BBQ and Beer hits the spot!

We wrapped up Summer trying something new and we recommend you do too.

CowgirlQ, a family-owned enterprise created by Lisa Richards, a catering pioneer for over 38 years.  Lisa and her team have joined the movement to redefine BBQ by creating a collaborative kitchen with BBQ experts from around the world. CowgirlQ offers high quality food, beverages, rental equipment, delivery and staff in a truly unique and highly thoughtful manner.

Alesmith was founded with a passion and respect for brewing in 1995, AleSmith continues to be recognized as one of the World’s foremost craft breweries on the strength of numerous awards garnered at prestigious local, national and international competitions.  

wedding cake :: sweet cheeks baking co ~ wedding wednesday!

Let them eat cake… and treats, and cupcakes, and more!

Did you know that one of our amazing members, Sweet Cheeks Baking Company, is one of San Diego’s, and the country’s, leading wedding cake and treat specialists?  Co-owned by Weddings of Distinction’s President, Elaine Ardizzone, Sweet Cheeks offers a variety of treat and cake options for any couple.  Gluten-free?  No problem!  Vegan? They can do that, too!  There is not a special diet or restriction that Sweet Cheeks can’t handle!

So whether its a fancy wedding cake for 200+, or a simple assortment of treats, shooters and/or cookies, Sweet Cheeks Baking Company works with its clients and his/her wishes!

San Diego Wedding Professionals, San Diego Wedding Photography, San Diego Wedding Planning, San Diego Wedding Catering, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Venues, Sweet Cheeks Baking Co

old Hollywood bridal style | vintage wedding inspiration

It’s ‘Wedding Wednesday,’ and in honor of bridal inspiration, here is a look that never will go out of style: Old Hollywood Glam!   Recently, many of the Weddings of Distinction vendors came together for a styled shoot in honor of time long gone.  With vintage-inspired gowns from Elyse Reuben; accessories and hair pieces by Sandra Nicole Designs; and hair and makeup styling by Beauti On the Go, photographer, Studio Carré Photographie, captured some amazing images that both honor the look of Old Hollywood and the vibrancy of modern-day photography.

The looks are romantic, but the details are bold, whether through jewelry, headpieces, and/or makeup.  The Westin Hotel Gaslamp San Diego, a Weddings of Distinction venue, was the backdrop for the shoot, and with the hotel’s simple architecture yet modern feel, the beauty of the photos really stand out.

Old Hollywood style and grace truly is iconic.  The work these these vendors put into this shoot captures the era perfectly.  So, while the time may have come and gone, but the ability to incorporate such glamour into modern looks is possible!  Let the photos be your proof!

San Diego Wedding Vendors_001

For more great photos from the Old Hollywood shoot, visit the Studio Carré Blog!

Gowns :: Elyse Reuben

Accessories :: Sandra Nicole Designs

Photographer :: Studio Carré Photographie

Venue :: Westin Gaslamp SD

Hair + Makeup :: Beauti On the Go

an exclusive bridal event :: Bridal Soiree in San Diego

For the best and most fashionable bridal event in San Diego, the Bridal Soiree is sure to be on the top of the list!  Taking place this Sunday, April 6th, from 3:00-6:00pm, at the Westin Hotel in the Gaslamp District, this year’s soiree will offer plenty of bridal fashion and beauty inspiration. Many Weddings of Distinction vendors have teamed up: Beauti-on-the-Go, a mobile makeup and hairstyling company, stylists Sandra Nicole Design, and Studio Carre Photographie. These vendors, along with other remarkable San Diego wedding vendors, will bring you an event that is both informative, inspirational, and fun.

Get your tickets today!  Bring your family, friends, and enjoy an afternoon of luxury!

Bridal Event in San Diego

You’re Invited…to a Bridal Soiree!

For the best and most fashionable bridal event in San Diego, the Bridal Soiree is sure to be on the top of the list!  Taking place Sunday, April 6th, from 3:00-6:00pm, at the Westin Hotel in the Gaslamp District, this year’s soiree will offer plenty of bridal fashion and beauty inspiration. Many Weddings of Distinction vendors have teamed up: Beauti-on-the-Go, a mobile makeup and hairstyling company, stylists Sandra Nicole Design, and Studio Carre Photographie. These vendors, along with other remarkable San Diego wedding vendors, will bring you an event that is both informative, inspirational, and fun.

