Vendor Tribute! | True Photography

Another year later, and True Photography is still one of our favorite event photographers!

 

Their work is so unique in its vibrancy and evident zeal for life.

We find they’re perfect for potential clients who want unusual angles, priceless candid shots, and unparalleled service.

 

 

As another hard-working vendor, ready to help others at events, they always take incredible pictures of our food and let our service shine!

 

Out of the hundreds of pictures they’ve shared with us, we couldn’t begin to choose our favorites.

 

 

 

We love recommending them to our clients because we know the client will be thrilled with the experience and the product every single time.

We hope that this process goes both ways and  True Photography reached out to us with this statement from a client:

My fiancé and I just booked our wedding at Mt. Woodson Castle in Ramona, CA. We fell in love with the venue thanks, in large part, to your photos that Mt. Woodson features on their website (we live in Washington DC and are unable to visit any venues in person).” 

 

Mt. Woodson Castle, Ramona

 

They amaze us with their eye for detail and light-hearted imaginative feel to all their shots!

We can’t thank True Photography enough for all their hard work and constant reliability throughout our time working with each other.

 

Darlington House of La Jolla

 

Robert Paine Scripps Seaside Forum

 

Darlington House of La Jolla

 

Darlington House of La Jolla

 

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad

 

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad

 

Robert Paine Scripps Seaside Forum

 

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad

 

Robert Paine Scripps Seaside Forum

 

Without our clients, locations, vendors, and even staff, the advertising attempts that we make would need to be expanded by hundreds–if not thousands–of dollars.

Even so, nothing beats word-of-mouth recommendations from an excellent, trusted source.

 

Robert Paine Scripps Seaside Forum

 

La Jolla Shores Beach, San Diego

 

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad

 

The Ultimate Skybox, Diamond View Towers

 

Downtown San Diego

 

The Ultimate Sky Box, Diamond View Towers

 

Private Home

 

Downtown San Diego

 

Gaslamp Quarter, Downtown San Deigo

 

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad

 

Mt. Woodson Castle, Ramona

 

Here’s to many more years of collaborative fun with True Photography!

 

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad

 

 

 

Sensational Client Review! | Darlington House Wedding

We stumbled across this glowing review on our Yelp and just had to rave about it!

 

Thanks, Viviana!!

 

We so appreciate the time you took to write this for us.

You were a delight to work with, and we loved how magical your special day turned out!

 

 

Charnel + Munyoki | True Photography | Darlington House

Vintage Glamour

Another stunning wedding reception at the Darlington House!

 

Working in collaboration with Back Patio Event Design was a dream, and we loved celebrating Charnel and Munyoki’s special day!

 

This venue is so timeless in its classic beauty; the vintage elegance is unparalleled.

 

Our staff always take such care with setting the dining tables, especially when there are so many gorgeous details involved!

 

During cocktail hour, we served guests delicious appetizers and craft cocktails, like our Apple Ginger Sparkler!

Our fresh Bruschetta on crunchy Baguette Slices, drizzled in a tangy Basalmic Reduction, and topped with fragrant basil is a crowd favorite.

 

 

Their family came from all over the world to celebrate with the happy couple, so having a globe sign-in book was such a fun idea!

 

Pacific Entertainment, the DJ that evening, brought the newlyweds to the dance floor for their First Dance as husband and wife.

 

 

The sweetheart table, a true royal dais, looked like a work of art!

 

 

For dinner, guests went through our hearty buffet, eating their fill of our Herb Crusted Mahi Mahi, Rustic Chicken, and Rice Pilaf.

 

 

Our skilled staff expertly poured champagne for the toasts.

 

The dazzling three-tiered wedding cake, baked by Cakes to Celebrate, looked like one of the gorgeous decorations with all of its gold embellishments!

 

The happy couple also had a Candy Bar, filled to the brim with all white candies, where guests could pick their favorites and make goodie bags to take home!

 

We love a loud crowd for a fun Grand Exit!

Glow sticks and bubbles always make these pictures pop!

 

 

We were so honored to help these two celebrate their love, and we wish them all the best in their future together!

