photos courtesy of www.studiocarre.com

As Weddings of Distinction fires up the new year, we descended upon the beautiful Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island on January 24th. Catering Sales Manager Charles Wolford & his staff treated us to a fantastic lunch with dazzling views of San Diego Bay & the marinas from the 9th floor Skyline Room. As we feature members at meetings, Carmin Cermak from Carmin Design impressed us with her wit & colorful personality as she shared with us her vision & passion for full service event planning, including occasional floral & interior design. Haydee Alderete who owns Concepts Event Design along with her husband Frederico provided stunning linens for our tables & chairs. She also told us of their upcoming feature on TV via San Diego 6 where they talked about their fantastic National City showroom…the ultimate in decor shopping.

We’ve amped up our marketing efforts, social media and networking for 2012 which is what will fuel the continued success of Weddings of Distinction throughout 2012 and beyond! Stayed tuned for more….

photos courtesy of Pink Star Design

Jenn Ragusa rocks out invitations with her company Pink Star Design. Based out of San Diego, but servicing all of the US & international, her mantra is “Invite With Style!” As a member of Weddings of Distinction, Jenn & Pink Star exudes quality. Guidance, etiquette, creating a perfect match for your vision…these aspects are what she is all about. After all, your invitation is the first impression of your wedding.

Their aim is to create couture invitations at a reasonable price. Pink Star is very unique in that they are one of the few local invitation businesses who design, print & produce the invites, save-the-dates, seating charts, favor tags, place cards, etc. in house. They are everything paper. Pink Star offers additional services such as complete assembly, mailing & computer or hand calligraphy.

Five pieces of advice:

1)      Your invitation is the 1^st impression for your guests. Choose to reflect your tastes & personality.

2)      Ask upfront about additional costs: extra fees for color, insert card, return address printing, etc.

3)      Quality. Can you touch & feel the product ahead of time? Thickness, feel, style, quality?

4)      You, the bride, must proof the product. Have others (family, friends) read it & double-check for spelling & style.

5)      Caution ~ if shopping online, look at their return policy, options, reprint fees, etc.

Pink Star Design will create a custom designed invitation to match your dream & vision. Trust the professional to take care of your special day’s 1^st impression!!

No wedding is absolutely perfect. When we asked newlyweds and… the less newly wed to share their biggest wedding day woes with us, a few common threads started to emerge. Here’s what we learned:

1. Get It On Film
So many brides told us they wished they’d sprung for a videographer, or given their wedding photographer more specific directions. Your wedding will be RIFE with special moments – make sure you capture as many as possible!

“My husband and I really regret not recording the speeches. They were so loving and beautiful, we were moved to tears again and again! It’s one of the best memories I have of that day and I wish we had a better record of all the kind things our family and friends had to say. A few gave us their typed notes but most strayed and added in some great anecdotes. Nothing about hair/makeup/venue or cakes mattered to me once I realized there were so many people there who loved us so much!” – Isabella

2. Beauty Accidents Happen
Wind, rain, and acts of God can seriously undo your updo. When you’re contemplating your wedding hairstyle, consider the locale, temp, and time of year. ALSO – the week of/day of your wedding is not an awesome time to try exciting new beauty treatments for the first time.

“My biggest mistake? Thinking my hair would actually cooperate and not require 3.5 hours to do so, effectively ruining photo happy time.” – Christen

“My wedding was on the beach. It was gorgeous but there were strong winds so my Kardashian curls turned to a frizzy, curl-less disaster AND my veil flew out. Luckily the ceremony was over when it happened…. But you can see my hair get progressively worse in the pix!” – Jessica

3. Budget Your Time
Three words, ladies. HAIR AND MAKEUP. Too many wedding timelines get derailed when brides don’t budget enough time for wedding prep. Don’t let the primping get the best of your special day!

“I honestly think the one and only thing I would change would be starting hair/make-up for the ladies earlier, so we could have done more bride+bridesmaids photos. That said, I love the few we did get, and that is the *ONLY* thing I would change!” – Sean

4. Don’t Succumb To Peer Pressure
So many brides felt their wedding suffered because they’d been duped into letting friends or friends of friends handle important wedding services. “Friendors” can be fab…but they can also be a big flop.

