Jenille Loves Robin

Jenille and Robin were married this past spring at the Coronado Community Center. Over an eighteen month period, each detail was coordinated to reflect the couple's wedding theme "Distance and Time." This represented their long-distance romance, as well as the many places they had traveled together. With catering by Personal Touch and Manila Food, the entire meal was not only stupendous, but honored the couple's heritage. Tables alternated between floral arrangements and a "shadow box" created by the bride and groom. These unique tabletops included a photo of the couple in a place they traveled together, as well as trinkets and memories from the location. The couple certainly had fun in mind. With a photo booth by Chaz Cruz, magician Kevin on hand during cocktail hour, and the lego cake topper made by the groom, the day was a really fun party! Jenille and Robin, I so enjoyed getting to know you and your families during the planning process and on the wedding day! Thank you for putting your faith in me.

A listing of vendors that helped make the day:

Catering and Rentals: Personal Touch Dining

Florals, Decor, Design and Coordination: I Do...Weddings!

Photography: Chaz Cruz

Entertainment: Isle Entertainment and Daniel Peterson

Hair and Make-up: July Chanthamart

Miranda loves Russell!

Miranda and Russell married last month in Mission Bay during an intimate three-day affair. They arrived to San Diego and celebrated with an engagement session and dinner at the Prado. On their wedding day, they rented a really unique and modern rental property on the bay in Mission Bay. They married with their toes in the sand and a rooftop cocktail reception in their rental home. The weekend was topped off with a cruise, where guests set sail with the newlyweds! AS Photography was on hand to document all three occasions, and it was a unique challenge and fun challenge, as we did not get to meet the bride till the wedding weekend. But, it was a lovely day with warm beach weather. Above are a few beautiful photos from the weekend.....we especially love the touch of the parasols that traveled to us from New Orleans for a little southern flair!

The bride wanted a vintage feel, with shades of champagne, tan, peach and ivory, and we gardenias and orchids to soften the bride and groom's extremely modern venue.

Vendors that helped make the day:

Photography: AS Photography

Florals, Design and Coordination: I Do...Weddings!

I Do...Weddings! and Melissa Barrad featured in Exquisite Weddings

This past summer, Melissa was invited to design a tabletop for the fall issue of Exquisite Weddings magazine at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. However, instead of designing a round or a long table, she looked towards the new trend of cocktail-style receptions, signature drinks and extended cocktail hours!

She partnered with Blush Botanicals, and created a simple, yet impactful spread for the magazine. She collaborated with mixologist Craig Allen of Shake Bartenders and Jessica Shebby and Giusesppe Ciuffa of Giuseppe Catering to create a unique pairing menu for the shoot. The showstopping bar and rentals you see here are from Concepts Event Design.

Many thanks to everyone that participated in this shoot! We had a blast! Many thanks to the entire EW team for the opportunity.

Honeymoon Planning

When I think honeymoon, my thoughts almost always go somewhere warm, tropical....where you can lay on the beach with a cocktail in hand. Luckily, since we are on the west coast, we are lucky to be so close to Hawaii and Tahiti. Sure, the internet is helpful, but there is a lot to think about when planning your honeymoon...it's almost like wedding planning in itself!

Well, enter Jenifer. She's not only super knowledgeable about Hawaii and Tahiti, I've known her for over twenty years. We went to elementary school, junior high and high school together. SaveOnAloha.com has been around since 1955, and gives you all of those great connections for free upgrades, free champagne and VIP amenities. She and I essentially have the same job, to put you in touch with people we have trusted relationships with, and will give you a honeymoon that is relaxing and effortless. She can help answer questions about the best "off the beaten path" places to eat, and whether travel insurance is right for you.

Right now, they are also designing special deals for your honeymoon package. I love that the company is a smaller operation, meaning personal attention, lowest prices, responsiveness and people like Jenifer picking up your call directly. Need some help? Consider calling her, drop my name and she will put together a complimentary quote for you.

Jenifer Snyder, Save On Aloha

jenifer@saveonaloha.com

direct line: 800-728-3668

http://www.saveonaloha.com/

Maria Loves Xerxes! (Featured on True Photography's website)

Maria and Xerxes are a sweet, fun and loving couple--which is definitely reflects in their fun wedding photos. They married this past spring at the Torrey Pines State Reserve, with an intimate reception at Pacifica Del Mar. They wanted to rely on the natural beauty of Torrey Pines and Del Mar, and keep their celebration simple, but with lots of personality.

Like most couples, Maria and Xerxes wanted an incredible photographer. So, they brought on True Photography. But, because their group was small, Team True was on hand for six hours. So in order to capture the day on film, we decided to go out of the box. Because they got beautiful at their hotel suite, which was several miles away, we opted to make the best use of our photo time. I came up with the idea to have the getting ready photos done outside! The newlyweds brought furniture and a mirror from home, and I brought several props to help covey the feel of getting ready photos. The bride arrived in her robe, and we hung her gown from a tree. This also gave us some time to do a private first look before guests arrived. I also loved how we used Del Mar Plaza for some of the portraits. I love this space for the view and the ambiance!

Instead of dancing, a guitarist came to provide vocals throughout the day. The day ended with an after party in La Jolla. Maria and Xerxes, it was a pleasure!

To see more images from the day, please visit True Photography's blog.

Vendors that made up this celebration:

Photography: True Photography

Venue: Pacifica Del Mar and Torrey Pines State Reserve

Florals: Jolie Fleur

Baker: Flour Power

Music: Isle Entertainment

Marie Loves Eric!

Eric and Marie were married in June. They are an absolutely lovely couple, who did a destination wedding in reverse! Since they live in Maui, they married at sunrise with a simple ceremony. The following week, they returned to Eric's hometown for a celebration at Scripps Park and Tower 23. Marie requested a "simple wedding, with lots of pink peonies" and it was a breathtaking day! Marie serendaded her groom with a rockin' hula, too.

Marie and Eric, it was an honor. I so enjoyed your updates from Maui while I was here on the mainland. Thank you for your generosity and kind spirits!

Vendors that made up this day:

Venue: Tower 23

Photography: Aaron and Samantha Thompson

Florals: Melissa, I Do...Weddings!

Cake: Flour Power

Kendall Loves Chris!

My first surprise wedding! Yes, you read that right:) Kendall is originally from San Diego, so when Chris' parents came over from Austrailia, they thought it would tie the knot. So, I worked with Kendall's mother and sister and briefly chatted with the bride once on the phone. It was both exciting and nervewracking to not meet the bride until right before she walked down the aisle, but it was a beautiful day! An intimate group gathered at Alcazar Garden for a beautiful ceremony that definitely showed the couples' personality. As a surprise to the bride, the newlyweds' recessional was the guests playing kazoos! We headed over to Island Prime for an incredible dinner in their cabanas, and additional friends and family joined throughout the evening. I had the opportunity to sit down with the groom's mother and chat a bit during dinner. She remarked that this wasn't her first surprise wedding--and that she'd been a surprise Mother of the Groom once before! :) Kendall and Chris, thank you for putting your utmost trust and faith in me! It was a pleasure working with you and your lovely families!

Vendors that made up this celebration:

Photography: Aaron and Samantha Thompson

Florals: Melissa Barrad, I Do...Weddings!

Cake: Sweet Cheeks