At the Marvimon, a lovely bride and groom included their cat in the bridal party while Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Caterers prepared for their big day.

It was a typically Sunday in Downtown LA. Bright, blue skies, not a cloud in the sky. The only gray we saw on this day was the furry little groomsman/ring bearer for our newlyweds to be. Yes, The Marvimon, a completely sustainable venue, allows pets. This was one of the main reasons our Bride and Groom chose this location, plus that Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Catering Division, is on their preferred vendor list. I talk about this venue in its own blog. Check it out, because if you are an eco-friendly person and searching for a venue that shares the same passion, this is one of the great gems in LA.

This very health conscious couple chose items our Los Angeles Wedding Caterer is used to, as they were some of the most popular. Some items they chose to tweek an ingredient or two. Which for the Los Angeles Catering team, this was no problem at all. As an example, they ordered Eco Caters Organic beef sliders with caramelized onion and smoked chedder. We substituted the bread for lettuce. During tray passing of the sliders a few guests were asking for the slider without the smoked chedder. Another great reason our Los Angeles Wedding Caterers cook onsite. Our Executive Chef, Nick Brune, simply changed the items on the spot and our serving staff was able to tray pass half with cheese and half without. Satisfying the both sides of the spectrum of guests.

I mentioned some of the items they chose are items our Los Angeles Wedding Caterer is used to because they are so popular. You may want to know what those are when you are choosing your menu with us. Dumplings with Shrimp and Pork, Seared Albacore with Orange Grapefruit Slaw as tray passing items. A popular way to serve dinner lately is buffet style. Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Catering makes sure each guest gets enough of every dish, so we have a member of the Serving Staff stand at each item. This day they served Honey Tamari Marinated Sirloin and Chicken Piccata. The sides were Grilled Farmer’s Market Vegetables and Roasted Weiser Farms Potatoes with Marjoram and Thyme.

As a reminder, every ingredient on all Eco Caters menus are completely Organic. Purchased at local farms and hand picked by our Executive Chef.

Eco Caters’, Los Angeles Wedding Catering Division, goes back to Malibu for another breathtaking wedding.

If you have never heard of the Adamson House and are interested in the History of California, this is definitely a place you should visit and tour. You do not have to be getting married or throwing an event to see these grounds. They have private tours with trained docents or you can be on your own time and stroll through the many locations of the estate. On this day, your Los Angeles Wedding Catering Division had the grounds all to ourselves. We were taken care of by State Park Troopers which were great to have on hand for any questions or concerns. The Adamson House Loggia – This classic Malibu home was built in 1930 for Rhoda Rindge Adamson and her husband, Merritt Huntley Adamson. The house shares its location with one of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California. During the early 1900s, before this now museum was built, the land was said to be the most valuable single real estate holding in the United States.

Today, the property, not the home, can be “rented” for the day and be the backdrop for your Los Angeles Wedding. Catering on this property is fun and different. The Bride and Groom really tried to use all the locations on the property they could, even joining their guests during pre-ceremony and providing guided tours of the home. As guests arrived they were ushered to The Front Courtyard to be greeted by our Bride and Groom with hugs and kisses. Upon entering this inviting courtyard filled with hidden gems, your Los Angeles Wedding Caterers were on hand with Mimosa’s, Sparkling Cider and a couple of tray passed items. Our darling couple chose Fresh Bruschetta with Tomato Concasse, Avocado Oil, and Preserved Lemon. Also being passed were Melon Basil Skewers with Pistachio Oil. Something our executive chef, Nick Brune, felt would go great with the refreshment choice.

While our Bride went into hiding in The Bride’s Dressing Room, the ushers were gathering all the guests towards ceremony which was at The Star Fountain Lawn. On their way, place-rocks, instead of place-cards, told them which table to go to. The next stop on their journey was to find a chocolate fountain from Le Chocolate Fountain at www.LeChocolateFountain.com and an open bar including our Organic Beverage Station of Sage Lemonade and Chai Iced Tea. The ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt being officiated by the Bride’s Great Uncle.

