My wedding: Been there, done that

Orginal blog at http://www.beloblog.com/KHOU_weddingbelles/2008/08/my-wedding-been-there-done-tha.html#more

After months and months of planning, my big day has come and gone.

There were no major freak-outs. There were no epic catastrophes. There wasn't even a cloud in the sky.

Here comes the ... me!

It. Was. Perfect.

I thought I might come out of it feeling different, but no.

I'm just the same old me with a different name and another ring on my finger.

And I couldn't be happier about it.

So as an old married lady who's been there and done that, I offer my Top Five Things You've Always Wanted to Know About Your Wedding but Were Afraid to Ask:

1) Pony up that cash, lady. In the world of weddings, you get what you pay for. So if you're on a budget, it's important to focus on the things that will serve you best in the end. The most important of these, I think, is the photographer. (The least important? FAVORS!!!) We flew my fab photog, Winn Fuqua, to San Diego from Dallas to capture my big day on film. Good photographers cost some crazy cash, but they're worth it. After the whole shebang has ... uhh ... shebanged, all you'll have left are those pictures. Consider it an investment in your memory bank. Hahaha. Puns are awesome.

2) Wedding coordinators are your friend. It's another area where brides are often tempted to skimp, but if you're doing a destination wedding like I did, they are a lifesaver. That is why Jessica Gillon of Events By Design is my superhero. When you're trying to plan a wedding in an unfamiliar place, it's crucial to have someone with local ties. And the last thing a bride needs to do on her big day is freak out about, oh, say, a group of people putting up a hideous beach tent ten feet from the site of your ceremony. When bad stuff like that happens, your wedding coordinator will swoop in like Wonder Woman and take care of bidness for you. Plus, the pros will have ideas that you'll never think of, and if they're good at their jobs, they can even help you cut costs without skimping on style.

3) Take it easy. You've got to remember the reason you're there: To marry the guy or gal of your dreams!!! If you don't enjoy this day, you're wasting a lot of time and money. So when, perchance, a group of people put a hideous beach tent up ten feet from the site of your ceremony with screaming children and kites and music (this could be even more awkward for, say, a church wedding in Des Moines), you can't let it get to you. Delegate the disasters to someone else (read: your wedding coordinator or a bridesmaid) and let yourself be free to be the bride. It will be over before you know it, and you'll be sad if you don't make the most of your moment.

4) In the event that a group of people put a hideous beach tent ten feet from the site of your ceremony with screaming children, kites, music, tiki torches, circus animals, noisemakers, guys on stilts, and a helicopter landing pad, don't despair. They will move or die by your hand ... err ... the hand of your wedding coordinator, who may or may not be as beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, swifter than Hermes and stronger than Hercules.

5) Get your hairs did, girl. Seriously. As budget-friendly as it might be to do it yourself, professional hair and makeup makes a BIG difference in your pictures. We threw a spa day for my maids and moms at our resort, and it was worth every penny. My makeup artist and hairstylist made me have the sexy. For me, getting a mini-makeover made the whole day seem a little more special. I didn't want to walk down the aisle looking like I normally do: A freckled chick who may or may not have brushed her hair that day and has mascara smudged on her face. I suggest you do the same.

And since I feel my unfazed wedding demeanor was a performance that deserves recognition by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, I've compiled a list of people to thank for my big day.

I am forever indebted to the following folks: Jessica, Gopala, Winn, Laura, Debbie and everyone else at Essence, the Hilton San Diego Resort staff, Pastor Jon, Don, Joe, Jon the DJ, Shirley, Mom, Bette, Tommy, Jesse, Hannah, Billy, Sarah, Kim, Amie, Donnie, Adam, Jeff, Tyson, Matt, Sloan, the rest of my family and friends who made the trip, my husband (!) and most of all, my dad. Love ya'll, and thanks for getting the &*#!%?! tent out of the way!

A Country Wedding in San Diego?

A Country Wedding in San Diego?
Jason and April Bellamy
The Heart if Mary Church Ramona, CA
Rancho Bernardo Courtyard San Diego, CA
July 19, 2008

Jason and April said "I do" in their home town of Ramona. Such beautiful countryside and it is right here in San Diego County! These beautiful shots are courtesy of Heather Vallentyne http://www.vallentynephotography.com/. Heather is such an amazing photographer, don't you agree!?
The reception was held at the beautiful Rancho Bernardo Courtyard http://www.rbcourtyard.com/ and catered by Continental Catering
http://www.continentalcateringsd.com/. Lighting, music and coordination provide by Events by Design. Meet the Events by Design staff responsible for the Bellamy wedding.

