When Morgen and Cagney found me by chance saying they really wanted to get married at the Old Abandoned Zoo in Los Angeles, CA. I was so excited I practically begged them to hire me! They also wanted a reception somewhere with old, dark architecture. PERFECT!! I love old, dark architecture. We were on our way to a fantastic wedding!!

Then reality hit like a brick wall. There are no weddings allowed at the Old Abandoned Zoo. In fact, there are no weddings allowed in any public park in Los Angeles. I know this because I spent a few days trying to get a hold of anyone that could help me book the zoo. It was back to the drawing board and I still had to find a reception venue. Not only did it have to fit their dream requirements, but it also had to fit their budget. This was a major challenge because most venues were either higher than the budget or not even close to what they were looking for.

I decided to start searching for abandoned places to rent. I actually found a website that does allow you to rent unusual spaces, houses, and lots for events. I was so excited that I had options for my clients. They decided on an amazing location that is actually a nightclub and is located in a basement. It was gorgeous, and it was old, dark architecture. It had the charm and the details. They booked it!!

Since it was a very non-traditional reception space we had to get creative for the dinner. I suggested that we offer a selection of appetizers and have servers walk around to the guests. That was going to be the plan!! Now for the ceremony location.

I remembered going to the Forest Lawn Cemetary in Glendale, CA as a young girl and seeing the cutest little chapel with a Wishing Chair. It was the most beautiful stone chapel and it was full of charm. I thought I would like to get married there one day. That never happened and I actually forgot all about it, until now. Enter, Wee Kirk o’the Heather. I immediately looked into seeing if it was still available and it checked all the boxes! I told my clients I had an idea for their ceremony location and I wasn’t sure if they would like it. Looking back, I don’t know why I had doubts! They loved it!! They booked it immmediately for their ceremony. I know a sweet florist in Long Beach, CA and I knew she would be able to make amazing bouquets for them. I knew the perfect photographer for them, too. Everything was lined up and ready to go!

Then about two months from the wedding I received a message from the reception venue and they were asking if my clients would like to change dates because the venue had another offer for the same date. Why would they? So we went back and forth and my clients stood strong saying they wanted the day they booked and nothing else. The venue said they would honor their decision. I felt victorious. We had dinner that night and celebrated. Little did we suspect that they double booked…and they would be back!!

About THREE weeks from the wedding the venue came back again and this time offering money to change dates. I was ready to move to another venue, but my clients said no. They were not going to move. Two and a half weeks from the wedding, the venue is now begging my clients to move. They were now offering to cover the expenses for a new location, but only up to a certain amount. This was a challenge in itself at this late date. They suggested another venue that was similar in style, but my clients still said no. Now I am sweating wondering how can I fix this? I begin a last minute venue search to see if I can find anything. I find one potential match, but it was too far away. My clients said there is only one place that they would go, but we were told that place was not available and they could look at the sister venue. They went to look at it and they liked it. They decided it would work and we were ready for a wedding with one week to go! I was ready to do whatever was needed to make the new location work. Then with FIVE DAYS to go, that sister venue was no longer an option. I was about to fall down and die.

My clients then said they wanted the original venue unless they were able to get the only other option that they really wanted. At this point, I was losing my strength. I was praying for miracle. I had to let the original caterer go because it was getting too close to the date and I had no idea what was going to happen. At least we still had the ceremony location lined up. Let’s also keep in mind that someone has to let the guests know the new location.

On Wednesday morning, 3 DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING, the owner of the first venue called me on the phone. I didn’t even know he existed. He said, Libby we need to get this settled and make a deal. I cannot have your clients at my venue because it’s already booked for a bigger contract. That means more money for them! He said we need to come up with a deal to move them. He wasn’t afraid of being sued, but he didn’t want to be bothered with it. Did I mention, my clients were lined up with a lawyer? They were.

He knew the venue that my clients wanted and by a miracle he knew the owner of that venue. I was now talking to the original venue owner and the new venue owner to make a deal. For about 5 hours we were going back and forth trying to get the details taken care of. My clients were waiting for an answer. And I still thought I was going to die!

TWO DAYS BEFORE the wedding the three of us were finally able to make a deal that included everything my clients wanted and more. New contracts were signed and money was getting wired! My poor clients. If I was feeling sick, how were they feeling?! It was a terrible situation to be in.

In the end it was the best deal that ever could have been made. It was an amazing experience for everyone. My clients didn’t want a grand entrance, traditional dances, or any speeches. They just wanted their friends and family to be there with them in a space with old, dark architecture. They spent a beautiful evening in the old Clifton’s Cafeteria that is now Clifton’s Republic.

After all the challenges and the near death experience, I can look back and be really proud of my work and I admire this couple so much for staying true to themselves and what they wanted.

It was proudly featured on Rock and Roll Bride January 6, 2023.

Planner @dragonflyeventsoc

Assistant Planner @timewithterrazas

Photographer @Nicolecaldwellphoto

Flowers @Fleurtygal

Ceremony location @forestlawn

Reception location @cliftonsrepublic

Gowns @cocomelodyofficial @monamiebridalsalon

Hair and Makeup @ghost_artistry

Stationary @rt_letterpress_barbara

Cake @luluscustomcakery