San Diego Event Coordinator Appreciation! | Ann’s Plans

“This is your wedding, so it should reflect your personality and fulfill your dreams.”

 

We love working with Ann’s Plans! Clients can always trust her to make their event plans her own. Ann’s Plans specializes in stress-free brides. Ann works tirelessly to make sure your wedding will reflect your personality and fulfill all your dreams, all while presenting your family and friends with a fantastic celebration they’ll never forget.

You can choose services from complete event planning, month-of assistance, and day-of coordination. Ann’s experienced skill set can provide you with a personalized planning checklist, calendar, and wedding day timeline for effortless organization. She is knowledgeable in a spectrum of customs and etiquette for any occasion, and her repertoire of industry contacts provide referrals for high-quality wedding vendors for your future event.

 

Your Dream Event is in good hands with Ann.

Reach Out Today!

Ann Strobel
Phone: 619-206-5676
Email: ann@annsplans.com

 

 

Ann’s Plans Website

Our Event Collaboration!

Testimonials!

Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers For Any Occasion!

“There’s An App For That”

Our wide range of crowd-pleasing appetizers spans the full spectrum of flavor and enticing displays! Tease your taste buds with a few of these appetizing delights. Use these artful morsels to your advantage! Your guests eat with their eyes first, portray a mood or theme through a few choice bites. These delicious mouthfuls will pique your guests’ interest, warming them up for the main course later on.

Our Watermelon Skewers are a small but mighty appetizer!

Bring a hint of summer to any day of the year. An explosion of flavor with Mint, Honey Goat Cheese, Blueberry Basalmic Reduction, and dusted with a pinch of Pistachio, watermelon has never had such a glow-up!

Our Crab Cakes are light, always fresh, and one of our favorite crowd-pleasers.

A little bit of lemon and Herb Remoulade perfectly top off this tasty treat!

Have a crowd looking for the ultimate, savory snack?

The Mini Beef Sliders win over every group with the Sharp Cheddar, Truffle Aoli, and Caramelized Onions!

Be sure to expand your palate!

Explore sweet, savory, and fresh so your guests can experience all sides of their flavor profiles.

Keep your veggie-friendly friends in mind!

We offer several delectable crowd-pleasing appetizers sure to delight your vegan and vegetarian guests.

Try a gourmet spin on classic comforts.

Our Chicken and Waffle Skewers, with Maple Syrup and Crunchy Bacon, take that “mom’s secret recipe” taste, and somehow make this sweet and salty treat better than you remember! We also offer a heavenly Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese with a Creamy Tomato Bisque to satisfy all your childhood dreams.

 

Ask us for our full menu of delicious appetizers!

Whether you’re having a corporate event, holiday party, or celebration, we have the perfect bite-sized appetizer for the occasion. We’re sure each one will excite and delight your hungry guests.

 

La Jolla Woman’s Club Wedding | Client Review

Tell One, Tell All!

Martina left a positively glowing client review of her La Jolla Woman’s Club wedding with us, in collaboration with Simply Gorgeous Events, and loved every minute of her experience!

 

“Flawless,” her “saving grace,” with “literally no worries from beginning to end.”

We’re beyond happy that Martina and Ty have magical memories of their big day with us! We’re so thankful she took the time to leave us a client review and gave our staff such positive feedback!

You absolutely must check out our blog post about their Elegant Vintage Beach Wedding at the La Jolla Woman’s Club.

(Trust us, you won’t want to miss all their incredible details!)

 

 

 

San Diego News Suspects Spirits At Mt. Woodson Castle

Mt. Woodson Castle, One Of Our Favorite “Haunts”

“Ghosted” by a Ghost?

San Diego Union-Tribune’s Regina Elling, of the Ramona Sentinel, recently walked the halls of Mt. Woodson Castle, a venue that lies close to our hearts. Due to its tantalizing history for the occult, this historic Castle is a hotspot for San Diego spiritualists during this time of the year. In her article, Regina wonders if the spirit of the Castle’s original owner, Amy Strong, has abandoned the historic site. As we reflect on all of our magical experience at the Castle, any thoughts of spirits are usually at the BAR!

