Levine Fox Events

An October Wedding Video – Samara and Patrick’s Special Day

Alyson — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:16:21 +0000

Last fall we had the opportunity to plan a wedding that reflected the deep love, clever wit, and bubbly personalities of the bride and groom. Malibu and Vine provided a romantic and rustic backdrop for this unique wedding.

This video short shows all of that and more … ENJOY watching a bit of Samara and Patrick’s SPECIAL DAY (click here to view video).

*Special thanks to the talented team at Lockerpartners Video.

Themed parties that ENCHANT and EXCITE the senses

Alyson — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 23:40:22 +0000

Parties with themes are FUN to attend and CHALLENGING to create, especially when the theme elements are designed to be SUBTLY and UNIQUELY presented. At Levine Fox Events, we strive to create a party environment where the theme comes alive in unexpected ways. No theme is too challenging. First we come up with a list of elements that pertain to the theme at hand and creatively incorporate them into the party’s decor and design: the following photos are some examples from our past events . . . .

The Entry Design: The use of vignettes is a great way to present the theme at the party’s entrance. These decor statements whet the guests’ appetites and encourage them to go inside and see more of what the party’s theme might be.

Foyer Vignette Design: Custom designed decor accents, especially vignettes, work beautifully within the party too: a colorful candy store filled to the brim with real candy given out to guests later in the evening, is the perfect foyer decor for a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory theme (Ritz Carlton, Tyson’s Corner). A grouping of colorful lockers dressed with sports paraphernalia adds a great touch to a “sports” party theme (Four Seasons, Los Angeles).

The escort cards are always designed with the theme in mind and relate to the party’s color scheme and invitation font. They often incorporate theme elements Examples include the golden ticket from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and mini baseball caps with cards attached for a sports theme.

The Table Design – Centerpieces should be grand in scale, varied throughout the room and dramatically designed. We like to incorporate some theme elements for an understated yet striking presence rather than have the entire centerpiece reflect the theme: fantasy floral arrangements with candy accents for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mark’s Garden) and jungle foliage and African props for a safari theme (Edge Flowers).

Table names related to the theme can be detailed with descriptive information which adds interest such as names of baseball fields, their locations and teams or simply caricatures of comedians which are fun and different for a comedy theme (Lehr and Black). Custom designed menus and napkin treatments too are other ways to relate thematic colors and elements to the table decor.

The Room Design- The color scheme plays a significant part in the ambiance of the ballroom. We love to design lighting gobos featuring theme elements, especially if the theme is challenging to visualize: gobo “words” such as wit, laughter and humor promote a comedy club theme or gobos of silhouettes of dancers in varying poses are perfect for a dance theme (Images by Lighting) (Beverly Hills Hotel). The use of over sized posters or other custom designed artwork representing the theme positioned around the ballroom’s walls is another way to visually enhance the theme. The dance floor can be tied into the theme colorwise and by adding decals or gobos to represent visual elements of the theme (Hillcrest Country Club).

The Stage Design – This is the prime area of the party where the theme should be emphasized in a dramatic manner since the stage is the focal point of the event. Elements such as bold signage, “over the top” floral displays and sometimes a live feed screen featuring a customized party logo and related graphics are dramatic and pleasing to the eye.

We are continually challenged to come up with new and exciting ways to create amazing room designs based on our clients’ chosen themes! It’s a fun and inspiring process and the results are always IMAGINATIVE and ENCHANTING to behold!

As Seen in Sunday, May 13th’s LA Times-Images Section

Alyson — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:43:32 +0000

ALL ABOUT FLOWERS - OUR FAVORITE SUBJECT!

Beauty, Bride and Bloom

Eclectic wedding floral arrangements sing in spring

For original article, please click here!

"Floral designers are using texture and color in ways they have never done in the past." Alyson Fox, Levine Fox Events

Flowers are an essential element in nuptial ceremonies and have been for centuries — either for their sheer beauty, to help ward off evil spirits or to simply act as a good luck talisman for the bride and groom. Today, floral designers and event planners are finding some exquisite trends in full bloom.

“Flowers never go out of style,” said Jennifer McGarigle, owner of Floral Art in Venice, “but the way they are arranged can look dated.” She pointed out that a long, cascading Princess Diana bouquet “would not exactly be hip or modern” and that “curly willow coming out of an arrangement and reaching to the sky would be way over the top” at a wedding today. Instead, McGarigle, who is known for her sleek, modern aesthetic, likes to blend flowers with textured materials to create a fine balance.

“It depends on the mood or look you are going for,” she said. For a bride with an eclectic style, McGarigle will blend earthy textures with modern or vintage elements — such as lamb’s ear, poppy pods and English garden roses with vintage bottles and antique mirrors. For a bride who is sleek and elegant, she might mix modern mirrors and clear acrylic pieces with all-white gardenias and garden roses for a translucent elegance. “Two different looks, both beautiful,” she said.

