Lending further credence to the recently reported theory that luxury brands are ramping up their event spending as mass marketers are scaling down, the Montage Beverly Hills hotel opened last week with a huge-scale fete that included a fireworks display and high-end bites and drinks (evocative of the SLS Hotel's lavish opening the evening before).
Tom Cook Consulting produced the four-hour black-tie gala for 1,000, which showed off the 32,000-square-foot Spanish colonial revival property and adjoining gardens.
Trumpeters at the Montage's black-tie opening
Photo: Vince Bucci
Trumpeters signaled the official grand opening of the Montage Beverly Hills.
Photo: Vince Bucci
Guests arrived at the property's attentively staffed porte cochere.
Photo: Vince Bucci
Arrangements from Hidden Garden Floral Design and a wedding cake from pastry chef Richard Ruskell decorated the Marquesa Ballroom.
Photo: Vince Bucci
Richard Ruskell created a tiered cake.
Photo: Vince Bucci
A fireworks finale concluded the speaking program in the gardens.
Photo: Vince Bucci
The Conservatory Grill offered cold cuts, fruit, and rare cheeses selected by the hotel's fromager, paired with honey, fruit, and nuts.
Photo: Vince Bucci
Guests circulated in the property's gardens.
Photo: Vince Bucci
Servers poured Beaulieu Vineyard wines and Chalone Vineyard Chardonnay.
Photo: Vince Bucci