 

 

 

Links to Vendors:

Darlington House 

True Photography

Cakes to Celebrate

Pacific Entertainment

Lol Foto Booth

Back Patio Event Design

 

Wedding Themes We Love! | Part Five | San Diego Catering

Welcome to Part Five of our Wedding Themes We Love (WTWL) Series!

 

Are you looking for a more laid back, even “Lazy Loving,” kind of vibe for your wedding?

Our experts found a couple of great theme examples paired with the perfect dining experience for each!

 

West Coast/ Beachy

Beach weddings are always a favorite for couples and guests!

The soft breezes, salty air, and vacation escapes are reminiscent of Part Four of this series if you want to mix a little tropical travel into your wedding motif.

Photographer: Alyssa Boynton Photography

 

Have fun with your bridal party, and incorporate some cute beach details into their ensemble.

We love these mermaid earrings, and groomsmen could sport some themed socks or ties on the big day!

Photographer: Logan Cole Photography

 

This smart couple used an old oar from a thrift shop for their sign-in book, and it’ll look so chic as decor in their future home!

The best part of this theme is that anything that washes up could be perfect decor with a little TLC.

 

Spice up your linen options with a fun pattern.

These broad stripes are fun and just nautical enough to give the tablescape the right feel.

 

The escort shells are eco-friendly, long-lasting, and so darn cute!

Just find some on the beach and make a night of it with your friends and their most delicate handwriting.

 

Pull centerpiece inspiration from the beach!

We love the look of this “Coral Garden” made from a few succulents and a sea star.

 

Have some fun in the sun!

Beach weddings are the perfect excuse to let loose. Ask your photographer to have fun with your photo opportunities, and we’re sure they won’t disappoint!

 

 

Photographer: True Photography. Venue: Scripps Seaside Forum

 

Speaking of the Sun…

Custom shades are the perfect wedding favor for your guests!

Photographer: True Photography

 

Beach and Beer go together, like Love and Marriage.

Keep those brews chilled on a warm beach day with a custom beer koozie favor!

Photographer: True Photography. Venue: Scripps Seaside Forum

 

This theme is as beautiful as it is low-key, views like this are the best backdrops in the world!

Photographer: Alyssa Boynton Photography. Venue: Scripps Seaside Forum

 

Deep blue goblets and watercolor table numbers are an elegant way to keep the ocean idea subtly running through your tablescape.

Photographer: Alyssa Boynton Photography

 

Repurpose that junk surfboard for your seating chart!

All this idea took was a little black chalkboard paint and a steady hand.

Venue: Darlington House of La Jolla

 

This theme is super flexible for dining styles, and our experts love the idea of a Buffet style, but all three of our suggested methods work!

If you’re looking for a set up on the classy scale, a seated dinner would add a little formality, especially while your guests are going to be admiring the hard work you put into your tabletop decor.

The Moving style dinner is another excellent choice if you know your guests are likely to want to kick off their heels and eat while they dig their toes in the sand.

 

 

Garden Party

This type of wedding is just as relaxed as a beach wedding, but there’s no need to worry about sand in your shoes.

Garden Parties, like Beach Weddings, are lovely in their versatility. It’s easy to make your event more casual or formal, depending on your tastes by including a few small details.

Venue: La Jolla Women’s Club

 

Garden parties work perfectly for couples who want a romantic feel without overdoing it with excessive, expensive florals.

 

Charming tents fit right in with this theme and are fantastic for a little added shade for your guests during those peak hours in the sun.

Venue: Martin Johnson House

 

If you’ve got craft skills or are interested in DIY decor, this type of wedding would be perfect.

 

This theme is casual, and we’ve seen couples stick with traditional dining styles, such as a Buffet dinner, and love it.

A new and fun idea we would love to see during cocktail hour is a combination of a Buffet and a Picnic!

Encourage your guests to grab a basket and travel along an appetizer station, filling their baskets with tasty snacks as they go. At the end, offer guests small blankets to promote lawn lounging in groups!

 

 

Day/Brunch Wedding

Fun, comfortable, and finished before sunset, this type of wedding is a delightful treat we wish was more common!

Perfect for Sunday Events or couples who aren’t looking for a lot of fuss, just quality family time.

Photographer: Sara France Photography. Venue: Darlington House of La Jolla

 

Entertain your guests with some fun lawn games!