So, get your tickets today!  Bring your family and friends, and enjoy an afternoon of luxury!

Bridal Event in San Diego

happy valentine’s day! ~ our love story winner is….

 

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we promised a love story, and the one that moved us the most was the one that Katy shared.  The love between her and her fiancé began early on…. early on, like in elementary school!

Seems strange, but for a few lucky people,  connections can spark that young.  Read their story, as told in Katy’s words…

Valentine's Day 2014

“My fiancé and I have a love story that goes way back to elementary school.  We were in the same first grade class and he signed my school yearbook, which I still have to this day.  In the second grade, my family moved and I had to attend a new school.  However, years later in high school, we had the same math class and made the connection.  We spent the year laughing our way through a class with an awful teacher and a difficult subject matter, Precalculus!  I considered him to be a very good friend and he was the reason why I gained confidence in myself.  He always told me how smart, intelligent, and talented I was in lacrosse and basketball.  Even though we teased each other, I knew he would always have my back and support me.  We had a great friendship for two years and I always thought he was cute and was curious if he felt more for me than just a friend.  I was too shy to put myself out there.  Our senior year of high school, he asked me to prom and our lives have never been the same.  We fell for each other and he told me that he had loved me since our Precalculus class.”

 

“A few months later, I decided to attend the University of Arizona in Tucson and we wanted to try long distance, because we would rather miss each other then be with anyone else.  Looking back on the four years that we spent in different states, I am reminded of long phone calls, large text messaging bills, crying over the love letters he would write me, and having constant heartache.  As Shakespeare once said in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, “the course of true love never did run smooth,” and that is what always kept us going.  Love is worth fighting for and we weren’t going to let a short plane ride keep us apart.  People thought we were crazy, but it doesn’t matter what other people think.  You don’t let the love of your life go because others think you are being stupid or naive that it will last.”

 

“A few years ago, I moved back to San Diego, and we have been inseparable ever since.  We are such a strong couple and appreciate each other so much.  Anything is possible if we try.  The day before my 24th birthday, I walked into my apartment after a long day of teaching, and he filled my living room with rose petals, stemmed roses, and candles, which were leading to my room.  He showed me a painting that his groomsmen created of the two of us.  On the bottom, it said “Marry Me?” When I looked back at him, he was on his knee with the most beautiful ring.  He told me that I was the love of his life and he knew it when I went off to college. My response? “DUH! Of course!”

 

“It is now almost seven years after our first kiss when we were high schoolers, and I am thrilled to marry the love of my life and best friend in July 2014.  Some people are shocked to hear that our love story began in elementary school, but it has always felt right and perfect to me.  I met my soulmate when I was 6 years old and can’t imagine a more perfect Prince Charming to spend the rest of my life with.”

 

Bridal Soiree

 It was a perfect night!  This year’s Bridal Soiree, held at the beautiful Westin Hotel – Gaslamp District, welcomed brides and family and friends for an evening of wedding inspiration.  About 65 attendees enjoyed the night, and many San Diego wedding vendors, including six Weddings of Distinction members, were among those showcasing their amazing talents.  

San Diego Weddings

Mary Hager of the Westin hosted, and the space was perfect for such an event.  Brandi McMillian, of Beauti-on-the-Go, and Sandra Busczek, of Sandra Nicole Designs, helped plan the events.  Then, Maria Harmon, of San Diego Events Lighting supplied the up-lights that created the gorgeous purple hue that turned the outdoor space into a regal bridal environment.  Concepts Event Design provided beautiful draping to make the space unique, and finally Artistic Productions played the tunes and created the upbeat vibe that kept the guests’ toes tapping and smiling.  

This event was not the typical wedding soiree.  Upon entering, each bride received a shopping bag filled with goodies from every vendor, and inside each were products and incentives that could be used/redeemed for their wedding and/or the planning process. While the opportunity was for talented wedding vendors to showcase their work, it was by no means intended to solicit or pressure.  The intent was to inspire, and that was what it did!  

Hor d’oeuvres, signature drinks.  It was an opportunity for brides to get hands-on experience with the wedding process: from hair and makeup demos, to accessorizing fun, to bridal gowns, decor, photography and video and more!

The event was a huge success, and the feedback we got from brides was so positive.  What we heard most: it was a relaxing event, among beautiful surroundings, and a great opportunity to spend quality time talking with vendors.  All around: a really, really good time.  Talks are already in the works for next year’s soiree!

