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The Travel Channel's choice for the best place to get married in the United States! |
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Imagine hearing the perfect music on your special day, your vision brought to life…
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Nationally published photographer Stewart Bertrand brings his creative style to couples who place a high value on their wedding photography. |
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Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards offers elegant weddings in the heart of Southern California's Wine Country. |
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Classy, experienced, professional & fun! |
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View the finest and most unique sites in San Diego & Temecula!!! |
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What's Your Style?
By Kristen Castillo
It’s not easy choosing a wedding venue. You need a place that suits your budget, accommodates your guests and most of all suits your wedding style. Whether you’re a nature lover, a modernist or a hopeless romantic, there’s a wedding venue for you.
Finding Your Style
There’s always a lot to think about when planning your wedding. Finding your style is one of the more time consuming decisions you’ll make. One of the best ways to get started figuring out your style is asking yourself what kind of mood you want to create for your event.
Kevinie Woo, Jr. Account Executive for BG Creative, who represents Pala Casino Spa and Resort, says couples should ask themselves a few questions to determine their wedding style.
“Do you want your bridal party to look modern and fun, classy and formal, or neat and comfortable? Do you prefer your reception to have a classic, elegant look or a casual, more colorful appeal?” Woo says.
Take some time to discuss your vision with your fiancé and write out your wants and needs for your wedding. Once you have an idea of what style works for you both, you’ll be able to find a venue to match that style.
Lisa Knoer at The Bristol Hotel San Diego says wedding style is very personalized.
“Some people are very specific,” she says. “Some are more traditional. Most can be flexible. It’s really what they want.”
Don’t hold back when considering your style. Get creative and be honest so you can make your wedding fantasy a reality.
A Classic Style
You plan to wear your hair in a simple updo; you love a gown with simple lines and for your ceremony and reception, you want a venue that’s timeless.
From its start in 1880 to its days of Hollywood fanfare, the 340 acre Del Mar Fairgrounds has had a reputation as the place to be. That’s still true these days.
“Most wedding couples can look at their lifestyle, their budget and what is the most important aspect of the day,” says Amy Smith of Del Mar Fairgrounds. “Location plays a big part in setting the tone.”
“The Fairgrounds has the flexibility to host casual to ultra formal events,” explains Smith. “From our beautiful landscaped gardens to the private Turf Club, we can make your day beautiful.”
Del Mar Fairgrounds has lots of appeal for brides and grooms including menus starting at $35 per person, free parking, and no time limit for each event. The venue only books one event per day and can accommodate weddings small and large -- 50 to 500 people.
Chic Modernist
You read all the latest fashion magazines, you eat at the trendiest restaurants and you party at the hippest clubs, so why should your wedding be any less cutting edge? You crave a venue that has modern appeal and all the amenities you’ve come to expect.
Contemporary brides are attracted to urban venues such as The Bristol Hotel. The hotel’s ballroom, which holds up to 400 guests for a cocktail party reception, has a retractable roof which is a huge selling point for the way it showcases downtown San Diego.
For a more intimate party, weddings can be held on the second floor at the City Scene which accommodates between 80 and 100 guests.
The ballroom has a cream colored marble floor and neutral décor: “It’s a blank canvas,” says Knoer. “They can build upon it.”
“This room is whatever you envision,” she says. “You can make it happen on any budget.”
Menu options at The Bristol San Diego often combine ethnic backgrounds of the bride and groom, such as Persian kabobs and Mexican fajitas. “We can do pretty much anything,” says Knoer.
Another modern spot is big on music, mood and style. “Unique, artistic, dynamic, and intimate,” is how Emily Goldman of Anthology describes the Little Italy venue which can seat up to 300 guests for a sit-down reception and can accommodate 500 guests for a standing celebration.
“Anthology comes to life in the spirit of 30’s and 40’s supper clubs with a decidedly modern spin,” she says. “A common thread between all those who visit Anthology is a love of music, expertly prepared food and alluring décor.”
Anthology has 13,000 square feet and features a three level setting which Goldman says “allows for easy transition from ceremony to reception.” The venue has a built-in stage, a state of the art audio visual system, a fireside lounge, two full bars, an outdoor balcony and an award winning chef who can customize a wedding menu.
