As a California native, when I think of the classiest of the classy, here in Southern California, I think of the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Nigel. That’s where Jessica and Andrew decided to hold their wedding and it was so fun to be part of their special day. Jessica wanted to use a mixture of blush pinks and ivories with silver accents to create a very soft and romantic look. She also wanted to mix in playful accents to lighten the mood–starting with these fantastic balloons! Love these photos by the always amazing Sara France Photography!
The ceremony was held outside on the Ritz’ grassy lawn that overlooks the beach and surf below. It was a stunning day in May with not a hint of grey! For the recessional, Jessica and Andrew had found these fantastic confetti wands and their guests showered them as they exited. The bottom photo by Sara France is one of my new absolute favorites. So gorgeous!
After the ceremony, Jessica and Andrew headed to the beach with their wedding party for more photos. Aren’t the colors amazing? And Jessica and Andrew make a stunning couple. Notice Jessica’s dress–it’s the first of three she’ll wear throughout the evening!
Cocktails took place on a terrace overlooking the ocean and then dinner and dancing occurred in this beautiful ballroom. The crystal chandeliers were a perfect backdrop to the crystal centerpieces. As a nod to their Chinese heritage, silver fortune cookies with thank you notes were set at each place setting. Also notice the custom menus and table numbers in Jessica’s color palette and how they so nicely bring all the details together.
Not only was the decor gorgeous, but the party was a blast! During dinner, Chinese Dragon Dancers entertained the guests (and created a stir in the entire hotel). They were amazing! Notice Jessica’s beautiful Chinese dress for dinner. Following dinner, DJ Andy Hagenah kept the dance floor full and Jessica changed into her third beautiful ensemble–a simpler “after party” style dress.
What an amazing affair! It was such a thrill and an honor to coordinate such a beautiful wedding! And working with such amazing clients was a total treat!
Wedding at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point, CA
La Jolla Love: Heart of La Jolla Wedding
Since Sara and David were planning a wedding in La Jolla, CA, where Sara grew up, they decided to start off their planning by a fun engagement photo shoot all over the village of La Jolla (or what we locals call the heart of La Jolla)! Look at some of the cute La Jolla landmarks they used for their backdrops! Since the photos were going to be used on the save-the-date, Sara and David also wanted the pictures to set the tone for their wedding. They give off a beachy-fun feel and Sara’s shirt is in one of the wedding colors. The bridesmaid dresses (below) match it almost perfectly!
The wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all took place at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, right in the heart of the village. Sara grew up at the church and her parents still attend so it is a very important place for her. The church also has a large hall AND a liquor license for beer, wine, and champagne so it is great place for both a ceremony AND a reception! Her color scheme, blended beautifully with the So Cal atmosphere. Sara wanted a beachy feel but still classy and a little formal. We chose hues of peach, ivory, and seafoam to create this look. We accented it with sand dollars and star fish, added a simple shell decor to the cake (created by CAKE–love them!) and created custom day-of products that tied in the theme beautifully. This is a great way to pull your wedding together without spending too much money. Custom programs, menus, and seating cards aren’t necessarily expensive. 
My theory is that well placed details–rather than over the top decor–are what make an event look classy. I had one guest remark to me, on the side, that the client must have spent a fortune. In truth, they didn’t! They did choose a really good photographer (Sara France–one of my favorites!), they worked with a VERY good and reasonably priced florist (Indulge Flowers–another favorite!), they created custom day of products (thanks to Pink Star Design) that were simple and elegant but not expensive, and we chose simple but lovely linens and got the chivari chairs from a very inexpensive vendor I know out of OC. Our choices were specific, beautiful, and lending towards simplicity and I think you’ll agree with me that the overall effect is gorgeous! Sara gave me a budget and a vision and let me design based on that. It was a true joy to work with them and I always love making an event look truly beautiful and truly fit the client, no matter what the budget is! Thanks to Sara of Sara France Photography for the photos!