Ghost jokes aside…

For the first time since our partnership with Mt. Woodson Castle, which began about a decade ago, the corridors and kitchens are eerily quiet. If there ever was a spirit, we believe the warmth from our events and respect for the Castle’s history pleased it. Due to the shutdowns caused by Covid-19, you can feel the stones themselves miss the vibrant flow of life from the 100+ weddings per year it was accustomed to. One benefit of this year’s unexpected time-off is that the Castle has never been in such great shape! The Mt. Woodson Castle staff have been busy adding their own personal touch to top-secret historic renovations among the halls. Hopefully, with the start of the new year, guests will appreciate the resurrection of this gorgeous venue’s splendor!

Thanks to Regina Elling of the San Diego Union-Tribune Ramona Sentinel for stopping in for a spell to delve into Mt. Woodson Castle’s incredible history.

We love any opportunity to bring this hidden gem to the surface for everyone to appreciate.

 

Check out Regina’s article here! “Has Mt. Woodson Castle been Ghosted By Amy Strong?”

Intrigued? Take a peek at another article from Fox 5 San Diego about this incredible venue! “Explore San Diego: Enchanted Castle” by rchenfox5.

Can’t get enough? Try “On Memory’s Back Trail: Amy Strong And Her Mt. Woodson Castle” by Darrell Beck for a deeper look into the history!

Kate + Rob | Justice Photography | La Jolla Woman’s Club

Another La Jolla Woman’s Club Wedding!

This incredible venue always sets the stage for the most magical San Diego Weddings.

 

waterfront san diego event venue

Bridal Prep!

Rob looked quite dapper in his ageless black tux, the perfect ensemble for a classic and romantic wedding motif.

 

Rob’s Groomsmen team was more than willing to show their “support” of Rob marrying Kate.

 

Kate’s stunning wedding dress combined wistful romance with classic elegance. She absolutely glowed in it.

 

These beautiful Bridesmaids dresses followed the romantic theme of the day, and we love that each bridesmaid had a different style!

 

The Ceremony

Kate looked radiant, walking down the aisle on the front lawn of La Jolla Woman’s Club. We’ll never get enough of the tiny details on her gorgeous dress!

La Jolla Woman's Club Outdoor Wedding

 

The ceremony was incredibly heartfelt, filled with many touching moments and smiling yet teary eyes.

La Jolla Woman's Club Outdoor Wedding

 

The vows were sealed with a big kiss, and everyone felt the love that this couple shared!

La Jolla Woman's Club Outdoor Wedding

 

You’ve got to love that “I Do” Glow!

La Jolla Woman's Club Outdoor Wedding

Reception

The love birds had two specialty cocktails for their guests to enjoy. The “Mint-To-Be” Mojito and The Spicy Concombre were huge hits!

 

This spacious side garden at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, like a private cafe patio, is perfect for an intimate seated cocktail hour!

La Jolla Woman's Club Outdoor Reception

 

We are completely smitten with this novel idea of a “Welcome Book” for guests to sign. This treasured cookbook will get plenty of use in Rob and Kate’s kitchen and remind them of this special day with every use!

 

Our appetizers were hand-picked favorites by the Bride and Groom, and all of our food is made fresh on-site!

 

Our staff set the tables with the utmost care for the finer details of each place setting. We made sure each had our personal touch, from the blush crystal water goblets to the napkin fold.

La Jolla Woman's Club Outdoor Reception

 

Each guest received an adorable custom-printed bottle of hand sanitizer as a party favor.

 

Back at last from their photoshoot on the beach with Justice Photography, this happy couple was ready for a chance to relax and a cold drink!

