Madri Gras Madness | Port Pavillion on Broadway Pier

A Mardi Gras themed San Diego County school dance!

700 kids from different schools all over San Diego met at Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego for a collaborative social dance.

Backdrops Beautiful provided a massive painted backdrop of dramatic Mardi Gras masks that stretched out in the huge space of Port Pavilion.

SOS Entertainment set up an impressive stage and light display for their DJ which included two giant screens which projected light shows fluctuating in time with their music!

They also provided dance platforms, which are always crowd-pleasers, for the students to use out on the dancefloor that lit up from within to complete their look.

Lounge Appeal helped fill some space and created colorful arrangements of lounge chairs for the students to rest on in-between dances.

We provided traditional gold, green, and purple decorations. Centerpieces were decked out with grand feathers and opulent masks.

Our chefs had a blast exploring different traditional New Orleans recipes and came up with a styled menu that included Mama’s Fried Chicken, Corn Bread Hushpuppies, Muffuletta Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit, Mini King Cakes, and beverages for the students as well as for the chaperones!

All the food was delicious and easy to take on-the-go, much like how it would be at a Fat Tuesday Parade. The only thing they didn’t replicate is that classic New Orleans fried alligator dish.

We worked together with Sensational Treats who fried up fresh beignets for more dessert options, heavily dusted with powdered sugar, right in front of the kids!

Aside from eating and dancing, there was plenty of other entertainment to be had.

Black Tie Casino Events was there with several different full casino tables where experienced dealers helped the kids learn to play the games with fake chips.

What event would be complete without a photo booth?

A Little Scene put a fun twist on the classic photo booth and recorded a small video that was then printed into a flip book instantly. The students are always delighted by the fun props and action shots they’re able to capture.

The kids danced the night away in the traditional “do whatcha wanna” style (which accompanies any Mardi Gras celebration) and as strings of beads sparkled in the lights, everyone fell under the spell of the celebration spirit!

Thanks to all the vendors who joined us to make this event one-of-a-kind!

Confectionery Glee! | San Diego Catering

Wedding cakes are the newest blank canvas.

Couples can customize their cakes in nearly any fashion

and unlike our parent’s wedding cakes…

Although beautiful in their complexity, today’s cakes are simpler.

Cakes are very much like people;

they come in every shape, size, color, and flavor.

This is a chance as the Bride and Groom express yourselves on a blank canvas! Get the flavors you feel best represents your relationship and the style you feel best about!

If you’re looking for a clean classic look, check out these cakes with crisp white frosting and sharp straight edges.

Ivory or white frosting and is splashed with color from a few simple flowers to coordinate with the wedding colors. One of our favorite vendors, Flour Power Cakes, always has the most beautiful cakes with an infinite number of flavors.

Beautiful and timeless, this style goes well with modern, chic, or industrial looks.

This type of cake is also most often crowned with dainty, intricate cake toppers that can be customized to send any message the couple wants!

Oh, but believe me, we’ve also seen some unique cakes as well!

Another style that gained popularity over the last few years is the unfrosted or “naked” cake, which is the classic cake’s free-spirited cousin.

This particular cake pictured above is only “half dressed” and the style offers a trendy look while still falling under the “rustic” genre.

We’ve also had naked cakes that weren’t even caked at all!

Just recently a bride and groom ordered a giant, three-tiered Napoleon Cake for their special day. Many layers of golden brown puff-pastry are filled with millie fueille cream and dusted with powdered sugar, no frosting needed at all. It was unique, light in texture and flavor, and absolutely delicious!

If big, multiple tiers of cake just seems a bit too much, you can join another newer trend and go mini!

Not only do cupcakes allow for perfect portions, but they’re also great for exact number counts and the flavor options can be limitless!

To cut to the chase: your cake is free ground to express yourself however you want! Pick something you would want to eat. No ifs, ands, or bundts.

Recipe For Happiness:

“Happiness is like a cake we bake that creates the joy and fullness of life.

And, the recipe begins with one cup of resilience to keep it all together

Place next, one cup of acceptance for loving yourself dearly as you are

Put in one cupful of appreciation for your life and the beauty of nature

Insert one cup of direction to help follow those special goals you seek

Next, blend in one cupful of emotion for life’s intense love and feelings

Enter then, a heaping cup of relationships, made of family and friends

Stir in one cupful of giving for sharing your love and kindness with all

Stir, then add a cup of meaning for the purpose that makes happiness rise.

There you have it!”

By Sandra M. Haight from Poetry Soup.com

Bree + Brock | Logan Cole Photography | Darlington House of La Jolla

How to take over La Jolla: The Bree and Brock Story

This was a wedding for the books ladies and gentlemen.

First and foremost, huge thank you to Bree and Brock for choosing us to be a part of their big day and sharing their pictures with us from Logan Cole Photography.

