Hartworks Floral | San Diego Weddings Of Distinction

news & press :: when wedding vendors party….

…We do it big. It was a celebration to end a truly great year; one in which we rebuilt; we expanded; we also down-sized; but most importantly, we handled and managed details that got us off track in the year or so prior.

Weddings of Distinction is truly a special networking group, and as such, the members are like family, so the holiday season is our favorite time to come together, be silly, eat good food and treats, and just enjoy one another’s company on a personal level. Yes, we all work together year-round, but our end-of-year holiday party is a time for us to let loose!

What did that mean? It means we all congregated to Frankie Hartwell’s house, of Hartworks Florals, and everyone brought something, food, drink(s), dessert(s) and more. We also had a pretty stellar gift exchange, and let’s just say, the alcohol and fuzzy blankets were a major hit! We also concluded with a killer raffle prize to one lucky member, and the special token?… an iPad!!

We had live musical entertainment; lots, and I mean lots, of food and drink! People came dressed to the nines, but some also donned funny holiday sweaters, because, well why not!?

A great time overall… The perfect way to end another year, and to lift spirits for the start of a new one!

Photos courtesy of McGuire Photography

news + press :: july’s networking meeting at l’auberge del mar

It was a hot day in Del Mar, but when you’re dining at the amazing L’auberge Hotel, somehow you “forget where you are!”

For July’s networking luncheon, we traveled to this amazing resort, located on the beach in historic Del Mar. The hotel is well-known as one of the most elegant wedding venues in San Diego, and after dining and touring the property, we understand why.

The meals, (we had a choice of three), were made-to-order, so needless to say, we all felt pretty special. But when you go to L’auberge, is there any other way to feel?

We heard this meeting from one of our newer wedding coordinators, Coastyle Events, and the ladies gave us insight into their relatively young but highly accomplished business. The two owners really do compliment one another very nice!

It may have been oppressively hot, we were under the shade on this hotel’s amazing property/ Great food; good networking, and informative presentations!

Photos courtesy of Kristin Peelle 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

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!

:: 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!

afr ‘passport to design’ event – san diego wedding vendors

Photos courtesy of Bob Hoffman Photography

Recently, one of Weddings of Distinction’s members, AFR Event Furnishings, hosted a spectacular event for those in the wedding industry. As one of the premier San Diego wedding vendors, AFR offers stylish furniture rentals, and for this party, they showcased the extent of their design capabilities. Taking place in the posh San Diego wine-bar, 57 degrees, the “Passport to Design” event was a great oppotunity for San Diego wedding vendors to meet, network, and have some fun!

Inside the expansive bar, attendees had four different styles of both wine and food to sample: France, Mexican, Californian, and South African. To compliment the two wines that were offered at each station, cuisine (native to the region) was cooked up right in front of guests, offering them the freshest food, perfectly paired with wine. The French Gourmet, another Weddings of Distinction member, provided food for two of the four stations! In addition, many other WOD members helped make the event happen. San Diego Events Lighting provided the gorgeous lighting, and Embellishmint Floral, Hartworks Floral, and Rae Florae provided the stunning tabletop centerprieces.

The night casual, yet lots of fun. It was a great chance to enjoy some great eats and wine, to meet friends, and meet some new ones!

< AFR Event Furnishings offers its clients high-end furnishing options.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, or any other social event, the right furnishings can definitely add to the ambiance!

Contact them for more information! >

news + press :: “spooktacular” october meeting

Photos Courtesy of Studio Carre’ Photographie

Weddings of Distinction‘s October meeting was non-traditional, and in the spirit of Halloween, we would not have had it any other way. With the help of San Diego Events Lighting, the studios of Hartworks Floral Design + Pink Star Design were transformed into a dark, yet vibrant space for a casual networking party. Complete with fluttering bats on the wall, a spooky-faced tree, and a plethora of candy/treats that would make a dentist mad, October’s WOD meeting put the fun into this function.

The French Gourmet provided delicious comfort food, ranging from fall soups, to nachos and cheese, and the collection of local wine and champagne kept the mood light. Many vendors came in costume, and if you are Jenn from Pink Star Design, you came in your child’s! Bag-lady, Batman, Cat-woman, 50’s woman, Maurice from Betwixt Studio: all the costumes were great!

Special thanks to ABI Photography for providing the photo-booth! Everyone in attendance had the chance to play with props and be goofy for the camera! It was a perfect addition to the Halloween festivities!

Tag: Hartworks Floral