The Oviatt A Historical Landmark

The Oviatt A Historical Landmark
Rules and Regulations

Thursday, December 8, 2011

It's the Holiday Season!


The Oviatt's Loved To Party!

Hello everyone and Happy Holidays!

We have been swamped with Holiday parties and many of my corporate clients have been asking about some of the ghost stories regarding the Oviatt Building - so I thought I would bring some of the stories to light!  We're passed Halloween- but the Oviatt's had a rich history and many in the building say that they still love a good party!

First for some history....  Mr. Oviatt, his wife Mary, and their son Jimmy were the ONLY people to live in the building other than his cook and the nanny.  The Oviatt's were a happy couple while Mr. Oviatt had his health- they married while Mr. Oviatt was in his Autumn years- but they loved each other and were the best of friends.  Below is a photo of Mr. Oviatt and his lovely wife Mary.


Mr. Oviatt and Mary loved their home- the Penthouse!  It was grand for the era and comfortable and above all stylish- so it isn't any surprise that this castle he built for entertaining back in 1927 is STILL being used for just that purpose in 2011!  It also is said this their love for their home was so strong that they have never left it.

Everyone who works in the building- the majority of the floors are offices, law firms, accounting firms, architectural and design firms, and jewelers, ALL have stories about the Oviatt building.  Many people have seen papers flying- no windows open- no air conditioning units on- but papers levitating on their own- especially on the 12th floor (where Mr. Oviatt's office was).  Others, on the 2nd and 3rd floor have heard a child running around - or have even seen the image of a little boy walking through walls.  Back in the 30's- the 2nd and third floor had the tailors and designers for the Oviatt store- the space was one big empty room and Jimmy - Mr. Oviatt's son, used to love and play practical jokes on the employees and run and play ball.  The little boy walking through walls is believed to be Jimmy- still playing as a child.  

Mr. Oviatt was known to be quite obsessed with his department store and the neatness and cleanliness of the store was of the utmost importance.  The department store that was is now where Cicada Restaurant is located.  Many of the employees of the restaurant - especially the cleaning crew- have stories of a shadow standing at the top of the stairs watching them clean.  They all feel that it is Mr. Oviatt making certain that his standards of excellence are still being upheld in his store.

Now for the Penthouse!  I feel there is a difference between a haunting and an enchantment.  To be haunted is to be restless and uneasy.  Enchantment is calming and soothing- happiness.  The Penthouse as I stated was designed for entertaining.  A location where people could meet and socialize and share happy memories.  Many of my brides enter the space and feel a sense of belonging- a sense that they are welcomed- so I think there might be enchantment - not haunting.

I have been at the Penthouse many times in the early morning hours alone- and there is a sense of being "watched"- there feels like there is a strong presence- but not one that is displeased.  I have arrived in the morning only to have the door OPEN for me- as if someone is on the other end and pulling it open- welcoming me into the space.  Like I said- Enchantment is a better word.

Now other people have experienced footsteps in the hallway- behind them when no one is there.  Others a strong sense of a tabacco or "pipe" smell - Mr. Oviatt always had his pipe. :)  One security guard- before I had the building became so spooked that he didn't even make it back to the elevator- he climbed out the kitchen window and ran down the 13 flights of stairs- then left the building and quit his job the same day.  He refused to come back even to get his check!  I suppose if you aren't ready for the energy in the Penthouse it could scare you.  


But if you believe that it is love- love for the building, the business, and their home- and all of the weddings and love that the space has created over the past years then there is nothing to fear.  By having your event at the Penthouse you become a part of its history and part of the enchantment.  Hopefully your happy memories will live on and influence other brides who come and wish to share in the love the space holds.

With that I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

Have a wonderful and happy Holiday season!

Roxy - 

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Vintage- This years trends in weddings!


Vintage Style

The Oviatt Penthouse has seen a lot of very cool events this year and many more for next year.  It's become a hotspot because people are beginning to look for that retro style that is old LA.  This means Glamour is back!