There were so many gorgeous details that were meticulously cared for and it shows the amount of visionary collaboration between the happy couple and Fawn Events, formerly known as Perfectly Poised Events, who helped Bree and Brock plan their event.

The amount of vendor collaboration on this wedding was wonderful!

We’re always excited to be a part of elaborate events where we get to work with vendors from all over San Diego and Los Angeles.

Adore Folklore provided the tables, lounge furniture, shelves, and bar-front while the chairs came from Event Party Rentals.

The exotic table settings were also a concert of different vendors where Abbey Party Rentals provided the goblets and champagne glasses, Bright Rentals had the gold cutlery, napkins were from ModMix Studio and we provided the rest!

Their exquisite floral arrangements were done by Joy of Bloom Florals and we are blown away by how spectacular everything blended together!

The ceremony centerpiece, and later the halo around the Sweetheart Table, was an enormous flower arch made of tropical foliage, palm fronds, and a variety of colorful flowers to fit their “Spanish Tropics” theme.

Lots of emerald green, mustard yellow, burnt oranges, and hints of gold turned the Darlington House of La Jolla into a 1960’s Cuban Resort.

Their ceremony and reception were in the Rose Garden and there we offered their guests cool watermelon, mint and cucumber water while they awaited the fiesta to begin!

After the ceremony, our staff worked to transition the area from ceremony space to a dining space while the guests helped themselves to appetizers and refreshments at the bar.

Our bartenders expertly served up Bree and Brock’s signature drinks: The Mexican Mule and the Paloma while The Haiku Guys entranced the guests with their witty poems, customized on the spot, for each guest!

For dinner, guests were excited to see that Bree and Brock had chosen to go with our full Taco Bar Buffet with a towering pyramid of toppings for dinner.

Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. brought the cake and an assortment of adorable desserts!

Overall, this wedding was so unique and beautifully orchestrated that we couldn’t help but feel honored to be a part of it!

Thanks again to Bree and Brock, it’ll be a while before we stop talking about this one!

Featured Venue: The Ultimate Sky Box at Diamond View Towers

Where else can you get married over a baseball game in San Diego??

Photo by: True Photography

The Ultimate Sky Box in Diamond View Towers is one of our favorite venues for the wonderful Coordinating staff, chic modern style, and amazing views.

Downtown San Diego is spectacular from this angle!

The view from the patio deck has a 270-degree view of downtown and out towards the bay from Coronado Island to Point Loma.

They put on every kind of event and often host corporate events for conventions happening just down the street!

Photo by True Photography

Photo by FilmFotoFusion

Since it is 15 stories up, there are no neighbors you have to worry about keeping up late at night with all the fun you’re having.

Weddings have great success here where the glass paneled wall can be opened or closed to accommodate larger parties during the on-season.

Full ceremonies can be had outside on the deck while the game goes on.

Some couples are lucky enough to finish their vows as the Padres made a home run, unknowingly timing their nuptials to the fireworks!

With projector screens, TVs, a built-in bar, awesome staff, and electrifying views, The Ultimate Sky Box is jam-packed with features to make your event amazing.

Thanks to all of the amazing photographers who captured the Sky Box’s best angles and to the fabulous coordinating staff for all the hard work you do to put on these events!

Photo by FilmFotoFusion

BRICK Winter Open House Event

We love these networking events where we get to socialize with guests and get to collaborate with other vendors.

Our chef was inspired by the cold weather lately and decided to serve some Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese Sandwiches on some small baguette slices for easy nibbling.

Paired with the sandwiches, we served our hearty Butternut Squash Bisque warm and ready to dip or sip!

Our famous Crispy Brussel Sprouts with a balsamic reduction glaze and bacon finished off our plate with our signature purple orchid.

Our favorite signature drink, the Apple Cider Sparkler, was a perfect compliment to our savory dish.

The Martinelli’s base is sweet and has hints of ginger and cinnamon from the ginger simple syrup made in our kitchen and the cinnamon stir-stick we use as a garnish.

Thanks to The BRICK for having us, we love this versatile venue for every type of event!

Big thanks also go out to Christine Tustin Photography for these beautiful shots of our dish and drink!

Nathan and Erin | Next to Me Studios | New Children’s Museum

What a fabulous wedding!

Nathan and Erin had so many unique details that they brought into their special day, illuminating The New Children’s Museum.

Transportation from the hotel to The New Children’s Museum was on a stunning white and gold trolley car. It had just enough space for the happy couple and all 16 members of their Bridal Party!

The girls looked gorgeous in a variety of colors from dark teal to the palest dusty pink.

To offset the girls’ dresses, the gentlemen looked dashing in their navy blue suits and each tie matched the bridesmaid they were paired with!

The New Children’s Museum exhibits change periodically depending on the artwork contributed, but they always offer some of the most unique and fun photo opportunities.

The ceremony was outside, across the street in the public park. A giant golden hexagon, draped in light purple, peach, white, and pink roses served as the backdrop for the top of the aisle where the couple said their vows.