As for the spread, your Los Angeles Wedding Caterer pulled out all the stops. On the station was our Mezze Platter with Hummus, Baba Ganouj, Roasted Red Peppers, Olives Salad and Fresh Pita. The very popular Antipasto which you can find the full details at the top under Organic Menus. Spicy Chicken Skewers, Mixed Sliders, Truffled Grilled Cheese, and Samosa’s were also part of the fun. The salad was a simple Wild Arugula with Peach, Nectarine, Chevre and Apple Cider Vinaigrette. The B&G were concerned about the guests waiting to go through the buffet, so our Los Angeles Wedding Caterer decided to tray pass the final item which was the Beef Wellingtons. Perfect!!

At the end of it all, the Bride, Groom and guests were “thrilled with the food and the service”, “the flow of the entire day was on point”, “could not have asked for a more perfect affair”…except for the rain drizzle that ended the day early. But they say, that rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck!

Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Catering Division, one of the premiere vendors of the Smog Shoppe in Culver City.

Another lovely eco-friendly bride and groom hosts their wedding at the Smog Shoppe with our Los Angeles Wedding Catering Division. This time the weather was a little warmer then usual what with the cold weather we have been having in LA recently. It was a nice change for our team. The setup was as usual at this venue. A beautiful ceremony setting with recycled wood from demolition of the venue with a gorgeous back drop wall of flowers and plants. Their officiant was a dear close friend of the couple and their groomsmen brought their own instruments for when our sparkling bride made her way down the isle.

They truly utilized all their resources to make this event as intimate and green as possible. Not only with their guests but with all aspects. These are all great ways to save money and make your event more personal. Our Los Angeles Wedding Catering bartenders setup the bar with wine that the Father of Groom personally bottled. They used craft pins to direct guests to their respective tables. Once at the table a small plant was their gift to take home and put in their garden as a memory forever.

The bride and groom were a little particular with their menu being vegan and vegetarian. Our Los Angeles Wedding Caterers saw this as no challenge. During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed the fruits of labor that went into the wine and our Farmer’s Market Fruit Display with Local Honey along with our Antipasto that had all the fixings. After some dancing and mingling the guests were getting restless and wanted more so our Los Angeles Wedding Caterer opened the buffet. Raw Summer Vegetable Salad was our starter, then we went into Angel Hair Pasta Checca and Nuts about Mushrooms Pasta Penne. The sides were Garlic Mashed Potato and Grilled Asparagus, both of which our Los Angeles Caterer team could not keep enough of. To learn more about our vegan and vegetarian options see our Organic Menus at the top of this screen.

Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Catering Crew teams up with some great vendors at the Smog Shoppe for an Up! themed wedding

Your Los Angeles Wedding Caterers are at Smog Shoppe yet again for this fun filled, Up! themed wedding. All the way from the runners on the tables up to the movie showing on the big screen. This wedding stopped at nothing. Even their photo booth shared the theme with the props. Guests of all ages enjoyed the entertainment and with an MC guiding their entire evening, not a step was missed. There was even an impromtu dance number performed by a guest with all the bridesmaids. So fun and fabulous!

Immediately following the ceremony, complete with the grooms friends giving him a lift to the alter, guests began enjoying the flavors put out by your Los Angeles Wedding Catering crew. Tray passed items of Truffled Grilled Cheese, Roasted Tomato Crostini with Bagna Cauda (not vegetarian as some would think. This is because the Bagna Cauda has anchovies – though Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Caterers can make a vegetarian style of this item) and the final item was Watercress Cilantro Shooter with Rock Salt Shrimp.

After the cocktail hour, introduction of the bridal party and the first dance, we moved into the salad course. The salad and main entree course was plated which required our Los Angeles Catering crew to have precise communication with all aspects of the staff from the Head Chef to the Expediter to the Captain on the floor. If you are curious about these roles, you can contact any of our Los Angeles Wedding Caterer, Event Coordinators at info@ecocaters.com. Moving on! The salad was a refreshing Wild Arugula with peach, nectarine, chevre and apple cider vinaigrette. Their plated entrees were Grilled Organic Sirloin, Crispy Salmon and for the vegetarians a Polenta Lasagna. All of these dishes with full descriptions can be found on our Organic Menus tab at the top of this page.

Last but not least, the children feasted on Grilled Jidori Chicken with Grandma’s Mac-N-Cheese plus green beans. A healthy and fun meal for all served by your Los Angeles Wedding Caterer!

