wedding florist | San Diego Weddings Of Distinction

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

new + press :: august meeting at paradise point resort + spa

The weather was hot, but it was ok; we were in paradise….or at Paradise Point Resort, anyway! August’s Weddings of Distinction luncheon took place at the beautiful tropical resort, and with amazing views of the bay and an amazingly delicious summertime meal, this networking meeting did not disappoint.

We heard from a couple of our newer vendors, Greg Shibley of G Sharp Entertainment, and Scott Milnes, Wedding Officiant and relationship counselor. Both are talented and charismatic speakers, so the stories each shared kept people captive and even had people tearing up at some points!

In addition to the logistical matters that were taken care of, many new ideas were discussed for the group. Many changes have come in 2014, and with the momentum the group has, many more positive changes are in store. Weddings of Distinction js not just a group that meets monthly for lunch. Besides networking and sharing ideas, referrals and lead generation are a focus moving forward. A lot of great things are coming for Weddings of Distinction members, so stay tuned to be a part of the journey with us!

Photos courtesy of Maryanne McGuire Photo

:: 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! >

real weddings :: dagna + kyle

Let’s start with a little background from Dagna, about how she and Kyle met:

“Kyle and I “met” when I was about 18. I don’t recall who struck up the initial conversation, but we immediately clicked. We both belonged to a College Aged Republicans group on MySpace (go ahead and make your jokes, but without MySpace we wouldn’t have met!) From the get go, I found him incredibly funny and intelligent. We shared the same views and passions, and let’s be honest the extremely handsome part didn’t hurt! We would spend hours online and on the phone discussing politics and our lives. He always made me laugh! From the very beginning I knew I would be with him one day…”

Photos courtesy of Studio Carre’ Photographie

Dagna + Kyle are a great couple; they’re truly down to earth, easy going, and open to creativity. As a couple, they love to think out of the box, and their wedding reflected their unique personality. The Prado at Balboa Park provided the perfect backdrop for this couple, and with the help of Ann (of Ann’s Plans), their special day was perfectly coordinated; Lois Mathews Designs created the beautiful floral designs and accents; Artistic Productions provided the musical/DJ entertainment, and Studio Carre’ Photographie captured the memories.

news + press :: september luncheon at AFR Furniture Rental

September has come and gone, and Weddings of Distinction members congregated at AFR Furniture Rental for the monthly meeting. What is normally a drab warehouse was turned into a chic dining space, complete with decorative furnishings and chairs (special thanks to David Wright and Kristen Spooner for the hospitality)! San Diego Paella cooked up some delicious lunch, and Joes on the Nose brewed some refreshing teas that held off the September heat.

The meeting was pretty casual, but all relevant and important business was attended to and all new members were introduced to the group. Friendly conversation ended the afternoon. All in all, it was a great, yet hot, afternoon!

real weddings :: jenn + eddie

Photos courtesy of Studio Carre’

We’re so happy to blog about this couple…and their wedding!! They are great friends of many in the group, and it was such an honor to be a part of their day and capture all the lovely details.

Jen + Eddie are both outdoorsy people, with a love for the beach, so for their wedding, they chose L’Auberge Del Mar as their backdrop for their special day. The couple and their guests were able to enjoy an awesome view of the ocean, while also relishing in the east-coast casual elegance that the property offers. Rae Florae handled the floral designs for the wedding, and they did such a great job, mixing lovely colors and texture together. When it came to cake, this couple choose wisely when hiring Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. Cupcakes are typically everyone’s favorite, and this “cake” did not disappoint. After the ceremony and dinner, which were outside on the terrace, the night officially began in the ballroom, where friends and family hit the dance floor! Amazing lighting was provided by San Diego Events Lighting.

WOD Vendors Involved: Studio Carre’, Rae Florae, Sweet Cheeks Baking Co., San Diego Events Lighting

news + press :: august luncheon at the dana on mission bay

Photos courtesy of Betwixt Studio.

The Dana Resort on Mission Bay hosted Weddings of Distinction’s August luncheon. While August is typically a very busy time for wedding vendors in San Diego, this month’s meeting had a great turnout, with over 20 in attendance. The round-table discussion, while informal, gave those present the opportunity to share stories with the group and offer one another tips and tricks for managing the end-of-summer bustle. A special thanks is due to the catering staff at The Dana, specifically Keith and Kaylee, for not only sharing their space with the group for this meeting, but for the great meal and the tours of the property afterwards.

real weddings :: robert and larissa

images courtesy of theorie

Larissa and Robert celebrated their classically modern wedding in true Southern California fashion at the adorable Darlington House in La Jolla. San Diego Weddings of Distinction members, Amy and Maurice Wright of Theorie, were there to capture all of the colorful details and enjoyable moments of the beautiful day. Theorie’s artistic and modern wedding photography was the perfect fit for Larissa and Robert, who were very happy with Amy and Maurice’s easy-going personalities and creativity. With the beach just a block away from the wedding venue, the couple had the best of both worlds … beach wedding pictures and a lovely outdoor ceremony in an intimate setting. Fellow San Diego Weddings of Distinction member, Rae Florae, provided the bright and beautiful floral design. As you can see from the wedding photos, Rae Florae’s lovely and creative floral creations brightened every aspect of the wedding day.

tips from the pros :: do your flower homework

When preparing to meet with your florist, it’s easy to think they are going to have all the answers! But, if you are aware of your own preferences and needs in advance of your first appointment, the experience will be much smoother.

It’s important to remember that it’s your wedding. It’s your florist’s job to enhance your personal style by translating it into the floral designs that will become your bouquets, ceremony decorations, and reception centerpieces, among other details.

The more you know about yourself and what you are hoping to see, the better your florist will be able to guide you and make recommendations that are perfectly suited to your tastes! It’s true that couples often come in the door with partial ideas and leave with a much clearer vision for their wedding day, simply because the flowers tie everything together. From the dresses to the favors – your wedding design develops through your planning with your florist.

With this in mind, these are the key things to do before appearing at your florist’s door:

1) Know your colors.
Even if the shades change from dark to light or earthy to spring fresh, the general color scheme is a major force of guidance.

2) Know your budget.
Your florist can help you maximize the amount you prefer to spend if he/she knows from the start how much there is to work with.

3) Explore your options!
Look online at all the many, many blogs/magazines/websites with pictures of real weddings to help inspire you and show you the creative options available to personalize your day.

written by Paula Anderson of Rae Florae

Tag: wedding florist