El Cortez
August 9, 2008

Sometimes an unexpected meeting can change your life. Back in November 2005, Keri Kunkle wasn’t in the mood to go out for a night with friends. Kelan Quinn told his brother the same thing. But somehow they each went out anyway and ended up meeting that night in Del Mar. They hit it off and have been a couple ever since.

The romantic proposal on April 14, 2007 was very well-planned. After a dinner downtown, Kelan surprised Keri with a Lincoln Town Car ride to the Prado at Balboa Park, the scene of one of their favorite dates. “He asked me to marry him,” says Keri. “I was crying.”

Keri tried contacting her family and friends in Pennsylvania to tell them she was engaged, but no one answered the phone. She was surprised again when she and Kelan headed to the Omni San Diego Hotel to celebrate: about twenty-five friends and family, including her family who secretly flew out the night before, were awaiting their arrival to a surprise celebration.

“It was an instant engagement party,” says Keri, who works for San Diego Style Weddings as a sales representative. “It was so thoughtful!”

The two married August 9, 2008 at North Chapel at Liberty Station in front of 160 guests. The bride wore a vintage-inspired v-neck Jim Hjelm trumpet skirt gown in ivory lace and champagne silk. The groom, an engineer for his family’s business Atlas Construction Supply, wore a black tux with a neutral-toned vest and tie. Her ring had two K’s cast into the underside of the vintage-inspired ring.

Their Italian garden themed reception was held at the El Cortez where the terrace was transformed with greenery and shrubs into a Tuscan garden.

“We liked the El Cortez because it has mahogany beams and it reminds us of old world Europe. We’ve always loved Italy,” says Keri noting that’s where they honeymooned for two weeks in September.

The décor matched the Italian garden theme. Garden roses and orchids were used in bouquets. Centerpieces featured trees with lighting in mahogany boxes. Colors included greens, cream, terracotta, taupe and soft metallic in a gold-bronze hue.

“It was all pretty neutral,” says Keri. “I wanted it to be about the texture.”

The menu included Mediterranean dishes like roasted tomato sauce with Italian bread; basil-infused truffle oil mashed potatoes; and braised short ribs with a Chianti glaze.

For dessert, they enjoyed wedding cake, as well as an espresso bar, Italian cookies and a gelato bar. “Another Italian treat for everybody,” says the bride.

Guests also nibbled on custom shortbread monogrammed cookie favors made by Marlene’s Tea Cakes.

The fourteen person wedding party included the bride’s East Coast and West Coast family and friends and the groom’s brothers and best friends. As a thank you to her bridesmaids, Keri created seven twenty-page individual scrapbooks filled with pre-wedding photos and room for pictures from the big day. It was a lot of work, but she says the creative project was worth it.


WEDDING RESOURCES

Ceremony Location - North Chapel at Liberty Station

Reception Location - El Cortez

Wedding Planner - Liz Beck Events

Photographer - Kristen Peelle Photography

Videographer - San Diego High Definition Weddings

Florist - Haydee's Creative Flowers

Linens - A Perfect Table

Ceremony Music - Miles Moynier

Entertainment - Disco Friend

Invitations - TruSo

Makeup - Make-Up-Artistry by Gale

Dress - Bridal & Tuxedo Galleria

Men's Formalwear - Gentlemen's Tux Club

Jewelry & Rings - John Franklin Jewelers

Cake - Briarmist Cakes

Favors - Swag Savvy, The Cookie Chew, Marlene's Teacakes