{after the engagement.} san diego wedding blog

Adios!

2011-06-13T15:35:00.001-07:00

I will no longer be posting to this blog! Please visit www.aftertheengagement.com for my new BLOGSITE!

Post-nuptial depression :: How to deal with Life After the Wedding

2011-04-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

I had an email from one of my newlywed brides today with a question I get asked often... Is it normal to feel a little sad {and maybe even cry} after the wedding? I have often had brides ask me this. It is normal, and you might experience this too!

Below is an article I have kept and passed onto brides in these instances, and I thought I would share it here as well, for my clients with upcoming weddings:

The problem may be that after months consumed by wedding preparations and feeling like the center of attention, the sudden shift back to everyday life can be a shock. You put a lot of time and effort into the wedding-planning process, where do you redirect your energy once it's over? Even couples who co-habitate before the wedding will experience changes in feelings.

The answer, is to direct that energy on yourself and your new marriage. Have a date night every week, without fail. Taking time to be with your partner and to think about each other is always important. Always remind yourself of at least two things: the reasons your partner is the right person for you, and that your beloved's annoying little habits aren't going to disappear at "I do."

After the vows, to defeat the postnuptial blues, doctors say, couples should get adequate rest and exercise; communicate your feelings constantly; focus on the benefits of marriage, like having a built-in support system; and start thinking about the future in terms of family or finance. Women should stop thinking of themselves as "the bride" and throw out those wedding magazines, then plan social events for after the honeymoon, so they have other parties to look forward to.

Taken from/summarized from : Postnuptial Depression: What Happens the Day After, Time Magazine

By Jeninne Lee-St. John

Sheryll ♥ Joey :: San Diego Wedding ::

2011-04-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

Sheryll + Joey's Recap from SidebySide Video on Vimeo.

Thank you so very much to Side by Side Video
for sharing Sheryll and Joey's wedding highlight video. Once again, I am so jealous that I do not have an amazing video like this from my own wedding! If it agrees with your wedding budget, I always suggest that clients hire an amazing videography team like Side by Side for their Big Day. Be the star of your own movie :)

Claudette ♥ Cory :: Coronado Wedding :: San Diego Wedding

2011-04-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Cory and Claudette came from Arizona to have their San Diego beach destination wedding on February 18, with family and friends coming in from the East Coast and Arizona. Their full intention was to enjoy every bit of "70 degrees and sunny" as was possible. Every time they came to visit me for a planning meeting, it would pour rain or even hail! We always joked that they brought the bad weather with them, but always had hope that the wedding day would bring that gorgeous SD sun.

Leading up to the wedding day, the weather reports were not good, and I had a very stressed bride on my hands. We waited until the day before to make sure, and ended up ordering a large tent with no side walls. The bride and groom were worried that it would hinder the view and make their "beach wedding" an "indoor wedding". Up until the point she walked down the aisle, the bride was a little disappointed because not only did it rain, it POURED and was windy. As soon as she saw her groom, though, it all disappeared. This was one of the most fun weddings ever, and I think the pictures prove that you don't have to have perfect weather to have a perfect day!

Claudette and Cory had the most beautiful flowers from my fave, Sally at Exquisite Blooms. Dusty pinks, understated blues, and champagne completed the color palette and looked amazing in the candlelit room. Sweet Cheeks Baking Company provided the yummy cake and Viennese table filled with mini desserts like canoli and tiramisu! Loved working with all these amazing pros!!!

Photography- Dapper Images
Hair and Makeup- Gerine Coronado
Ceremony- Coronado Ferry Landing Park
Reception- Candelas on the Bay
DJ- Bill Calhoun
Flowers- Exquisite Blooms
Paperie- Fresh Invitation Studio
Cake and dessert buffet- Sweet Cheeks
Rentals and tent- Platinum Party Rentals
Officiant- Pastor Mike

Under construction

2011-03-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Greetings all! I am currently making some changes to my logo, blog and website {www.aftertheengagement.com}, so please excuse any "dust" during this time!

Cheers,

Courtney

:: Riviera Palm Springs :: An amazing destination!