Marjeri Smith Designer / Coordinator

Robin Pickett Designer / Coordinator

Herbie Smith DJ / MC

Intern Chelsea

My name is Chelsea Bakewell and I'm double majoring in communications and sociology at the University of California Santa Barbara. UCSB was my first choice college because I'm able to get an outstanding education while falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves every night. As a native from San Diego my passion for the ocean made UCSB an easy choice. On my free time I enjoy snowboarding, running, hanging out at the beach, and traveling. My love for travel was greatly enhanced this last fall when I embarked on semester at Sea. SAS is a journey around the world in 100 days, filled with class time and travel time. While I visited several landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Great Pyramids in Egypt, there was a lot more behind this trip. I learned to accept others for who they are and found a new love for things different that the ordinary. I spent 100 days away from my friends and family, but I came back a new person, with a new found passion for spreading peace, acceptance and understanding. While SAS was an unbelievable experience, I'm now ready to take on the roles of being a bridesmaid in my brothers wedding and maid of honor is my sisters wedding which both will occur in the summer of next year. These two weddings will give me the opportunity to plan events such as bachelorette parties while helping to make sure wedding details are perfect! In the fall I will enter my senior year of college, and while it is nearly the end of this chapter of my life, I'm excited to discover what the future has to offer.

Intern Kate Lawson

Let me introduce myself. My name is Kate Lawson and this is my first internship/job for an event planning company. When it comes to things that I love and am passionate about, I thrive. Wedding and social event planning is one of my biggest passions, so be ready to watch me excel in this internship. I am a native "San Diegan" and an alumnus of La Jolla Country Day School. I love to play tennis and golf, bask in the sun at the beach, bake and decorate cakes for friends' social events and shop! I am a very outgoing, creative and bubbly person. I am currently studying at San Diego State University, where I am a student in the Hospitality and Tourism Management program with an emphasis in Events, Attractions and Entertainment. Where do I see myself in 10 years? Sitting in my office of my own wedding planning company looking at my bachelors and masters degree plaques on the wall and thinking about just what exactly is going to really make my upcoming event unique and special for its host and their guests. I am so excited at the opportunity to work with Events by Design to gain experience and soak in some of their "wedding planning wisdom" so that in 10 years that is actually what I am doing. I look forward to working with you all this summer!

Events by Design Couple has baby!

Congratulations to one of our EbD couples!

Thomas and Brooke Tazbaz welcomed a beautiful baby girl! Harper Tazbaz came into this world on June 25^th at 10:43pm. We are so blessed that so many of our clients stay in contact and notify us when special moments happen in their lives. This family is one that will stay in my heart forever!

Look at that! She already has him wrapped!


This is the beautiful Marce Tazbaz (aka Big Sis)…no doubt she is going to be an incredible big sister!

Hard Rock Hotel Visit

Blog entry by: Jessica Gillon (Owner/Partner)
I had the pleasure of touring the brand new Hard Rock Hotel with catering manager Staci Tiras-Jones. Simply walking into the lobby is an experience all in itself. You are greeted by young women in the coolest boots I have ever seen! Sounds bizarre, but when you see them, you'll understand! The check in desk has four kiosks with a wall that is actually a huge screen. It displays different images from rock videos, to pictures, to random patterns of color. One really cool thing, there is a VIP/Secret lobby that is used for celebrities and suite owners. Pretty cool!

Staci and I started off with lunch in the hotel diner, Mary Jane's. The décor is kind of a classic American Retro meets modern day technology! The menu is all American and delicious! I had an incredible Buffalo Chicken Salad and for dessert (yes, I took it to that level, dessert in the middle of the day!) I had, just like mom's home cookin, chocolate cake. It was fabulous!

After lunch, Staci walked me through as much of the property as possible. There are about 17 different spaces for events, an amazing spa, a couple of bars, a pool with velour covered mattress size cushions for lounging, cabanas, rooms that have a feel of the W with a rock and roll twist and last but not least, the nationally acclaimed Nobu. I toured the restaurant while it was closed so I wasn't able to experience the food for myself, but I will definitely be coming back!

I have to say, I am so excited about this property! With their "breaking all the rules" mentality, this venue is ideal for creative, exciting and unique events!

For the client that is looking for something untraditional modern, cutting edge, technical or down right rock n' roll, this is the place for you! The Hard Rock has Events by Design written all over it!

August ABC Meeting

Events by Design Hosts the August ABC Meeting

This month we hosted San Diego's Association of Bridal Consultants monthly meeting right here at home, at The Rancho Bernardo Courtyard. It was an absolute blast! We decided that we wanted to focus on giving the hard working professionals in our industry the chance to relax and socialize. It's been a crazy season! It was a warm August evening that we named "Hot Spanish Nights."

