I’m so excited for Breanne Olds and Luke Rowland who are getting married on May 21, 2011 at the beautiful Rancho Bernardo Inn.
I will be working along side Nick and Brian from ABM Photography to make this day absoultely memorable.
Thank you guys for the fun Engagement photos!
If your planning a wedding in San Diego and want an historic and intimate venue, look no further than The La Jolla Womans Club.
Thank you to Abby Catering and Postive Energy DJ for the photos.
Contact Sharon if you would like more information about planning your wedding at the La Jolla Womans Club.
One of my favorite venues in San Diego is the Prado. Why? The Prado has all the three major elements that all Brides and Grooms look for when planning a wedding in San Diego.
1. Beautiful Location.
The Prado at Balboa Park is a National Historic Landmark which was originally built for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition. This two year festival was held in Balboa Park to promote San Diego and to celebrate the 1914 opening of the Panama Canal. In 2000, The House of Hospitality reopened after a complete reconstruction and modernization. The 3-year renovation restored the building’s architecture, artwork, sculptures, alcoves, gardens and fountains. Every effort was made to historically renovate the House of Hospitality in keeping with its original Spanish, Moorish and Mexican architectural design. This is evident in over two dozen, original, hand-painted, wooden stencil designs on doors as well as the intricate hand stenciled ceilings and beams. The Donal Hord sculpture, “Women of Tehuantepec” still remains in the fountain of the building’s restored central courtyard.
The renovated House of Hospitality features lush historical gardens and a courtyard, elegant banquet rooms, romantic terraces and the outdoor grandeur of the historic Casa Del Rey Moro Gardens. The Prado at Balboa Park offers more than 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space and can accommodate groups of 20-20,000 guests.
2. All Inclusive Wedding Packages.
Wedding Reception Package
One Hour of Silver Level Brand Bar
Tray Passed Hors d’oeuvres with White Glove Service
Luncheon or Dinner Menu designed by Award Winning Executive Chef Jonathan Hale
Formal Champagne Toast
Professional Staff-Synchronized Service
Wedding Cake
Full Length Table Linens, Gold Chiavarri Chairs and Porcelain China
Beautiful Casa Del Rey Moro Gardens For Your Ceremony
White Padded Outdoor Chairs
Gift and Guest Book Tables
Bridal Changing Room
Scheduled Rehearsal Time
Outdoor Sound System for Officiant
3. The Food.
Chef Jonathan Hale and his staff prepare amazing menus for both lunch and dinner. The Prado’s restaurant awards are numerous and well deserved!
Gold Medallion Award 2009 | Best New American
Caterer of the Year Award 2009 | NACE San Diego Chapter
The Best in Weddings 2008/2009/2010 | The Knot Wedding Network
Gold Medallion 2006/2007 | Best Casual Continental
Best Romantic Restaurant 2006/2007 | SignOn SD Readers Poll
Best Outdoor Dining 2005/2007 | SD Home & Garden Mag
Best Restaurant in a Historic Building 2006 | 944 Magazine
Best Décor 2005/2006 | SD Home and Garden Magazine
Best of the Best (Moderate) 2005| San Diego Magazine
Chef of the Year 2005 | Jeff Thurston
Gold Medallion Award 2005 | Best Continental Casual Dining
Gold Medallion Award 2004 | Best Casual Dining
America’s Best Restaurants Award | Gourmet Magazine
Gold Medallion Award 2000 | Best New Restaurant
Best New Restaurant 2000 | San Diego Magazine
“Four Stars” | California Restaurant Writer’s Association
Silver Fork Award | San Diego Home and Garden Magazine
It’s June which means if your like me, you will visit the Del Mar Fair (now known as the San Diego County Fair) from now until July 5, 2010.
I was there today with my parents who are visiting me from England (didn’t know I was British right?). We saw all the Food, Carnival, Flower Show and Pig Races! (see my tweets from today). My favorite was the mini donuts – delicious!
But while I was there, it reminded me of two amazing weddings that I have coordinated in the past at the fairgrounds.
