THE MODERN: A BLANK CANVAS FOR YOUR LOVE STORY TO BEGIN
By John Grossi
Photos by Erin Bathurst | LovisaPhoto.com
The Aero
Imagine arriving at your wedding in a helicopter or taking sunset photos next to a private jet.
Nestled on a private runway at the south end of Long Beach Airport, The MODERN presents unique and dreamy opportunities to couples, especially those interested in aerospace and/or luxury.
“We’re on the private jet runway with the most spectacular views of the award winning Long Beach Airport. The sunset photos on the expansive terrace are breathtaking. So yes, couples can arrive and leave by private plane or helicopter and take their photos on the tarmac or in a hangar next to private jets,” says owner and executive chef Mary Lallande.
The location next to the airport also gives some great practical perks. The venue has over 200 parking spaces; two hotels within a 3-minute Uber ride (and many more within 10 minutes); and, because it’s located in a non-residential area of Long Beach, there is virtually no curfew... although most couples decide to cut things off around midnight.
The Space
Billed as a “modern chic loft space,” The MODERN features 30-foot-high ceilings, large glass windows, an iconic chandelier made up of “hundreds of lights and orbs that dance in the breeze,” and a white-on-white interior, designed to allow every bride’s unique wedding dream come true.
“Because everything is intentionally white it’s a blank canvas,” says Mary, who built out the space as her 3rd career wedding venue startup. After over a decade owning her own venues and double that time in the wedding industry, she sensed the shift toward modern and embraced the idea of a more contemporary canvas allowing for unprecedented personalization.
Many couples have embraced the clean modern aesthetic and enhanced it with neutrals and shiny metals. Other couples have turned the space into something completely different with warm rustic wood tones. They’ve had Star Wars-themed, Disney-themed, and beautiful Indian weddings defined by their vibrant colors. The MODERN is truly a blank canvas leaving unlimited opportunities for design.
The MODERN is the 2nd venue Mary has opened in her hometown of Long Beach (the first being the Loft on Pine), and the entire 3rd floor venue was designed from scratch with great love and attention to detail.
The venue comes with many amenities including tables and chairs that suit the space, a fully-furnished lounge with white leather furniture, a white quartz bar top (full bar service is available), and sofa seating on the terrace.
But all these amenities are just the gravy on top of what gives The MODERN its recipe for wedding success.
The Personalized Taste
If the event space is a blank canvas, the catering menu is a unique love poem waiting to be written.
If it struck you as rare that the owner and designer of the venue is also the executive chef, you’ll be intrigued to know it’s even rarer what she offers as a catering package for your wedding or special event.
And that’s because the menu for your wedding or event hasn’t been written yet. That’s right. Every. Single. Wedding. Menu. Is. Unique. Crafted, created, and written from scratch around the foods that define you and your love story.
No other venue is doing something as creative as The MODERN when it comes to food.
“Pretty much every wedding has a different menu totally customized to the couple’s tastes, flavors and vibes. We like to hear a couple’s story, their favorite foods, favorite places to travel, and favorite date nights and then we craft a menu based on their story,” Mary says.
Just like the catering menus, the bar service is fully customizable. Signature Cocktails are crafted for almost every event. With full bar offerings the possibilities are endless.
Below the event space is the scratch-kitchen and bistro-style restaurant, the MODERN Kitchen + Bar. It serves breakfast, lunch, and happy hour* Monday-Friday. Most menu offerings are old family recipes, including the Caesar Salad recipe which has been passed down 4 generations. Specialty menu items are added with peak of the season fruits and vegetables in mind.
The Details
• The MODERN hosts weddings (or other large-scale events) seven days a week
• Offers full bar and catering, tables, chairs, and modern furnishings
• The venue can host up to 220 guests for a seated wedding or 400+ for a cocktail party
• Requires one day’s labor by an onsite coordinator (not provided)
• The MODERN provides a venue manager that is always happy to provide guidance and resources to assist in the planning and execution process.
• For anything required but not provided, The MODERN supplies a carefully curated list of preferred vendors.
Venue manager Abel Bratton can help create the wedding (or event) of your dreams from start to finish. “We provide thoughtful advice and direction to help guide each client in creating their special day” says Abel.
Contact him to schedule a tour at