Kiosks of delectable food were situated throughout the Courtyard thanks to an amazing company, Events by Christopher. Head chef Gregory DeMichiel, former chef of China Grill in Las Vegas, has graced San Diego with his culinary work of art. The menu consisted of an assortment of exotic fruits and gourmet cheeses a plethora of chevice (shrimp, halibut, mussels, even lobster), flat bread pizza featuring duck, filet of beef, calamari, and ahi tuna, skewers featuring lamb chorizo, scallops, beef and lobster. Let's just say, the attendee's were not disappointed!!! To see more from this amazing company visit their website at http://www.eventsbychristopher.com/

The bar was provided by Event Beverage Service (EBS). One thing this company has mastered, custom made bars for their clients. The bar used for this event was filled with a beautiful assortment of citrus fruit and was lit up in a beautiful orange hue. The signature drinks of the evening were Sangria Rojo, Sangria Blanco and La Martini de Spain. Think margarita shaken with olive juice. Weird you say? No my friend…yummy! To check out more about this company go to http://www.eventbeverage.com/

Dessert was (are you ready for this?!) champagne cake and Hot Lava Truffles! That is chocolate with a habanero marmalade and a tequila cream filling. Chocolate with a kick! They were down right sinful! Thank you to Joanne from Bon Bon Bakery. For wedding cakes, celebration cakes, chocolates, and desserts of any kind go to http://www.bonbonbakeryandchocolate.com/

Euro Bar provided us with a yummy specialty coffee bar. Move over Starbucks, this is what every event needs. Lattes, mochas, espresso, any flavor of syrup, you name it! To give your next event something special check out Euro Bar at http://www.eurobarespresso.com/

The linens were unbelievable! Hot, sassy shots of color and textures graced this event and all thanks to Wildflower Linens. Desiree did an amazing job! The pictures say it all!!! For amazing linens at your next event go to http://www.wildflowerlinens.com/

Flowers were provided by Chris from Sweet Posies. The flowers complimented the linens perfectly, bright and fun with a flowing elegance! To see more from Chris and Sweet Posies go to http://www.sweetposies.com/

Rentals were provided by our favorite rental company, Affairs Party Rentals. Talk about customer service! This is a family owned company that truly care about their clients! Not to mention, their product is always in amazing shape. You are always going to get a quality product from Affairs! For your next event go http://www.affairspartyrental.com/

Programs, menus, and station descriptions were provided by Katie from EITAK Designs. Talk about an artist! No really! Not only does Katie create masterpieces like invitations, menus and programs but she is a muralist as well! She paints murals and does faux finishing for homes and resorts all over San Diego. To see for your own eyes go to http://www.eitak.com/

You can't have a Hot Spanish Night without a Latin band! Latin a Go Go provided by Peggy Jewel of Jewel Entertainment. They were just as awesome to watch as they were to listen to! When in need of an Entertainment Specialist go to http://www.jewellentertainment.com/

Along with a Latin band, A Time to Dance offered two amazing dancers to perform a sassy salsa number. Later on in the evening, they taught some of their moves to some very brave attendees! It was a blast. To find out more about their studio go to http://www.atimetodance.com/

The beautiful photos are provided by Jenetta Penner of Jenetta Lea Penner Photography http://www.jenetta.com/ and Bronson Pate of Bauman Photographers http://www.jbaumanphoto.com/ Jenetta and Bronson are both amazing photographers that we work with often. We highly recommend you check out their works of art!

Lighting, DJ, planning and design were provided by Events by Design.

What made this event amazing was the talent and professionalism of the vendors. Thank you to all of you! We look forward to many more events with you!

Association of Bridal Consultants Vendor Showcase

This April Jessica participated in ABC first ever, Coordinators Tabletop Competition.

It was a great experience. More than anything I was able to get to know two wonderful coordinators, Jenny from Bliss Events and Sharon Cole with A Bride's Dream. There is no doubt we all have different tastes, but in the end I think it worked to our advantage!

Navy blue is one of the new hot colors of the year. After much discussion… we finally decided to go with a clean lined, chic yacht kind of feel. It was crucial that the draping and lighting felt cooling, soothing, and refreshing. I think we accomplished that! The place setting had a very clean and modern line to it. By the way thank you Crate and Barrel! (www.crateandbarrel.com). Each bowl was filled with sand and a gorgeous leopard print shell that Jenny found. It really added that dark color that was much needed. The gorgeous florals were created by the insanely talented Linda Seegar of Floral Poetry (www.floralpoetry.com). Linda used beached wood, many varieties of orchids and some really interesting exotic greens.
We tied with another team for first place. And though it is nice to know that brides and fellow professionals enjoyed our design, getting to know Jenny and Sharon was the true reward. That may sound cheesy, but it's true!