No wedding is absolutely perfect. When we asked newlyweds and… the less newly wed to share their biggest wedding day woes with us, a few common threads started to emerge. Here’s what we learned:

1. Get It On Film
So many brides told us they wished they’d sprung for a videographer, or given their wedding photographer more specific directions. Your wedding will be RIFE with special moments – make sure you capture as many as possible!

“My husband and I really regret not recording the speeches. They were so loving and beautiful, we were moved to tears again and again! It’s one of the best memories I have of that day and I wish we had a better record of all the kind things our family and friends had to say. A few gave us their typed notes but most strayed and added in some great anecdotes. Nothing about hair/makeup/venue or cakes mattered to me once I realized there were so many people there who loved us so much!” – Isabella

2. Beauty Accidents Happen
Wind, rain, and acts of God can seriously undo your updo. When you’re contemplating your wedding hairstyle, consider the locale, temp, and time of year. ALSO – the week of/day of your wedding is not an awesome time to try exciting new beauty treatments for the first time.

“My biggest mistake? Thinking my hair would actually cooperate and not require 3.5 hours to do so, effectively ruining photo happy time.” – Christen

“My wedding was on the beach. It was gorgeous but there were strong winds so my Kardashian curls turned to a frizzy, curl-less disaster AND my veil flew out. Luckily the ceremony was over when it happened…. But you can see my hair get progressively worse in the pix!” – Jessica

3. Budget Your Time
Three words, ladies. HAIR AND MAKEUP. Too many wedding timelines get derailed when brides don’t budget enough time for wedding prep. Don’t let the primping get the best of your special day!

“I honestly think the one and only thing I would change would be starting hair/make-up for the ladies earlier, so we could have done more bride+bridesmaids photos. That said, I love the few we did get, and that is the *ONLY* thing I would change!” – Sean

4. Don’t Succumb To Peer Pressure
So many brides felt their wedding suffered because they’d been duped into letting friends or friends of friends handle important wedding services. “Friendors” can be fab…but they can also be a big flop.

“I’d have written contracts for services provided. Just because they’re your friends doesn’t mean you don’t need one. I’m still waiting for the dvd of our ceremony 13 mos later with no way of getting my money or the video footage.” – Jennifer

So there you have it brides – wedding wisdom from real brides who have been to the altar and back (and lived to tell about it). If you’ve recently wed, tell us – what would you have tweaked about your wedding?

-courtesy OneWed.com

images courtesy of kristina chartier photography

Jenny and Drew’s wedding took place at the beautiful Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla. Although the wedding was around the 4th of July, they stayed with a neutral palette of white with hints of green and yellow with linens provided by Concepts Party Design. They also included their super well behaved dog Sadie who got to take place in the photos taken by Kristina! After indulging in Guiseppe’s food and gelato, everyone got cozy, enjoyed the ice luge for shots, and took in (an almost personalized!) fireworks show.

photos courtesy of abi photography

June’s meeting took place at the oh so sweet, Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.! This month was a change from our normal daytime format and we were able to network and socialize more informally. We got to indulge in some yummy paella that David from San Diego Paella provided for our dinner. And of course to top it off….a smorgasbord of yummy treats personally made by Elaine and Donna that included mini tarts, cookies , and mini cupcakes. Delish!

Your wedding day is something she doesn’t take lightly and will do everything in her power to capture every tear, every smile and every kind of happy, GUARANTEED!

www.ellegphotography.com ::  ellegphotography@me.com ::  858.274.3554

The guests were transported to the ceremony in an Old Town Trolley where they arrived to Paul’s friends band, Science Fiction, playing their soothing jazz & contemporary music. The aisles were adorned with burlap runners, black wooden boxes of potted succulents and yellow billy balls and staggered vases of candles & dried black beans. Cocktail hour immediately followed the ceremony where a cigar bar enticed the men!

The reception was held inside the Museum in the Axline Court, where an amazing clerestory lantern lit up the ceiling with strips of light while bringing in the natural moonlight from the open spaces. The guests enjoyed a dessert bar filled with cupcakes in 4 flavors, “presidential pralines” (yes, the actual ones given during the Clinton Administration thanks to Sweet Cheeks Baker, Donna who was their pastry chef!),  See’s chocolates, coconut macaroons and of course for the bride’s family, a plethora of Italian cookies. Fellow San Diego Weddings of Distinction members Concepts Event Design provided the decor. You can view more images from Andrea and Paul’s Museum of Contemporary Art wedding by visiting Betwixt Studio’s blog.

Once seen as just an option on the wedding/engagement must-do menu, engagement photographs are fast becoming an essential piece of the action. Brides and grooms like to use these photos in their save-the-dates, on their wedding websites, or for hometown-newspaper wedding announcements. In fact, engagement shots are so popular nowadays, many wedding photographers will include engagement shots in their wedding photography packages. The shots, often taken in natural settings like parks, beaches, or backyards– ah, the magic of natural lighting!– can be a great way to announce your upcoming wedding. Some couples like to get cute and don matching or coordinating outfits. As more candid, journalistic-style photography grows in popularity, some couples will have a photographer take action photos of them doing things they enjoy, like running side-by-side, walking on the beach, having coffee, or riding bicycles. Some hopeful and confident grooms are even clever enough to hire a photographer to shoot the proposal. (Fellas, just be pretty sure she’s gonna say “yes.”)

