Lara and Daniel’s amazing wedding!

I was so excited to finally see the photos from Lara and Daniel’s wedding. This was one of those weddings where the love really shined through!

Bobby Earle (who became a first time Dad just 3 days before the event so his wife Lindsay brought baby Clive to visit during the photo shoot and I didnt get to see him because I was busy – you owe me a cuddle guys) along with the help of his good friend Josh, joined me to make sure this special event went off without a hitch. Funny enough, I also had a last minute replacement when my assistant had a family emergency and Maria from San Diego Events Lighting stepped in to assist me all night long and save the day. Talk about working with great vendors!

From the amazing ceremony performed by Bethel Nathan, fabulous food from 3 top cateres in San Diego,  to the intimate family home reception, the party never stopped. The dancing was amazing, and almost every guest complimented either myself or the Bride and Groom on what a great time they had.

Congratulations Lara and Daniel!

For those Brides and Grooms who have heard about seeing each other before the wedding but are still undecided – here is what Bobby Earle had to say about Daniel and Lara seeing each other for the “First Look”

“Daniel and Lara decided on doing a first look. If I would have done one thing differently on my wedding day, it would be this. Not because it makes pictures easier — but because as guys, there is a lot of pressure on our reaction. We know that tons of people are going to judge our reaction and try to figure out how in love we are with our almost wives. I know I didn’t like the pressure. I wish I could have seen my bride all by myself — in a much more intimate setting. The photographer in me likes first looks. The romantic in me absolutely loves them.”

Following the ceremony, the guests were invited to the front of the house for the Cocktail Hour. The entire back yard had  to be redesigned for reception. Maria and I worked our magic, moved tables and chairs and used existing family furniture and voila!

I have to say something about Bethel Nathan.  Not only is she an amazing Officiant, but a truly wonderful lady. Her ceremonies are so personal and entertaining. When we first began planning the wedding it was originally set for a different date and Bethel was unfortunately booked. But as fate would have it, the date changed and Bethel was available. Lara and Daniel were so thrilled to have her be such a special part of their ceremony. Personally I hope I get the opportunity to work with Bethel many more times in the years to come.

The beautiful Ceremony and Personal Flowers were created from Paula Rae with Rae Florea. Reception flowers were designed by a friend of the family, Diane. It was such a pleasure working with both of these talented ladies.

Did I mention the dancing? Daniel’s sister is a professional dancer and it showed. She had everyone out on the dance floor with choreographed routines that astounded most of us!

Thanks to Bobby Earle and Josh for such a fun evening. and for the rest of the vendors who made this another Dream Wedding

Rentals: Abbey Party Rentals

Lounge Furniture: Concepts Event Designs

DJ: Hey Mr. DJ

Catering: Phils BBQ, Crepes Bonaparte, Miho Gastro Truck

Wedding Cake and Desserts: Sweet Cheeks Bakery

Valet Services: PVP Preferred Valet Parking

Photo Booth: Peek-A-Boo Photo Booth

Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Tapalaga

Priscilla and Richard had their Dream Wedding Day! We were so lucky with the weather as just a few days before it was rainy and cold.

There are certain clients that I am really sad to see go, and Priscilla and Richard are one of them. We promised to stay in touch, so hopefully you will see them again as their family grows in a few years!

Thank you to the wonderful vendors who made this such an enjoyable wedding:

Jessica Beringer – El Cortez

Nan and Alexis – Classic Filmworks

Maria Harman – San Diego Events Lighting

Dennis Berrgstrom – B’Entertained

Reverend Randy Yenter

Michael – Rolls Livery

David – Sun Diego Charter

And a BIG Thank you to Stephanie and Tina with Stephina Photogrpahy for the beautiful photographs!

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Stephina Photography

Priscilla and Richard are getting Married!

Priscilla Srbu and Richard Tapalaga are getting married on the hottest day of the year…no not the warmest but the coolest..10.10.10!

I will be working along side Stephanie and Tina with Stephina Photography to make this Dream Wedding a Reality.

San Diego Wedding for Kristy and Jeff Walker

Celebrating their 1 week anniversary today is the Newlyweds, Kristy and Jeff Walker!
A Dream Wedding was brought in on their day to help make sure things ran smoothly, but listen carefully to what Jeff has to say about when to hire your wedding planner!

