Tag: networking lunch

news + press :: october meeting at sd botanic gardens

San Diego is known for its beautiful weather, so it makes sense that for October’s networking meeting, we would enjoy an outdoor luncheon, at the San Diego Botanic Gardens, located in beautiful Encinitas, CA.

Catering member, Continental Catering, offered with fall-themed food, that not only soothed the soul, but also our bellies, and Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. completed the meal with Halloween-inspired treats. The decor was bright and cheery, and the weather was spectacular too.

It was nice to be at a San Diego wedding location the group had never been to!  It truly was such a “treat!”  The location is really perfect for an outdoor wedding in San Diego.  The group was able to hear from not only the venue and the potential that exists at their location, but we also got an in-depth account of Continental Catering’s breadth of offerings.  While the catering company has been a member of the group for some time, they recently have expanded their offerings to brides and grooms, so it was great to hear about just what they offer, not only as a wedding catering company, but even for private and corporate events.

San Diego Wedding Professionals - 1015

Photos courtesy of Eddie with E3 Photography

new + press :: june’s networking meeting at zlac rowing club

Unless you’re a rower, having a wedding at a rowing club may not fit, but with spectacular views and access to San Diego’s Mission Bay, ZLAC Rowing Club is wedding space that should not be underestimated!

It is a perfect, small space for those intimate, small weddings.  With open access to Mission Bay, the club is steps from the Bay,  making it an ideal wedding venue for not only those that may have been rowers, but for those that just love and appreciate open space and water!

For June’s luncheon meeting, we dined in the clubs patio area and were treated to a family-style lunch that was perfect for the hot summer day.  We had a special guest that spoke to the group about the importance of business planning and making goals, which for a group consisting of mostly small-business owners was extremely informative and appropriate.

All in all, the luncheon was beautiful. The staff at ZLAC Rowing Club was hospitable; the food was tasty and healthy; and the location (in the heart of San Diego’s Pacific Beach) is ideal for those wanting to get married by the water.  For many in the group, it was their first introduction to the sport of rowing, but the special thing about the space and the services, is that you don’t have to be a rower or a former one to enjoy the benefits of getting married in a rowing club!

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Photos courtesy of Studio Carre Photographie

news + press :: may’s networking meeting

Each month, our group is lucky to travel and experience some of the best San Diego wedding venues/ wedding food/etc., yet this most recent experience at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe was pretty much mind-blowing.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Rancho Santa Fe, the Inn is small, quaint and classy…the perfect representation for the village it’s located in!  We knew it would be beautiful just based on the location and decor, but what really blew our minds was the meal and spread.  Head chef, Brian Black, coordinated a meal so perfect, not only for the start of the summer season, but so delicious and paired on point with the drinks, the bread, just EVERYTHING!!  Who knew that such a fantastic experience was to be had at a place often overlooked when compared to coastal wedding locations!

Lois Mathews provided the floral centerpieces, and in an atmosphere so romantic and elegant, her choice of flowers fit the scene perfectly.  We dined; we networked; we toured the amazing space. And with a belly full of perfectly-paired courses of food, we left the Inn with an appreciation of this small wedding venue that can, undoubtedly, boast an overall experience truly unparalleled!!
San Diego Wedding Professionals_WOD May 2015

Photos courtesy of McGuire Photography

news + press :: april networking meeting at the Crosby

It was a hot April day, but the high temperatures did not keep us from The Crosby Club’s beautiful inland oasis.  Nestled in the amazing hills of Rancho Santa Fe, The Crosby Club offers stunning panoramic views of the Southern California landscape coupled with a top-of-the-line catering and events team that goes above and beyond for weddings and events.

For April’s meeting, Weddings of Distinction members were able to experience just that!  We began with a tour of the grounds, which not only boasts event space catering to 350+ guests, but also a country club and golf course.  We heard from Sensational Treats, and Staci shared with the group some of the new opportunities and offerings her wedding treats business is offering.  We also handled logistics and heard from various board members about the direction of our small networking group.

