Appetizers For Every Event!

Sweet, Savory, Spicy, and Something for Everyone!

Arriving at your event, your guests will be hungry. Their attention should be on the decor, but they can’t see past their noses! The smell of our event appetizers, always made fresh and on-site, has been known to hypnotize. Trust us to set the stage with our incredible appetizer menu. We have something for everyone, no matter the taste pallet or dietary restriction. Below are just a few of our guest-rated “Must-Have” appetizers. Contact us for more if any of these rouse your appetite!

Our Tomato Basil Bisque Shooters with an Asiago Grilled Cheese Point (Vegetarian)

Our appetizer selection reaches every end of the taste spectrum!

We offer several delicious options that can fall under any dietary restrictions you might need to consider. Vegan, vegetarian, Kid-Friendly, we’ve done and seen it all!

Crispy Chicken and Waffle Bites with Crunchy Bacon and Maple Syrup

Create a compelling collection of varying flavors!

Blend different flavors, smells, and textures through carefully chosen appetizers. This is the key to winning over even the pickiest eaters. It’s always good to have a variety to keep guests guessing what might come next!

Mini Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Vegan)

Our AhiPoke is a favorite at our beach and ocean-view venues to accentuate the feeling of being right on the water!

We love this crispy, fresh, and fun Asian/Mexican Fusion appetizer. It is a crowd-pleaser and is just spicy enough to make you want more.

Ahi Poke Tacos with a Wasabi Cream Sauce on Wonton Shells

Each of our appetizers can be customized to your liking as well.

Too spicy or not quite enough? If something needs a little something extra, let us know during your tasting! We’ll work with our chefs to fit the event appetizers to your unique pallet!

Coconut Shrimp with Mango Puree

Ask us about our Appetizer and Cocktails Pairing Options!

Who doesn’t love food pairings? Enrich the taste of your craft cocktail with an expertly matched appetizer to delight your guests.

Mini Carnitas Tacos and Classic Margarita Pairing

 

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

 

 

 

Glowing Client Review! | San Diego Event Catering

Happiness Speaks Loudest.

We can’t thank our happy clients enough for reaching out to post such rave reviews of us during this unprecedented time.

 

 

Martina, we are thrilled by your response and are so glad your special day was flawless!

Thank you again for taking the time to give us such a radiant review.

 

Martin Johnson House | Featured Venue | San Diego Event Coordination

The historic Martin Johnson House, sheltered beneath grand cypress trees with sweeping views of the La Jolla beaches, is the oceanfront cottage of your event dreams.

 

 

According to the official website, “the rustic cottage was one of the earliest additions to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus…”, constructed in 1916.

The institute still manages the venue, along with its sister sites: The Birch Aquarium and The Robert Payne Scripps Sea Side Forum.

“Once used as a home for Scripps professors and their families, the refurbished cottage and grounds now offer a charming coastal setting ideal for social events ranging from business meetings to wedding receptions.”

 

Aldous Photo

 

As a Caterer on their list of preferred vendors, we love working with the incredible Institute Staff and this stunning venue!

The location gracefully adapts to allow suitable space for our temporary kitchen and cooking equipment.

Indoor Features

  • Small kitchenette with refrigerator, sink, counters, and microwave; partitioned off from main space
  • Two ADA-equipped unisex bathrooms with outdoor entrances

Outdoor Features

  • Extensive views of the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla Cove, and Scripps Pier
  • Two large, multi-level teak decks with electrical outlets for music and lighting
  • Small surrounding grassy areas with bench seating
  • Shade from tall cypress trees

 

Aldous Photo

For More Information

We encourage you to tour the Martin Johnson House with a representative from Scripps Venue Rentals and explore the many options available to you. Schedule a site visit by contacting scrippsvenues@ucsd.edu (858-534-5604).

View Their Gallery

 

Check Out their Pinterest

 

Visit Their Website

 

Contact
Scripps Venue Rentals
Telephone: 858-534-5604

Email: scrippsvenues@ucsd.edu

Unique Wedding Favor Inspiration! | San Diego Event Coordination

Are you seeking that perfect wedding favor?

 

Gifting your guests a miniature memento of your big day is a timeless tradition,

but if you’re scrambling for some inspiration, worry no longer!