Kristy did a great job in personalizing her wedding, I give her 2 thumbs up!

Congratulations to you both.

Bree and Luke are getting Married!!

I’m so excited for Breanne Olds and Luke Rowand 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!

Mr. and Mrs. Dan and Michelle Alderman

Planning this San Diego Wedding was so much fun! Michelle and Dan were amazing to work with, from picking the venues, designing the delicious menu and customizing the all the intricate and beautiful details. I wish Michelle and Dan a lifetime full of Love and Happiness!

Bobby and Lyndsay Earle with Bobby Earle Photography did an amazing  job with the photos! It was hard to pick just a few so I’m putting up almost everything Bobby sent me!

Ceremony: Morgan Run Resort

Reception: Power House Del Mar

Vendors:

Flowers. Tessilk Flowers

Linens. A Perfect Table

Catering. Eco Caters

Draping and Lighting. San Diego Events Lighting

Favors and Hospitality Bags. Favors To You

Ceremony Doves. Feathers From Heaven

Woody Car. Given Harrison

Assistant Coordinator. Wynn Austin

A sincere Thank You from Amy and Ed Legaspi

 

Dear Sharon,
It has been almost a year since you have helped us create the wedding of our dreams and I can tell you right now that people to this day are still expressing how it was the best wedding they ever been to.   Our wedding was exceptionally perfect and you have accomplished that for us.  From the tiny details to negotiating contracts, you were always guiding and helping us create our vision.  Not only that, but you made it fun and stress-free.  You are seriously the best wedding coordinator ever!  You went above and beyond and exceeded all our expectations.  We enjoyed working with you and we very much miss you Sharon. 
Ed and I will always remember how gorgeous and perfect our wedding was.  Thank you Sharon for being the most delightful, amazing and thoughtful wedding coordinator ever.  Also, thank you for being such a wonderful person.   Any bride/groom who chooses you to be their wedding coordinator is a lucky couple and wise! :)   We will definitely keep you in mind once our renewals come!
With love,
Amy and Ed Legaspi

Mr. and Mrs. Jaion and Brandi Lee

Some things are just worth waiting for. I’m so excited to finally share with you the photos from Brandi and Jaion”s wedding held May 29, 2010 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Thank you to Brant Bender Photography for these amazing photos! (There were so many to choose from so I may have to post more again later)

Thank you Brandi and Jaion for an amazing day and I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!

I love this photo. I think it’s Brandi and Jaion’s favorite too.

Brandi and I could not have been more thrilled about the way the ceremony details came out. Thank you to Tessilk Flowers for making it happen.

This was one of those moments that Brandi envisioned when we first began planning the ceremony. I’m so happy that the guests enjoyed it as much as Brandi and Jaion did.

After the wedding, guests were asked to toss a penny into the wishing well for luck.

I love this next photo of Brandi (there were so many beautiful photos of her to chose from) but I really love this one because this is how I saw Brandi all day…never without a smile on her face. Exactly the way every Bride should feel on their Dream Wedding Day!

 Another “Must Have” for the wedding. A Beautiful White Dance Floor and custom wedding monogram.

The Table linens were custom made by A Perfect Table. Brandi’s colors of Peaches and Cream with the elegant touch of Gold really made an impact with the Santiago Ballroom decor.

I loved the way Brandi and Jaion incorporated their newly married last name. Using the letter “L” they came up with 5 Lessons of Love to show their guests during the cocktail hour. Love, Loyalty, Life, Longevity and Laughter.

 Every Bride and Groom deserve the perfect wedding cake. Brandi and Jaion’s was made especailly for them by Brandi’s Aunt.

Here is the final “Must Have’ on Brandi’s Wish List. A White Chocolate Fountain from Chocolate Haven

Family and Friends were invited to take home sweet treats in these custom favor boxes made by Favors To You.

Calling all “A Dream Wedding” new Clients and past Brides. Fun Competition from Brides.com

Record Your Love Story
Brides.com is celebrating love. Share your video love story with us, then tell your family and friends to vote for your video. The Dating, Engaged, and Married video with the most votes will each win a prize package worth $1500!

 

Let me know if you enter the contest and I will post your video on my website to help you get more votes!

Good Luck!

Sharon

Planning the Perfect Wedding

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.