mt. woodson | San Diego Weddings Of Distinction

real wedding :: grace + alex

Sometimes you just never know when you’ll meet that special someone, and for Grace and Alex, the stars aligned, and through mutual friends, their paths crossed. At the time, Alex was only in San Diego for a summer internship, and Grace was a local resident. They spent time together with friends, shared in some fun, and by the end of the summer, the two enjoyed their first date alone. The connection was strong, and even though it was now the end of the summer and Alex was returning to school in FL, the couple stayed in touch and maintained a bi-coastal relationship!

Fast forward a year, and the two were finally on the same coast! Their courtship spanned a couple of years after that, and in the city where they first met, they married under the stars at Mt Woodson Castle. The night was perfect. Thanks to the musical talents of wedding DJ, Andy Hagenah of The Groove Wedding DJ, the couple, with their family and friends, enjoyed a night of dancing and photo booth fun. Studio Carre’ Photographie captured the memories, and there were plenty made! The wedding lasted well into the night!

Grace and Alex’s wedding was a grand affair, and to make such a night possible, only the best wedding vendors were used! The bride looked her best thanks to wedding hair and makeup by Meleah Hair & Makeup; the location was classic California; the music was bumping all night; and the photos will last a lifetime!

Photos courtesy of Studio Carré Photographie

news + press :: february’s meeting at Mt Woodson

This month we got together in the heart of Ramona at the Mt Woodson / Amy Strong Castle. Our site visit included a personalized tour by Tracy…showing us all the work they have put into the castle. From the new ceremony site, to beautifying the remaining structure to keep the history intact. This one of a kind property boasts a natural elegance and hand painted elements by the original owner! Lunch was served up by Personal Touch Dining complete with a bread pudding that was to die for! Vintage florals were the courtesy of Hartworks Floral Design…combining the best of wedding flowers with decor elements chosen from the castle itself!

Along with great networking, we welcomed new members Republic of Music, Coaststyle Events, and First Comes Love. We’re excited to have them as part of the dynamic that makes up Weddings of Distinction!

Photos courtesy of Studio Carre Photographie

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!

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.