According to Colin Cowie, celebrity event planner, author and founder of Colin Cowie Weddings the trend is toward diversity. “Arrangements are a bit looser, more organic and eclectic in feel,” he said. “Brides are focused on giving their wedding a very personalized look, and bouquets — especially for summer weddings — have more of that ‘just picked, freshly cut from the garden’ flair.”

When it comes to centerpieces, Cowie noted that rather than one massive table arrangement, he is seeing more clusters of smaller arrangements on interesting table shapes such as squares or long, dramatic rectangles.

McGarigle is also a fan of smaller groupings, and for her, that translates to collections. “Grouping collections of pieces on tables, rather than just one piece, is much more visually interesting,” she said, noting that her “tablescapes” (as she calls them) might begin with natural wood tables (or a mixture of wood and linen-covered tables), holding collections of flowers in vintage vases, along with mirrors, votives, candles or trays.

Does this new eclectic style mean that traditional wedding florals are over?

Not necessarily, according to Alyson Fox of Levine Fox Events in Beverly Hills. “I still have clients who want all white, traditional flowers such as roses and hydrangeas,” she said, “which are very bridal.”

However, Fox has seen a shift away from traditional looks as many of her clients are now going for a more “party-like” atmosphere, at least at the reception, with edgy flowers such as dark calla lilies and exotic succulents. “Today’s florals have become incredibly artistic,” she said. “Floral designers are using texture and color in ways they have never done in the past.”

In fact, color — once used only as an accent among white flowers — may be the most crucial element in modern wedding florals.

“Color is key,” stated McGarigle, noting that flowers are given a modern twist when arranged in monochromatic colors or shades that bleed into multiple tones, such as violet to plum, and plum to eggplant. “It’s no longer about every color of the rainbow,” she said, “but about varying tones or shades within one color.”

McGarigle is so passionate about color that she has created six “color stories” for spring and summer 2012 based on Pantone color products, including “Palm Springs Punch,” a mélange of orange ranunculus, fuchsia garden roses and hydrangea, and pink peonies; and “Green Glam,” a combination of grass-green to dark green hydrangea, cymbidium orchids, and spider mums. McGarigle loves to connect the vibrant tones of the flowers with textures “to give them an edge,” the textures might include antique gold linens or a mirrored box with gold edging.

Cowie pointed out that the fashion runways recently reinforced the “no longer all white” rule when it comes to weddings, which is good news in the world of flowers. “Brides are becoming more adventurous with color,” he said. “They are incorporating great pops of color into their bouquets to make a statement when they walk down the aisle.”

Whether it’s orange-red roses, plum calla lilies or green cymbidium orchids, flowers are like art: their beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Choosing the right ones for your special day might simply come down to sentiment. McGarigle’s personal favorites are garden roses, peonies, sweet peas and lady slipper orchids. “Those are the flowers my mom used to grow,” she said.
—Jennifer Evans Gardner
Custom Publishing Writer

What could be MORE BEAUTIFUL . . . . than an elegantly appointed “Head Table”?

Alyson — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:51:05 +0000

Why a head table?

More and more brides and grooms are opting for head tables at their weddings these days. There are many reasons head tables are a perfect addition to a wedding reception!

Head tables provide the perfect seating option for the bride and groom so that they can enjoy the festivities during their reception while sitting together with close friends!

In the past, proper etiquette for head table seating was strictly enforced and included the bride, groom and only the specific guests who were members of the wedding party. Now, we encourage our brides and grooms to seat their wedding party together with each’s significant other so that no couples are separated and everyone has a great time! Then family members from the wedding party can be seated elsewhere along with their close relatives and/or friends.

A head table adds a dramatic element to the wedding decor, especially if designed with stunning, large scale accessories such as candelabras, grand candlesticks and over-sized floral.

Large scale floral along with romantic draping and custom chaircovers add beauty and elegance

Customized placecards and menus for assigned seating

Its design elements should compliment the decor and color scheme of the reception, presenting a grander and more dramatic version than those on the other reception tables. Additionally, special touches including chairs, covered with elegant fabric, and exquisitely draped chiffon tie-backs surrounding the table and setting it off from the rest of the room, help make the head table the focal point of the room!

Shapes and sizes of head tables vary and are designed to accommodate each specific guest count. In order to have room for stunning floral displays and oversized accessories, the table should be wide enough to allow plenty of room in the center for centerpieces along the table’s length. There should be sufficient space, too, for the individual place settings including decorative charger plates.

It’s nice to assign specific seating at the head table so that calligraphied place cards or menus, customized with each guest’s name, are positioned along the table (in a pre-planned order) so that guests can find their reserved seats easily.

WE’RE BLOGGING AGAIN!

Alyson — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:34:54 +0000

After a super busy 2011 and an exciting website renovation, we are happy to introduce our fresh new Levine Fox Events website and blog!

We’re excited to begin blogging again and plan to bring you wedding news on popular looks, trends and photos from the fabulous world of wedding planning!

Check back with us soon!

