Tag: artistic productions

a year in review :: 2014

What a year 2014 was! There was change; there was loss, and, we imagine, like many organizations and groups, Weddings of Distinction dealt with its share of curveballs.

We began the year with high hopes and big plans. The board in 2014 was the same as in 2013, so the consistency in leadership helped keep the group on course for the plans in place.

However, in March, our small group got an unexpected and sudden shock: the death of WoD President, Bob Brichmann. As President, Bob was an integral part of the group, but as a long-standing WoD member, he was also a friend and trusted wedding vendor. Bob did so much, and he knew as a member since WoD’s inception, he understood the inner workings of our non-profit. His death came so suddenly, and in many ways, left the group in a state of confusion.

Yet, it was as a result of this tragic event, that the resiliency of the group and its members prevailed. Board members reshuffled responsibilities, and normalcy soon returned. By the middle to end of 2014, great things returned to WoD, just as Bob would have wanted.

In March, we partnered up with another San Diego-based wedding group, NACE, and had a joint luncheon. Many of our WoD members are also members of NACE, so the combination of vendors allowed for ample opportunities to network.

Also in 2014 was the chance to explore other venue and locations that are newer to the wedding industry, i.e. the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. As a group, we traveled to the Wild Animal Park in October, and many of us were astounded with the space, the possibilities and the potential! Who would have thought that use a space like the park for wedding, but based on the luncheon they hosted for us, it truly is an amazing wedding space.

Weddings of Distinction is a non-profit networking group, and the groups ultimate focus is on its members and the opportunity to network. 2014 was a stellar year in that regard. We welcomed many new vendors, and said goodbye to a few. Those remaining into 2015 continue to be among the best in the wedding industry!

What to expect from us in 2015….a new board. Beginning January 1, the new governing board is:

What’s really great is that many in the new board are new members and/or new to leadership. This transition should bring a fresh perspective to the group!

All in all, while 2014 was difficult in many ways, the tests and tribulations have brought about a stronger group and one more willing to protect the integrity of our special affiliation.

 Weddings of Distinction members are special. We all work hard, and as many of us realized at the holiday party this month, we all play hard, too.   Our members know and trust that membership in the group means we all are among the best in the industry, but what’s truly special, is that we all truly enjoy each others company outside the job. Friends and vendors…no matter what may happen, Weddings of Distinction will remain the same and remain as strong. After all, that’s what Bob Brichmann would have wanted.  So, going into 2015 and beyond, that is what we intend to stay!

remembering a leader….

 

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our president, Bob Brichmann, has unexpectedly passed away.  Bob was an amazingly talented wedding DJ, and the San Diego wedding industry has truly lost an icon.  Besides presiding over Weddings of Distinction, Bob was also a key player in other wedding industry organizations like NACE.

His sense of humor was unmatchable; his dedication to our group was unparalleled; and his contributions as a wedding DJ made many a wedding fun.

Bob is survived by his wife, Merrylin.  Due to the sudden nature of Bob’s passing, a memorial fund has been created to help Merrylin with the unexpected expenses associated with this unfortunate loss.  Any donation amount is most graciously accepted.

A celebration of Bob’s life is planned:
Monday, March 10th
10:30am 
Sheraton Mission Valley, 1433 Camino Del Rio S, San Diego, CA 92108

All are welcome.

Bob Brichmann Memorial
Bob Brichmann

 

Real Wedding :: Nicole + Sean | La Valencia Hotel


“I don’t know how Lois Mathews did it, but I felt like she went into my head and found every memory of my grandmother…my mother and my family’s elegance, warmth and tradition. [She} put it together to create the most amazing feeling and atmosphere.  I felt like I was surrounded with all my favorite things in my life.  Every table had different elements and the most beautiful flowers and lace.” 