La Jolla Woman's Club Outdoor Reception

 

Our crowd favorite Watermelon Caprese Stack Salads are a mouthwatering mix of juicy watermelon, creamy goat cheese and topped with a bright pop of our house-made blueberry balsamic reduction.

 

 

After the cake-cutting, our staff passed out a decadent cheesecake bite for each guest. Topped with an adorable heart-shaped sugar cookie and Pirouline, it was the perfect way to end the night!

 

Such a beautiful couple to work with. We’re so lucky to have been a part of their big day!

La Jolla Woman's Club Outdoor Reception

 

We loved being a part of Rob and Kate’s wedding at the stunning La Jolla Woman’s Club!

Huge thanks to all the collaborative effort with the incredible team of vendors and Event Coordinator, Amy, from First Comes Love Weddings and Events.

We can’t wait to see the bright future in store for these two lovebirds!

 

Vendors

Coordinator: First Comes Love Weddings and Events

Justice Photography

Venue: La Jolla Woman’s Club

Abbey Party Rentals

 

Forever Enchanted Events Coordinator Review!

Being “Friendly” and “Efficient” is Our Personal Touch

Kelsey Schwarz, a phenomenal San Diego Event Coordinator, left this glowing review for us!

 

We’re beyond appreciative that Kelsey from Forever Enchanted Events took the time to write this coordinator review for us!

“Sky-rocketing” up to the top vendors on any of our fellow event vendors lists is fantastic! Positive feedback like this, especially from one Event Professional to another, is such a wonderful compliment. Our hard-working Event Teams deserve to know that their commitment to excellence is recognized. She helped us provide that encouragement!

We loved working with Kelsey and her amazing staff. She felt like one of our own with her organized and cheerful demeanor!

Thanks, Kelsey, for this rave review. We can’t wait to work with Forever Enchanted Events again soon!!

 

Distance Party To-Go Boxes!

Party On The Go!

Finally, a safe and easy way to celebrate together! “Party on The Go” is a new venture our team is diving into for the Holiday Season and beyond. Our curated To-Go Boxes are crafted with the freshest items based on our most popular menu options, and they’re perfect for every occasion! Did you miss out on a special event? Or perhaps you’re struggling to find fun, safety-compliant ways to bolster employee morale? We’ve got a Box for that. 

Fun-Filled Party Packs, To-Go!

This creative alternative to the traditional gathering is a distanced spin on nearly every gathering we’ve been sorely missing from a holiday party, company picnic, happy hour, special occasion, or employee incentive! Now, your Alternative Holiday Parties or Distanced Holiday Celebrations can give that fulfilling experience on The Go.

Our Service

We’ve designed this new service with you in mind, keeping everything as easy as possible so you can enjoy the gift of a safe-gathering. All of our Boxes come prepared and ready to be distributed. Just choose the drop-off or drive-through option! Our talented and friendly staff will deliver your chosen POTG Boxes directly to you for self-distribution for the drop-off method. As for our drive-through service, we can help set up a distribution location for your lucky recipients to come to pick up their boxes. Unlike individual delivery services like Uber Eats, our service encourages the feelings of excitement that comes from a special occasion! Your lucky guests will enjoy the novelty and surprise from the gift of these boxes, reveling in the sense of gathering at a distance.

What’s in The Box??

The better question is, “What’s NOT in these boxes?!”

Our Party on The Go boxes come packed with everything you could need for your celebration. We’ve purposely crafted each themed box to encompass a party’s true feeling so that no more special occasions are lost to social distancing. We believe that everything deserves to be celebrated, so take a peek at our boxes below to see which best fits your event!

Happy Hour Boxes:

Grazing

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Grazing"

Imported & Domestic Cheeses, Seasonal Crudite, Roasted Garlic & Chive Dip, Mixed nuts, Dried Fruit, Salami & Summer Sausage, Gourmet Crackers, Chocolate Covered Pretzels.

