Tag: dawn stone

news + press :: june’s meeting at stone brewing company

Stone Brewing Co. is one of San Diego’s finest beer breweries, yet many do not realize that at the brewery’s main location in Escondido, CA, there is ample indoor and outdoor space for weddings and events!  So, for June’s Weddings of Distinction meeting, the group traveled to North County San Diego and enjoyed a spectacular buffet lunch and beer pairing in one of the brewery’s main meeting rooms.  Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon!

Upon arriving in the space, guests were welcomed by the vocals the group’s newest vocalist, Celeste Barbier.  She is an amazing Jazz/Blues/Retro-style singer and performer.  Her voice is soothing, and her style was the perfect accompaniment to the meeting’s “cocktail” and networking hour!

After some time to talk and tour the grounds, lunch was served, buffet-style. Pairings and tasters were available to those that wanted to day-drink, and for those that had to go back to work, non-alcholic options were available!  We had a guest who spoke to the group about managing money for small business, so besides being social, we also learned something to take with us on our ways.

It was a great afternoon.  We ate; we drank; we networked.  We are thrilled to have Stone Brewing Co. as a member of our group!  Not only does Stone offer delicious craft beer, but for those beer enthusiasts getting married, a wedding at Stone Brewery, whether in Escondido or one of their other San Diego locations, may just be the perfect fit!

Weddings of Distinction_June 2016 Meeting

Photos courtesy of McGuire Photography

news + press :: july meeting at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel + Marina

Life is San Diego is pretty spectacular, and when you’re part of a group that takes you to one of the finest wedding venues in San Diego for lunch, life gets that much more spectacular.  For July’s meeting we traveled to the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, located bay front with amazing views of America’s Finest City.

We started the afternoon outdoors, on the Bay View Lawn, with a sunny and warm reception hour with small bites and custom lunchtime cocktails.  The view of the docked boats and the crystal-clear blue skies made everyone’s mood happy.  Then, we moved the luncheon indoors, into the Sheraton’s Harbor Island Ballroom, which still offered stunning views of the harbor with its tall windows throughout.

Our speakers this month: Maryanne McGuire, of McGuire Photography, and Andy Hangenah, of “The Groove,” formerly “Disc-Go-Round DJ.”  Maryanne shared with her start as a wedding photographer, from her beginnings in NY state, to her travels out west.  Andy explained the evolution of his wedding DJ business, and how the re-branding of his company and changing the name to “The Groove” actually came from a client of his!  It was great to gain insight into these two about their starts and to see how they’ve come to where they are today!

Our “Tips-from-the-Pros” series continued this month, and it was the florists in our group, Lois Mathews, Frankie Hartwell, and Dawn Stone, that shared insight into the extent of the work a wedding flower designer can do for a wedding.  Many may not realize that so much more goes into wedding flowers, not just designing bouquets and arrangements!

The meeting ended with a 50/50 raffle and a gracious giveaway from the Sheraton Hotel.  Next month: we travel to Paradise Point Hotel & Spa.  Stay tuned!!

Photos courtesy of E3 Photography

San Diego Wedding Vendors

news + press :: april’s luau at the bali hai restaurant

Bali Hai Restaurant

Photos courtesy of Bryan N. Miller Photography

 We didn’t really have a luau, but it sure felt tropical at April’s meeting at the Bali Hai Restaurant.  Located on San Diego’s Shelter Island, the Bali Hai Restaurant boasts amazing views of San Diego Bay and the city skyline.  Special thanks to the restaurant’s staff, our Weddings of Distinction meeting was located in the Tiki Room, which has some of best views from the entire restaurant!  We were able to network and share leads in this intimate space while at the same time as taking in the spectacular views of the bay.

The meal was delicious, and unlike other meetings, we each had the choice of our main entrée!  Four, delectable choices were available to us, and one of which was the famous burger, which, in 2012, won top-5 honors as the best burger in San Diego!

After the meal and dessert, we heard from Marc Lehman, of The Emotion Picture Studio, and he shared with the group the amazing wedding videography services his company offers.  Many in the group were not fully aware of the extent of Marc’s company/services, so we were pleasantly surprised to hear about his famous iDO Cam, which allows couples and their guests the option of recording their own footage of the special day!  It is such an amazing solution for wedding video because it allows couples to not miss out on video, but gives them the opportunity to save some money and  still have that video professionally edited!  Wow, right?  That’s what we all said!

It was a great afternoon.  The food was satisfying; the view was spectacular; and the weather, well its San Diego, and it was a perfect San Diego spring day.  Special thanks to Dawn Stone, of Embellishmint Floral & Event Design, for the gorgeous succulent centerpieces; to Bryan Miller, of Bryan N. Miller Photography, for the great images, and of course to the Bali Hai Restaurant for the hospitality.