April, 2013 | San Diego Weddings Of Distinction

:: newlyweds share their wedding regrets

We first published this piece over a year ago, but there is a lot of good information here that warrants repeating! Read it, share the info, and don’t make their mistakes!

Newlyweds Share Their Wedding Regrets (So You Can Learn from Their Mistakes)…

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

:: happy 6th birthday sweet cheeks baking!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Cheeks Baking Company! This past March marked the 6th birthday of this special woman-owned business. It seems like just yesterday that they opened their doors and began offering savory desserts and treats to the people and brides and grooms of San Diego!

So, like any 6 year old, Sweet Cheeks had a party, and this birthday brought out some great industry colleagues, family, and local & long distance friends for a wonderful evening! Approximately 300 people attended the modest festivities, and some brought with them some special favors and snacks. For example, Joes on the Nose, fellow Weddings of Distinction vendor and dear friend, brought caffeine (coffee + espresso), so needless to say, he was a hit.

Then, San Diego wedding coordinator, Carmin Cermak, of Carmin Design, also a Weddings of Distinction vendor, helped style the food and decorate the space. The theme was 1950s – 1960s Americana, with many hints of Norman Rockwell art inspiration. So in fashion with the theme, the wonderful Sweet Cheeks staff, with the help of San Diego caterers and Weddings of Distinction vendor, Continental Catering, created snacks and treats, such as:

Besides being Sweet Cheeks birthday, it happened to also be Carmin’s, so the celebrations were shared. Yet, these birthday parties did not just include food. Music was provided by Tim Altbaum Production, a photo-booth provided by Starlight Photo Booth, (yet another also a Weddings of Distinction vendor!), and event photography by McGuire Photography.

It was a great evening all around. We talked; we ate; we celebrated. If only every evening could be like that!

Photos courtesy of McGuire Photography

news + press :: going back in time in old town San Diego

Photos courtesy of Betwixt Studio

It was the most perfect San Diego spring day, where the sun was out, Spring felt like summer, and lunch on the patio made us all realize that life is good. March’s Wedding of Distinction luncheon was celebrated at the Cosmopolitan Restaurant + Hotel in historic Old Town San Diego, and attendance was a record-high for this month’s gathering.

Hosted by the gracious Lynn Simpson, Director of Catering with the Cosmopolitan, this meeting was as much about networking as it was about getting in touch with our San Diego roots. The Cosmopolitan is a special place in San Diego and the structure and design of the building now are almost exactly as it was back in the 1800’s! It felt as though we all went back in time. Prior to lunch, we had access to the full-service patio bar, which made a delicious signature sangria for our event. While we drank and completed a fun scavenger hunt of sorts, we networked with one another and offered referrals.

A four-course lunch was served on the patio, admist the fruit trees, vegetables and unique centerpieces provided by Carmin Cermak. After the meal, we heard from two of our vendors: the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and Beauti-on-the-Go. They shared information about their venue and services, respectively, and Beauti-on-the-Go even offered a special prize to one lucky guest!

It was a great afternoon, one that filled our bellies with food and drink and satisfied our curiosity for San Diego ghost stories!

:: what can a professional wedding DJ really offer?

Wedding music; the decision of whether to have a band or a DJ can be daunting for some. Bands are great, but DJs offer more diverse options. Sometimes, it’s great to have both, but then who do you choose? Bands can be distinguished by their sound and skill, but a DJ, their skill is not so easily distinguishable.

[Weddings of Distinction is fortunate to have two of the best San Diego wedding DJs in the business: Artistic Productions + Disc-Go-Round DJ.]

Many may think that a DJ just plays songs from a playlist. There is truth in that, but really they do so much more. Having a DJ at your reception not only gets the crowd moving, they have the ability to take your event to the next level. Ever been to an event where the music was blah, and the “DJ” was boring and dry? That’s what we’re talking about. A DJ can make or break an event.