I've seen it with all my couples this year!  You can't go wrong with the classic black and white look above.  I've seen grooms in Tuxedos again- and brides with simple and elegant white gowns.  It's all very 1930's Hollywood and I LOVE IT!

If you think of Lauren Bacall, Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, and Humphrey Bogart they all had poise and all seemed friendly and approachable.  That's the vintage style.  Nothing too intimidating- simple elegance.  I see a lot of long flowers- like the Callalies in a vase- but in looking like they don't care!  I believe that line came out of an old 1940's movie- and it still holds true.  Feathers are great too!  Estate Jewelry - even in a bouquet for a little bit of sparkle- totally cool!  Here are some examples!



Soft colors, and a little sparkle, and a few feathers add romance to any wedding!

The style for the guys is all "old school" too!  Take a look at this handsome groom!


The vintage style is all the craze- and it applies not just to the dress and flowers- but down to the drinks!

We have some fun specialty drinks at the bar like the Singapore Sling and An "Old Fashioned"- both from by gone days!  

How to determine what "Vintage" means to you....old movies and magazines are great!  

There are plenty of old photos around the internet that can help inspire you!  And keep looking at our Facebook page and see what other brides and grooms have done.  A wedding is supposed to be fun!  So feel free to have some fun!  By the way girls- there is an amazing dress designer right here in LA that custom makes vintage dresses- wedding dresses too!  Here is her link!  Re Vamp!  A few of my brides have gone to them and come out with some amazing clothes!  

The finishing touch on vintage is the Make up for any girl!  There are some great make-up artists out there that do great jobs- for that natural look!  


Oh and yes- this dress is by Re Vamp too!

I hope this helps inspire you a bit!  All my brides are beautiful and fit the location beautifully!  We are excited about next years wedding season and we can't wait for your events!

Oh and lastly- don't forget to play some of that Frank Sinatra sound to complete the mood!

Happy Planning Everyone!

Roxy-

Friday, October 21, 2011

The Oviatt Penthouse- thing to be prepared for ..Photography

Photography at Night.....

Being that we also do photography (Top Of The Event Photography) we know the location better than most, but I take it for granted that people understand the difficulties of night shoots.

So all I can do is try to lay out my own difficulties of night shoots.

When choosing a photographer you need to decide on what style you want.  I come from a cinematography background so I like the look of "film".  Now you might be asking what does that mean?  For me and my photographers it means we like the romance..means as much natural lighting as possible.  I'm not a big fan of flash...the Oviatt's draw is that beautiful skyline- so when I shoot I try my best to take multiple shots of the same scene- some with flash some without.  The photo above was taken with flash and then leaving the aperture open for a few seconds in order to get the background.  But to do this photo I had them stay still as possible (just seconds).  The natural lighting is so beautiful and it captures the moment.  Flash is necessary but most photographers that like film are not fans because the flash washes out the details and usually the background.  

Flash has a place..don't get me wrong...because for the detailed shots it's necessary- especially when shooting at night.  The photo below was done with a strong flash- but still tells the story of love. :)  But if you notice the background is non-existent.


Now when there is an action shot- meaning that the couple is doing an entrance for example- there is going to be a blur- possibly even if a flash is used.  It depends how fast they are moving.  I don't mind the action shot- in fact I like the movement- however the client may not.  Below is another example of what I mean.


This is a grand entrance photo!  I love this photo, but unfortunately, it was not what the client anticipated.  They wanted a more clear photo- which would have meant using the flash and you would not have seen the bridal party's reaction.  

The average photographer will hand you about 300-400 photos.  It may not be every shot you wanted.  The best advice I can give is to have a clear discussion with your photographer of the style you are looking for.  Even show them examples of other photographers work that you admire.  If they are good they want to do right by you and make you happy.  Most are willing to come as close to what you want as possible.

