carmin cermak | San Diego Weddings Of Distinction

real wedding :: kelly + jodie

Edgy, yet romantic. Soft, yet modern. Thats the best way to describe the wedding day of Kelly + Jodie. With both the ceremony and reception taking place at the Scripps Seaside Forum, Kelly and Jolie’s wedding included everything perfect about a San Diego wedding: the perfect weather and nearly 360 degrees of ocean views. Modern details, along with clean and bright colors, complimented the space perfectly, and being as there were many of the couples’ friends and family visiting San Diego from out of town, the entire evening went off without a hitch!

Two of Weddings of Distinction’s special wedding vendors participated in the special day, with Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. providing the teal-colored, tiered wedding cake, and Carmin Cermak coordinating the wedding flowers and floral arrangements in shades of white with gold highlights. Needless to say: perfection all around!

Photos Courtesy of True Photography

news + press :: april meeting at the kona kai resort

What a beautiful day, in a beautiful resort, all in America’s Finest City. For April’s Wedding of Distinction luncheon we visited the newly remodeled Kona Kai Resort, a beachfront property boasting not only a private marina and beach, but also views of San Diego’s city skyline.

Our networking luncheon was served outside, in one of the Resort’s open spaces just by the marina and pool. The day was hot, but it was so nice to be outside, in the sun, getting our Vitamin D. We were all blown away with the level of class and sophistication of the Resort’s decor, and the reason being that it was only recent that the hotel has recently undergone a major overhaul and renovation. Before we actually sat to lunch, we got a tour of the grounds, inside and out, so we were really able to gather the extensive level of renovation. It is such a beautiful transformation!

During our meal, we heard from Lois Mathews, of Lois Mathews Design, wedding florist extraordinaire. She told us of her start with wedding flowers, and interestingly, she stumbled into her special niche. We also heard from Carmin Cermak, known in our group as a wedding coordinator, but what many do not know is that Carmin also has experience designing wedding flowers and arrangements. It was not until her speech that many in the group learned that part of her business!

All in all, the day was perfect. The meal was delicious. And the company was enjoyable. It was great to see just how much this resort has transformed, and with it, the grounds have become the perfect: modern, yet beachy…truly perfect for any San Diego wedding!

Photos courtesy of Eddie Garcia | E3 Photography

real wedding :: stephanie + matthew

It was a the perfect fall day, but in San Diego, it always feels like summer. The outdoor wedding of Stephanie and Matthew took place at the beautiful Hilton San Diego Bayfront, in one of the hotel’s outdoor gardens. The colors were blush , ivory and white, and against the backdrop of San Diego’s vibrant Bay, the ceremony was romantic as it was elegant.

The reception followed, not at the Hilton, but at the Westgate Hotel in the nearby Gaslamp District. The couple, in true fairy-tale fashion, made the few mile trek to the reception location via no other than, a horse carriage! Thanks to Always & Forever Carriage Company, Stephanie and Matthew kept the romantic spirit of their ceremony alive, and arrived to their reception to party the night away.

Thanks to the coordinating efforts of Carmin Cermak, all the details of the multi-location wedding had to be timed perfectly. And, of course, it was! Carmin also worked to coordinate the florals, which in line with the bride’s colors of blush, ivory and white, were soft and romantic.

The wedding cake was provided by Sweet Cheeks Baking Company. The cake was a classic, 4-tiered masterpiece, and just like this beautiful couple, it has elements that were romantic and whimsical.

Photos Courtesy of Dan Rice Photography

real wedding :: vicky + brett

San Diego is one of California’s best wedding locations, but just an hour away is the harbor of Dana Point that is also pretty spectacular. For two of Weddings of Distinction members, making the trip up north to Orange County was well-worth.

The wedding of Vicky and Brett took place this past fall, and with the backdrop of the water and the boats, the wedding was scenic as much as it was special. Both the ceremony and reception took place at Cannons Restaurant in Dana point. Guests were able to enjoy outdoor patio space, complete with cliff-side views of the water and the haze of the marine-front.

The wedding colors were neutral tones, combined with lilacs and other shades of purple. Carmin Cermak, one of WoD’s wedding coordinators, served in this case, as the wedding florist. Carmin is unique in that she can, and often does, serve multiple roles for the weddings she is a part of. In addition to Carmin, Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. provided the couple with their wedding cake, and working closely with Carmin, they decorated the cake and dessert table with florals in multiple shades of purple.

It truly was a special day. Its always exciting to see wedding vendors working together, and its even more so when they are two of our vendors! To make the trip up north just goes to show that our people are committed to providing the best possible service to their couples!