An Intimately Grande Affair
Amanda and Mike, exchanged their wedding vows at the historical Grande Colonial Hotel in the heart of La Jolla, CA. Having only twenty-six guests attending the wedding, the Grande Colonial was the perfect choice. There is no venue I love more for an intimate weddings. The hotel has a wonderful mix of old world elegance and modern flair, and when mixed with the location in the heart of the village, the incredibly gracious staff, and world class food (9-10 restaurant provides the multiple course meals served at all of the Grand Colonial’s events), an experience there is unmatchable. Amanda came to me just three months before the proposed wedding date and it was a true pleasure to assist her in planning every aspect of her wedding day. Sara France Photography captured the wedding beautifully. And Amanda was, as always, stunning.
Shown above, on Amanda’s left shoulder is a tattoo of a pink pixie and “Malinda” in Old-English text. Malinda was Amanda’s grandmother – a woman she adored. Notice how the tatoo and flowers perfectly match!
The ceremony took place just outside the lobby on the terrace steps, with peak ocean views of the La Jolla Cove below. Patti of Thistle Dew created all of the floral decor. Amanda wanted to use a mixture of purples and ivories and create a romantic and dramatic look. Cocktails took place in the terrace and by the fireplace in the lobby, and the reception took place in the intimate and beautiful La Jolla room. We created one long table for all the guests and placed Amanda and Mike in the center. To create atmosphere and energy, a live pianist entertained throughout the evening. But the four-course meal and personal toasts were all the entertainment truly needed. It was a very sweet affair!
The in-house pastry chef from the Grande Colonial provided the cake and I think it is the best wedding cake I have yet tasted! I was so surprised! The hotel bills their pastry chef as only providing “simple cakes” so all my previous clients there have brought theirs in. Never again! I want Grand Colonial wedding cake from now on! Thank you, as always, to the Grande Colonial for such a wonderful event.
Fantastic Engagement Shoot!
Engagement Photography for San Diego weddings used to be a simple affair. When I got engaged here six years ago, I headed to the beach with my sweetheart, a great photographer, and about 45 minutes until sunset. That’s when photo shoots for engaged couples were very simple. No longer do a few pictures on the beach at sunset do. Engagement photography has truly become fine art. A couple of hours is now the minimum amount of time set aside by my brides and grooms. Most shoots involve multiple locations, a beautiful wardrobe of outfit changes, and whimsical props. We’ve seen this trend develop as wedding photography, itself, has evolved. Once considered second-rate, wedding photographers are now highly esteemed as some of the greatest photographic talent out there. Sara of Sara France Photography worked with my clients Jessica and Andrew to create a number of looks they had personally designed. Check out the amazing photos below. These will truly be treasured!
Engagement photos have truly become art. They are the portraits that will hang on walls for years (even decades!) to come–and often decorate part of the wedding itself. They capture the love of the couple at one of its sweetest times…and capture us girls at probably one of the seasons that we look our best (I hang my 30-year-old engagement, wedding, and honeymoon photos all over my house!) And they serve as time pieces that will be highly valued for years and years. I am completely in love with this trend!
Steal this idea:
First of all, set aside time! Photography like this can’t happen in an hour. Think of locations that showcase the two of you as a couple and clothes that show your personalities. And please don’t perfectly match! Being in the same color scheme but in different pieces (and even patterns and textures) is much more visually interesting. Then add props that feel fun and very you! Scour the internet to see what other couples have done for fun ideas. And even if you’re already married, consider doing this same concept with your family. For our Christmas cards this year, I again headed to the beach with my sweetheart and now my 2-year-old son and we brought our surfboards, a volleyball, sand toys, and yes, two different outfits and hung out as long as said 2-year-old would let us. And yes, those photos are now hanging on my wall in our surf-inspired decor (and I can still wear short shorts at 36, so why not?). Regular time pieces like these are an invaluable treasure! I highly recommend it!
Cynthia Zatkin Events 