Levine Fox Events in the News

Alyson — Tue, 24 May 2011 05:37:59 +0000

Thumbnails to come. They will be clickable over to press “collage” pages as in current site’s style.

What happens in Vegas….can sometimes happen in Malibu!

Alyson — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:01:41 +0000

Levine Fox Events recently had the pleasure of creating a Bar Mitzvah for Dylan, who in the true spirit of becoming a man, read the Torah like a pro and celebrated afterwards with an all out Vegas-style celebration!

The festivities took place at Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue where the temple, along with the side patios, were transformed into an exciting Vegas nightclub scene where there was no need to be 21!

The clubby atmosphere featured an aqua, silver and black color palette accented with touches of bling, because what is Vegas without the SHINE, baby? Stunning white floral designs were created by Mark’s Garden. Capturing the event in detail from start to finish was the fabulous photographer, Elizabeth Solano at John Solano Photography and Marc Dahm from Bluecat International. And our talented lighting crew, Images by Lighting, brilliantly reproduced the lights and drama of the Vegas Strip.

Dylan and his friends enjoyed a cool mix of activities available all night long, including gaming tables, dance heads, magic from a celebrity Vegas magician, interactive games, pool and a sketch artist who drew their backsides. Musical vibes, provided by Party Layne (emceed by Jon Layne and Dwayne Brown together with the amazing spinning of DJ Zach Sklar) filled the air and brought many to the dance floor. An array of food stations including sushi, Mexican and Italian specialties, were presented with flair by our caterer, Someone’s in the Kitchen.

A fabulous time was enjoyed by all who attended, including Dylan’s proud Mom and Dad! What happened in Malibu at Dylan’s Bar Mitzvah . . . . . will remain as long-time memories for all who were there and celebrated with Dylan!

We always think outside the box, but….

Alyson — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 13:46:19 +0000

If you received this adorable wooden toy chest as an invitation to a party, would you go? At Levine Fox Events, we think so! Stay tuned for a full write up of the unbelievable party that all started with this box…

Found in L.A…..Classic, Old-World Elegance

Alyson — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:38:29 +0000

We had the pleasure of working with Amy and Randy to help create the wedding of their dreams. We were lucky enough to find the perfect venue, The California Club, located in downtown Los Angeles, with its amazing old world elegance and classic ambiance.

David Garcia and his fabulous staff at The California Club were so helpful and efficient. Every moment was caught by the talented husband and wife team of John Solano Photography. While the bride and her attendants were being pampered, the groomsmen were whisked away to the streets of downtown Los Angeles for some super cool shots.

Being a huge Dodger fan, the groom gave his lucky groomsmen each a set of vintage inspired cufflinks, featuring the Brooklyn Dodgers original logo.

The coloration of the flowers ranged from shades of light pink to the most vibrant fuchsia. Amy was an amazing bride who carried an exquisite bouquet of hand selected peonies designed by our florist Suzane LeMay of Les Sculptures Vivante.

The magnificent ballroom, illuminated in hues of pink by Images by Lighting, became the perfect backdrop for this lovely and romantic evening.

Everyone danced the night away to the awesome sounds of West Coast Music’s, James Gang Encore. Amy & Randy were thrilled with their fabulous evening of romance and celebration.

a golden glow at pelican hill….

Alyson — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:11:04 +0000

We recently had the pleasure of planning Rachel and Jordan’s wedding, which took place at the magnificent Resort at Pelican Hill, located on the scenic Newport Coast.

Working with the fabulous catering director George Nickels, photographer John Solano and florist Nancy of Mark’s Garden, the day was truly a success in every respect! Please see below some photos from this very magical wedding…

The elegant handmade Chuppah was strung under the rotunda with long, thick flowing ivory satin ribbons.

The aisle was lined with boxes covered in gold dupioni silk and filled with lush cream roses. Rose petals, nestled at the base of the boxes, spilled naturally onto the grass creating a stunning aisle.

White paper parasols were provided for the guests to protect themselves from the sun.

A unique ribbon grid on the reception table held the escort cards in place on what turned out to be a very breezy day.

Guests were asked to write special notes and words of wisdom to the bride and groom on notecards printed with their monogram. Guests dropped these into a glass apothecary jar for the bride and groom to read and save.

The ceremony reflected an understated elegance enhanced by the Pacific Ocean in the background and the fabulous ribbon streamers which floated in the wind over the wedding party during the ceremony!

the reception set up….

The centerpieces featured clear vases hand-painted with delicate gold designs, hanging crystals and an abundance of roses in shades white, cream and soft caramel.

Each table added to the romantic ambiance by featuring the romantic glow of candlelight, elegant gold rimmed glassware and classic gold beaded chargers.

The room was elegantly draped in soft, flowing caramel chiffon fabric.

Positioned near the bride and groom, an “ancestor table” displayed photos of the bride and groom’s parents, grandparents, great grandparents, et al, along with several family heirlooms.

Congratulations Rachel and Jordan! Your wedding reflected the romance and love you share with each other and couldn’t have been more glorious!
With Love,