Photos Courtesy of Dan Rice Photography

Paula + Mike :: real wedding at the Barracks in Liberty Station

Reunited and it feels so good….well that is what Paula + Mike McCloskey think! This special couple has a somewhat unique story. They actually worked together for nearly 8 years! Paula was hired to work for Mike at the now closed law firm, Baker & McKenzie. After 8 years of loyal service, though, Paula left to raise her daughter, and it wasn’t until years after that that the two reconnected at Paula’s Christmas party! They knew that if they connected after all that time and a wealth of life experience, then best not to mess with fate! 🙂

They were married in the old Navy barracks in the Liberty Station area of San Diego, Barracks 17 of the NTC Promenade, to be exact. The venue was the perfect backdrop for this established couple. The wedding colors consisted of greens and a rich purples/fuchsia, and even the bride, choosing to be more non-traditional, wore a pale green dress by Custom Made Design! Her hair and makeup were done by Beauty Carriage. She truly looked stunning!

Wedding coordinator and florist, Carmin Design, created the perfect ambiance. The details were simple, yet amazingly elegant and colorful. Catering was provided by Wild Thyme, and the dessert table, supplied by our beloved, Sweet Cheeks Baking Co., consisted of not just a wedding cake (and a football-shaped groom’s cake), but also cupcakes, bars, and bites, giving the 100+ guests plenty of delicious options!

Wedding photographer, Studio Carre’, captured some great images of Paula + Mike’s special day, and even with a quick glance at the images below, you’ll feel as warm and happy about this special couple as we do just to write about it!

real wedding :: Megan + Chris

When two people are meant to meet, somehow, some way, it will happen; even when the odds, and geography, are against them.

That is exactly how the story goes for Chris and Megan. Chris was born in Pennsylvania and went to high school in Europe! Megan: she was born and raised in San Diego. Their upbringing could not have more different, but the world has a way of bringing people together, and as such, Megan and Chris’s paths did cross.

They met at The Waterfront in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego. Chris was out celebrating being sworn in to the California state bar. Megan, who was out with friends, noticed Chris and the fact that he was wearing a Nordstrom shirt, and since Megan was working at Nordstrom at the time, it appeared to be a no-brainer opening to begin conversation. But alas, the time was not meant to be, and Chris chickened out and didn’t talk to Megan. Fortunately for Chris, his friend wasn’t as afraid and he got Megan’s number for him!

But it would be months before the two would meet again, and this time Megan and Chris bumped into each other at Maloney’s in downtown San Diego. Chris’s courage had months to mature, and that night he spoke to Megan. Hours and a Taylor Swift song later, the rest became history.

Megan and Chris share many loves: bagels, reality TV, Jerry Seinfeld and Friends. But most importantly, they have two rescue dogs: Lyla and Lena, who are the center of their world. If they’re not walking them in the park or playing ball with them in the backyard, Megan and Chris enjoy spending time with friends, enjoying our favorite Little Italy restaurants, singing karaoke, and relaxing at home with some tea and ice cream.

Fast-forward a couple of years and the two got married in a beautiful ceremony at the US Grant Hotel. The couple took to downtown San Diego and celebrated their special day in the city in which they met. It was a magical day for the lovely couple and their friends and family. The ceremony site was candlelit in an exquisitely opulent fashion. The effect was clean and tasteful, a true reflection of the couple themselves. The reception décor was soft and romantic, with the colors of whites, grays, and then hints of royal blue.

Wedding coordinator, Carmin Cermak, of Carmin Design, did an excellent job capturing the taste of the couple, and all the vendors involved in this wedding did an incredible job making the event complete. Megan and Chris are amazing people and together they are even more special.

The future: Megan and Chris plan to stay in ‘America’s Finest City’ and start a family.

Photos courtesy of: TRUE Photography

Vendors Involved:

Venue/catering: The US Grant Hotel

Coordinator: Carmin Design

Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.

Entertainment: Tim Altbaum Productions

Flowers: Posies

Photography: TRUE Photography

Décor-Linens: APR Linens

Décor-Rentals: Posies

Invitations/Stationary: Wedding Paper Divas

Dress: Legends by Romona Keveza (Panache Bridal – Costa Mesa)

Jewelry: J. Crew

Groom Suit + Tie: J. Crew

Hair/Make-up: Theresa Amundson of Bijou Beautiful

Officiant: (Megan’s Uncle) George Fogelman

Honeymoon Location: Bora Bora

:: 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!

news :: january’s meeting at the hilton harbor island

photos courtesy of www.studiocarre.com

As Weddings of Distinction fires up the new year, we descended upon the beautiful Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island on January 24th. Catering Sales Manager Charles Wolford & his staff treated us to a fantastic lunch with dazzling views of San Diego Bay & the marinas from the 9th floor Skyline Room. As we feature members at meetings, Carmin Cermak from Carmin Design impressed us with her wit & colorful personality as she shared with us her vision & passion for full service event planning, including occasional floral & interior design. Haydee Alderete who owns Concepts Event Design along with her husband Frederico provided stunning linens for our tables & chairs. She also told us of their upcoming feature on TV via San Diego 6 where they talked about their fantastic National City showroom…the ultimate in decor shopping.

We’ve amped up our marketing efforts, social media and networking for 2012 which is what will fuel the continued success of Weddings of Distinction throughout 2012 and beyond! Stayed tuned for more….

Tag: carmin cermak