Our guide to Los Angeles wedding services continues with everything the wedding couple needs to look their best on the big day, including groom attire, bridal gowns and makeup artists. And of course, unique and progressive officiants to preside over any type of ceremony. This exclusive guide is curated by celebrity wedding expert Kristin Banta, and is provided courtesy of Frontiers, L.A.’s largest and oldest LGBT magazine. You can't go wrong with your nuptials if you follow her recommendations for some of L.A.'s best wedding services.
GROOM'S ATTIRE
The Grunion Run Groomsmen Shop is an online shop for grooms and groomsmen who are looking for stylish, affordable, vintage-inspired wedding wear. The clothes and accessories are designed to create mix-and-match looks with ease, and offers men’s pieces that are also wearable after the wedding. Unlike traditional retailers, styles are available year-round in colors and fabrics that are not based on season, but on what couples are seeking for their wedding. The Grunion Run is the perfect resource if you want a little vintage spin and want to get it all done online.
A men’s fashion company that specializes in the Made to Measure process, the Klein Epstein & Parker look is a modern 'New Rebel' consciousness paired with an elevated sense of dress. Inside the store, the client is able to create his own tuxedo, suit or suit separates exactly to their specifications. From fabric, buttons, lining, personal embroidery and much, much more, the client is able to express himself through the process, including having each suit or tuxedo tailored exactly for their body without breaking the bank. Klein Epstein & Parker celebrates the individual and the choices he makes.
John Varvatos is a brand that unites old-world craftsmanship and refined tailoring with modern innovations in textiles and a rock 'n' roll sensibility. Launched in 2000 with a collection of tailored clothing and sportswear, the brand now represents an entire men's lifestyle that includes footwear, bags, belts, eyewear, limited-edition watches, men's and women's luxury skincare and fragrances, as well as the younger, edgier John Varvatos USA collection.
BRIDAL GOWNS
Since launching its first bridal collection in 1996, Monique Lhuillier has become one of the leading innovative fashion houses. The designs are chic, glamorous and always luxurious, with the utmost attention to detail. Her gowns have graced the weddings of some of Hollywood’s most famous brides. Available in both special order and ready-to-wear styles, her immaculate, ultra-feminine collection has something for every type of bride. The flagship boutique is a tranquil and luxurious environment located in West Hollywood, offering bridal and evening wear along with brand new shoe collections.
Hair & Makeup
Stella Kae Hair + Makeup wholeheartedly celebrates all things love and beauty. Couples seeking a fresh, modern aesthetic come to Stella Kae to look like they just stepped out of the pages of a luxury magazine. Stella loves designing wedding looks for couples of all ages, genders, races, orientations, shapes, sizes and budgets.
Tara Dowburd-Luftman is a professional makeup artist and the founder and owner of Make-Up Therapy, a Los Angeles-based company with an impeccable reputation and dedication to creating flawless, personalized makeup and hairstyling looks for their clients so they look and feel like the most beautiful version of themselves. Her looks range from fresh, natural and modern, to glamorous and red carpet-ready.
Best known for her clean makeup application and blending techniques that enhance natural beauty, Ashley Baclesse-Sher has a clientele that spans from Los Angeles to New York. Her work ranges from weddings to print advertising, fashion editorial to runway shows and red carpet events. Ashley believes that beauty is within all of us and simply needs to be brought out. For this reason, she approaches all sessions with a clean slate, drawing in on those characteristics that make “you” special and original.
OFFICIANTS
J.P. Reynolds creates personalized ceremonies that are warm and joyful—they welcome guests into the party, while reminding them that they're celebrating you and the life you've created together. Years after your wedding, everyone will remember the tone and feelings that J.P. beautifully conveys every time.
Mark Wheeler celebrates the opportunity to witness true love shared between two people. He is truly happy to see that the time has come for everyone to have the opportunity to experience the same joy. He believes that when two people truly find themselves in each other, there really is no law that should come between them. His ceremonies are deeply personalized to each couple and what makes them special.
Rabbi Eleanor Steinman is a natural leader with a passion for social justice and human rights equality. Rabbi Steinman has pursued a professional life focused on improving the world, one person at a time. Upon her ordination, she served at Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto as assistant rabbi. After three years, she returned to California. She currently serves as the Executive Director of California Faith for Equality, an interfaith organization that educates, organizes and supports California’s faith communities to promote equality for the LGBT community and to safeguard religious freedoms.
Rabbi Ian Adler is eccentric and not shy about his politically incorrect English sense of humor. Rabbi Adler sees marriage and the committed bonds of love, faith, wisdom and integrity in dual partnerships—along with the benefits and challenges that come with it—as being an integral part of our evolution and something that we should all have the right and freedom to choose. The celebration of each couple’s special bond is uniquely, distinctively, humorously and beautifully touched upon in each ceremony he officiates.
INFO
Ashley Baclesse
323.839.5257
www.ashleybaclesse.com
The Grunion Run
www.thegrunionrun.com
John Varvatos
8800 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 90069
310.859.2791
www.johnvarvatos.com
J.P. Reynolds
818.415.8115
www.jprweddings.com
Klein Epstein & Parker
367 North Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 90048
424.777.0709
www.kleinepsteinparker.com
Make-Up Therapy
tara@makeuptherapy.com
www.makeuptherapy.com
Mark Wheeler
markw@socal.rr.com
Monique Lhuillier Salon
8485 Melrose Pl., Los Angeles 90069
323.655.1088
http://moniquelhuillier.com
R-Mine Rental
12242 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 91604
818.505.9064
www.rminebridal.com
Rabbi Eleanor Steinman
http://rabbisteinman.com
Rabbi Ian Adler
858.952.1200
www.rabbiian.com
Stella Kae Beauty Studio
Downtown Los Angeles
By appointment only
323.401.2839
www.stellakae.com