Guidelines to Renting an Estate

Every time we rent out a private estate, it occurs to me that there are several helpful tips to consider.  

1. When looking for a property for your event, estimate your guest count on the higher end to ensure that the venue is large enough to handle your event and setup.  Homeowners give us a quote based on the guest count.  Later, if our clients add more guests, we make sure that there is a maximum guest count stated in the agreement and what the additional cost is per person.

2. Make sure your event planner takes photos of the home before the event; if there are any spills or damages, this will confirm if they were pre-existing.

3. Make sure you have a walk-through during the day so you can see what the venue looks like should you want your florist to change or spruce up any flower beds.  Our company will list any requests on the location agreement so both parties are in agreement of any changes.

4. Purchase special event insurance for your event. We make it a requirement at all of our events and require that the event professionals carry it.

5.  Insist that your rental company place Astroturf or something similar under the kitchen area (this setup is usually on the driveway) to avoid any spills and to prevent paying for power washes.

6. Be prepared with decor decisions if the area you choose is windy. 

7. Confirm who will be hauling all of the trash at the end of the night. Homeowners do not want garbage left on their properties - this can attract wild animals.

8. Check the weather 10 days out to make sure that your guests and event professionals will be comfortable.

9. Verify the bathroom situation - availability and stocking up on important items. 

10. Hire a professional coordinator to handle this type of event, so you can enjoy yourself.

Here are Our Picks of the Week -

Simple but elegant. 

 I love succulents - so pretty. 

 Refreshing snack on a hot summer day. 

Have a wonderful week!  

XO, Gianna 

Steps to Making Your Next Event Successful, Plus Our Photos of the Week

Planning an event has its challenges and it can be stressful.  Since events are live, challenges can happen. Challenges may include bad weather, traffic jams, or an event professional who is late or does not deliver on what he or she promises.

Here are some very important steps to help you reach your goals and relax on your event day -

1. Insist that all of your event professionals who will be handling logistics attend one of the on-site logistical meetings.

It is so frustrating when an event professional insists that they have been to the venue 10 times and they don't need to attend the logistical walk through.   Since every client's needs are different, it should be a priority and not left to chance on the wedding or event day.  We can't force our clients to insist that their event professionals be present, but not having them attend is not worth the risk.  We recommend that you pay an additional fee to have them attend.

2. Hire a bathroom attendant to keep the bathrooms clean.  Our staff checks the restrooms throughout the event and we notify the venue if there is an issue.  If you are having a private estate wedding or event, hire an attendant to keep them clean and please don't forget to tip them - they have a tough job. XO

3. Parking - consider where your guests and staff will be parking before you sign on the dotted line with the venue.

4. Shot list - we ask all our clients to prepare a shot list well in advance of their wedding or special event. This gives them time to study the list and make sure that they are not forgetting any important photos. In addition, we recommend that you designate two people, who know the VIPs, help gather them for the photos during the cocktail hour.

5. How do you want important decisions made on your event day?  Do you want the professionals that you hired to make important decisions on your behalf or do you have someone that knows you extremely well to make those decisions?  As an example, say the dinner service is running almost 30 minutes ahead of time (which rarely happens).  Should the venue serve it or hold off and let your guests dance? Serving dinner 30 minutes earlier will change the dynamics of the timeline.


Above is the photo of the stage manager and me backstage at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip.  I produced an event with Deanna Martin - Dean's daughter. What a beautiful and talented lady.  The wall behind us has been signed by some very famous musicians since the venue opened in 1994.

Wishing everyone a wonderful event! XO


Estate Pick of the Week - 

This is property is located in Studio City, California.  Rental fees start at 7 K.  The property has two outdoor fireplaces, swimming pool and can accommodate up to100 persons on the lawn for a sit down dinner.  The views are gorgeous and the home reminds me of being in Big Sur.  If you would like more information, please call our office at 818-246-2288.

Photos of the Week -











I am obsessed with mercury glass. XO







Our clients were in love with their dogs and wanted them on their wedding cake. Kimberly Bailey who is the owner, designer and baker from The Butter End Cakery  created this cake for our couple.

Wishing everyone a great week! Gianna XO

How to Keep Sane On Your Wedding Day, Plus Ideas for Throwing a Great Halloween Party!

Every time we produce an event, we run through the details until we are confident that everything has been covered.

Once on site, we work hard to ensure that the wishes of our clients have been taken into consideration.

Here are this week's tips to help you find a balance for planning the perfect wedding day -

1. Choose your event professionals very carefully and hire the ones that come highly recommended.
2. Once you make a decision, don't keep second-guessing yourself, this will make you cray cray (new favorite expression).
3. Take care of the important details in advance of  your special day, so you can block out time for R&R.
4. Let your fiance, family and close friends know what you need help with, so you don't try and take it all on yourself.
5. Keep your eye on the ball and remember why you are getting married.
6. Things come up at events and if you know that you are a type A and want control over all the decisions, let your event professionals or planner know how you want decisions made on your wedding day - will your planner need to ask you or make the decisions for you.   For an example, if the wedding is running ahead of schedule and the hotel wants to start serving the entree 20 minutes early - do you want to know?
This change can impact the evening and leave time for more dancing, but you may want the dinner to go at a slower pace.

Estate Pick of the Week - Estate 9349 in Malibu














Found a great article   - Wall Street Journal - How To Cope When Your Spouse Embarrasses You.

CUTE DECORATING IDEAS:

Here are a few fun recipes from Martha Stewart and TV Food -

Guacamoldy with Creature Chips




Pumpkin Cheese Ball

For more recipes go to this link -  TV Food Network for More Savory Halloween Recipes.