Real Wedding San Diego

Sometimes it helps to hear from the bride’s mouth exactly what she thought of her wedding, and the above comments came directly from Nicole about the work of Lois Mathews Design, a special and talented wedding floral designer with Weddings of Distinction.  She, along with fellow WoD vendors, Bryan Miller Photography and Artistic Productions, plus other great San Diego wedding vendors, made Nicole and Sean’s day magical.

The story of how they met is pretty awesome: Nicole (living in Detroit at the time) was visiting her parents over Thanksgiving.  During her stay, she decided to take the dogs to the dog park in Little Italy.  She was in her PJs, mind you!   Upon entering the park, one of her dogs ran up to play with a doggie friend.  Much to her embarrassment and surprise, both the other dog and its owner were pretty cute!  Nicole was so embarrassed, but it didn’t matter, Sean thought she was beautiful.  While she left CA the next day, 6 months later she had a chance to move to San Diego.  The two connected at that time, and the rest is history.

 They were married at the end of December last year.  Their wedding and reception were at the historic and iconic, La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, a Weddings of Distinction venue.  They were treated to food and service that was truly First Class.

The ceremony took place on the terrace, and Lois designed an amazing lace and floral chuppah, under which the couple exchanged vows.  The day started out beautiful, yet at about 3:00 in the afternoon, right before the ceremony was to begin, dense fog rolled in and made everything dark.  Yet as luck would have it, just as the wedding party lined up, the fog retreated and the sun came back out!  The couple, and their family and friends, thought it was an interesting circumstance, and the couple’s Rabbi, who was a long time family friend, joked during the ceremony that he could take the credit!

Everything, from the details in the bride’s dress, to the flowers, to the details at the reception, made this wedding better than the couple could have ever imagined!  Wedding DJ, and WoD vendor, Bob Brichmann of Artistic Productions, played tunes that ranged from classics of the 1940s to modern pop of today.

The wedding may have been intimate (only 40 guests), but the combination of great music, good food, and the company and friends and family made this wedding extra special.  That, combined with professional and talented wedding vendors, made the couple feel “so blessed.”

San Diego weddings

 

Ceremony String Music: Elian Strings

Wedding Cake: Cake in Mission Hills

Bridal Gown: Isis

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

Bridal Soirée :: An Exclusive San Diego Bridal Event

 Many Weddings of Distinction vendors will be participating in an upcoming event for local brides: the Bridal Soirée.  Taking place on Thursday, October 24th, from 6:00 – 9:00pm, at the Westin Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, this event will feature some of the top wedding vendors in San Diego.

Six of our amazing wedding vendors will be in attendance: The Westin Hotel (Wedding Venue), San Diego Events Lighting (Lighting + Effects), Artistic Productions (Wedding DJ + Emcee), Beauti-on-the-Go (Hair + Makeup), Sandra Nicole Designs (Bridal Accessories), and Concept Event Design (Event Decor).

Brides-to-be are welcome to join in for an evening of fashion + beauty inspiration.  The evening is sure to be lots of fun!

Register today for your spot to one of San Diego’s exclusive bridal events!

Bridal Event in San Diego

REAL wedding :: cherie + cameron

San Diego is the perfect place for a destination wedding, and for the couple featured in this REAL wedding, San Diego was an easy choice!  Cherie and Cameron are both New Yorkers, and they wanted the San Diego sun to be their backdrop for their unforgettable nuptials!

Their fabulous wedding took place on a perfect May day at the gorgeous Bahia Resort Hotel.  The theme: nautical.  Lots of blues, yellows and whites, and every element perfectly coordinated with the couple’s sea-loving theme.  They were married outside, with the water behind them and palm trees giving the illusion of their own, private outdoor oasis.

Real Wedding San Diego

(Photos courtesy of TRUE Photography)

Being as the couple was not local, they relied on communicating with vendors via email and over the phone, so for Cherie and Cameron it was important to find wedding vendors they could trust.  Fortunately, they had two of Weddings of Distinction’s finest: wedding cake specialists, Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. and wedding DJ with a plan, Merrylin, Disc Jockey and Emcee of Artistic Productions.