Did you know you can get married at the historic Del Mar Fairground?
The Del Mar Fairgrounds has the perfect setting for all special celebrations. Its amenities include:
Contact me if you would like more information about getting Married or have your next Special Event at the Fairgrounds!
I asked Brandi to tell you all about her wonderful wedding that will take place today at the Rancho Bernardo Inn.
Check back soon for photos from Brant Bender!
The Details…
Wedding Ceremony Location: Rancho Bernardo Inn – Valencia Lawn
Wedding Reception Location: Santiago Ballroom
Number of Attendants/Bridesmaids: 8 and 8
Wedding Coordinator: Sharon Cole/ A Dream Wedding by Sharon Cole
Officiant: Pastor Patrick Foy
Photographer: Brant Bender Photography
Videographer: Ashley Video Productions
Florist: Tessilk Flowers
Linens: A Perfect Table
Entertainment (Ceremony): Caprice Strings
Entertainment (Cocktail Hour): J. Boykin Saxophone
Entertainment (Reception): Sunset Mobile Music
Catering: Rancho Bernardo Inn
Wedding Cake: Edelweiss
Invitations: Costco
Stationery: Invitation Theory
Hair: Catrice
Makeup: Makeup by Natalie
Dress: Deborah’s Bridal Signature Collection
Men’s Formalwear: Mens Warehouse
Jewelry/Rings: Robbins Bros
Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals (chairs and White dance floor)
Other: Chocolate Haven and Dove Release (40) Feathers From Heaven
Theme: Classic Sophistication
Honeymoon & Travel: Sandals St. Lucia
Which three vendors that went beyond the call of duty and were A+ (you could and will recommend to everyone):
Sharon from A Dream Wedding by Sharon Cole was beyond AMAZING! She was so organized and detail oriented. She was able to keep me calm at all moments of planning, and seemed to be inside of my head to create my exact vision.
Tess from Tessilk Flowers was wonderful! She definitely knows what she is doing and has an eye for the perfect look in floral arrangements.
Brant from Brant Bender Photography. Brant is truly an artist. His photography is amazing and his personality is equally amazing. We felt comfortable at every moment of picture taking (engagement session) and he gave us pointed on how to pose to get the looks just right.
Edelweiss. I loved every moment of picking my cake. When I was unsure of the cake flavors, the owner came out and offered to create a White Chocolate Pound Cake for us. She sat and described every aspect of what could go into the flavor and then made wonderful suggestions on décor. She was right on, and I got the 5 tier cake of my dreams.
Tell us about your wedding…
My fiancé and I love of travel, so we thought it would be great to have a destination wedding. We also wanted to think of our guests by picking a location that was still accessible to family and friends without the expenses of airfare. This led us to beautiful Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, two and half hours from our Inland Empire home. We chose the Rancho Bernardo Inn because of its elegant and timeless atmosphere plus beautiful and plush gardens. My immediately fell in love with how it was green everywhere but still had a classic charm filled with sophistication.
We are having an evening ceremony held at Rancho Bernardo Inn’s outdoor lawn, with the cocktail hour in the Santiago courtyard, before guests will be moved inside to the Santiago ballroom for dinner and dancing. Our goal was to host an event filled with the same sophistication and class of RBI, while allowing guests to enjoy a good party. For us it’s all about the party. I wanted the wedding to feature soft palettes of Ivory, Champagne, and Peach. I was inspired by a bouquet of peach roses that my fiancé once gave me and my vision grew from there. I centered a lot of my décor decisions on the soft peach rose. And since a rose is very traditional yet timeless, that’s exactly the style of my wedding with a slight twist of a contemporary edge.