Incorporate vintage class with Croquet for that Victorian Era feel, or stick with the favorites like Corn Hole and Bocce Ball to please the crowd.

Photographer: Sean Walker Photography. Venue: Mt. Woodson Castle

 

Morning weddings are a great excuse to have creative cocktail bars too!

We’ve seen Mimosa Stations with fancy juice varieties and fruit toppings, but this Blood “Marry Me” Bar looks like a Sunday morning dream!

Photographer: Sean Walker Photography

Morning hours also mean perfect weather!

Here in San Diego, summer mornings are known to rival the evenings.

Photographer: Sara France Photography. Venue: Darlington House of La Jolla

Try a lighthearted floral plate to add to the Brunch vibe for your tablescape!

Photographer: Sara France Photography

Sunny mornings should come with all the right accessories, and we love the idea of parasols as wedding favors!

Photographer: Sara France Photography

Much like a Garden Party dining style, Buffets are perfect but make it a breakfast buffet, and we’re sure your guests will be thrilled!

A Moving style or having multiple Breakfast Stations would be a step up and provide a more extensive selection for guests who are picky eaters first thing in the morning.

 

 

 

 

Contact our talented Coordination Team for a relaxing planning process for your event!

Keep an eye out for Part Six of our WTWL Series, where we focus on Rustic Charm!

Coming Soon!

 

Wedding Themes We Love! | Part Four | San Diego Catering

Welcome to Part Four of our WTWL (Wedding Themes We Love) Series!

 

In this section, we’ll stray away from generalized “Moods,” such as we’ve shown represented in a Romantic or Modern theme.

Instead, we’re shining a light on Specified Subject Themed Weddings.

Some couples have a distinct shared event, pin-pointed hobby/interest, or even holiday that they feel defines a significant part of their relationship, and that subject steers couples towards the theme of their special day!

Travel

Here’s a theme that has become super attractive to young adventurous couples recently!

We’ve seen so many creative ways to incorporate travel into the smallest details for a wedding.

Photographer: Sara France Photography. Venue: Darlington House of La Jolla.

Above, a talented couple was able to recreate the Adventure Book from Disney’s “UP!” used as their suggestion/sign-in book where they asked their guests for new travel destination inspiration.

Guests can even pick up personalized ticket/escort cards to find their seats, seen below!

Photographer: Fleeting Fox Photography

 

This witty Flight Attendant had her garters custom made from pieces at her job!

Photographer: Fleeting Fox Photography

 

Have guests sign an atlas to use in your future travels!

Photographer: Fleeting Fox Photography. Venue: Mt. Woodson Castle.

Use a globe as a sign-in book or destination suggestion/card box.

Have your guests fill out postcards to themselves for you to send when you’re on your adventures!

Photographer: Fleeting Fox Photography

Vintage suitcases make perfect displays for favors or photo booth props.

Photographer: Robin Harris Images

 

 

Tropical

Can’t wait till the honeymoon?

Excitement over palm leaves, tropical flowers, and island escapes have been blowing up over the last few seasons!
Honestly, we can’t blame these couples for falling in love with the neon, retro, exotic, frond-filled paradise they’ve created.

Photographer: Dear Lovers Photography. Florist: Splendid Sentiments. Venue: Harbor View Loft.

Like being dropped into a jungle, minus the heat and humidity, a wedding in a garden venue such as the San Diego Botanical Gardens, would be a perfect affordable tropical escape.

Venue: San Diego Botanical Gardens

 

This happy couple brought the exotic beaches of Cuba to their big day through the use of palm fronds.

Photographer: Logan Cole Photography. Florist: Joy of Bloom Florals. Venue: Darlington House of La Jolla

 

Correctly placed printed palms can establish the proper mood as well!

Photographer: Logan Cole Photography. Florist: Joy of Bloom Florals. Rentals: Adore Folklore.

 

Fiction

If you and your love are fans of any fictional world, we’re talking about anything from Disney, Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Game of Thrones here is some inspiration!

Have your wedding in an actual castle!

 

Your favorite books can be centerpieces or table numbers as a creative way to get your guests to their correct tables.

Photographer: True Photography Venue: Mt. Woodson Castle

 

The Cake Topper is often a personalized reflection of the Bride and Groom, why not make it a fun version of yourself?