Weddings in San Diego

AFR Event Furnishings Networking Tour

October is the month of wedding inspiration!  This Thursday, October 24th, from 5:30-8:30pm, AFR Event Furnishings will host its San Diego leg of its touring design showcase!

Taking place at the San Diego Central Library, the event will showcase some of AFR’s stunning new designs for event decor, and it will have great food and treats from of San Diego’s finest, including our own Continental Catering + Sweet Cheeks Baking Company!

Register today for this evening of fun, food, and inspiration!  For photos from previous tours, visit AFR’s Facebook page, or for more tour dates for AFR’s design showcase, visit the main page!

AFR Event - San Diego

artist love :: color + vibrancy for your wedding

Deciding on a color palette for your wedding?  What if you used them all!?

Recently, many of our fabulous San Diego wedding vendors (and Weddings of Distinction members) collaborated for a styled shoot + tablescape design shoot that combined lots of vivid colors.

The shoot, called “Artist Love”, was envisioned by the talented wedding coordinator, Ann Strobel, of  Ann’s Plans, and with the help of Hartworks Floral Design (floral arrangements), Sweet Cheeks Baking Company (delicious cupcakes), Pink Star Design (artsy stationary), Sandra Nicole Designs (bridal styling), D’Angelo Couture (wedding dresses), Concept Event Design (decor + linens), Meleah (hair and makeup), +  Kristina Chartier Photography (photography), the vision turned into a colorful reality!

Set at The Bohannan Estate, this entire shoot evoked everyone’s artistic side.  It was playful; it was colorful; any wedding would be fortunate to have such a unique design concept!

For more great (pinnable) photos from this shoot, visit Concepts Event Design’s BLOG POST!

san diego weddings

For more great (pinnable) photos from this shoot, visit Concepts Event Design’s BLOG POST!

steampunk wedding :: a WOD collaboration

 

When you combine steam-powered machinery, with the fashion of late 19th century Victorian era, the result is an edgy, fashionable look at history.  That style is known as ‘steampunk.’

Steampunk incorporates elements of fantasy, historical fiction, as well as elements of speculation.  It is dark, bold, and it happens to be trending lately.  Steampunk is a theme that many couples are incorporating into their weddings!

Studio Carre' Photography

So, recently, many San Diego wedding vendors came together to assemble their own scene(s) for an amazing photo shoot that captured the best elements of this fascinating genre.  What took a lot of planning and creativity, the shoot came together perfectly.  So perfectly, in fact, that Ceremony Magazine’s Blog featured the shoot in a recent post!

It started, though, like all good things, as an idea, an idea fabricated by Shannon Henry (Studio Carré), Ann Strobel (Ann’s Plans) and Dawn Stone (Embellishmint Floral + Event Design).  They were intrigued by the elements of Steampunk, and they were noticing the growing trend among couples to incorporate Steampunk elements into their weddings.  So, the seed was planted.  They talked; they coordinated; they collaborated and invited others to join.

The result: an amazingly creative collection of images.  Everyone worked together and each contributed his or her specific element of specialty; no detail was left unturned.

Set on location at the historic Mt. Woodson Castle, in Ramona, CA, the castle’s rustic design elements fit perfectly for the shoot that takes you back in time.  The models, thanks to hair and makeup artists, Beauti on the Go, had big, dramatic hair and were embellished with hats and headpieces by Sandra Nicole Designs.   The clothing and dresses from Provence Bride by Allyson Simone were vintage-style and had black accents.  From the antique furniture, to the blackboard design, to the detail of the glasses, florals and ceremony site, every design element coordinated perfectly.

Studio Carre' Photography

Vendors Involved:

Photography – Studio Carré

Design + Prop Accessory/Vignette Rentals – Ann’s Plans

Floral + Accessory Design – Embellishmint Floral + Event Design

Hair + Makeup – Beauti on the Go

Head Pieces and Accessories – Sandra Nicole Designs + Ann’s Plans

Bridal Gowns – Provence Bride by Allyson Simone

Furniture Rental – Rashae Taylor

Chalkboard Design – Lucky to be in Love

Cake – Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.

Custom Bar – Snake Oil Cocktail Company

Buffet Breakfast + Lunch – Personal Touch Dining

Venue – Mt. Woodson Castle

Studio Carre, Weddings of Distinction, Steampunksan diego weddingsweddings in san diego