The ceremony will feature mostly white floral arrangements with the exception of peach orchids attached to strands of crystals hanging from the Canopy draped in White Organza. Down the aisle we will have bunches of white rose petals arranged in a crisscross pattern down the center with rows of peach rose petals scattered along the sides. The bridesmaids will walk down the aisle to the classical sounds of Bach, wearing elegant strapless Jim Hjelm dresses in Cashmere. The soft hews of the colors perfectly compliment each of their skin tones, while adding additional softness to the color scheme of the overall wedding. The groomsmen are also sticking with the soft colored theme by wearing Ivory Tuxedos from Men’s Warehouse with Champagne colored vests and ties. The groom and I are wearing uninterrupted white, with my gown being a strapless dropped-waist ball gown from Deborah’s Bridal Signature Collection paired with a cathedral length veil. Adorning my hair will be a dramatic side comb of rhinestone flowers, crystals, and marquis stones by Bel Aire Bridal. My favorite part of the ceremony’s order will probably be the 40 doves released right as the pastor announces my fiancé and me as man and wife.
During the cocktail hour guests will enjoy open bar while listening to soft jazz played by saxophone artist, J. Boykin. The reception will be equally grand featuring soft peach up-lighting throughout the ballroom with a perfect mix of round and rectangle guest tables. The custom peach linen will be topped with champagne scrolled overlays, gold charger plates, ivory napkins, and custom designed menu cards. The centerpieces for the round tables are vases filled with peach orchids and topped with a round arrangement of white hydrangeas, peach and white roses, and peach and white lilies. The centerpieces for the rectangle tables are more contemporary having tall pillar vases filled with peach orchids and tops with floating candles. With short square vases on each side filled with white and peach roses, hydrangeas, and lilies. In the center of the ballroom will be a white dance floor that beautifully highlights the custom gobo of mine and my fiancés names and wedding date. This same monogram will be present in the seating chart, menu card, favor boxes, and place cards to keep the cohesion of all printed items. Dinner will include a choice of white or red wine paired with a duet plate of filet mignon and salmon. After dinner the guest get both wedding cake and white chocolate fountain as dessert choices. I am especially excited about the White Chocolate fountain because not only is it doubling as the guests favor, but the dipping items, long stem strawberries, marshmallows, cream puffs, rice crispy treats, and bananas, are some of my favorite desserts.
In my opinion, my wedding is unique because we were able to pull of a destination wedding for 150 guests without sacrificing a single element of my vision and while staying on budget. We incorporated the “L” from my newly married last name into all the stationary and include 5 “Lessons of Love” each beginning with the letter L into frames placed on the cocktail tables.
I truly believe my wedding mirrors many weddings on Platinum weddings without the platinum budget.
Now that your engaged, the first thing on your mind will be “Where do we want to get Married?”
Choosing the right wedding ceremony, and reception venue can make a big difference on the look, feel, and budget of your wedding.
First look at your preliminary guest list. Chose a venue that will be able to host your number of guests without making them feel too cramped inside the room, or lost inside a room that is too large. Most venues will have a room diagram of what the capacity is for each ballroom.
Once you know your guest count, take a look at the overall budget for the wedding. Tabulate everyone that is contributing, and figure close to 50% will go to your reception budget for Food and Beverage. Keep in mind that when looking at price menus, there may or may not be a Food and Beverage minimum for a Friday-Sunday wedding reception. You must equal that minimum no matter what your guest count is. If your guest count exceeds the minimum then you also need to take into account that a service charge and California state tax will be added to the final tally. Don’t be surprised that the state tax is added AFTER the service charge.
If your on a tighter budget, chose a Venue that can host both your ceremony and reception. This will cut down on Transportation, Photographers time, and allow an easier transition from ceremony to reception for you and your guests. Keep in mind that ceremony site fees may be double to what you pay for in a church.
If you want to learn more about San Diego Reception and Ceremony locations, attend my free Open House held every Wednesday night at my Chula Vista Showroom. Please call to RSVP at 619 723-0674. or fill out the contact form on the website.
Happy Planning!
Sharon
By Union-Tribune
Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 12:05 a.m.
You’re getting ready to leave for a friend’s beach wedding when all of a sudden your husband trots out in his best pair of jeans and a T-shirt. You shake your head and say, “No, no, no,” but he’s convinced that a beach wedding is equivalent to a barbecue.
