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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!

Venue: Mt. Woodson 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!

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

Here we are again for Part Three of our

“Wedding Themes We Love!” Series

Romantic

In Part One of this series, we mentioned the Formal/Traditional Themed wedding as the most often mentally pictured for a wedding.

If Formal the first, thanks to Hollywood, the Romantic Theme would be the close second.

This theme is most natural to blend with others, and frankly, there are very few weddings that wouldn’t fall under the Romantic spectrum.

The defining characteristic of this theme?

All the florals, bigger is better, especially in loose, wild arrangements as though plucked from an enchanted forest.

Florals below by Flora Glamor

Photo by Gabriel Conover Photography

Everything is in pastels like cream, blush, lilac, sage, and cornflower blue.

Photo by Fleeting Fox Photo

No hard edges or defined lines.

Like walking in a dream, everything is soft and flowing with a life of its own.

Photographer: Gabriel Conover Photography

Warm glowing hanging lights, like the classic Market or cheerful Christmas lights, add to the ambiance.

Photographer: Fleeting Fox Photo

Plunge your guests into an ethereal atmosphere where magic seems closer than ever, and they feel like they’re part of your fairy tale!

Photographer: True Photography

This theme can fit any dining style due to its versatility! So take a closer look at your guests and their needs instead.

Have a reasonably young crowd excited to dance? Go with a “Moving Style.”

Are you looking for something more traditional for your fairytale wedding? The Seated or Buffet dining option is more your scene!

Whimsical

This theme is for the unconventional couple looking to embrace the unexpected on their special day, hoping to wow their guests!

Photographer: True Photography

If your mood is “Don’t take life so seriously, this is a party,” then this is the theme for you!

Photographer: Bella Grace Lynn Photography

Mismatched decor works well for this idea, so go wacky, unique, and eccentric for your big day.

The bottom line is always to think bright, colorful, and happy!

Photographer: Bella Grace Lynn Photography

If you and your partner are both a little quirky, be proud and let it reflect in your centerpieces, signs, everything!

Photographer: Mirage + Light Photography

Due to its young, fun-loving, casual, unconventional nature, going with a “Moving” or Small Plate Style dining for this theme seems like the best fit.

A Buffet is a fun option for this theme, too, if wedding guests would feel more comfortable casually sitting to chat throughout the night.

Alternative

On the opposite end of the color spectrum, a couple doesn’t have to be bright and cheery to be unconventional!

Photographer: Mirage + Light Photography. Florist: Love Her Madly

No need for sunglasses inside to battle the neon aesthetic like in the theme above.

This theme tends to feel more formal with a nod towards modern class and sophistication.

Photographer: Jessie Schultz Photography

It’s perfect for the offbeat couple who are looking for something broody and beautiful.

Darker, jeweled tones promote a moody color palette that can be just as romantic as the pastels!

Photographer: Aubree Lynn Photography. Florist: Studio Fleurish

We love the idea of smokey grays embellished in champagne or wheat.

Or perhaps a palette inspired by the sky at night calls to your heart!

Photographer: Val Dostalek Photography. Florist: Splendid Sentiments

We can see Small Plate or “Moving” Style dining perfect for this theme, but with its formal air, a Seated dinner could also be a smart choice!

Coming Soon!

Keep a lookout for Part Four of this series as we explore the Tropics, and some clever Travel themed weddings, (for those who can’t wait for the honeymoon!)

Venue Appreciation Post | La Jolla Women’s Club | San Diego Catering

The La Jolla Woman’s Club

Photographer: Sutography Weddings

According to the official website, this historic venue was established, and the club created in 1914.

The organization’s objective is “to work in all ways and at all times for the welfare of the world at large and the community of La Jolla, CA and to be a center for educational, cultural, artistic, moral and social betterment.”

Photo by: Alex and Jana Photography

With its timeless elegance and rich charm, it’s one of our favorite venues to make the magic happen!

Photo by: Alex and Jana Photography

The ample space available allows for flexibility both indoors and out for the ceremony and reception!

Photographer: Sutography Weddings

Historic stained glass windows, like heavenly bodies, watch from above as the stage hosts live bands and DJs ready to keep your dancefloor popping!

Photographer: Sutography Weddings

Working with this incredible venue for as long as we have, we’ve always appreciated the refined elegance they incorporate into their daily practices.

Photo by: Alex and Jana Photography

We just wanted to give them a little shoutout for keeping us in mind for all these years of wonderful memories and incredible events!

We’re so honored to be considered part of the past, as well as a future!

