Outdoor Weddings

Outdoor weddings can be truly wonderful. 

There is something quite romantic and special about seeing a blue sky full of stars as you dine and dance the night away. You will need to be more flexible when you plan an outdoor wedding as opposed to a ballroom event. Below are a few tips to keep in mind when planning outdoor weddings and celebrations. 

   
 If at all possible, plan your outdoor wedding during a warmer month that has very little rain. In some areas this may not be possible. Regardless of which month or which part of the country your wedding will take place in, make sure there is a back-up plan in case of inclement weather such as a comporable indoor space or a retractable ceiling. Mention to guests on a website or an insert in your invitation that your celebration will be outdoors. Guests will really appreciate the heads up. Make sure to have plenty of heaters on hand as evenings can become chilly. The traditional heaters throw off more heat than the newer glass models. It is also nice to offer women Pashminas or have a collection of throws available. Remember to have a heater by Valet so that guests waiting for their cars or Uber stay warm. 

Tabletop 

We like to schedule a sample tabletop meeting prior to our client's weddings and events. At this meeting we make decisions on what their tables are going to look like. We bring in pretty options for linen, chairs, chargers, glassware, candles and of course flowers for this meeting. We like to hold the meeting at the florists so that any changes in flowers can be made on site. The meetings are fun and productive and we love seeing our client's faces when they see their potential table for the first time. At a recent tabletop meeting for a bride who is getting married this summer "Jackson" the resident puppy at Hidden Garden chose his favorite chair. This chair may need to change its name to The Jackson Chair... 

Party Hors d'Oeuvres 

We Love good food and so do your guests. Taste is the most important element. What you serve at your wedding or event should be fresh and in season. Bonus points if it's also pretty but taste should be number one. Make sure Hors d'Oeuvres are bite sized and easy to eat. It's fun to offer an eclectic selection but also make sure there are items that your guests can easily recognize. Offer gluten free and vegetarian options. variety is the spice of life - serve an assortment of hot and cold appetizers but concentrate on heartier fare in the chillier months and lighter items during summer. We like tray passing most items but stations can be fun too. Guests love fun serving vessels, just make sure there are servers ready to pick them up after the food is eaten. It is important that your servers know all of the ingredients in the items they are serving. 

Gorgeous Cupcakes 

                                  Love these sugar flowers. 
                  Dazzled Cupcakes does incredible work with sugar.
                                   Aren't these amazing!
     Dazzled Cupcakes has been called the Vera Wang of Cupcakes. 

Destination Weddings

DESTINATION WEDDINGs

At Pryor Events we adore planning Destination Weddings  Finding a unique location where you and your guests can celebrate your wedding and relax together can make this once in a lifetime occasion even more memorable.

Many of our clients prefer remote tropical resorts where relaxation is a must. Other couples prefer destinations where guests have more activities to choose from both before and after the main event. The location you choose should be very personal.  It may be a family summer retreat that holds special memories, the hotel where you and your fiancée first vacationed or an exotic destination you have always had your heart set on visiting.

Whether you are planning a destination wedding in Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, the Caribbean, Cape Cod, or even California – your planner’s thoroughness, experience, research skills and resources are critical to anticipate and address any issue that might come up.

A few tips from Julie Pryor:

• Your wedding should be memorable for the right reasons – weddings scheduled during the local hurricane or rainy season trend well on Social Media, but are not favorites with couples or guests.
• Make sure there are direct and reasonably priced flights from where most of your guests live.  If guests need to take three flights and two boats to reach your favorite location, you may want to consider alternatives.
• Offer hotel options at different price points if the location you choose is pricey.
• If you prefer an outdoor celebration plan for all eventualities.  Access to a backup indoor location can relieve much anxiety.
• Make sure the guests you care about most are able to travel before you set your date.
• Consider taking care of costs for immediate family and special guests.
• Hire a wedding planner who has experience in destination wedding planning.
• Anticipate unwelcome surprises such as flight delays and unpredictable weather – particularly in foreign countries.
• Research the time it takes to ship items to your location and plan accordingly.
• Carefully consider local legal requirements of marriage well in advance.  Schedule a visit prior to your wedding for tastings and to meet with other local vendors. Many clients book our favorite Los Angeles vendors, but we often refer great local talent, especially when it comes to music and flowers.
• Once you find your dream location make sure to visit with your wedding coordinator.
• Remember that remote locations and many foreign countries can be less predictable than what you may be used to.  Be flexible.
• Above all, have fun and enjoy.  Your guests will follow your lead.

Let's Eat

                                                 Let's Eat

Fantastic Food is imperative for a successful wedding or party. 

Wonderful food starts with fresh, high quality in-season ingredients.

    Make sure tray passed food can be easily eaten.  
    Have vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.  

    Let your coordinator know if you are aware of any food 
    allergies.  

  

     It’s fun to serve comfort food with a new twist ~

    Twice Baked Purple Potatoes, Fried Chicken Bites with Mashed  Potatoes and Stuffing on a Stick, Lobster Corn Dogs, Butternut Squash  Souffle, Individual Mushroom Lasagna, Burrata and Tomato on Spoons  Drizzled with EVOO, Piping Hot Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Wedges,

      

     Guests love stations.  

     A few of our favorites ~

    ~ Pot Pie Station

    ~ Meatball Station
    ~ Flatbread Station
    ~ Ravioli Station
    ~ New England Clam Bake

    ~ Paella with a chef adding ingredients on request.

  Dream up an interesting specialty cocktail using seasonal fruit. 
  At Pryor Events we like to bring in mixologists who create    delicious, gorgeous concoctions using fresh fruits and vegetables.

                        

      Everyone loves something sweet at the end of a meal.
   Have fun with dessert and make sure to include a few of your childhood    favorites. Here are a few of our favorites:

~Ice Cream Sandwiches made to order 
~ Petite Fresh Fruit Pies ~
~ Freshly Baked Cookies on Shot Glasses of Cold Milk 
~ Piping Hot Mini Cinnamon and Sugar Donuts
~ Mini Waffles on a Stick Dipped in Hot Maple Syrup
~ One Bite Ice Cream Sundaes 
~ Just Picked Fruit with Dipping Sauces 
~  Mini Cones of Gelato and Ice Cream

   

    Have fun with choosing your menu, make sure to try everything in advance and don't forget to eat on your big day. Bon Appetit! 

TENT Your Event

Whether you choose a tent for protection from rain and cold or you simply love the look - a tent can add a gorgeous element to your celebration. Remember that draping, lighting and flooring will dramatically change the look of your tent. There are many options in assorted colors, shapes and sizes. Just because your tent is covered, do not overlook cooling and heating. If your party or wedding is going to be held in a pretty location, consider a clear tent.  We recommend setting up your tent a day or two before your party. At Pryor Events we love planning weddings and events in tents!

 We planned a recent Wedding Celebration in this 

gorgeous white tent on the beach in Santa Monica. 

              We designed this tent at a private home in Beverly Hills   for a long time client's Birthday. Such a fun party to produce                    

We created this clear tent on the fields of Ojai Valley Inn for  

a lovely Wedding.