Nature Lover
You’re most comfortable outdoors with the breeze in your hair and a beautiful view on the horizon. Your dream wedding is casual, quaint and full of natural elements like water and greenery.
The natural beauty of San Diego is hard to dispute. You can find breathtaking views everywhere you look and your wedding is a good time to share these natural wonders with your guests.
Located in Temecula wine country, Oak Meadows has been in business 13 years and has been handling weddings for the past five years. It hosts weddings for brides from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles for guests list ranging from 50 to 375 people.
“It’s a private lakeside garden estate,” says Anthony Aglio, owner of Oak Meadows. “We’re mainly an outdoor facility.”
The venue has lots of spots for photos. “Everywhere you look and every picture you take is perfect,” says Aglio who notes how pretty Oak Meadows’ five fountains are during the day and also at night when they’re aglow with fire.
Oak Meadows offers on-site catering and can customize the menu for any event. “We really cater to their needs from plated dinners to buffet stations to live chef stations.”
From wine country to animal country, outdoorsy weddings have lots of natural potential. Yadira Galindo of the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park says the venues are “stylish and eco-friendly.”
The Zoo’s conservation efforts are supported by weddings and other Zoo events. Wedding guests sip on “Wild Jungle Juice” and eat grilled free-range chicken breast, among other “sustainable, organic and locally raised products.”
Many ceremony and reception locations are available at the San Diego Zoo including areas that overlook a waterfall or a lagoon. “Animal ambassadors” such as a porcupine, an eagle or an American alligator are available for photos during the cocktail hour,
Décor-wise, Galindo says: “Some couples enjoy the animal print linens that match the groom’s zebra-striped socks, while others prefer a harpist playing in the backdrop.”
There’s even a bonus for all wedding guests: All-day admission is included on the day of the wedding.
Hopeless Romantic
You’ve been planning your wedding since you were a kid. You know exactly what you want in a gown, accessories, flowers and stationery. Now you need a venue that meets the one in your dreams – a place that’s charming and inviting, just like your guy.
For an urban vibe, couples can consider a locale that’s stylish and close to the action of Padres baseball.
“Diamond View Tower has a modern, chic feel with breathtaking views of the city, bay and ballpark,” says Amanda McPhail of Diamond View Tower who notes the space features a large bar, a dance area, an outdoor fire place, oversized lounge furniture, and audio equipment.
Diamond View Tower also offers privacy to couples and their guests. “Unlike most properties, this phenomenal space is as private as it gets,” says McPhail. “The pent house of a commercial building in East Village. No one else has access to the floor except for your guests. Since the room is located on the 15th floor of the building it’s one of San Diego’s hidden jewels.”
The venue has a lounge feel and accommodates up to 160 guests. McPhail says it’s not a typical wedding site and “brings a modern approach to wedding receptions with a cool flowing area for guests to mingle in comfort while never being too far from the focus of the night, the bride and groom.”
Glamour Queen
You look your best at all times and you’re looking for a wedding venue that matches your impeccable style. You need a space that has great character, color and location. You may be the center of attention on your big day, but your venue needs to shine too.
Casinos are filled with excitement, especially when a wedding is involved. Pala Casino Spa and Resort can accommodate large or small weddings and “offers space for the wedding ceremony, reception area, rooms for out-of-town guests, complimentary valet, no sales tax and a full-service spa and salon,” says Woo. “With a casino on the grounds, there’s fun and excitement after the reception ends.”
From gambling to fun with the family, “a casino wedding ceremony and reception offers a fun, energetic alternative to traditional wedding venues,” explains Woo.
Embrace Your Style
As you plan your big day, look for opportunities to make the most of your personal style.
“Every couple is different. The personalities of the couple as well as their personal tastes can help shape the feel they are looking for,” says McPhail. “A good coordinator should recognize these qualities and suggest the possibilities to match the couples style and tastes.”
Since your venue is the backbone of your wedding celebration, you need to find a ceremony and reception site that works overtime to please you and your groom. So figure out your style and choose a space that meets your needs and your tastes. Then sit back, relax and savor every moment of your wedding day.
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Rebecca Seal Photography
Theorie
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