Bejeweled Goblets for Every Occasion! | Colored Glassware | San Diego Events

Color doesn’t have to only come from the flower arrangements!

Spice up your tablescape by adding pops of color at each seat with these gorgeous goblets.

These come in all different styles and shapes as well, so stick with one color or even mix and match hues to encompass the full spectrum of your wedding pallet.

Bar Glassware

Have a signature drink?

It wouldn’t be an actual Mule without a copper mug!

Your guests are sure to remember an eye-catching glass containing a tasty cocktail and mugs are just the tip of the iceberg.

Your guests could mingle while sipping from Martini Glasses or tip into a Tumbler for your signature old fashioned.

Authenticity elevates the looks and feels of your event!

Let designing your tablescapes be the most enjoyable part of planning your event!

Ask our gifted coordinators what available design options they’d recommend with our endless upgrade options.

Samantha + Danny | True Photography | Deck 655

Food, Food, Drinks, and More Food!

This gorgeous couple didn’t hesitate for a moment when checking out our extensive menus and wanted only the best for their friends and family to eat on their wedding day.

As guests arrived for the rooftop ceremony at Deck 655, they were invited to enjoy a Summer-inspired Welcome Drink we call the Watermelon Cucumber Cooler!

This revitalizing cocktail was perfect for enjoying the early Summer day on the sunny Patio Ampitheater where guests sat in anticipation for the ceremony.

For those who were seeking a non-alcoholic option, our rosemary, mint, cucumber, lemon water hit the spot!

After some more delicious cocktails from the two separate bars, our skilled team served dinner from three food stations!

Danny and Samantha chose some of our favorites, including our luxurious Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese paired with a crunchy Garlic Toast Point.

We also served our Spinach and Artichoke Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with our famous Creamy Tomato Bisque.

Finally, their guests gobbled down our Crispy Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Skewers served with Caribbean Vegetables and our Jamaican BBQ Sauce!

Creative Affairs, Inc. was the coordinator for the event, and it was terrific to work with such talented coordinators.

We love how they were able to set up such a clever layout for this moving style reception!

J Design Florals incorporated fresh, simple, yet stunning floral arrangements with tropical inspiration on all the tabletops.

After dinner, we served EVEN MORE food, and our excited staff scooped guests off the dance floor for some ice cream at the sundae station!

A perfect Late Night Snack circulated the party about an hour before the dancing ended, just in case anybody had room for Mini Root Beer Floats and Pizza Bites.

Flour Power baked up a beautiful four-tiered masterpiece for the happy couple which our staff served to the guests as well!

We were so honored to be with Danny and Samantha on their special day.

They were a lovely couple who were so fun and sweet!

We wish them only the best for their future together.

Thanks to True Photography for all these incredible pictures! And Thanks to all of the other vendors who helped this day go so smoothly!

True Photography

Creative Affairs, Inc.

Deck 655

J Design Florals

DJ Rooster Entertainment

Flour Power

Decadent Dessert Displays! | Dessert Options | San Diego Catering

For some, a cake isn’t all it’s cut out to be.

Dessert trends have been pointing away from classic tiered cakes, with their overly sweet inaccurate count issues,

and towards experimenting with smaller portions or varieties of treats as options for guests.

Donuts in particular over the last few years have rocketed off the charts in popularity!

Honestly, who can resist fried dough covered in sugar?

Especially when it can come this personalized!!

Cupcakes can offer different options for your guests as well.

Instead of ordering one layer of cake hoping and worrying about anybody’s dietary restrictions,

ordering cupcakes allows for specific numbers of different flavors to please everyone.

Cookies, brownies, lemon bars, candies, and any other sugary concoction can also go on a dessert station.

Choose your favorite, and go wild!

We love seeing couples get creative with their choices.

Just ask for ideas on how best to display all of your treats!

Wonderful Review | Wedding Wire | San Diego Catering

What a complimentary review from Cortney!

We so appreciate any time or clients take the time out of their busy days to write reviews.

We’re so happy that everything went well for her special day and we wish her all the best in the future!

Brittney + Alfred | Fleeting Fox Photography | Mt. Woodson Castle

Let Love Take Flight!

Flight Attendant Brittney and US Navy OS1 Alfred both love travel and adventure.

They found each other up in the Bay Area of Northern California

and fell in love over long hikes with their dogs and exploring the world.

Finding someone to share such a high-paced lifestyle–or even keep up–is difficult.

Fortunately, these two old souls bring out each other’s best in every way.

The happy couple was so sweet and wrote letters to each other to read before the big First Look!

