Month: September 2009

member spotlight :: Continental Catering

continental catering wedding and event caterersContinental Catering has designed and executed refreshingly innovative and awe-inspiring culinary events since 1984. Their goal is to surprise and delight their clients with unwavering personal attention, stylish menus, gourmet cuisine, unparalleled presentations, professional event staff, and unquestionable value. Continental works closely with their clients to help them achieve exactly the type of event they want. The only hard part is deciding what’s on the menu……

Please visit their web site to view menus and pricing OR to schedule a no obligation taste test.

Web Site: www.continentalcateringsd.com
E-mail: info@continentalcateringsd.com

tips from the pros :: do your flower homework

When preparing to meet with your florist, it’s easy to think they are going to have all the answers! But, if you are aware of your own preferences and needs in advance of your first appointment, the experience will be much smoother.

It’s important to remember that it’s your wedding. It’s your florist’s job to enhance your personal style by translating it into the floral designs that will become your bouquets, ceremony decorations, and reception centerpieces, among other details.

The more you know about yourself and what you are hoping to see, the better your florist will be able to guide you and make recommendations that are perfectly suited to your tastes! It’s true that couples often come in the door with partial ideas and leave with a much clearer vision for their wedding day, simply because the flowers tie everything together. From the dresses to the favors – your wedding design develops through your planning with your florist.

With this in mind, these are the key things to do before appearing at your florist’s door:

1) Know your colors.
Even if the shades change from dark to light or earthy to spring fresh, the general color scheme is a major force of guidance.

2) Know your budget.
Your florist can help you maximize the amount you prefer to spend if he/she knows from the start how much there is to work with.

3) Explore your options!
Look online at all the many, many blogs/magazines/websites with pictures of real weddings to help inspire you and show you the creative options available to personalize your day.

written by Paula Anderson of Rae Florae

news:: Luncheon at La Jolla Cove Suites

wod_august-mtg-templateimages courtesy of www.studiocarre.com

San Diego Weddings of Distinction was invited to La Jolla Cove Suites, www.lajollacove.com, for their August luncheon meeting. With LJ Cove Suites celebrating its 50th year, our host and former member, Senior Sales Associate Joy Richards welcomed us to their stunning rooftop venue.

Several members contributed to the beauty and culinary delights for the day’s meeting. Lois Mathews, www.loismathews.com, provided floral centerpieces. Showcaser Katrina Lacape from Magical Party Rentals, www.magicalpartyrentals.com, offered incredibly colorful linens for the table décor. Our other showcaser, who actually provided food and beverage on the day, was Authentic Flavors Catering, www.sdauthenticflavors.com.

Director of Catering, Carrie Esparza, introduced a delicious menu for the day that included scrumptious appetizers and tasty beverages to greet guests as they arrived. Also visiting us were the newest owners of Authentic, Mark Vogel and Justin Fitzgerald.

After being dazzled by Katrina’s linens and Carrie’s crew for lunch, Cheli Madrid from St. Tropez Specialty Cakes & Desserts, offered up an incredible dessert to close the afternoon. St.Tropez and Authentic are subsidiaries within the same company.

Board business was briefly shared with the masses. Exciting news from member Krista Murphy – baby Kaylin Grace Murphy was born 8/20/09. Some incredible raffle prizes were doled out including a night’s stay at the LJ Cove Suites, won by member Elaine Ardizzone, www.sweetcheeksbaking.com, and box seats to the Del Mar Races, courtesy of Katrina Lacape, and won by florist Paula Rae, www.raeflorae.com.

Dozens of referrals were exchanged. People bonded. Another prospective member – coffee man David Wassermann, www.joesonthenose.com, paid us a visit. Fun and sun were had by all!

We’ll see you next month at the Baumann Estate in Point Loma with our own member Continental Catering, www.continentalcateringsd.com, providing culinary delights.

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, wedding photographer from Elle G Photography (www.ellegphotography.com); Shannon Henry, wedding photographer from Studio Carre (www.studiocarre.com)

San Diego Weddings of Distinction is a non-profit networking group specializing in weddings and special events (www.sandiegoweddingsofdistinction.com). They meet monthly at various San Diego County hotels, resorts and special event facilities.

member spotlight :: Shannon Henry of Studio Carre’

img_2344_web Shannon’s experience with photography first began in high school in Lake Tahoe. What originally began as a new hobby quickly became a full-time passion in which she felt at at home with and found exciting to share with the world.

Now, based in San Diego for about 7 years, she is able to share her passion for photography (in many aspects), and meet great people who entrust her to capture the sweetest of moments in their lives. Shannon believes that photography is not just an art form, but an extension of herself and her interpretation of the relationship and experience together with the client(s). Her style could be described as modern, eclectic, distinctive, feminine, stylish, yet simple and timeless.

Feel free to check out her website at www.studiocarre.com or give her a call at 619.670.6183 to chat about your event!