The good news is that you have truth, justice and the bridal way on your side. While beach weddings are often more casual affairs, it’s considered poor form to wear jeans — even if they are the expensive kind, says Wynn Austin, owner of Le Chic Wedding Consulting, a San Diego company.
Same goes for shorts.
Think of it like a restaurant: “No shorts, no jeans, no wedding service,” Austin adds.
Of course, that doesn’t mean your husband has to change into his best suit either. In fact, being overdressed at a beach wedding can be just as big a faux pas as being underdressed — not too mention pretty uncomfortable, too.
The best bet for men is a light pair of pants, whether they be cotton khakis or linen, and a collared shirt. If you’re unsure how fancy the affair is, your husband can add a blazer. He can take it off if it’s too warm or if it makes him look too stuffy.
To avoid the wedding-day fight over your husband’s attire, consider when and where the event is being held, suggests Sharon Cole, a local wedding planner. A wedding at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa will probably demand a nicer set of duds than at something being held right on the beach.
Keep in mind, the couple’s wedding website can be helpful in making the right sartorial decisions. If your friends haven’t set one up, it’s perfectly fine to give them a call to find out the dress code, Cole adds.
Now when it comes to your ensemble, think sundress, strappy sandals — not flip-flops — and some sort of wrap or sweater because, as everyone in San Diego County knows, it can get chilly at night at the beach — no matter the season.
If you’re still searching for that IT place to get married…..La Valencia in La Jolla is one of our favorite wedding venues! Set against a backdrop of the blue Pacific with flowering courtyards, breathtaking sunsets, distinctive Spanish architecture, and hand painted mosaics, La Valencia is an elegant setting for your wedding. The hotel features unique banquet facilities, each with ocean views, three award-winning restaurants available for private events, and extensive wine, cocktail and menu offerings. Sharon is a preferred vendor at La Valencia so you can contact her for more information or visit their website!!!!
Photo curtesy of Bobby Earle Photography
Yesterday, Rachelle, Alicia and I met with Laura Koring at Delicias Restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe. This quaint restaurant tucked away in the Rancho Santa Fe village is the perfect spot for a small Wedding, Reception or Rehearsal Dinner.
Delicias Restaurant serves California Fresh Cuisine in the heart of historic Rancho Santa Fe. Executive Chef Michael Knowles’ farm to table approach focuses on regional sustainable products, with the idea of creating delicious and memorable meals by serving the very best ingredients from local farms. Nightly specials showcase these just-picked vegetables alongside delectable ocean and farm selections paired with light dressings and summery sauces to create savory dishes. Delicias’ wine list favors California and it continues to grow with the upcoming completion of a 5,000 bottle wine cellar in Spring of 2010. Always striving to provide the ultimate dining experience for every customer, Delicias Restaurant is the perfect setting to enjoy cocktails and dinner with family and friends. Whether it’s a casual lunch in the charming courtyard, cocktails on the front patio, or a romantic evening in the cozy dining room, Rancho Santa Fe’s Delicias Restaurant promises a relaxed dining experience.
Private Dining: Delicias Restaurant offers several different private and semi-private dining spaces. The Courtyard, our most intimate of spaces, holds a maximum of 40 for dinner. This quaint central patio, covered or uncovered, entices guests with its cozy feel, multiple heat lamps and large brick fireplace. The front patio, adorned with its huge green awnings and fire pits is a great area for a cocktail reception (50-60) or a seated dinner (up to 30). The main dining room is an ideal space for large parties with its high ceilings, ornate drapes, large fireplace and amber glow – perfect for seated dinners of up to 70.
Delicias Restaurant has been awarded the 2009 Rancho Santa Fe Review Reader’s Choice Gold Medal for Best Fine Dining Restaurant, as voted by the readers of Rancho Santa Fe Review, Carmel Valley News, and the Del Mar Village Voice. Lunch reservations are accepted Monday through Friday between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Dinner reservations are accepted from 5:30 pm Monday through Saturday, and may be made by calling the restaurant directly at 858-756-8000 or on its website at deliciasrestaurant.com.
Contact me if you would like to visit Delicias Sharon Cole