Eco Caters is called upon by the US Coast Guard to cater a picturesque wedding at Point Vicente Lighthouse in Palos Verdes

Standing on the most southwesterly point of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Point Vicente Lighthouse has long been one of this area’s jewels. To the landsman, the lighthouse is scenic delight and continual attraction to sightseers, tourists, photographers and painters. To the mariner, the lighthouse is an aid to navigation which marks the northern end of the Catalina Channel on the Pacific coast. It helps him plot his position and warns him to avoid the rocky schoals which surround the nearby shore and, in a heavy fog, its horn will warn him if he gets too close to the dangerous shore. The grounds and lighthouse are normally closed to the public. However, the tower and a small museum are open the second Saturday of month between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Admission is free. Children under 7 are not allowed in the tower and pets are not allowed on the Coast Guard grounds.

This day could not have been more beautiful. The ceremony took place on the grounds as well as the reception. It was an elegant, yet simple affair with organic catering stationary hors d’oeuvres of Chef’s Choice Cheese Display with Market Fruit and Preserves Thai Chicken Skewers with Coconut Ranch and our Mezze Platter. Servers tray passed Turkey Sliders with Apricot, Apple, Arugula, & House Mustard, Veggie Sliders, Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Ketchup & Apricot Mustard, additionally Roasted Tomato Crostini with Bagna Cauda and Cucumber Cups with Mango, Chili & Preserve Lemon. This refreshing menu coupled with the crisp breeze made for a delightful day wedding for our Los Angeles Catering staff.

Our Los Angeles Catering Division recently catered a Birthday Party.  The theme? Rockin’ 50s

Themed parties are so much fun for our Los Angeles Catering team.  Especially when the theme is from the Rock and Roll years of the 1950s, when rock and roll made its debut.  Who can forget the poodle skirts and Elvis’s signature hair style.  The average salary was around $3,000, and only the lucky families owned a color TV.  Little girls yearned to be Barbie, while little boys emulated David Crockett and coveted his coonskin hat.  American Bandstand and Dick Clark introduced the coolest dances with the newest music.  How could you not have fun with this event?

Our host did not stop at the bobby socks and saddle shoes she went all the way to the menu.  Complete with all the trimmings, our host, personally chose items from our extensive menu and came up with a few of her own.  Of course, our executive chef was eager to get in the kitchen.  She chose our Hummus Trio and Vegetable Crudite with homemade dips as her stationary hors d’oeuvres.  Her added 50s twist was the Retro Party Chex Mix, which is an item we do not have but came up with a unique way to make them organic using ___________

While the guests were snacking on the stationary items, our Los Angeles Catering staff was tray passing two appetizers of Potato Dauphine with Caviar & Creme Fraiche and Smoked Salmon olivade / grabiche.   The buffet was a colorful spread of deviled eggs, our popular Turkey Sliders, Cold Quinoa salad, Shrimp cocktail, Melon Basil Skewers, and Seared Albacore with Orange Grapefruit Slaw.

There are so many great highlights about Eco Caters, Los Angeles Catering Division, one of them being the extensive menu.  Our Executive Chef, Nick Brune, has come up with so many dishes for so many cuisine types that the options are endless.  The tough part is not finding what to serve, it is which one do you chose?  No matter the event, themed or not, Eco Caters will work with you to create the perfect menu for your unique guest list.  To see some of the options click on Organic Menus on our website.

Our Los Angeles Wedding Caterers went a little North and a little East for this Latin themed backyard wedding in Woodland Hills.

We began our day with a little chill in the air which lead to extreme heat of 105 degrees. But, that did not seem to bother anyone with the valley breeze coming through from time to time and the beautiful umbrellas scattered throughout the event to create shade. (Please see photos above.) Guests cooled down with our Organic Beverage Service of fresh squeezed lemonade, iced tea and mint water. Their guests also enjoyed the signature drink of Minty Mojito’s and a vintage selection of wines from their personal inventory.