Photographer: True Photography

 

After your event, using the centerpieces as your guests’ wedding favors is a sure way to immerse them in your favorite fantasy world.

 

Holidays

Popular holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc. have been used as inspiration for a couple’s wedding theme as well.

These dates can be attached to important cultural events or meaningful family moments that are influential enough to be an underlying spirit throughout the wedding.

Are you looking for a little extra luck on your big day? In the picture above, the couple wanted to celebrate their strong connection to their Irish roots, and threw their wedding on St. Patrick’s Day!

 

A white winter wedding can be like a second Christmas with the chilly weather and gathering of family. Subtle decor, like the pinecones below, can be a discrete nod to the holiday season without covering everything in tinsel.

Photographer: ABM Photography

 

Hobbies

Whether it be a specific sport, activity, or shared interest, if you and your loved one share a passion, why not bring it into your wedding planning?

Photographer: True Photography

 

For example, this couple wanted to bring their love for Baseball into their celebrations for loving each other!

Photographer: True Photography

 

This caffeine craving couple custom printed their favorite drinks onto their toasting glasses!

Photographer: Dapper Images

 

All in all, a wedding day is all about celebrating love!

If a couple loves a particular subject almost as much as they love each other, use it as a launching point for a wedding theme!

Chances are, it’ll be no surprise to any friends or family who know the happy couple, and everyone loves a customized wedding.

 

Feel free to Reach Out to our talented coordination team for answers to any planning questions!

 

Keep an eye out for Part Five of our WTWL Series, coming soon!

Lindsay & Nick at Darlington House

Oh darling, we absolutely LOVE catering to this venue. From the ceremony space to the reception, the natural charm, and of course the close proximity to the beach, Darlington House has it all! J + N’s big day definitely had beauty written all over it. With the popular garland runner look on tables, a fountain ceremony, and that soft color palette, everything complimented together so perfectly!

Thank you to Kristine Marie Photography for these incredible shots!

 

Additional Vendors:

Coordinator: Weddings by Lisa Nicole 

Catering: Personal Touch Dining

Florist: Thisle Dew Floral 

Cake: Eat Your Cake Too 

DJ: Sage Productions 

Guitarist: David de Alva 

Videography: Blue Tiger Films 

Darlington House Venue Spotlight         

Check out these amazing photos from some of our recent events at the Darlington House! We love the architecture of the house and all the beautiful patios and gardens. The Egyptian Patio with the fountain is such a perfect ceremony spot, and the Rose Garden is a beautiful reception area with red brick and flowers all around. We love how there’s so many different areas of this venue that gives couples a ton of great photo spots!

Laura & Adam at Darlington House

Laura and Adam had such a nice ceremony and reception at the Darlington House! We love how this wedding was elegant but had a rustic, country feel. The bridesmaids wore different shades of pink and purple, which added so much color to the wedding party. Their beach photos are gorgeous!
Vendors:
Venue – Darlington House
Caterer – Personal Touch Dining
Coordination – Hannah Smith Events
Photographer – Dayley Photography
DJ – Dancing DJ Productions

Maegan & Carl at Darlington House

Maegan and Carl had such a beautiful ceremony and reception at the Darlington House! We loved every detail of this wedding, including the beautiful bouquets and centerpieces, gorgeous cake and color scheme.

Vendors:
Venue – Darlington House
Caterer – Personal Touch Dining
Coordination – Love Marks the Spot
Photographer – Let’s Frolic Together
Florist – Fox Floral Studio
Cake – Jenny Wenny Cakes
DJ – DJ Dennis Owens
Photobooth – Shutterbooth

Kyle & Dina at Darlington House

Here is another stunning Darlington House wedding to share with you!
Dina and Kyle were married on a beautiful day last October. They spoiled their guests with a belly dancer and delicious menu items like Coconut Shrimp, Baked Brie and delectable cupcakes.
The photos below are from the ever-so-talented Jessica Christie Photography and feature moments from the reception as well as gorgeous snapshots from a photo shoot the couple did in Joshua Tree.
Vendors
Photographer – Jessica Christie Photography
Coordinator – Hannah Smith Events
Venue – Darlington House
Caterer – Personal Touch Dining

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