The Loft on Pine is one of our favorite new venues in all of California. Ripe with history, raw brick walls, and located in the historic heart of downtown Long Beach.
We had our eyes and Reporter Radar on this landmark venue, so when Gianna of Chic Celebrations suggested hosting a baby shower at this urban loft for a very special and deserving friend, we couldn't wait to indulge in confetti carbfest here! Selecting the venue is generally the first step of the planning process for anyone, so you can only imagine what happens here at The Venue Report when we get to choose a venue to throw a shindig at. Lots and lots of excitement happens amongst our team of reporters and venue lovers. 'Where Will We Celebrate?" The posh and playful Loft on Pine.
The Venue. Built in 1903, The Loft on Pine is an urban venue in the heart of historic downtown Long Beach. With over 15,ooo square feet of wood floors, iconic columns, old brick walls, and vaulted "barn-like" ceilings with skylights, The Loft on Pine’s impeccably restored Great Hall attracts those seeking a unique architectural setting for their celebration. The style, details, and architectural design of the original space has been flawlessly transformed into a trendy “loft-style" vibe. Even though this historical gem is over 100 years old, it is making it's brand new debut as an event venue.
The Report. The Loft on Pine just finished major renovations that restored the venue to to it's original, astounding beauty, while also making it ideal for events. The Great Hall, which is the main event area, has stunning architectural features. Some of our personal favorite touches were the original hand painted details on the columns. The Loft on Pine also has stunning original sconces, fretwork details in the ceremony space, aged brick walls, wood flooring with a herringbone pattern, an original sunburst mural, custom bar, vaulted ceilings, and skylights. You will be so enamored with the design detail here that you won't count a single carb or cake slice.
Mary Lallande, who is one of the main captains at the helm of this venue, is also a venue pro. She has worked many years in the catering business and owns another hot venue in town. Mary has this event business down to a science. She understands the ins and outs of celebrations and the way that a venue should be set up to accommodate them. Additionally, she could not have been more fun to work with while planning this special shower, she has impeccable customer service.
Style for your Setting. Selecting the perfect venue is the first step in any celebratory planning process. We all selected the Loft On Pine because Lauryl Lane (the guest of honor and a super talented florist) loves history and vintage everything! The raw features of the loft and its impeccable restoration are so perfectly fitting for Lauryl. In addition to The Loft on Pine being the ideal aesthetic for Lauryl, her brand new babies were both born in the Year of the Horse. This fun fact paired with Laury'ls love of the English countryside, tea, and crumpets, formed our English Equestrian baby shower vibe. The venue setting could not have been more ideal for this design direction.
We chose to set the dinner table against one of the long brick walls in the venue space. It was not only more intimate and cozy there, but the raw brick walls were the perfect backdrop for the English Equestrian soiree. The place-settings each included a custom-designed card from Mae Mae Paperie that read:
“Two miracles born in the Year of the Horse—which, as the Chinese Zodiac tells us, means they will be bright, cheerful, popular, fun loving, perceptive, talented, earthy and stubborn. Their keen judgment and natural intuition often help them make the right decisions throughout their life. It is said, those born in the Year of the Horse don’t need to struggle in order to succeed and obtain the fine things life has to offer. They find people and crowds exciting and love parties.They are clever, kind to others, and their childish innocence, sunny disposition, and natural charm attract many friends.
May our two little darlings reflect these traits, yet even more so, may they take after their strong, gracious, talented and joyful mother who we celebrate today!”
Another element that all of us event industry folks loved about this venue was the flexibility. The main room where wedding ceremonies take place is so dramatic and beautiful that it will surely make your Disney wedding dreams come true. But for this particular baby shower we fancied a more subtle and serene area of the space. A venue with lots of options is a designer dream, and one that doesn't come along all too often.
The Loft On Pine also razzled and dazzled us with their spectacular sets of vintage furniture scattered about the space’s marble fireplace. We filled in the gaps with perfect pieces from Found Vintage Rentals.
Doesn't this photo encapsulate what celebrations are all about?! Gathering together with laughter, all for the purpose of honoring a special friend. We love that all of this takes place at a venue. We love that everytime we go back to The Loft on Pine, it will drum up the fuzzy and fun memories of this boozy baby shower brunch!
100 Layer Cakelet also featured this event.
Hostesses: Gianna SanFilippo, Chic Celebrations / Cortnie, The Venue Report / Summer, Grey Likes Weddings / Sarah, La Tavola Linens Photography: Michael Radford / Venue: The Loft on Pine / Catering: Contemporary Catering / Flowers: Flower Muse / Calligraphy: Victoria Hoke Lane / Horse Place Cards: Mae Mae Paperie / Vintage Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals / Rentals: Signature Party Rentals / Linens: LaTavola / Pie: The Pie & Beer Club