Toasting

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Toasting"

Imported & Domestic Cheese Variety, Brie Cheese, Grapes, Olives, Marinated Mushrooms, Artichoke Dip, Salami & Summer Sausage, Sliced Artisan Bread, Gourmet Crackers, Creamy Vanilla or Decadent Chocolate Cake Pop.

Brunch Box:

Sunrise Spread

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Sunrise Spread"

Spinach & Mushroom Quiche, Sliced Fresh Fruit, Overnight Oats, Freshly Baked Muffin.

Picnic Boxes:

Belated BBQ

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Belated BBQ"

Bone-In Garlic & Oregano Grilled Chicken, Smoked Cheddar Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Field Greens Salad, Freshly Baked Bread Roll with Butter, Chocolate Cookies.

 

Long Distance Luau

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Long Distance Luau"

Slow Roasted Pulled Pork with Chef’s Secret BBQ Sauce, Soft Bread Rolls with Butter, Fried Rice, Tropical Coleslaw, Spring Greens Salad, Vanilla Cupcakes.

 

Party Apart Boxes:

Italian

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Italian"

Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce, Pasta Alfredo, Green Beans, Traditional Cesar Salad, Freshly Baked Roll with Butter, Tiramisu.

 

Classic

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Classic"

Braised Short Ribs in a Red Wine Demi-Glace, Chive Whipped Potatoes, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Farmers Market Salad, Freshly Baked Roll with Butter, Chocolate Cake.

 

South Of The Border

Distance Party To-Go Box, "South of the Border"

Pollo Asada Enchilada Bake, Red Rice, Black Beans, Avo Lime Salad, Roasted Salsa & Chips, Flan.

 

Holiday Boxes:

Greater Gobble

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Greater Gobble"

Herb Roasted Turkey Accompanied by Spiced Cranberry Relish, Goat Cheese Whipped Potatoes, Herb Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Field Greens Salad, Freshly Baked Roll with Butter, Pumpkin Tart.

 

Festive Feast

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Festive Feast"

Pecan Crusted Chicken Served with Bourbon Cream Sauce, Rosemary Roasted Heirloom Potatoes, Herb Stuffing, Garlic Green Beans, Cranberry Quinoa Salad, Freshly Baked Bread Roll with Butter, Pumpkin Tart.

 

Kits:

Give Them S’ mores!

Distance Party To-Go box, "Give Them S' mores!

Extra Large Marshmallows, Graham Crackers, Hershey’s Chocolate Squares, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Skewers, Portable Flame with Instructions.

 

Gingerbread Bundle

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Gingerbread Bundle"

Gingerbread Man Cookies, Red & Green Frostings, Holiday Sprinkles, Assorted Candies, Decorating Tools.

 

Classic Cookie

Distance Party To-Go Box, "Classic Cookie"

Fall or Holiday Theme Sugar Cookie Cutouts, Two Frosting Colors (of your choice), Holiday Sprinkles, Assorted Candies, Decorating Tools.

 

Extra Goodies:

Wine, Beer, Champagne, Personal Notes, Labels, or Custom Gifts!

Fine Details:

As we mentioned before, all of our Boxes and Kits come prepared and ready to be distributed. The menus and cutlery kits are included in each box to uphold our promise of complete ease for you and your recipients. We try to be as inclusive as possible, so of course, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Food Sensitivity Substitutions are also available.

 

Interested?

Fantastic! Just reach out to inquire about our prices and minimums!

We’re excited to get this party started with you!

 

Thanks to True Photography for all of these incredible detail shots of our Party on The Go Boxes!

Event Coordinator Shout-Out! | Gina Hundley

One of San Diego’s Finest Event Coordinators!

Gina Hundley of SD Weddings by Gina

 

Working with a talented event coordinator like Gina is like being with another member of our Personal Touch Dining family! We’ve always admired her positive attitude, impeccable organization skills, and professional commitment to excellence.

According to her website, and our personal experience, her event planning business is all about “executing flawless and unforgettable weddings here in Southern California and beyond.”