But as the client try to take into account your venue and the limitations to the venue.  It's very different shooting outdoors at night than shooting in a ballroom.  In a ballroom you can free hand (meaning the camera is not on a tripod as much) even when using flash.  Why???  Because there are walls and a ceiling that light can bounce off of.  Outside- no such thing.  When I shoot the Oviatt Penthouse I use my tripod a LOT more once the sun is down- because I can't get good clear shots where you can see the background and lighting unless the camera is stock still.  Now again for the close up- I can shoot without a tripod no problem.

Why is a 2nd shooter advised?  This is simple- more coverage is the obvious answer.  But there is one more use- they can hold reflectors at night!  Meaning the light can bounce- giving you a little help for the night shoot.  You may want to bring in a light kit as a photographer- but you have to take space into account.  I don't ever recommend or even encourage a light kit at the Oviatt when the guest count is over 100 people- there isn't the room!  But a 2nd photographer can hold up another flash so now we have twice the light.  Is the 2nd shooter necessary- not really- remember it's all about style and what you are looking for.  

I hope this article helps as you chose the photographer.  While Top Of The Event Photography is a subdivision of Truly Yours Catering- and The Oviatt Penthouse is our portrait studio - we welcome other photographers!  I have many great ones that are friends- there is no jealousy or real rivalry- because our styles and pricing are all different.  You just have to decide what's best for you!

Happy Planning everyone!  And if interest in our photography just call us at (213) 379-4172 and we can go over packages!

The Oviatt is excited to be hosting your event!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Wedding Traditions.... WE LOVE THEM!





As a company Truly Yours Catering does about 350 weddings a year- 80 of which are at The Oviatt Penthouse alone! I see so many wonderful unions- from all different cultures and I just LOVE the traditions! There are so many and they are so diverse and I see the families and guests come alive when they begin.


The problem with assimilation is that many times traditions are lost over generations. It's a normal pattern. So I try to encourage my brides and grooms to go look through old photo albums, to ask older family members of what traditions would have been followed a couple of generations back. It's wonderful to honor those that have gone before you and there is a moment when you honor a tradition that it helps warm the hearts of those around you. Celebrate the different cultures and embrace them!


I also recommend going and doing a search (love the internet) on customs and traditions from the origins of whatever country your ancestors would have come from. You might be surprised on some of the fun things that go on!












Above are some photos of some traditions that you probably know about and some maybe you don't!


Traditions might be a part of a ceremony, or it might be an item that is passed down from generation to generation that they hold or wear on the wedding day, or it could be a traditional article of clothing, or it might be a part of the reception- like the first Father/Daughter dance!


Here are some fun traditions and the cultures they come from! There are so many- this is only a couple of examples...


The information comes from the following website- (one of many) just search! Click HERE to look at the website!


African Wedding Tradition: 'Bright festive colors, song, dance, and music are vital elements of many African wedding ceremonies."


Indian Wedding Tradition: "In India and other countries with a Hindu culture it is considered bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other for several days before the wedding. As part of the marriage ceremony the bride’s parents wash the couple’s feet with milk and water as a symbol of purifying them for the journey of their new life together. As part of the ceremony the couple holds in their hands grains of rice and oats and green leaves, signifying wealth, good health and happiness."


Sweets, eggs, and money are woven into to wedding themes of India. They symbolize, respectively, a sweet life, feretility, and prosperity. The Hindu wedding ceremony includes customary rituals to ward off evil spirits. After the wedding vows have been exchanged the groom's father or brother showers flower petals on the newlyweds; then he holds a coconut over the bride and groom's heads and circles it around them three times. An Indian groom often wears a turban with a veil of flowers streaming down in front of his face to protect him from evil spirits.


Traditional Indian brides wear pink and red saris on their wedding day, adorning themselves extravagantly with as much jewelry as possible. Henna staining, a customary art form, is still practiced by Indian brides to be. On the eve of her wedding vows, following a traditional ceremonial cleansing, the bride-to-be will have her hands and feet painted with henna, in beautiful paisley or medallion patterns.