“I’d have written contracts for services provided. Just because they’re your friends doesn’t mean you don’t need one. I’m still waiting for the dvd of our ceremony 13 mos later with no way of getting my money or the video footage.” – Jennifer

So there you have it brides – wedding wisdom from real brides who have been to the altar and back (and lived to tell about it). If you’ve recently wed, tell us – what would you have tweaked about your wedding?

-courtesy OneWed.com

Yes, sometimes we do get out and have some fun! This year’s holiday party consisted of cosmic bowling and a variety of ugly Christmas sweaters….with a few select prizes for the most creative. We had great fun with each other during a relaxed evening away from work, but some competition was definitely going on between the lanes…and the santa gift exchange!

We hope that you all have a wonderful and happy holiday season, and we’ll see you next year!!

courtesy of Bob Brichmann, DJ / Emcee at Artistic Productions

The adage that the right DJ can make or break your event is completely accurate. DJs come with so many skill levels, levels of experience and do so many different things. Yes, they play music, but there’s an art to mixing your tastes with those of your friends & families coupled with timing (not to mention dealing with spontaneous requests). The emcee aspect, including introductions & announcements are all key tasks for the modern DJ. DJs monitor and manage the flow of events as the evening unfolds. They mini-crisis manage. They interact with the other professionals to make sure all are on the same page.

DJs also help with ceremony music & microphones. DJs are production specialists these days, too. They can do multiple sets both on-property and at two different locations and even set remote speakers for outdoor patio areas. Various A/V aspects are often a part of their repertoire, including DVD/slide show projection, monograms, uplighting, pin-spotting and various lighting décor.

Brides & grooms should look 1^st for someone that does weddings. They are different than high school dances, bars/clubs, bar mitzvahs, karaoke parties and backyard BBQ’s. Find the personality you “click” with. Discuss your dream and seek their advice. You’ve probably never been married. Many of the good DJs do upwards of 100 weddings a year. That says something for experience. It’ll give you peace of mind, but, more importantly, it’ll lead to a stress free, memorable wedding experience.

photos courtesy of abi photography

Our last meeting for 2011 was a lot of fun. Elizabeth Bradshaw from The Loft and Michelle Koenig, Projects Manager for Zanzibar Café, Inc., treated us to a great venue and lunch experience at UC San Diego.  Our guests were Brent Clifford, Studio Carre, and Joe Park with Disc Go Round DJ & Video Services. We also welcomed our newest member, Jen from Pink Star Design!  And our thanks to Paula for the great centerpieces.

Andy Hagenah was our showcaser.  He talked about Disc Go Round DJ & Video Services and Starlight Photo Booth (yep, we got to take fun pictures in it too).  Andy, Tim and sometimes a third guy handle the DJ end of the business.  We all know Andy is professional, classy and does a great job for his clients!  Joe Park, one of the videographers, does a lot of video for DGR and showed us a sample video of his work ~ professional, sharp and a great overview of the event.  Andy offers a lot of value and entertainment with the photo booth, including video, props and pictures ~~ prices vary so check with on availability and options.

The Loft is a great location for all kinds of events, including weddings.  They can seat 120-150 for weddings and 223 standing room.  The space rents for $1500 and offers an impressive variety of packages.   They have a wine and beer license, lots of tables/chairs custom menus and an over-the-top sound system.  In addition to the delicious lunch, we all were given welcome bags (including cool T-shirts)!   They really did a great job hosting us ~~ special thanks to Krista and Karen for setting this one up.  It’s a “hidden jewel” and they would love our support.

After raffle prizes were drawn, we all headed off campus to enjoy the rest of our afternoon.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our Ugly Sweater Bowling Party with Secret Santa gift exchange next month.  Our new Board will be announced then too!

Happy Holidays All!!

This month we went with a different meeting format and had our first open, frank, solution based discussions through a Vendor Panel to promote communication and consideration for other vendors. it was a very productive and informative meeting with some crucial points of discussion:

1.                   Be considerate of other vendors ~~ their point of view, their contribution to the event. In other words, be a Team Player!

2.                   Communication

3.                   Share timelines ~~~ keep everyone in the loop (but don’t overdue the amount of emails)

4.                   Communication

5.                   Photographers need the timeline early so they can schedule the photography shoot correctly. 

6.                   Venues and coordinators, please share room layouts, especially power outlets, room direction, decor.