 

Customize a Koozie with the wedding date, and in the future, your friends will think of your special day when they sip on a refreshing beverage.

B. Photography

 

Your souvenir options are endless!

As long as it uniquely represents your personalities as a couple, let your imagination run wild.

 

Photo by Chana & Don

 

Photo booths are a perfect way to provide instant picture keepsakes, as well as endless entertainment during an event.

 

Foynat Wedding Photographer

 

A symbolic sweet treat can go a long way.

Let your guests take their dessert on the road with this cute Hot Cocoa mix!

 

Photo By Chana and Don

 

Small, straightforward favors are endearing!

These hand-made scrabble magnets were crafted by the love birds to help them point out what is important in their relationship.

 

Linsey Middleton Photography

 

They don’t always have to last forever!

(Too many weddings and guests have loads of little bobbles bouncing around their house.)

These temporary tattoos are easy to customize, fun for all ages, and reduce a little of life’s clutter.

 

Rad + In Love Photography

 

Succulents are increasingly popular as favors due to their adorable size, wide range of styles, and easy care instructions.

Here, they’ve been used as a favor and escort card for twice the fun!

 

True Photography

 

Is love the spice to your life?

Try sending a personal bottle of love home with your guests!

 

Vacay Photo

 

So just remember:

These micro manifestations of the Bride and Groom are fun, small, and meaningful “thank yous” to your guests

for supporting your relationship and believing in your future.

 

If you have fun with it, they will too!

 

 

 

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!

 

 

“The Glow” | San Diego Wedding and Event Planning

Movie Magic Come To Life!

We’ve been pretty vocal about how much we live for this defining moment during our weddings.

There’s a certain magic that happens at the end of each ceremony that we wish we could bottle and share with the world.

Alyssa Boynton Photography at Scripps Seaside Forum.

 

After a happy couple says their vows, a new tension starts to build.

They have their Big Kiss, everyone cheers, they turn to the crowd, and BAM!!

 

True Photography at Scripps Seaside Forum.

No one is safe from that indescribable tidal wave of incandescent bliss!

It pours out of the faces of the newlyweds as they walk back down the aisle, hand in hand.

 

True Photography at Scripps Seaside Forum.

 

“The Glow” is one of our favorite parts of our Special Events, and it keeps us doing what we love most:

making your dream event come to life.

 

True Photography at Scripps Seaside Forum.

So, Reach Out to us!

See what our talented Coordination Team can do to make “The Glow” happen for you!

 

 

Chargers | Tablescape Upgrades! | San Diego Catering and Event Planning

 

Upgrade the look of your entire event by elevating your dining tablescape!

Our design professionals assure us that no table setting is complete without a charger plate to polish off the look. We’ve collected our favorite examples for popular event motifs to help inspire your design journey!

 

What Is A Charger Plate?

A charger plate is a large, decorative plate placed beneath other dinnerware during formal occasions. You’ll find them at catered events, weddings, upscale parties, banquets, or other fine dining occasions. They are decorative and not meant to come in direct contact with food.

Why Would I Want One For My Event?

They provide an elegant way to serve multiple course meals, where each course has a specific bowl or plate placed on top of the charger. Charger plates are available in a variety of colors, materials, lengths/diameters, and shapes for you to choose from to match the decor, mood, and style of your particular event. Not only do they anchor the dining table, create ambiance, and are aesthetically pleasing to guests, chargers also protect the table and tablecloth from becoming dirty during service.

 

Glitz and Glam!

This metallic look creates a table that works for everything, from weddings to New Year’s Eve. With a mix of silver, gold, copper, and brass, your tablescape will look truly Instagram-worthy.

Romantic

For this motif, our editors recommend using a charger reminiscent of your grandmother’s china and layering it with other patterns in similar colors to keep the feel soft, vintage, and dreamy.

Modern

We’d pair plates and vessels with imperfect edges in neutral shades like beige, off-white, or this cool-toned pastel gray. Arranged with glamorous gold flatware will create a contrast, and elevate the whole look.

Destination

Bring the island fauna right into the lap of your guests! We love the idea of using fresh tropical foliage as chargers. These allow for a less elaborate centerpiece, and the overall table won’t seem too cluttered.

Boho-Chic

We can’t get enough of this fun, textured charger! The material is perfect for a bohemian feel, and your guests will love the unique design.