From intimate to opulent, in her hands, your event will be more than you could have ever imagined!

 

 

 

She is a highly experienced event coordinator, with over 300 successful weddings and events beneath her belt.

According to her website, she makes sure to provide “complete inclusivity of ethnic/interracial, LGBT, military, and destination weddings.”

As an event coordinator, Gina takes great pride in her impeccable attention to detail, her ability to understand her client’s needs, and her complete client devotion.

 

 

We can’t wait to work with Gina again soon!

Don’t forget to check out her website for galleries, extra info, or to ask any questions!

 

 

 

Short Plate Benefits | Event Dining Stations

Short Plates, Big Possibilities!

A Moving Style Reception (AKA a Progressive Reception or Cocktail Style Reception) utilizes the idea of a continuous cocktail hour with substantial food options on small plates.

It’s an extraordinary, efficient, and crowd-pleasing way to keep an open floor plan.

Belly-Bar tables are perfect for these short plate events since you don’t need as much table space to eat!

 

Small Plate Meal of our seared, bacon wrapped scallops.

 

This laid-back yet elegant style of reception is perfect for couples looking to entertain their guests with something away from the traditional formal dining.

With multiple stations per event, each guest can have several plated meals in one sitting.

 

Apple Cider Sparklers

 

Seating: Before planning a cocktail reception, it is essential to consider your guest demographic. (Older guests generally need more accommodation, such as a full-sized dining table.)

After deciding to go with this kind of reception, we highly suggest informing guests in the invitation that the dinner will be cocktail style.

Some wedding professionals will argue that these progressive parties are most successful when a bride and groom provide stable seating for 50% of their guests with supplemental furniture. We say, reserve a few tables for those you know will need a seat, (lookin’ at you, Aunt Esther), and have the young folk perch on some vignette-style decor:

  • Smaller tables that place 4 or 6 encourage movement and keep large groups from posting up all night.
  • Soft lounge seating in small groupings throughout the space softens up the room’s look and lends to that cozy club vibe.
  • Ottomans are a brides’ best friend, and you can never have too many pillows or throw blankets!
  • Add in some scattered cocktail or belly-bar tables.
  • Be sure to place some lounges around the dance floor as well to bring guests into the party.
  • If you space these elements throughout the room, you’ll draw guests to the various areas.

 

Small Plate Station example

 

This kind of reception means guests can choose their food, but unlike the buffet style, guests have their meals made for them.

They can bounce freely between multiple food stations, reducing wait times.

 

 

These receptions are all about endless food and station style service, and it’s all about presentation.

Foodservice is what ultimately sets a progressive reception apart from the traditional wedding. Nobody wants to attend a 5-hour cocktail party with minimal appetizers, so the function of the food is imperative.

 

Small Plate Station example

 

Short Plates offer more food than a seated dinner!

Our events specifically offer at least three short plate stations off of our menus, essentially equating to three small seated dinners for your guests!

 

Start the evening with hors-d’oeuvres, moving to small action stations.

We’ve kept in mind to serve items that are easy to consume, limiting excess flatware for those smaller tables!

If they’re hungry, they will come to the food, so there’s no need to announce food service has begun. The guests will follow the lead of the bride and groom and the wedding party.

 

Small Plate Meal with brussel sprouts, artichoke and sundried tomato grilled cheese, and warm bisque.

 

Be sure there is food available throughout the night!

Some of our most popular station combinations are: The Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese served with a Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque, The Braised Beef Short Ribs in a Demi-Glace with Goat Cheese Whipped Potatoes, and finally, our famous Mac n’ Cheese Bar that comes with a variety of toppings sure to please guests of all ages.

 

Not only will Short Plates keep your guests full, but the style will also help define the evening as you go and offer tasty surprises throughout the night!