Many of our members have had the pleasure of working at/with The Crosby Club, so for those members revisiting the space was a treat, as always.  Yet, there were many in the group that had not been to the Club before, so for them, it was a nice change of pace to be able to visit an iconic area of San Diego and to see a country club that many do not realize is there at all!  The team and hosts at The Crosby Club were gracious and accommodating, and surely all Weddings of Distinction members were appreciative of the hospitality!

WOD April 2015

Photos courtesy of E3 Photography

news + press :: march networking meeting

The space is a blank canvas, with a world of possibilities, and if you want a space for your wedding that gives you choices, then 828 Events may be exactly what you’re looking for for your San Diego wedding!

Located in the heart of the Point Loma area of San Diego, 828 Events is a venue space that boasts industrial-style looks, with touches of intimacy and class from fine finishes like market-string lighting and vibrant white trim.

Last month, our special networking group had the pleasure to explore this new wedding venue in San Diego, and let’s just say, we were all impressed!  The lighting was bright and cheerful, and the meal, catered by Brothers Signature, was delicious.  All that, coupled with custom cocktails from Snake Oil Cocktail Co. made the afternoon probably a little too much fun!

April’s meeting will be at The Crosby Club in North County San Diego, so stay-tuned for more networking news!

weddings in San Diego

Photos courtesy of E3 Photography

Networking Downtown….May’s Meeting at the Westin Hotel

Memorial Day took place earlier this year, so for May’s meeting we were all about networking and celebrating the start of summer!  This month’s meeting space offered the perfect backdrop to do just that!  The Westin Gaslamp Quarter hosted our monthly networking luncheon, and the outdoor space on the patio offered each of us a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

Lunch was exquisite, distinctive in fact, and the combination of appetizers, entree options and dessert complimented the hot weather quite perfectly.  Our speakers were Deborah Young, one of the newer wedding officiants to the group, and Ann Strobel, of Ann’s Plans, wedding coordination.

We ate; we mingled; we shared ideas and offered referrals, and then we all went on our way.  It was warm, but the Westin offered our group the perfect platform to connect before the hustle and bustle of the San Diego wedding season!

Weddings in San Diego

two is better than one :: networking with NACE

We usually like to meet towards the end of the month, but for March, something special was planned.  In a effort coordinated by our beloved past president, Bob Brichmann, a joint networking luncheon took place – bringing together the members of Weddings of Distinction with those from the San Diego chapter of NACE (National Association of Catering & Events).

The luncheon was held at the newly-remodeled Pier South Resort.  Located in Imperial Beach, right on the coast, this hotel offers amazing views of the Pacific, coupled with an exquisite dining experience.  The chefs from Sea 180º Coastal Tavern made us food and drink that satisfied more than our appetites.  All together, the sun, the sea, and the food were quite literally breathtaking.

While this meeting was as much about networking and fun, there was also information and business to attend to.  We heard from NACE member and wedding officiant, Bethel Nathan.  Her topic for the day: the growing number of same-sex marriages in California.  She gave the groups some very helpful information, like the steps to take when working with a non-traditional couple, as well as the attention/awareness that should be placed on these couples.

It was a great change of pace to see so many people in the wedding industry in San Diego, and while many of our Weddings of Distinction members are also NACE members, this meeting opportunity allowed friends and colleagues to come together, and more importantly, for some new connections to be made!

networking in san diego

Photos courtesy of E3 Photography

networking weddings

news + press :: networking meeting at the Dana Hotel

2014 is officially underway, and last month, our meeting was hosted by our newest venue-member, the Dana Hotel.  With beautiful views and a 3-course lunch, this meeting did not disappoint.

We heard from Cynthia Zatkin, of CZ Events.  She explained the evolution of her wedding coordination business and described in detail the special care and attention she offers her couples.  We also heard from La Valencia Hotel.  “La V” as it is being rebranded as, is in the midst of renovations and again, rebranding, so Bobby Fader, the Catering Manager there, described the plans, the work that has already been done, and what we can expect to see going forward from the hotel in general.

It was a great afternoon.  We are pleased to have the Dana as one of our members!

networking lunch

Photos courtesy of E3 Photography