Then a special wedding gift is given to the bride, a necklace signifying her married status.


Japanese Wedding Tradition: "In Japan, for instance, purple is the color of love and a young bride may choose to wear an elaborately-embroidered silk kimono covered in purple iris-flowers. Weddings are traditionally either Shinto, during which the natural spirits, the kami, are called upon to bless the couple, or it might be a Buddhist ceremony during which two strings of beads are interwoven, symbolizing the joining of two families into one."


Malaysian Wedding Tradition: "A traditional groom, getting married in Malaysia, might send children bearing wedding presents to his future bride. These wedding gifts include elaborately displayed trays of food with origami flowers and cranes, which are made with bills of currency.


At the wedding reception, it is a Korean marriage custom, for each guest to receive an artistically decorated hard-boiled egg, which represents fertility."


Welsh Wedding Tradition: "The Customary Bridal Bouquet and Wedding Dress Pin


A Welsh bridal bouquet usually contains myrtle, and the bride gives to her bridesmaids a cutting of myrtle -- a symbol of love -- to carry in their bouquets. Welsh tradition holds that if the bridesmaid plants her myrtle and it blooms, she will soon marry.


A bride in Wales may wear a pin in her wedding gown, that she will remove and throw over her shoulder for good luck."


Jewish Wedding Tradition: "Traditional Hebrew wedding ceremonies begin with the bride and groom signing a marriage contract, called the Ketubah. The agreement, which once assured the bride's legal status, states the expectations and duties of the couple once they are married. This beautiful, ornate document will be framed and displayed in the couples' home.


After the couple have signed the Ketubah, the groom lowers his bride's wedding veil after studying her face. This wedding custom recalls the biblical story of Jacob, who married the wrong woman when she covered her face with a veil.


In the Jewish tradition, the wedding ring should be simple, a band with no details, no stones, and nothing engraved, with nothing to distinguish the beginning from the end. The rabbi, groom, groomsmen, and Jewish male guests traditionally wear a white-colored cap called a yamulkes."


Victorian Wedding Tradition: "A bride at her wedding should wear:


Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a sixpence in the shoe.


Or, in the United States:


...And a new dime in the shoe."


Above are some very fun and great traditions! Do some homework- it will personalize your event even more. And it might be something fun that you can share with family and friends.




Enjoy your day and make it yours! And remember marriages are unity of two families and usually two or more cultures- share them and enjoy! Have fun and be merry!




Happy Planning everyone!




Please go to our Facebook Pages and Websites for more information on wedding ideas!




Just click on the names below and you will be directed right to the websites!




Truly Yours Catering


Oviatt Penthouse


Malibou Lake Mountain Club


Top of The Event Photography




****Look them all up on Facebook! We have fan pages for them all!


:)




Roxy Adlesh
(818) 753-9100

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Oviatt Penthouse A Historical Landmark

You have just found one of LA's hottest new event venues! When you enter The Oviatt Penthouse you are entering a piece of LA's history- it's old Hollywood Glamour and a prime example of LA's 1920's Art Deco! We are featured on the Knot and Wedding Wire and above is our new Ad for the Knot magazine!

As the 1940's music fills the venue you can almost hear Marilyn Monroe and Mrs. Oviatt laughing as they often did- or dancing on the rooftop! As You lean against the 1927 bar you just smell Mr. Oviatt's Cigar and smell the cognac- you are just transported in time- and it immediately takes you there! Hollywood still loves the Oviatt- this week we have Mad Men coming in for three days for some filming- very appropriate for the show! We do some of the VIP after parties for the Emmy's and the Oscar's - make no mistake Hollywood still loves the Penthouse- the beauty, the privacy, and the great cuisine and the cool drinks that all adds ambience to your event! Your guests can't help but be impressed! They enter a private elevator that takes them straight to the 13th floor- but they are checked in by the private security guard first. No one will be at your event that you don't invite! Privacy is a big factor at the Penthouse!