Going along with the Latin theme, our Los Angeles Wedding Catering division tray passed Argentinean Beef Chimmi Churri, Potato Latkas with Creme Fraiche, Portabella Sliders, Eggplant Sliders and Bruschetta with Preserve Lemon. The guests loved the appetizers so much they could hardly wait for the buffet. Once opened it got very quiet as everyone was enjoying the delicious flavors that our Los Angeles Wedding Caterers put together. It began with a Mixed Green Salad with carrots, dried cranberry, candied walnuts, bleu cheese in a balsamic vinaigrette and a Fresh Fruit Salad. The main dishes were Lime Cilantro Chicken Breast and Roasted Coho Salmon. The chicken also had a refreshing Mango Tequila Sauce and a Cilantro Creme Fraiche, both served on the side. The salmon was marinated with garlic, lemon, black peppercorn and parsley. They chose our Fried Plantains, Green Bean Amandine and Garlic Rice as their sides. You can really taste the difference in the quality of the completely organic ingredients.

Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Caterers, serves organic catering at one if its’ favorite venues, The Smog Shoppe.

It is refreshing when an eco-friendly couple seeks an eco-friendly catering company and an eco-friendly venue to showcase their union. Our bride and groom were so excited to find Smog Shoppe in Culver City because they are one of the most sustainably designed urban spaces in the United States. Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Caterers, are on their preferred vendor list for the similar reason. We use only organic food, which is hand picked by our executive chef on a by event basis. This means no waste. He looks at each menu individually and uses a precise system so overage does not occur. The uncooked scraps from prepping, which is normal, is not tossed in the trash.

Just like the Smog Shoppe used salvaged lumber and metal scrap for their furniture, Eco Caters composts their scraps for garden building. To learn more about how to not waste food, we suggest reading The Rodale Book of Composting: Easy Methods for Every Gardener. This book teaches you how to improve your soil with recycled kitchen and yard wastes which in turn will help grow healthier plants and create an earth-safe garden. I am getting side tracked here, my apologies, composting excites me. Back to the bride and groom.

Being, the now husband and wife’s mutual desire towards the care of the earth, naturally they chose our two companies for their special day. The ceremony began just as the sun was making its decent to the towards the horizon. Immediately following guests enjoyed tray passed appetizers of Turkey Sliders, Fresh Bruschetta, and Melon Basil Skewers.

Their entree choices, served Family Style, were Porter Marinated Tri Tip with Green Peppercorn Sauce and Blueberry Chipotle Chicken Breast. The obvious choice for a salad was Mixed Greens with Goat Cheese, sliced almonds, 9 grain croutons, Goji berries and avocado dressing was served at the same time as their main entrees.

The hosts emailed our Los Angeles Wedding Catering Division saying, and I quote “Everyone LOVED the food – everyone we talked to thought it was the best food they had ever had at a wedding, especially the mac and cheese, which I know everyone asked for seconds on.” You can guess one of their sides was Grandma’s Mac-N-Cheese along with Grilled Market Veggies. The theme being eco-friendly and organic, we think this couple did it best.

To learn more about Smog Shoppe and how it was constructed, please go to www.smogshoppe.com.

Eco Caters gets a last minute call to put together a fantasy wedding at Gulls Way Malibu

I can not go any further without mentioning the other vendors who worked this event with your Los Angeles Wedding Catering crew. After we received a call from the bride around a month before her wedding we knew we had to act fast. What was truly helpful was she knew exactly what she wanted and where.

The Venue: The Gulls Way Estate, Malibu (not the campground) http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/coyote/frame_gullsway/frame_gullsway.htm The photos on this website do not do this property justice. Please refer to the photos in this blog taken by the below listed photographer

The Photographer: Laura Grier, Beautiful Day Photography, www.beautifuldayphotography.com

The Flowers: Stephanie Elhayani, SEED, www.seedfloral.com, “Couture Florals with a Conscience”

The Hair and Makeup: Tara Dowburd-Luftman, Make-up Therapy, www.makeuptherapy.com

The Lighting: The Lighter Side, Keith, http://www.specialeventlighting.com/

The DJ: Smiles Davis, http://www.djsmilesdavis.com/about.html

The Dessert: Cupcakes Couture, Manhattan Beach, http://www.cupcakescouturemb.com/

The Rentals: Through Eco Caters Preferred Rental Company

Every vendor pulled together what some would think to be impossible in the time allotted. In the end your Los Angeles Wedding Catering team with everyone made this dream come true for our bride, groom and guests. The only thing missing was their dog. No! the dog was there too, so nothing was missed.