After the engagement session is over, you can put you pictures to many uses! Many couples decide to enlarge their favorite image into canvas and prominently display it in their home. Some couples decide to have a guest sign-in book, using all of the session images, at the wedding. You can also publish engagement photographs in your local newspaper, use them for save-the-date cards, magnets, table setting centerpieces, and wedding invitations.

Don’t forget to smile and more importantly HAVE FUN with it!

Larissa and Robert celebrated their classically modern wedding in true Southern California fashion at the adorable Darlington House in La Jolla. San Diego Weddings of Distinction members, Amy and Maurice Wright of Theorie, were there to capture all of the colorful details and enjoyable moments of the beautiful day. Theorie’s artistic and modern wedding photography was the perfect fit for Larissa and Robert, who were very happy with Amy and Maurice’s easy-going personalities and creativity. With the beach just a block away from the wedding venue, the couple had the best of both worlds … beach wedding pictures and a lovely outdoor ceremony in an intimate setting. Fellow San Diego Weddings of Distinction member, Rae Florae, provided the bright and beautiful floral design. As you can see from the wedding photos, Rae Florae’s lovely and creative floral creations brightened every aspect of the wedding day.

Troy and Jessica’s wedding was an explosion of color and vibrance that we have absolutely fallen in love with. The June nuptials were a bright and lively celebration with plenty of good food and good times to go around. Held outdoors at Orfilia Winery, in Escondido, the couple’s main goal for the big day was to throw a kick butt party with friends and family. Weddings of Distinction member, Lisa, of elle.g photography was on hand to capture every heartfelt moment, joyous laughter and wild dancing. Also in attendance from Weddings of Distinction was Continental Catering. They provided the scrumptious food, giving the guests energy enough to dance all night long.

The Westin treated our members and guests to a fabulous luncheon meeting to close April. Kudos to Sheri Karpinski and her banquet staff for fantastic service and a delicious lunch. The Westin is a fabulous choice for your next business meeting, corporate holiday party or that perfect, rocking, urban wedding.

WoD drifted this month from its normal monthly meeting agenda. WoD staged an informative and highly group engaging forum focusing on marketing, creative advertising and, basically, ideas on what to do when the phone is not ringing as much as it should be. Keynote speakers were President Bob Brichmann & Treasurer Merrylin Brichmann, Artistic Productions, Vice-President Ann Strobel, Ann’s Plans, David Wasserman from Joes On The Nose, and photographer Kristina Chartier. Member participation was very spirited and creative advice was flying about the room. Everyone surely took home at least one good idea from this meeting to help themselves and their business.

Typical monthly Board business was shared. New member coordinator Krista Murphy from Definitive Events was welcomed into the group. Raffles prizes were awarded. New member brochures are ready to go to print. We’ll see you next month (5/25) at the Sheraton Carlsbad!

The Weddings of Distinction 2010 Board:

President, Bob Brichmann, DJ & Emcee from Artistic Productions; Vice-President, Ann Strobel, Coordinator from Ann’s Plans; Treasurer, Merrylin Brichmann, DJ & Emcee from Artistic Productions; Founding President, Susan Ashley from Romantic Honeymoons; Membership, Andrea Pena from The Prado at Balboa Park; Secretary, Diane Wilson from Silverwood Music Ensemble; Marketing, Lisa Gisczinski, elle.g photography.

Committee Members:
Shannon Henry, photographer from Studio Carre.

Weddings of Distinction is a non-profit networking group specializing in weddings and special events. They meet monthly at various San Diego County hotels, resorts and special event facilities. The group’s goal is building professional relationships and networking to give clients the best advice and services to choose from.

Brad and Elisabeth met on E-Harmony in 2007 and felt an immediate connection!  Their wedding at the Powerhouse in Del Mar showed off the gorgeous Pacific Ocean to the many out of town friends and family who joined them from New York and Washington.

Here is part of their beautiful story from Elisabeth:

“Brad proposed on the night before a big trip to Italy (he was going to do it in Italy but was nervous about carrying the ring around).  I was completely surprised, and it made an already romantic trip to Italy feel like a honeymoon!  I am from Syracuse, New York and Brad is from Tacoma, Washington, so San Diego really felt like a vacation wedding to our guests.  All of our vendors did such a great job and EVERYTHING was perfect – including an amazing sunset over the Pacific.  I can honestly say that our wedding was the best day of my life.  We are now so excited to be married and feel closer than ever.  It’s amazing to know that we each get to spend our future with our best friend.”

Some of the fine Weddings of Distinction members shared in this gorgeous day: Studio Carre’ Photographie took some fantastic photos, seen here – all shot by Shannon Henry. Concepts Event Design created an indoor oceanic landscape with beautiful silk linens in shades of aqua and teal.  Sweet Cheeks Baking Company created an ocean-inspired cake of this delicious combination:  blackout chocolate cake filled with peanut butter mousse and Belgian chocolate whipped cream, tiered with red velvet cake with cream cheese filling, all frosted with Italian Butter Cream under the final layer of fondant, sugar bubbles, and white chocolate shells.