialist here!

LI: What are some of your favorite things about being a catering manager here?
Rachel: Working with people, not being stuck in a cubicle all day…and I get to meet all different types of people and hear all these interesting stories!

LI: Do you work exclusively with brides?
Rachel: No, we have a pretty fair mixture here.  I work with wedding clientes as well as associations and businesses who host awards, parties, and fundraisers here.

LI: What do you think would be a dream event to host here?
Rachel: A themed, outdoor dinner party would be fun. Something where we get to exercise our creative idea muscles and stray from traditional concepts about what a party should be like and focus on how different and interesting it could be.

LI: What do you recommend to the wedding couples or corporate clientele out there who are looking to save some money on their event?
Rachel: Use sites like eBay, Craigslist, and Etsy to your FULL advantage.  You’ll want to be careful because some things like photography and wedding attire are probably best left up to thoroughly-researched professionals and NOT uber-cheap Craigslisters, but many details like invitations, jewelry, hairpieces, etc you can buy unique, and high quality items online without totally breaking your bank.  You also don’t have to do favors at all…party favors are old-fashioned, unappreciated by most guests, and the money could be put towards so many other things for the event instead.

LI: Are there any exciting events coming up here at Laguna Cliffs?
Rachel: We’re hosting a joint Chamber of Commerce event here soon, and in June we’re doing an event for the Ocean Institute of Dana Point.

LI: What would your professional advice be a festive, stress-free event?
Rachel: Just let go and enjoy your day.  You don’t have to be SO involved that you’re detached from the moments you should really be savoring or enjoying—hire true professionals and let them handle it!  Let go of the reins on the day of the event, and understand that not everything is going to be EXACTLY as planned, either. Just remember that the calmer you are the more smoothly everything will run regardless of what snags we might hit.  It’s all about focusing on the importance of the fact that this is the day that you’re finally getting married, not how late your ceremony is starting or whether the ring bearer pillow was forgotten at home!  Because that is all trivial in comparison to the big, lifelong step you are about to take with your fiancée!

For more on Rachel and the Laguna Cliffs Resort, visit:
The Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa official website.
Laguna Cliffs’ official Facebook page
Laguna Cliffs on Twitter

“Tuesday with the Pros” is an ongoing blog series featuring experts in the wedding and event industry. Today’s authority is Clover Chadwick, owner and lead designer of the floral company Dandelion Ranch.

LI: How would you describe your job?
Clover: I design specialized flower arrangements for events and restaurants.

LI: What would you say makes Dandelion Ranch unique from other floral design companies?
Clover: We approach flowers differently in general, I think.  Each arrangement is a little homage to nature, like little masterpieces, little gardens in their own right.  We focus on a lot of greens, and instead of using greens as filler like many other companies do, we use them to create lines and texture, and allow the flowers to design themselves.  Everything we create is really inspired and selected by how they grow in the wild.

LI: What inspired you to become a floral designer?
Clover: I used to live in Napa, and the restaurants there value their floral designs very highly and encourage a lot of creativity, so I would often get really inspired looking at their arrangements.  When I myself became a restaurant manager, I began doing arrangements as part of my managerial duties and was able to style my designs using inspirations from Napa restaurants.  By the time I started Dandelion Ranch I already had quite a few contacts in the restaurant business and was able to start somewhere instead of entirely from scratch.

LI: What are some of your favorite things about your line of work?
Clover: I love working with my talented associates, and the atmosphere that we have here in our studio. I also love going to the LA Flower Market in the morning…I go every day!  It’s fun to be around all the growers and learn new things from them.

LI: What would be a dream event for Dandelion Ranch to design?
Clover: Something with an “Alice in Wonderland” theme, or “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  It would be SO much fun, because it would just be endless ideas and designs!

LI: What would you recommend to clientele looking to save money on their florals?
Clover: Trust your floral designer for a beautiful and professional look, and buy local and seasonal.  If you’re shopping in the height of any flower’s season, it’ll be be less expensive and gorgeous.

LI: Do you have anything exciting coming up?
Clover: We have the NBC/Universal television award luncheon coming up at the end of this month. Those are always fun because they’re themed and dramatic—they host them at a Phantom of the Opera theater and we create an absolutely enormous urn arrangement!  We also have this great wedding that I’m looking forward to, with a Country Fair theme.  I am going to arrange baskets of vegetables and flowers for the tables, it’ll be so fun!

LI: What is your favorite flower?
Clover: I really love ranunculus, and matricarias.