We wanted to utilize every corner of this spectacular property from Pre-Ceremony all the way through to cupcakes. We started with Pre-Ceremony in the small garden overlooking the ocean. As guests arrived they immediately began enjoying the Organic Beverage Station which is freshly made by our Los Angeles Wedding Caterers for each event that requests it. They snacked on the Hummus Trio and a variety of Sliders. It must be said that everything is homemade and organic by Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Caterers down to the pita and the slider buns. When it was time for ceremony our crew directed guests to the ceremony site, which was overlooking the ocean.

Immediately following the ceremony, guests made their way past the candle-lit fountain to cocktail hour and reception overlooking, you guessed it, the ocean. Guests kept their appetite satisfied with tray passing items of Truffle Grilled Cheese, Thai Chicken Skewers, Salmon Rillette and Melon Basil Skewers. The music being DJed by Smiles Davis kept everyone warm on this brisk evening filled with dancing. I do not believe there was a moment when the dance floor was empty. The usual speeches ensued and then “The Buffet is Open”. There was something for everyone: Honey Tamari Marinated Sirloin, Pan Seared Sea Bass, Angel Hair Pasta Checca. The accompaniments of Truffle Potato Puree and Glazed Market Root Vegetables also kept our guests nice and warm.

No matter the date, no matter the size, Eco Caters, Los Angeles Wedding Catering, can make it happen!

Eco Caters, Los Angeles Catering Division, heads over to Marvimon, one of their favorite venues, for Nuptials fit for a Princess

Our Bride and Groom hold the same first names as our Executive Chef/Owner and Lead Event Coordinator, Emily and Nick, who are also married. Are you with me? The phone calls and emails leading up to this event were entertaining to say the least. Our Bride also chose to have your Los Angeles Wedding Caterers be their Day-Of Coordinator which meant we were hands on with all her vendors and even helped her book a few. This Bride had a third of her guests staying at a hotel in Pasadena. To save money and be eco-friendly, the bride/groom shuttled their guests through hotel services. They also chose to use two of our preferred vendors: Cup Cake Couture in Manhattan Beach www.cupcakescouturemb.com and SEED Florals www.seedfloral.com. You can see some of their work in the photos. Amazing stuff!!

The day’s timeline was very tight. Your Los Angeles Wedding Catering Staff wanted to be sure our Bride, who had a wardrobe change, had enough time to enjoy her big day with her guests. As soon as guests arrived they sipped on mint infused water while greeting one another. The ceremony was short and very sweet, being the Bride’s Father was the officiant. Immediately following guests enjoyed a full hour and fifteen minutes of cocktail time with stationary hors d’oeuvres with an open bar. Meanwhile our bride and groom were taking family and couple photos. Your Los Angeles Caterer whipped up the Hummus Trio, Tabouli, Olives Salad with Grilled Flatbread. They also delicately put together the Chef’s Choice Cheese Display with Market Fruit and homemade Preserve. To finish off the display was the Antipasto of Marinated Artichoke, Sweet Peppers with Arugula, Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Mozzarella and Mixed Olives.

Just before the toasting began, your Los Angeles Wedding Caterer, built the buffet for the main course. Keep in mind when you have an intimate gathering such as this (65 guests), there will be many toasts. Therefore, it is a good idea to serve the meal before toasts, so they can enjoy it while they are listening. The bride and groom chose a simple, but savory meal. They started with Herb Mix salad with Pumpkin Seed, Shaved Purple Onion, Tomato, and Sweet Pepper Vinaigrette. Then moved into the Smoked Chili Rubbed Tri-Tip with a Fire Roasted Pepper Sauce and/or Pan Seared local Halibut with Cali-Crystal Beurre Blanc. While our servers were serving the guests, they were informed by everyone how delicious everything smelled and looked. Especially, the sides of Gouda Mac-N-Cheese and Grilled Asparagus Marinated in Grapefruit Juice. Apparently this group loves loves loves asparagus.

Timed perfectly, after all the china and flatware was removed, the dancing and lounging ensued. This venue is great because they have their own couches and benches that can be set up how ever the bride/groom want it to be. They had it sent perfectly for their intimate group of family and friends. The Bride emailed to your Los Angeles Wedding Catering Division the following feedback.

“Thank you for everything. So far, EVERYONE has had a blast at the wedding and has sung praises regarding the work you all did….Job well done! Thank you!
~Emily and Nick…”