7.                   Venues and coordinators, please share room layout with the entertainment people and consult them on where they should be set up.

8.                   Communication

9.                   Photographers & Entertainment need to eat when the guests eat ~~

10.               Open lines of communication between florists, photographers and brides ~~ share that timeline!

11.               Sense of Urgency should be limited to week of……better planning = less stress

12.               rather than relying totally on your web site, get the client to the studio, office, coffeehouse, anywhere you can meet and talk in person

13.               Educate your brides to hire professional vendors and eliminate the “disasters” and “unprofessional vendors” from ruining the event

                  and creating unnecessary stress

14.               Refer WoD members to strengthen not only the group’s dynamics but to create highly successful events on all levels.

15.               Be respectful of the venue, hall, other vendors.  Talk with them, not at them.  Bury the Diva attitude!

16.               Find out what the bride really needs ~~ then work at referring people that will fit her needs and personality.

17.               Did we mention Communication and Timelines?!!

18.               Blog to help educate.  Write magazine articles. 

19.             Tweet and Facebook ~~ use the technology to stay in touch with the brides.

Thank you to Carly McVay for hosting us at the beautiful Hilton Del Mar!

Images courtesy of Elle G Photography

Members enjoyed a delightful meeting at the Loew’s Coronado Bay Resort.  Our President, Ann Strobel, was busy coordinating a wedding in Northern California so our very capable Krista Murphy, acted as our Hostess/Emcee.

Krista introduced our guests: Jen Ragusa, Pink Star Design, Betty representing Concepts and Brent, the other half of Studio Carre’ Photographie.

Our showcasers were Shannon and Brent of Studio Carre’ Photographie.  Shannon explained the importance of building a relationship with their clients, customized packages, creative shooting, whether it be an intimate beach or large wedding.  They keep current with the trends and styles.  Not only do they shoot weddings, but also corporate business to boudoir photography.  They are talented and easy to work with and we are so proud to have Studio Carre’ in Weddings of Distinction.

We did a trivia test on Coronado and drew names of our drawing winners, Carmin (for 2 bottles of wine) and Andrea who won gift certificates to Vigiluccis and Truluck’s La Jolla.  Paula of Rae Florae provided beautiful florals and Lisa from Elle G captured our event through her talented lens.

The Loews Coronado is a beautiful resort, it’s pet friendly, has three ceremony sites, beautiful ballrooms and gondelas for a relaxing, romantic getaway around the bay. “Gordie” offered a tour of the property at the end of the meeting.

Next month, our hostess will be Carlie McVay from the Hilton Del Mar.  We are planning a fabulous open vendor panel to discuss educating vendors to educate clients, being a team player and ways to overcome obstacles in selling.  The focus will be on solutions and everyone will walk away with new knowledge and skills to improve their business!

photos courtesy of studiocarre.com

Members had a great time at the University Club atop the Symphony Towers last month.  Ed Westfield told us about the awesome renovations recently completed…they love to book weddings and were very excited to host WoD and share the beautiful new changes!

Our guest was Darrin Dietz, representing AFR and our Showcaser was Paula of Rae Florae, who is celebrating five successful years and growing to six assistants/designers. What’s big in florals?  Succulents, painted and lots of greens.  Her designs are simplicity created and expressed in a new way.  Her expertise is reflected in her level of detail and excellent service!  And, she’s really, really sweet!

We did a little ice-breaker game ~ “two truths and a lie” and tried to guess who did what.  It was hilarious ~ we have some very creative people in our group and learned lots about each other!

Kimmy from Sensation Show Band told us about her new band, 80’s Beta Max.  Kimmy will be playing at the Del Mar Powerhouse concert in the park on 9/18.  A bunch of us rocked out at Viejas with her too ~ it was a disco inferno! Her bands are jamming!

Lunch was delicious, champagne flowed and raffle prizes were drawn.  Everyone was very busy networking, excited about the busy summer months and our meeting next month at Loew’s Coronado!

Weddings of Distinction is proud to announce that Kristina Chartier Photography and Cali Cards were featured on the California Wedding Wave blog for a 1920′s inspired photoshoot.  It’s amazing what can happen when you get San Diego’s finest wedding professionals together.