LI: What would be your pro advice to clients for a fun, stress-free event?
Clover: Don’t plan too far ahead. There’s never any less stress three months out from an event whether you had two years to plan it or six months.  You should probably only plan really far ahead if you need to save up for it, then it’s understandable.

For more on Clover and Dandelion Ranch, visit:
Dandelion Ranch’s official website
The Dandelion Ranch Facebook Page

Tuesday with the Pros is an ongoing blog series featuring experts in the wedding and event industry. Today’s authority is Karla Campos, director of special events at Gourmet Celebrations.

LI: What do you do here with Gourmet Celebrations?
Karla: My job is essentially to do whatever it takes internally to produce events externally, including support for our vice president and event salesperson (who act as coordinators) as well as coordinating my own clients’ events.

LI: What exactly is Gourmet Celebrations?
Karla: We are a full-service catering and event planning company with complete customization service, which allows us to work with each of our clients one-on-one to develop a completely unique menu for their event.  We also work with our sister company, Air Gourmet, so the phone is staffed 24/7, and we utilize in-house designers for florals, linens, etc.

LI: What makes your menus and foods unique compared to other catering companies?
Karla: In addition to standard menus to give our clientele ideas or starting points, we work with them to develop individualized menus. Whatever they want, we try to make it happen—I try and draw as much inspiration from every client’s personality as possible, to really make each dish their own!  We have extensive interviews with our clientele to understand what they’re going for with the design of their party, like whether there’s a theme, or if they prefer modern dishes, or specialized cuisines.

LI: What is your favorite dish that Gourmet Celebrations has produced so far?
Karla: I’m an hors d’oeuvres girl, and my favorite so far is our Parmesan Crisps.  It’s very light, and I think it’s the perfect “sunny California” sort of appetizer.  To create them, we’ll bake parmesan cheese into a cracker, and add lemon aioli and asparagus tips.

LI: What are some of your favorite things about being director of special events for a catering company?
Karla: I like the pressure.  I know it sounds funny, but I enjoy a challenge…and I like that with events you only have one chance to make it perfect.  I also really like trying to make each event different, ensuring that nothing’s ever the same.

LI: What kind of profile do most of your clientele fall under?
Karla: Well, Gourmet Celebrations was born from the private airline catering company Air Gourmet, when Air Gourmet’s clientele began to demand the same quality of food at their events that they are served in-flight!  So we have a large corporate and private party clientele base, and have designed quite a few corporate events, picnics, and office party menus.  We have just recently begun to service wedding events, as well.

LI: What would be your dream event to design, or cater?
Karla: Weddings, and anything intimate with say, fifty people or fewer.  I particularly enjoy small garden weddings or elegant affairs at estates or private residences.  While Gourmet Celebrations is capable of any size or scope of party, I just think the smaller ones are more romantic and more fun to be thoroughly involved with for design.

LI: Do you have any tips for clientele looking to save some money on their event?
Karla: I would say, break it down and tell us what you want and we can go over all of it bit by bit and work together to make it happen.

LI: Anything exciting on the horizon for Gourmet Celebrations?
Karla: Yes, but it’s confidential so I can’t really talk much about it.  I will say that there is a celebrity VIP party that we are putting together for one of our big corporate clients.  I’m excited because we’re bringing in a lot of different elements for it, such as lounge furniture and some floral pieces, etc.

LI: As an event professional who deals with catering as well as design, what kind of advice do you have for someone planning a wedding or corporate event?
Karla: Use your own personality as an inspiration point for the food.  Don’t be afraid to serve an uncommon or innovative dish just because it’s not your standard chicken or salad.  We’re here to help you explore your options and make your menu reflect you as a person and support the overall theme or design of your event!

For more on Gourmet Celebrations: Visit their website.

Tuesday with the Pros is an ongoing blog series featuring experts in the wedding and event industry.  Today’s authorities are Jessica, Christy, and Michelle, event and banquet managers at the La Quinta Resort in La Quinta, CA.

L-R: Jessica, Christy, and Michelle

LI: Describe your position at La Quinta Resort.
Michelle: I am the assistant director of catering, so I oversee the banquets and events here at the resort as well as at our golf club, PGA West.
Jessica: I am the on-site venue coordinator for weddings here at the resort.
Christy: I manage non-wedding events at the resort, such as corporate events, private parties, memorials, quinceñeras, etc.

