images courtesy of Studio Carré Photographie

Ross + Katie were married at the beautiful Ponte Estate Winery in Temecula. Originally from the east coast, they wanted to wine and dine their families and friends and show them a unique southern California winery experience. Their wedding was photographed by Weddings of Distinction member Studio Carré Photographie, and officiated by Patricia Coleman. With LOVE as their theme, each colorful detail and special moments were a highlighted and everyone danced the night away!

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.

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.

1. Start planning as early as possible. Places and service providers are booked earlier and earlier each year. So to ensure that you get exactly what you want, start early. It also gives you plenty of time to find and investigate other options if your first choice does not work out.

2. Know your service providers. The reputation of the service providers you choose is of the utmost importance. Avoid unpleasant surprises on the day of your wedding by selecting service providers with impeccable records.

3. Put everything in writing. When you book your service providers, anything that you discuss, including special arrangements or deals that you want included in your package for the quoted price, make certain is written in the contract. People can’t remember promises they made to you a year ago verbally, so make sure all the details are written in the signed contract.

4. Be organized. In order to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks ahead of you, stay organized. Make an action plan (by week) of what you are going to do, and keep track of progress. This will help you to keep your thoughts and plans in order.

5. Pursue proper etiquette. Following proper etiquette has two advantages. Firstly, you will avoid embarrassing social blunders that can ruin your special day. Secondly, weddings are an emotional event for everyone involved, not just the bride and groom. It is important to keep all relevant parties happy and excited. By following the proper rules of etiquette, you can never go wrong.

6. Invite people to participate in your wedding party because they care about you, not out of obligation. I can’t tell you how often a bride asks someone to be in her wedding out of obligation, and is only frustrated by that individual’s lack of interest and participation. This is one of the most important days of your life. Only involve people who genuinely share in your happiness and love. If they don’t, there is no way they can behave the way you might expect them to. It is impossible.

7. Watch your budget. It is very easy to get drawn into spending more on your wedding than you planned or may be able to. There are so many wonderful choices available to brides that you should not have to put yourself in debt to have the wedding you want. If you start out with a budget, stick to it and find alternatives that allow you to do that. You do not want to start your new life with your partner paying off wedding bills for years to come!

8. Compromise. Knowing how to compromise will save a lot of stress through the planning process. You, your groom, and families all should enjoy the wedding and be proud of it. The bride and groom should do what makes them happy, but also be open to suggestions and sensitive to the feelings of those around you.

9. Confirm and follow-up. Make sure as the date gets closer, about 2 months before, that you follow-up with your service providers such as the band or DJ, limos, photographer, florist, and videographer to confirm your arrangements and provide any last minute instructions. It will make you feel secure and will ensure that they understand your expectations. This is also a task a good wedding coordinator can assist with.

10. Relax and enjoy! It is a fun, happy, beautiful time, especially in San Diego! Do not let the planning process mask that for you. Take moments to step back and enjoy what is happening, especially the day of your wedding. Just enjoy it. You have done all you can and it is in the hands of the trustworthy people you have hired.

Who would have thought a loft-like experience existed up the I-5 in cozy Del Mar. Shannon Henry hosted our July Weddings of Distinction luncheon/meeting at her Studio Carre in the heart of Del Mar.

Fulfilling the ambiance for the day was WoD catering member Renee Hirsh and The French Gourmet. Renee and crew were totally on top of it with Mimosa’s, iced water and iced tea, scrumptious tray passed appetizers and a filling, family style served assortment of salads. Everyone left healthy and no one left hungry!

President Bob Brichmann, DJ and Emcee from Artistic Productions, greeted everyone to start the luncheon. Bob welcomed Gloria Paris’ guest Norman Phillips, a good friend, and Matthew Flint, Operations Manager for Plush Lounge, a guest of Karen Kluchonic’s from Plush.

Our showcasers on the day were obvious choices, our host Shannon Henry of Studio Carre and caterer Renee Hirsh from The French Gourmet.

Shannon shares studio loft-like space with other coastal photographers. The feel of Studio Carre is both warm, modern and cool. Shannon offers wedding, lifestyle and intimate/boudoir photography services. Shannon displays a definite passion for her craft through her work. Her demo slideshow was fantastic. Shannon’s clients love both her and how she makes them “pop” on film. Shannon is a very valued member of WoD and serves as co-marketing director for the group.

The French Gourmet almost needs no introduction, but definitely mega-kudos for the quality of their service and food they present. Renee Hirsh has been with them for years and doubles as an event/wedding coordinator. Their reputation is excellent as social and wedding event caterers. Our luncheon featured incredible couscous salad, Dijon mustard green bean salad, a Mediterranean green salad, chicken satay and more and a finishing touch of custard topped with fresh seasonal berries. French Gourmet also crafts exquisite wedding cakes, pastries and desserts.

General group business was handled accordingly and, most importantly, our new web site was officially unveiled for the group members and launched to the world (www.sandiegoweddingsofdistinction.com). Other marketing ideas were shared, Real Wedding testimonials with fellow members were offered up and raffle prizes were doled out to the lucky few.

We’ll see you next August 25th! Stay tuned for the location!

The Weddings of Distinction 2009 Board:
President, Bob Brichmann, DJ & Emcee from Artistic Productions (www.artistic-productions.com)
Vice-President, Ann Strobel, Coordinator from Ann’s Plans (www.annsplans.com)
Treasurer, Merrylin Brichmann, DJ & Emcee from Artistic Productions (www.artistic-productions.com)
Founding President, Susan Ashley from Romantic Honeymoons, (www.romantichoneymoonsbysusan.com)
Membership, Carrie Esparza from San Diego Authentic Flavors Custom Catering (www.sdauthenticflavors.com)
Secretary, Andrea Pena from The Prado at Balboa Park (www.balboaparkweddings.com)

Committee Members:
Marketing: Lisa Gisczinski, photographer from Elle G Photography (www.ellegphotography.com); Shannon Henry, photographer from Studio Carre (www.studiocarre.com)

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.

The San Diego summer is here and what wonderful way to kick it off with an outdoor wedding. Korey & Paul and their parents staged a gorgeous San Diego destination wedding and reception at The Paradise Point Resort. Lois Mathews, of Lois Mathews Design, provided stunning flowers and a bamboo ceremony arch set the tropical tone for the night. Starfish and orchids decorated the ceremony aisle. Their theme for the night was seashells, starfish, shades of butterscotch, soft blues and creamy yellows. The delicious wedding cake, designed by the French Gourmet, kept the theme going. Wedding planner Ann of Ann’s Plans assisted with every area of planning including design, venue search, vendor inquiries and negotiations. Everything was timed perfectly and Ann made it all flow smoothly for Korey & Paul.
You can tell by some of the photos that wedding photographer, Lisa Gisczinski, of elle.g photography, captured a fun loving, tight-knit group on the night. Her beautiful pictures grasped the warmth of the ceremony and the all-out party that ensued throughout the night. Bob Brichmann, DJ and Emcee from Artistic Productions, kept the floor packed the entire night with a combination of retro and modern sounds that pleased everyone! A true San Diego Weddings of Distinction wedding and a really great party!

images courtesy of Shannon Henry