Of course, DJs play music, and you may be thinking, “Well, Uncle __ can create a playlist on iTunes entitled ‘_ Wedding,’ and it includes all our favorite songs.” True, but think about timing. A professional DJ, one who has been in the business for years, knows the appropriate mix of styles of music & the right timing for certain types of music. Doesn’t that seal the deal? An experienced DJ knows how to cater your event to your tastes as well as to the expectations of your crowd. A professional DJ can read your crowd and then create the proper ambiance for your particular party in your particular stage/venue.

The idea that a DJ at your reception is there only to play music and to get the crowd bumpin’ is a bit naïve these days. Many professional DJs also act as emcees. They make announcements, introductions; or, they may chime in with a funny ad-lib or joke. DJs are in this business because they have personality; a professional DJ engages in public speaking for a living! And, think about it, keeping your guests entertained is not accomplished through music alone.

The services many professional DJs offer is extensive, and when you really think about what you’re getting for your big day, the money is always worth it. Music, microphones, speakers, and DVD/slideshows, and so much more. Arguably one of the key components to creating a fun and memorable wedding reception is the not just the food, it’s the DJ/music.

Our advice: be wise, do your research, meet with DJs in person prior to your event. Guage his/her personality, find out how long they’ve been in business, and look for reviews! Weddings of Distinction is fortunate to have two of the best San Diego wedding DJs in the business in our group: Artistic Productions + Disc-Go-Round DJ. You, your friends, and your family will surely remember the ceremony, the dress, etc., but why have a wedding if it’s not for the celebration

Exquisite Weddings 2013 Spring Launch Party

What combines cakes, cocktails, and bridal couture? No, it is not a celebrity wedding, but rather, it is an event that anyone can attend, if they so desire. If you’re in the wedding industry in San Diego, or if you are a couple in San Diego getting married, then the Exquisite Weddings Spring Launch Party is an event you’ll want to attend!

On Thursday, April 11th at the Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa, the best, most renown, wedding vendors in San Diego gather together to celebrate love, and even better, everyone is invited to celebrate the fun! Enjoy bites and cocktails, get a first look at the new magazine, enter to win fabulous prizes, and mingle with San Diego’s premier wedding insiders. Be sure to reserve your tickets today! If you’re a Bride, then enjoy complimentary admission!

real wedding :: beach wedding at the hotel del coronado

Sweet Cheeks Baking - Embellishmint Floral

Photos by TRUE Photography Weddings

Beach weddings are a popular wedding option nowadays, and San Diego is one of the most-perfect spots for an exquisite beach wedding.

So recently, two of our fine vendors, Embellishmint Floral & Event Design and Sweet Cheeks Baking Company worked together to make one special couple’s beach wedding in Coronado a success!

It happened to be one perfect Coronado Beach day, equipped with giant sand castle – a great photo opp. The couple, Avery & Thomas, have such a darling sense of style and comfort together. Their quite stunning bridal party added to the charismatic bride & groom with humor & beach-side antics.

For this couple, the colors were coral as well as other natural beach tones. Dawn Stone, of Embellishmint, decorated the ceremony aisle with hanging glass bulbs on the aisle chairs. They were the perfect little pots of cuteness. At the same time, the floral arrangements at the ceremony altar blew the house down in grandeur! Dawn’s incredible use of stock, ranunculus, roses, hydrangea, and other wild flowers made these flower arrangements, both on tables and within the cake tiers, pop with intense color while at the same time as being beautifully delicate.

When it came to the cake, Sweets Cheeks Baking Co. came up with a delicious combination of Vanilla Bean Sour Cream Cake with Luscious Cream Cheese Filling and Italian Butter Cream. The couple selected not only select a stunning cake design, but then during the reception, they took it upon themselves to have some fun and play around with one another, in a fashion that involved a lot of cake in the face!

It was the perfect beach wedding in San Diego, and all the wedding vendors involved made this day lots of fun and extra special!

Venue: Hotel Del Coronado

Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.

Florist: Embellishmint Floral & Event Design Studio

Wedding Dress: Here Comes the Bride

Makeup: Lipstick & Luster
Coordinator: Mint Weddings
Officiant: Reverend Powers
Invitation: Seaside Papery