LI: What makes La Quinta Resort unique from other Palm Springs getaways, or perhaps other resorts in general?
Michelle: Despite being such a large resort, it is very quaint and very quiet here.  It’s lush and peaceful and has a lot of history—La Quinta Resort has been in operation since 1926.  We have 41 pools, 53 hot spas, 23 tennis courts, and nine golf courses—once you’re here, there’s no need to go anywhere else for anything!  Based on many of these features this resort also happens to be an original hideaway for Hollywood stars.
Jessica: Privacy and seclusion is valued here.  We have so many pools spread throughout the resort that often no matter where you stay it will be like you have your very own pool right outside your door!
Christy: I think of this property as a true resort. This is THE place to come to relax.  It’s why so many brides choose us as a wedding venue, but then also choose to return for anniversary getaways and family vacations as well.

LI: What inspired your career as a coordinator here?
Michelle: You’ve got to really love the place you work in order to sell it to potential clientele for events, and one of the things I love about working here at the La Quinta Resort is that the property sells itself.  Once you’re here and you see it, you’ll fall in love!
Jessica: I’m a local.  My husband and I took our engagement photographs here and I was also a bridesmaid in a couple weddings at this venue.  Eventually I just applied for a job!
Christy: I began in culinary arts and at one point I held jobs in the kitchen, but worked my way up to a front position heading events.  Now I enjoy the client contact, as well as still being able to work with food.  It’s also nice to watch an event blossom into whatever a client has envisioned.

LI: What are some of your favorites aspects of your job?
Michelle: I like to see peoples’ faces when they first see this property for the first time, or when people return here for vacations. It’s just so peaceful and luxurious and has been around for so long, many of our clientele feel like returning here is coming home.
Jessica: I enjoy being a part of client’s most memorable day of their lives.
Christy: I like how every day, every client, and every phone call is different.

LI: What sort of profile do most of your event clientele fall under?
Michelle: La Quinta Resort used to be known for its group corporate event business, however in the last couple of years we’ve really begun to attract families arriving for vacations and wedding clientele seeking to take advantage of our beautiful grounds and professional event services.  We also welcome quite a few concert-goers during Stagecoach Festival and Coachella, as we are the closest hotel to both.
Jessica: My clientele are exclusively brides. Who wouldn’t want to get married here?
Christy: Usually private parties, and sometimes memorial receptions.  I know that a resort like this may not initially be the first place you think of for a memorial reception, but actually do do quite a few “Celebrations of Life” here from time to time.  It’s nice because it’s peaceful, which allows mourners to relax, mingle, and reflect on life amid bright, beautiful scenery.

LI: Describe what you would consider a dream event to design here!
Michelle: We’d love to put together a Platinum Wedding; we’ve recently been named one of WeTV’s top 10 wedding venues, so hopefully it will happen soon!  Personally think any event that would incorporate a classic Hollywood style would be so much fun to see here at La Quinta.  Just because this property already has so much old Hollywood history–Greta Garbo, Errol Flynn, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Frank Capra—this resort was a favorite among many classic movie stars, so it would be great to see an event that could revive that spirit here.
Jessica: I’ve never had a “dream event” in mind, I’m always just looking forward to great clients who are fun to work with.  It’s the people who make the event what it is.
Christy: I tend to agree with Jessica; a truly fantastic event would be a phenomenal client with a phenomenal budget, so we can easily make their dream come true for them without cutting corners or scaling back on anything.  A lot of creativity on a big budget goes a LONG way.

LI: As event managers, what do you recommend to interested parties out there looking to save some money on their wedding or other function?
Michelle: Lose the favors.  Unless you come up with some really amazing idea for favors, don’t do them.  Pictures last longer anyway, so lose the favors and put the money you save towards a professional and talented photographer.
Jessica: Remain open to the idea of hosting your event on any day besides Saturday. Here at La Quinta Resort, we can actually offer a discount on the site fee for Friday, Sunday, or other-day-of-the-week events.
Christy: I think it benefits clients to focus on what is most important to them and making sure they have the money for those areas, and if not, perhaps channeling funds from lesser aspects of their event towards the important things, like the venue, or food, or photography. It really helps in the long run to organize and repurpose your budget.  Any experienced coordinator can help you with this, as well.

LI: Do you have any exciting events coming up?
Michelle: Our whole world is exciting here!
Jessica: I have a really cool wedding that I’m excited about on May 1st.  This couple will be completely transforming La Casa villa, one of my favorite sites here at the resort, so I’m eager to see how it turns out.
Christy: I’m excited to see that, too!