Wedding Picks of the Week - 



Vintage with a lot of Details. 


Simple but elegant. 







Cute...XO

Make Up - Our Event Professional Pick of the Week, Plus Tips for Having a Fab Fourth of the July Party!

I love summer!  Hard to believe that July is already here.  





If you are planning a get together with friends and family on or around the Fourth of July, 
here are some fun ideas to get you ready for the celebration -

Heat the pool a few days ahead if needed. 

Turn off the sprinklers if you will be entertaining on the lawn.

Stock up the pool with rafts, inner tubes and beach balls.  If you want to play pool games, how about a volleyball net and a scoreboard. 

If you don't feel like cooking or barbecuing, check out the popular food trucks in your area.

Talk with your neighbors and see if they will be having a party on the same day.  Make sure you are prepared with parking options for your guests or consider hiring a valet service. 

Lighting - do a lighting test at night to make sure you have sufficient lighting. If you want to add color to your up lights, try and keep blue and green off of your guests - not the best colors for people.

Stock up the bathrooms with hand towels and supplies.

If you are having a swim party, place towels out for your guests. 

If there will be dancing, hire a DJ.  If you only want ambiance, then your favorite tunes will do the job.  Note:  If you hire a DJ, please have a small generator to avoid power black outs. 

Check out firework ordinances in your area and take safety precautions.


Setting up the bars - stock up on bar items (ice, alcohol, sodas, mixers and wines) and check out this fun web site for your friends who don't drink alcohol - Mocktails

Raspberry Lemonade


Event Professional of the Week:
When it comes to makeup and skin care, I only work with the very best in the industry.  

We are highlighting Jennifer Charm of Carabella Cosmetics and Skin Care in this week's blog. 

Carabella is a semi-private eco-friendly skin salon, providing state of the art and preservative free skin care, organic bath and body products, mineral cosmetics, clinical facial treatments, body treatments (aromatherapy polishes, infra-red cellulite wraps, back facials). We are the #1 award-winning Brazilian bikini and body waxing salon in Los Angeles! Carabella offers customized makeup lessons, lash services and even teeth whitening! Carabella clientele range from local men, women & students to Hollywood celebrities, who all share one thing in common: they all expect professional, customized treatments in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere and to feel nurtured, pampered and see real results from their visits. 

Jennifer Charm is a makeup artist, who has worked on Hollywood's most famous faces in film, TV awards shows and weddings.

Salon clients include -
JLo, Lauren Holly, Marisol Nichols, Jenna Elfman, Erika Christiansen 

Makeup clients include-
Kirstie Alley, Kelly Preston, Anne Archer, Danny & Chris Masterson, Judy Norton, Alex Breckinridge

Jennifer was not content with simply having another facial and waxing business, therefore, after receiving her California Esthetician license in 1991, she furthered her education by studying chemistry and ingredient courses under Rebecca James Gadbury at UCLA and ethnic skincare with Betty Odem, the country’s leading Black educator in Aesthetics. 

Jennifer was educated in the relationships between pharmaceuticals, illness and skin care treatments with Rachel Furman, noted skin specialist and Pharmacist. She became certified in advanced chemical peels 1994. She trained on the first microdermabrasion machine approved by the FDA before it was sold to the industry.  Carabella is an industry leader in advanced microdermabrasion treatments, pulsed LED light and chemical peels.

Aware of the dangerous side-effects of drugs and toxins stored in the body, she did a detoxification program called The Purification Rundown. Amazed at her results, Jennifer decided to carry the high quality holistic & organic product lines which create positive effects on the skin. Many lines call themselves “natural” because they contain an essential oil or two, but are made up of bases loaded with chemicals (containing petroleum distillates), harsh preservatives, perfumes and dyes. She carries a great selection of holistic products, as well as her custom line of organic bath and body products. She advises her clients to clear any toxic products from their homes and instead she offers a line of body cleanse products.

She understands the essentials to living a healthier and longer life.

Jennifer actively works in her community as a volunteer training at-risk teens and their parents on improving their skin and appearance, and working in hospitals helping patients take care of their skin. 

At Carabella, the skin care products reflect and harmonize with the body’s own chemical make up. Jennifer gives facial treatments that combine the newest proven technologies with good old fashioned pampering in a luxurious spa setting. Jennifer, a highly trained Aesthetician is trained in make up and she can create a complete line of cosmetics that are custom blended from pure mineral powders tinted with natural iron oxides. Carabella carries the Valley's most extensive collection of pure mineral cosmetics. This is also the only salon where clients are numbed for delicate waxing services. Carabella does complete bikini hair removal and designs.  Jennifer’s eyebrow styling enhances some of Hollywood’s most famous faces.  

Many clients who come to Carabella work in the film industry and many are referred by area dermatologists and health related fields who have benefited from the salon’s programs.

The goals of Carabella -

Help elevate self esteem and empower women by teaching them how to take care of themselves aesthetically, with correct skin care regimens and customized makeup lessons.

Create beautiful brides and bridal parties, using natural and long lasting cosmetics. 

Enhance the quality of photographic experiences by creating fabulous makeup looks in a professional and safe environment.

Create an environment where all people can get help with problems in life, both physical and spiritual, without evaluation, invalidation and drugs, and be guided towards healthy solutions that work.

Here are few samples of Jennifer's makeup work-

For more information, please check out Jennifer's beautiful web site -

Carabella

Gianna's Estate Pick of the Week -Estate 9349











Gianna's Picks of the Week -












Salted Caramel Apples...Yum.

Have a beautiful day and a safe holiday!