In the end, Cherie & Cameron praised their vendors for creating the “Best Wedding Ever!”  It was romantic; it was fun; and it was full of surprises (think Bollywood ‘First Dance’ mix and a Flash Mob father/daughter dance). Never a dull moment, but then again, when you hire the right wedding vendors, the party should be nothing but fun and dance. 

San Diego REAL Wedding

(Photos courtesy of TRUE Photography)

:: 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

wedding dj

 

:: style + inspiration at the US Grant’s ‘swoon 4’ bridal show

 

Spring is a season of new beginnings.  It’a a time when people begin to get out more, and enjoy the outdoors. Well, for those in the wedding industry (and for those getting married), spring is the unofficial start of wedding planning season!

At the beginning of March, the US Grant hotel hosted its annual “Swoon 4 Bridal Event“, and in true fashion, they truly outdid themselves.  Many of Weddings of Distinction’s vendors (the US Grant included) took part in this special day, and in doing so, claimed themselves among the finest San Diego wedding vendors.

 The day-long bridal event spanned three floors and three ballrooms with loads of inspiration for couples.  Whether one is getting married in the fall, or in the winter, the event had special rooms dedicated to inspire the fall or winter brides!  Whites and silvers adorned the “Winter” room; vibrant colors and outdoorsy furniture decorated the “Spring/Summer” room.  There was a room specifically for groom’s, and there were others for the brides and even the ceremony itself!  Food and drink was plentiful, so couples were able to enjoy specialty cuisine from local San Diego wedding caterers.  Also, thanks to the donations from local wedding boutiques, brides were able to visualize different bridal looks during the fashion show finale!

There was so much to see and touch and experience; no stone was left unturned.   One could have spent the entire afternoon, and many did just that!

So, if you’re getting married in San Diego, there are many reputable San Diego wedding vendors to choose from.  Weddings of Distinction is likely to have many of the as a part of our group!

WoD vendors represented: Lois Mathews Design, San Diego Events Lighting, Sweet Cheeks Baking Company, Concepts Event Design, Ann’s Plans, Hartworks Floral, Artistic Productions, Bryan Miller Photography, Pink Star Design, Stone Brewery, and of course, the US Grant Hotel!

 

Photos courtesy of Kristina Chartier Photography

For more pictures of the event, please visit the US Grant’s Facebook page!

news + press :: bowling to the classics at the december “meeting”

DecBowling

The holidays are for celebrating, celebrating with family and friends and just having a good time.  So, that is exactly what we did for Weddings of Distinction‘s December “meeting”: we celebrated the holidays with friends and loved ones, but we also added the Parkway Bowing Alley into the mix!

Attendance was a record-high for this festive night, and most everyone came decked out in “ugly” Christmas/Hanukkah sweaters!  An award, at the end of the night, went out to the ugliest of them all, and the husband of Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.’s owner took home the prize.

A gift exchange allowed guests to open, swap and/or keep small presents, and many went home with random trinkets along with bellies full of “tasty bowling food.”  It’s OK, though.  We had the chance to work off the holiday treats by playing multiple games and dancing in between turns. Many of our vendor have some impressive moves, that’s all I can say!

At the end of the night, we all had a blast.  We also realized that many of our vendors are much better at bowling than they led us to believe!  It’s good to have options.

 

 

 

 

news + press :: november meeting at humphreys half moon inn

 

Photos courtesy of ABI Photography

Wedding of Distinction’s November meeting took place at Humphreys Half Moon Inn + Suites.  Taking place just after the Thanksgiving holiday, November’s meeting was was our traditional sit-down meet and eat.  We heard speeches by Sandra of Sandra Nicole, we met some new faces and potential new-members, and we enjoyed a delicious meal and dessert.  All that, and we had an amazing view of the pier and boats on Shelter Island.

Humphreys Half Moon Inn + Suites is known for their fantastic concerts by the bay, and with its ample outdoor space and views of the “colorful marina,” if you haven’t been there yet, we highly recommend a trip there!