Featured Venue: Darlington House

Timeless, Charming, and Philanthropic, There’s No Place Like Darlington House!

 

Rich History

What better venue to encompass the all-around excellence that is San Diego other than Darlington House? This unique historic home and romantic event venue is located two blocks from the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla. The home began as two separate houses pieced together by Sibyl Darlington and were used as her seasonal home to escape the East Coast winters. With items and inspiration from all over the world, it is a fusion of culture, and its exquisite artistry is timeless. The many patios offer countless combinations of spaces for classic dinner parties or weddings. As a catering company, it is definitely one of our favorite San Diego venues because it allows clients the versatility to make the spaces their own while still maintaining its dignified charm.

Designated a historic San Diego Site in 1995, it acts as a location for the Social Service League of La Jolla, a non-profit public benefit corporation. According to the Darlington House Website, this corporation “provides housing and meal support to seniors who have lived and worked for the greater San Diego area” at the neighboring “League House” apartment complex. It is a uniquely beautiful venue and a selfless part of caretaking for San Diego’s valued aging population that you can help contribute to while enjoying your dream event.

Charnel + Munyoki | True Photography

Picturesque From Every Angle

The entire venue is yours when you book! Couples could spend hours exploring every corner for that priceless photo. Check out Darling House’s Video Tour on their site for a sneak peek tour of the historic home.

The Main House

Comfortably furnished and elegantly decorated, the Living Room, Dining Room, and several Sitting Rooms are available for all guests to lounge in and explore on your big day.

Groom’s Room

Reserved space for the Bridal Party with a private restroom, dressing room, and comfortable lounge area. This room offers welcoming furniture and plenty of space for getting ready in style.

Bridal Suite

An East-facing room also with its own private restroom, dressing room, and lounge area. This room comes with an attached Juliet balcony that overlooks the courtyards where the event setup will occur.

Library

Catering companies use this space to construct an event bar for guests. The arched ceiling and second-floor bookshelves offer uniquely beautiful photo opportunities. With architectural nods to Sybil’s many trips to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, the Library is a photographer’s playground!

Egyptian Patio

Named after the dazzling reflecting pool at its center, the colorful antique Egyptian tile lining the pool can become the threshold for your vows. The most common location for wedding ceremonies, chairs can face either the main house arches or the elevated iron gate arch depending on your guest count.

 

 

Andalusian Patio

After the ceremony, guests are most commonly ushered into the enclosed Andalusian Patio between the Library bar area. There, they can enjoy complimentary craft cocktails and check out the seating chart while your catering company works to put the final touches on the main floor in the Rose Garden.

Rose Garden

Lush and green year-round, this space is a blank canvas for an imaginative couple hoping to bring their wedding dreams to life!

Brittany + Chris | Cait & Co. Photography

Bree + Brock | Logan Cole Photography

Click Here To Inquire About Your Upcoming Event Today!

(858) 454-7625

Monday – Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

 

 

 

A Mother’s Day Tribute

Imagine for a moment…

You’re searching for a new job online, and as you scroll through the listings, one catches your eye.

No degree or prior job experience required. A jolt of hope! That’s been the biggest hurdle in this hunt so far.

No paid benefits. Unfortunate, but you’ve been living without them so far. What’s the difference?

Salary and hours non-negotiable. That seems oddly strict. What job requires so much without benefits?

Life-long Tenure. Okay, what??

“This has to be a joke,” you think to yourself, quickly scrolling back up and down the page, sure you missed something.

What enterprise would be crazy enough to post these kinds of job stipulations??

 

Motherhood.

 

“Motherhood is the exquisite inconvenience of being another person’s everything.”

–Unknown

We at Personal Touch Dining want to personally extend our admiration and appreciation for the mothers in our lives. After all the events of 2020, recognizing the importance of a simple hug that was once taken for granted is ever-present.

You have been, and always will be, the Most Essential Workers.

Thank you all for the purest love we’ll ever know.

We would be nothing without your constant strength, endless generosity, grace, and patience.

 

 

We hope you feel loved and celebrated this Mother’s Day!

Sweet Blossom Weddings | San Diego Vendor Spotlight!

Sweet Blossom Weddings

Sweet Blossom Weddings is a Southern Californian full-service boutique event design and wedding planning venture. Melissa and her experienced Event Planners devote their whole hearts to providing their clients with exceptional service. We’ve personally witnessed their delighted, worry-free clients enjoy the best day of their life in their dependable hands. Through imaginative design, listening to their clients, and creating steadfast relationships with their couples and fellow event vendors, they have jumped to the top of our list of favorite event coordination businesses.

Melissa Reinke- Founder & Principal Wedding Planner

Erica Streelman Photography

According to their website, Melissa has worked with hundreds of couples to make their wedding days full of “happiness, tears of joy, and love.” Her journey to becoming a Wedding Planner and Business Owner began after getting her degrees from the University of San Francisco with a BA in Communications and from the University of San Diego with an Event Management Certificate. Now, with nearly a decade of experience, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a natural passion for weddings and design, she dedicates herself to creating a company that serves couples from all over the country.

“Wedding planning is more than creating a timeline. It’s organizing and helping create their vision for one of the most important days of their lives, a day they will truly never forget.”

Sweet Blossom Services Include:

  • THREE PLANNERS TO HELP ON THE DAY OF YOUR WEDDING
    • Lead Wedding Planner To Oversee All Event Management From Beginning To End On Wedding Day
    • Set-Up Assistant To Help With Set Up And Event Execution For The Day, Up To 6 Hours On Wedding Day
    • Bridal Assistant To Be A Personal Assistant For The Couple, Bridal Party And Family, Up To 6 Hours On Wedding Day
  • REHEARSAL COORDINATION: DAY BEFORE WEDDING
  • VENDOR COORDINATION
  • BRIDAL PARTY COORDINATION
  • SET-UP COORDINATION
  • BREAK DOWN COORDINATION

AND MORE!

Contact Them ASAP!

858.668.8263
info@sweetblossomweddings.com

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!

 

 

Specialty Silverware | Tablescape Upgrades! | San Diego Event Planning

We’re back with more inspiration for that dream dining tablescape!

You’ve picked the glassware and the chargers, but what about the flatware? Eating utensils are just as much a part of the tablescape as a beautiful centerpiece, so choose wisely!

 

Boho-Chic

If you want your guests to obsess over your vintage retro flair for life, go with a flatware set like these gold wooden-handled beauties! They’re just classy enough to look polished while potentially passing for an awesome flea market find!

Classy, thrifty, and unique.

 

Modern

For a more modern approach, set your eyes on a colored flatware set. The soft neutral tones with that bit of gold look expensive, but in the good way! Not too much on your pocket, but statement-worthy nonetheless.

Your guests will be impressed by the clean lines and cohesive look, and you’ll feel confident in your stunning design.

 

Romantic

When we picture a romantic tablescape, we imagine our grandmother’s silver. We love the floral accents, dreamy curved handles, and a vintage elegance that is unmistakably soft.

Pair with the right charger, and some antique-cut glassware, for the perfect romantic trifecta.

 

Glitz and Glam

We’ve seen this gold flatware set a lot lately, and it’s hard not to picture it going with almost any motif. For a sparkling setting, they’re a necessity.

They’re a fantastic way to add a little gold accent without making the tablescape too flashy, so be sure to consider these when you’re mapping out your layouts!

Andrea David Photography

 

Are you feeling inspired yet?

Have questions about any of these ideas?

 

Contact our phenomenal Event Planning team for the scoop on all these flashy flatware finds!

 

 

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.

 

 

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