 

Classic

Elegant and clean, with just a dash of sparkle, clear chargers with a metallic rim elevate a classic white wedding tablescape, adding flashes of cohesive accents to break up the monochrome pallet.

 

If you’re looking for more inspiration, or have an idea and want to run it by our professionals, contact us by clicking HERE.

 

 

Sacred Mountain | Venue Appreciation Post | Unique San Diego Event Venues

 

Less than a mile from the town’s bustling main street, this secluded escape feels worlds away.

 

Tucked into the woods just past charming historical Julian, California, Sacred Mountain is a San Deigo County hidden treasure and destination event venue.

 

Oh Lovely Wedding Photography

We love working at this spacious event venue!

Sacred Mountain is perfect for family reunions, elopements, photoshoots, retreats, and weddings.

 

Lex + Jake Photo and Film

 

Sacred Mountain is a one-of-a-kind property bursting with rustic delights and modern luxuries for you and your guests!

You can enjoy all four seasons with maximum comfort and relaxation thanks to fireplaces, a 40ft swimming pool and spa, horseback riding, luxury linens, and endless amenities.

This space includes two private estates with 61 acres of plateaus, open fields, lush gardens, event spaces, and five well-appointed guest homes!

 

Hailey Golich Photography

 

Create cherished memories for years to come!

The incredible sunrise and sunset views from each ranch estate are sure to impress your guests.

 

Nicolas G Photography

 

Host your upcoming event at Sacred Mountain, San Diego’s idyllic backyard mountain getaway!

 

The Shepards Photo

For event scheduling and questions, contact Sacred Mountain’s Event Coordination team HERE!

 

 

Centerpiece Inspiration | San Diego Event Coordination

So many details to consider when planning decor, and so many rules!

 

Thankfully, when it comes to the table centerpieces, the goals can be broken down to a few main steps:

The floral arrangement below by Four Season Flowers

Four Seasons flower photography at San Diego wedding venue

Photographer: Wilbur Studios

 

Be Imaginative!

First and foremost is to have fun with your ideas for these centerpieces. Your guests are going to be sitting in front of these most of the night, so make sure they’re memorable. Otherwise, why bother with the effort? The picture below came from a wedding venue where the Bride chose to make the centerpieces herself, and the bay-side location inspired her to set up this simple and affordable beachy display.

First, she collected the (FREE) sand, shells, and stones from her local beaches over the months she was wedding planning. Then she snagged the vases, gold leaf, and extra-large gold metal rings from a craft shop. She hand-painted each jar meant for the candles, each shell with the gold leaf, and used the gold rings as guides for the last step: floral accents. Sticking some adorable succulents into the sand-filled vases was a piece of cake, and the eucalyptus just needed a little wire to adhere it to the rings for that perfect circle. Put it all together, and she got an easy-breezy centerpiece! It was simple, affordable, and memorably unique.

Table decoration photography at San Diego event venuePhotographer: Aldous Photo

Content!

Don’t be afraid to reach outside of the flower shop. Almost anything can be used in a centerpiece, whether its candles, vases, garland, flowers, lanterns, or even food! Trust us, artichokes and heads of lettuce can be beautiful if paired with the right table decor.

Below, the florist used different shaped vases of varying heights to hold all the eye-catching flowers not commonly seen in the wedding world. No two flowers looked exactly alike, but collaboratively they harmonized because nothing seemed unbalanced or out of place!

Studio-Carre-Photographie at San Diego event venue

Photographer: Studio Carre Photographie

Multiple Uses

Plan on moving those statement pieces!

Events rarely keep the guests in a single space the entire night. An average wedding will move the party up to four times over the day from ceremony space, to cocktail hour, the dining area, then finally to the dance floor. Using the same arrangements for different places will give you the most bang for your buck, without diminishing their splendor! What decorated the aisle can decorate the sweetheart table. Those Bridesmaids bouquets are now for the dining tables. In the picture below, we can see how some centerpieces even double as favors for guests to take home at the end.

The floral arrangement below by Fox Floral Studio

Let's Frolic Together photography at unique San Diego wedding venue

Photographer: Let’s Frolic Together

Seasonal Savings

Plan to use flowers that are in season around the month of your event! It will be easier on your florist, and you’ll surely receive the freshest arrangements guaranteed not to wilt halfway through the night.

