networking | San Diego Weddings Of Distinction

news + press :: September’s meeting at the prado

Located in the heart of Balboa Park, The Prado Restaurant is one of San Diego’s historic dining experiences. Featuring stunning indoor and outdoor seating, The Prado offers guests a first-class dining experience, coupled with the history and charm that defines San Diego’s Balboa Park.

We are so fortunate to have this historic restaurant in our group, and when the opportunity presented itself to host our September meeting there, let’s just say it was a ‘slam dunk.’ It was an intimate setting, perfect for our select-group. The vibrancy of teal colors and exposed wood beams captured the charm that San Diego/Balboa Park are known for! Edible Arrangements catered the “appetizers” of delicious fruit, and we heard from a local agent who spoke to the group about the importance of planning for life’s ups and downs, especially for small business.

All in all, it was great to get back to The Prado. The restaurant is an icon in San Diego, and especially so for a San Diego wedding. There is nothing more quintessential San Diego!

Photos courtesy of Laura Christin Photography

photos courtesy of Laura Christin Photography

follow friday :: weddings of distinction is on instagram!

Need a dose of wedding inspiration? Want to know what some of San Diego’s best wedding vendors are up to?

Then follow Weddings of Distinction on Instagram!! We’ll let you know what our vendors are up to, and we will keep you up-to-date on our monthly meeting locations. You’ll also be able to see some of San Diego’s finest wedding locations, wedding vendors, and even notice some of the newest wedding trends for this year and beyond!

We love social media for the sharing of ideas. We want to share ours with you, and we would love to see your plans, your wedding, your pictures. Follow us, and we can follow you! And, if you’re not in Instagram, you can always follow Weddings of Distinction on Facebook an Pinterest!

news + press :: february’s meeting at the bali hai restaurant

It was a perfect afternoon on the water, and with February’s networking meeting graciously hosted by the Bali Hai Restaurant, we had amazing views of the San Diego Bay Harbor. We dined outside, underneath the restaurant’s “Hawaiian Village” outdoor pavilion. It was just the right amount of space for our rather large group, and with spectacular views of the Bay and downtown San Diego, it almost doesn’t seem fair that our meetings are part of “work!”

We heard from one of our new members, Stephanie, from A Perfect Table. They specialize in, as may be deduced, table decor, but what she and her company offer is really so much more. She works with the couple, determines their vision and style, and then coordinates with the florists, planners, and caterers to make the reception tables absolutely perfect!

We concluded the luncheon with a presentation from The Knot Magazine. The Southern CA rep told the group about the publicity they offer advertisers, as well as the benefits of working with the nation’s leading wedding planning magazine.

In the end, we hated to leave the San Diego sunshine and have to go back to the office, but this month’s meeting was not only enjoyable but informative!

Photos courtesy of Maryanne McGuire Photography

follow friday :: weddings of distinction is on instagram!

Need a dose of wedding inspiration? Want to know what some of San Diego’s best wedding vendors are up to?

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

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!

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!!

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!

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!

Photos courtesy of E3 Photography

january networking :: starting off the new year at loews coronado resort

Our group started off the new year with a gorgeous San Diego view at Loews Coronado Resort! With lots of new members and visitors in attendance, we introduced our new Board of Directors. We also received an in-depth visit to the property to get familiar with the different rooms and wedding sites that Loews can accommodate….from small to large ceremonies and celebrations.

Our newest members, Republic of Music and DJ Daniel Peterson gave us a quick intro to the service and music that they offer while our previous president, Andy Hagenah with the Groove, handed the mic over to our new president Elaine with Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. It was a great day of networking, meeting new people, and sharing a fantastic lunch!

Photos courtesy of Maryanne Photo

Tag: networking