After the ceremony, back inside on the museum’s main floor, dining tables for guests were set all in white. The white chairs, linens, and napkins brought so much natural light to the space and made the metallic gold accents stand out.

One of our favorite unique details of the wedding was when two of the Bride’s cousins performed a song for Erin and Nathan!

How cute are these custom Jones Soda Bottles!?

The buffet food and some of the dessert station were provided by us here at Personal Touch Dining. We gave them lemon squares, berry bars, red velvet cake shooters, and they provided some of their own traditional family desserts as well.

We had so much fun with this beautiful couple and their wonderful family. Thank you to Molly Stark from Tres Chic Affairs for coordinating and Next To Me Studios for the stunning photography!

Let’s Talk Sweets! | Dessert Stations

Chichi Candy Collections,
Decadent Donut Destinations,
Cupcake and Churro Curios,
We’ve done it all.

Over the last few years, couples tend to steer away from tradition and opt for items such as small cake toppers to cut and then whatever other dessert tickles their fancy. In one of our recent posts, the Bride and Groom had an Ice Cream Sundae station! Anything is possible and as long as your guests get a little after-dinner sugar to help fuel their dance moves, they’ll be up for just about anything.

Candy Bars, tables glistening with glass jars full of wonder, are always good for the Bride or Groom with the extra large sweet tooth. It’s hard not to see the appeal when all of your favorite pieces are in one place, and any extras get to go home with you at the end of the night!

Photo to the right by Dapper Images

If a full four-tiered wedding cake feels both intimidating in size and restrictive with the flavors, (only four??), why not go a bit smaller? Cupcakes can ensure a multitude of flavors/dietary options and the smaller portion size will go over well with your guests who have probably been eating non-stop for the last three hours of your reception. Plus, they look so cute!

Desserts above by Cupcakes Squared

Photo above by Sara France Photography. Photo below by Elle G. Photography

If candy, cake, and cupcakes still aren’t what you’re looking for, what could be better on a fundamental level than sugared, fried bread?

In a cloud of powdered sugar, donuts have exploded in popularity over the last couple of years and we love watching couples get creative with their displays.

Bottom line is this: whether you want to stay traditional or go off on a sugar escapade, we’re here to help. you bring it, we’ll display it. Or we can bake it for you! Churros, brownies, cake shooters, and nearly anything else you can think of: just ask and it can be yours.

Photo below by Wilbur Studios. Photo above by True Photography.

Photo above by Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Thanks to all of the awesome photographers for these mouth-watering photos! We’re actively trying not to drool on our keyboards.

Kristen + Aaron | Mirage and Light Photography | New Children’s Museum

Often, gray polished cement and exposed steel support beams in a venue can be a drawing point for many couples who want a refined contemporary feel for their weddings. The New Children’s Museum is one of the few modern urban venues in San Diego that can still look sleek and polished without feeling cold, dark, or impersonal. It’s a welcoming and lively place that Kristen and Aaron came to with their own jovial light and made the museum glow.

Between their hilarious bar sign and hand-painted banners hanging from the ceiling, they were a delightful couple whose friends and family reflected their love for life by rocking out on the dance floor with them until the very last dance. (Round of applause to Saenz Entertainment for keeping up with the eager group!)

The Ice Cream Sundae station we provided couldn’t have been a better fit for the museum’s youthful undertone and we made sure to serve all the toppings we could think of! Sprinkles, mini gummy bears, two sauces, whipped cream, and the list just goes on. The station is always a crowd pleaser and we can’t help but get excited when it gets chosen!

Big thanks to Kristen and Aaron for having us, your wedding was such a blast. Another thank you goes to the coordinator from Love Her Madly Weddings and Events, not only for the gorgeous flowers, but also for helping everything run so smoothly. Thanks finally to, Mirage and Light Photography, for such gorgeous detail and action shots!

Vintage Garden Dream Wedding

Dusty blues and extravagant florals set the tone of this gorgeous wedding! The antique appearance of the Darlington House in La Jolla California went perfectly with the event’s overall theme. The newly weds and their family and friends wore smiles all day long as they celebrated love. The amazing photographer Molly Goodman caught these jubilant faces from start to finish!

Amber & Nathan l True Photography | Darlington House

We are grateful to be a part of Amber and Nathan’s special day. From the gorgeous Spanish architecture at Darlington House to the brilliant beach sunset of the evening, every moment was magical. A special thanks to the wonderful vendors who made it all happen. Congratulations Amber and Nathan!

Caterer – Personal Touch Dining

Photographer – True Photography

Venue – Darlington House

Florist – Layered Vintage

DJ & Photobooth – Dancing DJ Productions

Hair & Makeup – KC Witkamp

Wedding Dress – Mia Bella Couture

Tuxedo – Ede and Ravenscroft

Coordinator – Lindsay Nicole Weddings and Events