Some flowers, like roses and succulents, thrive all year, but asking for gardenias in the middle of December might make for a sad display on the table, and in your wallet. Some of the best Summer and Spring flowers are:

  • Sweet Peas
  • Cherry/Apple Blossoms
  • Hydrangeas
  • Peonies
  • Daisies
Coordination and Florals by Penny Blooms Weddings and Events

Coordination and Florals by Penny Blooms Weddings and Events

The most popular Winter and Fall flowers:

  • Dahlias
  • Sunflowers
  • Violets
  • Freesia
  • Ivy/Evergreen

The Knot has lists of the top ten flowers for every season for more flower options.

The floral arrangement below by Del Mar Floral & Gifts

Muse Moments Photography | Harbor View Loft

Photographer: Muse Moments Photography

 

Size Matters

Considering table shape and size while planning your centerpiece is necessary. It never hurts to test out your plans ahead of time to save you in the long run. Hindsight is 20/20, but not very helpful at the moment.

Some general guidelines are: If your tables are long, the “center” is technically more significant, so plan accordingly. The opposite goes for smaller, more intimate tables. So try not to engulf the Bride and Groom behind a tidal-wave of flowers if they’re not at a giant head table to even everything out.

The floral arrangement below by Tiny Victories

Gabriel Conover Photo Tiny Victories floral | Unique San Diego wedding venue

Photographer: Gabriel Conover

 

Think “Cohesive Ambiance”

The centerpieces should be a continuation of the event’s overall theme and appealing to the eye, but not so over-the-top distracting that it seems like somebody dumped a whole shrubbery on the table. They should tie together the room decor with the table settings. Smoothly draw attention from the grand statement pieces to small accents. The picture below is of a table that we think blended effortlessly with its surroundings.

The attention-catchers were the silver metallic accents and peacock green of the napkins, so the florist chose to accentuate those with some refreshing eucalyptus and clouds of white flowers. The tables naturally reflected the abundance of natural light in the room, and everything seemed to glow!

The floral arrangement below by Tessfresh Flowers

Shelly Anderson Photo | Harbor View Loft

Photographer: Shelly Anderson Photography

Do the “Wilson Test”

We highly encourage varying the heights of your decor pieces. It creates a positive depth and dimension to the table. What we tend to warn our clients against is a centerpiece that impedes line of sight and is too tall for guests to see each other from across the table.

No matter how beautiful, if the guests have to lean around your centerpieces to be part of the conversation, they’ll see it as a joke and remember the inconvenience instead of the artistry. The “Wilson Test” is from the TV show Home Improvement. The next-door neighbor character, Wilson Wilson Jr., was only ever seen from the eyes up over the wooden fence separating each backyard. Once you finish setting up your centerpiece, sit down with a friend on the opposite side of your arrangement, and see if their whole face is visible. Wilson was great on the show, but maybe not the best at your event.

Rule of thumb is to keep your decorations no higher than about 10″ from the tabletop. If you’ve got grand designs that reach for the sky, we say try to stay as skinny as possible between 10″-20″ from the tabletop and make sure to use sturdy tables! Too tall and things get wobbly.

Amy Lynn Photo | | Harbor View Loft

Photographer: By Amy Lynn Photography

 

See Beyond Your Event

What happens to your centerpieces at the end of the night?

Are they going back with the florist? Home with you or the guests? The night doesn’t end for you when the music stops. Consider your transportation options–meaning packing boxes, vehicles, and size constraints before the day of the event! This way, you’ll never be stuck at the end of the night, exhausted, past your check-out time, saddled with twelve flower arrangements, and an irritated venue manager with no ride trying to figure out what to do.

Centerpiece below by Love Her Madly Weddings

Mirage and Light Photo at affordable wedding venues in San Diego

Photographer: Mirage and Light Photography

 

Bottom Line, Do What You Think Looks Good!

Keeping our guidelines in mind will hopefully help point you in the right direction, but it all comes down to eyeballing your handiwork and being flexible at the moment of the event. Be willing to play around with your centerpiece ideas and remember to stay true to yourself and your theme!

 

 

Thanks to all the fantastic photographers and florists mentioned above!

Your work is amazing!

 

 

 

Talk With A Professional Event Catering Expert

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