Friends and family traveled from all over the world to attend the five-day party.

Fleeting Fox Photography was able to capture some romantic, intimate moments before the craziness of the big day began.

Patricia Norvell and her team did such a phenomenal job with not just with the bridal makeup and hair,

but with all the bridesmaids, flower girls, and Mothers as well!

Floral arrangements were from Nancy Stevens Flowers, and Brittney’s vision for bouquets with paper flowers, succulents, and real flowers was made into a charming reality.

Alfred gifted his Groomsmen with custom pint glasses to commemorate the occasion.

The bridal party was looking sharp in their Platinum Gray suits and gorgeous mixed Plum, Champagne, and Navy dress tones!

Guests were welcomed by our staff at Mt. Woodson Castle and encouraged to take a cold Apple Cider Sparkler to drink on the way down to the ceremony.

The white pumpkins, lanterns, and candles tucked into moss framed wooden crates started the aisle at the lower Oak Tree Ceremony site.

The Ceremony was initiated by just about the cutest and most enthusiastic flower girl we’ve ever seen!

The day was sunny and warm, despite the late fall season.

As Brittney and Alfred held hands and said their vows, the giant oaks sheltering the ceremony site were reminiscent of where they first met in Northern California.

After the touching ceremony, officiated by Brittney‘s Uncle Butch, the guests celebrated and were encouraged to go up to the cocktail hour for a reception on the upper lawn.

This allowed Alfred and Brittney to sneak away for their first quiet moment together as husband and wife!

The scene set before the guests on the Upper Lawn was immaculately polished to perfection; frosted in lavenders, sage greens, and metallic gold accents.

Guests picked up a Vanilla Old Fashioned or Blood-Orange Spritzer signature drink from the bar on their way to collect their boarding pass/escort cards.

Lavender goblets and gold chargers enhanced the purples of the succulent and eucalyptus centerpieces with gold geometric candle holders.

The Mobile Groovin’ Bus from DJ Pat of Sound Prodigy opened at the start of cocktail hour.

Each guest jumped on board the photo bus and filled the happy couple’s sign-in book with their best faux mustaches and disco afro pictures.

With the castle in the background and the surrounding mountains silhouetted by the setting sun, an ethereal feeling settles in.

Was that a fairy hiding behind the cafe light?

Or just one too many spritzers?

After a short welcome speech, our servers delivered a salad of tender baby greens in a cucumber ring with candied pecans, and bleu cheese crumbles to each guest.

Once finished with the first course, guests could help themselves to all three of the food stations.

There was Lobster Mac n’ Cheese with crunchy Bacon Toast, Braised Beef Short Ribs with decadent Garlic Whipped Potatoes, and finally the taco bar with Pollo Asado and Sautéed Shrimp.

As dinner wrapped up, our staff served champagne, toasts began, tears were shed, and the smiles were unstoppable.

Everyone then gathered inside the Great Hall of the castle where first dance, Mother and Father dances, cake cutting, and general rug-cutting took place.

Flour Power provided the ceremonial cake topper, which Brittney and Alfred saved after cutting, but made sure there were four different flavors of pie for their guests!

DJ Pat kept the dance floor rocking for the rest of the night and everyone had the time of their lives!

The rest of the night was full of merriment and joy as the two families and friends finally melded together.

After the Grand Exit, shuttles took guests back down the mountain to the hotel but scheduled a necessary stop along the way.

Guests were allowed to get off the bus to stop at In-N-Out, order, eat, and get picked up again all by the same service!

It was a dream-like event meant for the storybooks.

We just wanted to thank Alfred and Brittney for choosing us to share your special day with you.

We love your love and wish nothing but the best in your future together!

Thanks also to all the other vendors who helped us make this day perfect!

Sand and Sun, Blush and Fun!

Beth and Brian had a blissful day in blush for their Wedding and Reception at the gorgeous Scripps Seaside Forum.

True Photography masterfully captured all of these amazing shots, bringing so much energy to each picture!

We love those hanging terrariums! The stunning ceremony arch, aisle arrangements, and bouquets were all the from Flora Glamour.

Beth and Brian’s Bridal Party had such a blast during their post-ceremony photoshoot.

We wish we could’ve joined them on their beach run!

This venue offers some of the best photo spots!

What’s better than soft sand and a cool sea breeze to give you that “beach glow” in all your pictures?

Dinner was inside where our capable staff set the tables and guests could enjoy the scenery out of the sun.

The room always looks so elegant with the classic draping in the background, pulling the attention of the guests to the effort put into the details the happy couple wants to be noticed.