A smooth transition from light to decadent, then sweet, is critical for a perfect night, but don’t forget the late-night snack! (Nobody thinks to provide sliders and fries or milk and cookies when the late-night munchies strike. You could be the first!)

 

 

Key Points to remember about Smal Plate Benefits:

  • This foodservice arrangement offers all the pros of a buffet without the downside of a long wait in line!
  • The spacious, less formal floor plan will make your guests feel comfortable.
  • Your guests will remember being full of fantastic food and drinks; what more could a guest want?

 

 

For more information on Short Plate Dining, and to ask our coordinators for the full menus, feel free to reach out!

Brittany + Chris | Cait & Co. Photo | Darlington House of La Jolla

 

Breezy Boho-Chic La Jolla Wedding!

Celebrating Chris and Brittany’s wedding on this sunny La Jolla day couldn’t have been more perfect.

Thanks to the excellent coordination from Stephanie at Events Inspired, and collaboration with the many other talented vendors, this was a flawless day in the ocean breeze!

 

 

The Darlington House is one of our favorite venues because of its unique architectural beauty!

The Egyptian Patio facing the Rose Garden gate is a perfect ceremony location.

We can’t get enough of this fresh “I Do” Glow!

 

Fun, mix-matched bridesmaids dresses are a must-have for a Boho-Chic motif!

Allowing your ladies to follow a color scheme for their dress choice enables each to feel beautiful and comfortable their way.

These adorable jean jackets are the perfect boho bridesmaid accessory!

 

A sharp suit in light gray adds just the right balance of chic for this bohemian motif.

Best way to class-up a lighthearted motif full of mismatched flare? Mix in a few handsome gents in their sleekest fashionable attire!

We love the breezy vibe of Chris and his groomsmen’s gray suits with the pink accent tie.

 

Dark wood farm tables and antiqued custom flatware create that romantic boho vibe for your dining tables.

 The decor was minimalistic, yet created a whimsical atmosphere!

These beautifully detailed plates from Not My Dish Event Rentals accentuated the Boho feel of each place setting.

 

Our Taco Bar Buffet is always a crowd favorite!

You can’t go wrong with an authentic upscale Mexican buffet, but include a Spicy Margarita from our bar, and you’ll be the talk of the town!

We love having a S’mores Station for dessert at our weddings!

 

Custom vintage details add depth to a tablescape.

Make your guests think you scoured every antique shop in town for your carefully cultivated place settings!

We love all the custom details like these gold flatware and pink goblets from Adore Folklore Rentals!

 

We love this variety of vases that mix texture, color, and size.

For the right bohemian vibe, follow the same pattern with your choice of flowers too!

All these delicate florals were collected and assembled by the Bride!

 

What better seats for the Bride and Groom than elegant Peacock Chairs?

They are dignified, exotic, and sure to make you feel like wedding royalty!

For a boho-chic wedding, you must have peacock chairs from Adore Folklore Rentals!

 

Mixed vintage and crafty decor look great on a towering wedding cake!

And delicate desserts deserve these dainty tea plates.

VG Bakery made this gorgeous custom scraped cake!

 

Real pressed flowers on shortbread cookies?!

Yes Please! What a sweet treat!

These pressed flower shortbread cookies from Carriage House Cookies on Etsy were as unique as they were delicious!

 

We’re so happy to be a part of this amazing couple’s love story!

Huge thanks to Cait & Co Photo for the phenomenal pictures, Stephanie at Events Inspired, and the rest of the talented vendors who helped make this magical day a reality!

This Marquee Sign from SociaLights jazzed up the front of The Darlington House!

 

 

Vendors

Photography: Cait & Co Photo

Coordinator: Stephanie- Events Inspired

Florals: By the Bride!

Cake: VG Bakery

DJ: Leeds Entertainment

Location: Darlington House

Rentals

-Marquee Sign: SociaLights

-Dishware: Not My Dish Event Rentals

-Place settings: Adore Folklore Rentals

-Furniture: Cedar and Pine Event Rentals

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