Truly Yours Catering just took over the Penthouse in September of 2010 and our first event was in November of 2010- now we have done over 50 events as we our soon coming up to our 1 year anniversary at the Oviatt! We have done a fair share of weddings, birthday parties, and corporate mixers- and everyone has walked away saying it was the "best time of their life"! The word is spreading like wildfire and we should be at 100 events for 2012! We love the LA Conservancy and we invite them and all their members in to come and take a tour! We love our local schools and we do informative walkthroughs for the local high schoolers. Kids love tangible history- and walking through the Oviatt walls makes it as tangible as it gets!

We have brought in full lighting for every event- Chivarri chairs- Art Deco style china for your dining pleasure- and a friendly staff all come standard for every event. The top deck is now open for guests to enjoy- for the first time in over 15 years! I have to praise our local fire department for allowing us to make it possible to share that upper deck and the most amazing view!

Before you have your event here there are some things you need to know in the form of rules and regulations! Please use this list to help guide your event! If you do the event will run smoothly and you will have the "Best Day of Your Life!".

1) All Vendors that you bring in MUST be approved by The Oviatt Penthouse! Don't book anyone until you check with us!

2) We do two events per day- one in the morning and one in the evening so be respectful to the event that either is after yours or before yours. Please follow your contract and look at the "In Time" and the "Out Time".

3) The Oviatt is a Historical Landmark and we are part of the LA Conservancy- so sharing the space with the public is a "Gift" respect the property please!

A) No tape or staples anywhere- not outside or inside- only painters tape is allowed.
B) No flowers in the fountain- actually nothing in the fountain but water please.
C) No stepping or standing on the furniture or the tile of the fountain.
D) There are metal arches and many people like decorating them- only chenille pipe cleaner can be used to hold the decor in place- be it flowers or draping.
E) No gum on the carpeting or on the wood floors.
F) No vomitting inside the Penthouse. ( I know this is a yucky thing to mention- however it happens a LOT and is considered damage to the property- which is why I bring it up.)
G) No REAL Loose Flower Petals of ANY KIND or COLOR allowed in the Penthouse! ONLY WHITE SILK petals are allowed!
H) No Silly String or Confetti allowed in or out of the Penthouse.
I) No REAL CANDLES allowed anywhere- per Fire Marshall.

4) Children - below the age of 16 are NOT allowed on the upper outer deck (where the clock is) per Fire Marshall.

5) A Fire Marshall is present for EVERY EVENT that has more than 49 people attending.

6) No alcoholic shots allowed! Nothing served "neat" either. Straight alcohol usually leads to a rowdy crowd- we want everyone to have a good time but we want to preserve the space- and we want everyone to get home safe!

7) The Upper deck (the one with the clock) is limited to 20 guests at a time per Fire Marshall- our staff monitors that...so please be respectful of our staff- they are doing their job.

8) NO CLIMBING the clock tower! The Fire Marshall will shut down the event immediately if he sees someone is a blocked area! Don't push those limits please! Please remember the Fire Marshall's job is to keep everyone safe.

9) We strongly recommend that you purchase event insurance. The leading company to do that through is Wed Safe.

10) Truly Yours Catering is the ONLY caterer allowed in the Penthouse as we own it- but we do have a 26 page menu. So please note that this is non-negotiable.

I hope all of these help! We are here to help you have the perfect event. I know the rules seem overwhelming- however please note that all historical landmarks have similar rules. We just ask that everyone be respectful of the space so we can keep sharing it as the years continue!

Thanks everyone for your interest in The Oviatt Penthouse! Remember we do Night Tours of the Venue for all potential clients and we highly recommend it! It's stunning and will surely win you over! I look forward to meeting you soon!

If you are interested in some of our catering information you should check out our website at The Oviatt Penthouse- and check out our Truly Yours Catering Blog!

Best of wishes,

Roxy Adlesh
(213) 379-4172