LI: What vital piece of advice would you impart to wedding clientele everywhere for a fun, festive, and stress-free event?
Michelle: Don’t settle on someone else’s dream. Do what you want to do, where and how you want to do it.  Also, hire a wedding coordinator.  Whether they are a full-service coordinator or just a day-of planner, they will lift a huge burden off your shoulders when it comes to putting everything together.
Jessica: I second hiring a wedding planner.  I mean, if you really want to be able to enjoy your day and take it all in without popping your “bridal bubble,” that blissful state of wedding day excitement and joy, then someone needs to be doing the legwork for you.
Christy: I agree.  It’s nice if a bridesmaid or relative steps up to the plate to coordinate some details for you, but unfortunately that means they won’t be enjoying themselves to the fullest at your event, either.  It really is best to just hire a professional.

For more on La Quinta Resort, check out:

La Quinta Resort’s blog, Life At La Quinta
La Quinta Resort on Twitter
La Quinta Resort Weddings on Twitter
La Quinta Resort Weddings on Facebook
La Quinta Resort on Facebook

Tuesday with the Pros is an ongoing blog series featuring experts in the wedding and event industry.  Today’s authority is Youngsong, designer and owner of Wildflower Linen.

LI: Describe the role Wildflower Linen plays in the event industry!
Young: We are an innovative couture linen company, offering both rentals and sales.  Wildflower is very trendy and designer-driven, so it’s not your ordinary white table linens.

LI: How did Wildflower Linen begin?
Young: Well, I was a clothing designer and senior instructor at the Parson School of Design, but I got burned out on the fashion design business—I didn’t want to deal with department stores anymore.  So I retired!  Shortly thereafter I got involved in a family wedding, and went looking for some inspiring linens for my niece, the bride.  But what I was looking for simply was not there in the marketplace at the time, I kept finding old-fashioned satins instead of the high-quality silks I was used to.  So I went out and made some chair covers for the wedding myself, out of dupioni silk.  It wasn’t long before people were talking about me and I found myself being approached by planners and brides to design covers and other linens for their events.  There was a lot of doubt, a lot of questions at first; “How are brides going to justify spending all this money just for linens? How are you going to wash them?  How are you going to earn money from this kind of venture?” There was simply nothing else like Wildflower on the market when we began.  But I used to be a teacher, and I wanted to educate people.  I wanted them to know that they didn’t have to settle for horrible polyester fabrics for their grand event!  After that there was no stopping me.

[caption id="attachment_1245" align="aligncenter" width="730" caption="A Wildflower Linen production center in Buena Park, CA"][/caption]

LI: So Wildflower’s couture fabric quality is what sets it apart from other linen brands?
Young: Yes, and I think as a former fashion designer I have a strong sense for future trends that will eventually hit the market and impact our designs.  So we like to think that we are trendsetters here at Wildflower Linen!

LI: What is your favorite aspect of being a linen designer?
Young: I like everything about designing fabrics.  I also really love being part of something that is so special to my clients, like their wedding day.  It’s like when I furnish a client with a beautiful linen I’m helping them sculpt their event’s atmosphere, and shape a highly valuable memory for them.

LI: What goes into the process of designing a fabric for a client?
Young: We look for complimentary color combinations, thread counts, and which fibers we can combine to produce the tones, textures, and the kind of sheen that the client is seeking.  Right now we’re working with some handpainted looks, samples of which you’ll see in this year’s spring issue of Your Wedding Day magazine, due out sometime in the next month.

LI: Do you have a dream event that you’d love to design the linens for?
Young: Oh, yes.  The annual Metropolitan Costume Institute Gala in New York!  I would like to collaborate with any of the designers involved to produce a truly amazing linen for that event.  Someday!

LI: Have you worked on any exciting projects so far this year?
Young: Yes, we designed the linens for the Hurt Locker after-party following the Academy Awards this year…that was fun!

LI: What would be your professional advice to help guide clients in selecting or envisioning their linens?
Young: When people come to Wildflower, we listen to them.  We want to know what their dream wedding is all about.  It helps us understand what they mean when they describe what they’re looking for…for example, if they were to say they just want “simple” look, I may not be sure what that means until I listen to them fully describe the event, and then I may come to realize that when the bride says “simple,” she really means “no patterns.”  One-word descriptions can be very powerful, but also very inaccurate.  So we encourage the client to tell us everything, and we encourage other vendors to really listen to them.  That’s the best way to truly produce the kind of event the client has in mind, and even go far beyond their expectations and imagination, as well!

For more on Young and Wildflower Linen, visit:
Wildflower Linen’s website
Wildflower Linen’s blog
Wildflower Linen on Twitter
Wildflower Linen on Facebook