2011-03-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

I recently had the extreme pleasure of visiting and being hosted overnight at the Riviera Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, and it was... magnificent! The first thing that is evident from the moment you walk in is that these folks pay attention to detail. Their lobby is very modern and inviting, with breathtaking decor and scenery, and wonderful orange and white floor to ceiling lighting designs.

The entire hotel has amazing lighting. At every turn, there is some creative wall lighting structure, chandelier, sconce, or art piece.

Being that this was our very first time to Palm Springs, we weren't sure what to expect. I just love this town, and I must expand my business to include some Palm Springs weddings and events!

The hotel made us feel like we were in the Rat Pack days with the citrus trees and old "motel" design mixed with modern elegance and good old-fashioned customer service. It's been a long time since we went someplace and were greeted by EVERY employee we passed.

Lynette Fox is the Catering Manager at the Riviera, and she gave me the grand tour of the place, as well as set up our guest room, lunch, drinks, and more. She was extremely hospitable and took the time to point out not only the wedding venues they offer, but the history of each spot in the hotel. And what a history it is!

If you are looking for a wedding venue in Palm Springs, the Riviera is one place you simply must check out. Great food, great customer service, and beautiful event spaces in a fun resort town? Sounds like the perfect party!

I also think the resort would make a superb venue for bachelor/ette parties and bridesmaid getaways to the spa, or even a honeymoon- their guests room are spacious and decorated in a fun retro theme. Plus, they are a short drive or walk from downtown Palm Springs where there are some great bars and nightlife. This place is a must-visit, and I am happy to recommend it to all my clients.

Call Lynette Fox at 760.861.0120 for more information- this resort will NOT disappoint. Click here for the website and take a peek at this lovely place!

Kristina ♥ Jon :: La Jolla Wedding :: La Valencia Wedding

2011-02-09T12:10:00.003-08:00

Kristina and Jon's wedding was my first of 2011, on January 8th, at La Valencia. The wedding was so much fun, it just proved to me how wonderful this whole year is going to be!

I could not have asked for better clients this time around. From the first consultation and meeting with Kristina and her Mom, Bianca, we just clicked {I love when that happens!}. The style of the wedding was just what I love too- fun and traditional, with a touch of the unexpected- in this case, some black and red, platform heels, and polka dots.

La Valencia is always a great place to work, and this time was no exception. Their small boutique hotel on Prospect Street provides the perfect space for an intimate and classy La Jolla wedding.

Kenny Grill did an amazing job capturing the love and excitement of the whole day, from getting ready, to the end of the reception.

Huge thanks to the amazing vendors from this one!

Venue: La Valencia Hotel

DJ and lighting: Mike Hogan

Photographer: Kenny and Brianna Grill

Flowers: Hannah, Modern Bouquet

Chair covers and sashes: Diana, Duchess of Chairs

Winter Bridal Inspiration ♥

2011-01-23T13:17:00.001-08:00

Another amazing inspiration shoot! We had so much fun at the Temecula Farmhouse with this Winter-inspired bridal shoot. Our two bridal looks this time around were Ice Princess and Snow Bunny, and we wanted to carry the looks from hair and makeup through jewelry and flowers. Special thanks to the models, Ali and Brandy!

Photography: Dapper Images
Flowers: Exquisite Blooms
Custom Jewelry: b.mookie
Hair and Makeup: Gerine Coronado
Styling and coordination: Me!

The Temecula Farmhouse is gorgeous and fun, and available for all types of events.

Thanks so much to all who participated!!! Each of the vendors involved are fun, relaxed, creative, and can make any of your wedding ideas come alive.

♥ Happy Happy 2011 ♥

2011-01-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

2010 really treated me well. I completed many amazing weddings, and met great vendors, great couples, and great families. As this year came to a close, I reflected on this and felt SO blessed. How lucky am I to be a part of all these special days? How great is it that I get to be completely responsible for my own business?!? I never dreamed this is where I would end up, but I wouldn't trade it for the WORLD.

I gave myself a really hard task recently. To end (or shall I say, BEGIN) the year with a post containing my FIVE FAVORITE photos from my 2010 weddings. Apparently I'm crazy because this was really hard. I mean really, really ridiculously hard. I saw hundreds of photos this year from some of the most amazing photographers San Diego has to offer. What makes it more hard is that I am still missing some photos from 2010 weddings that I am sure are amazing too! But without further blabbering, below are my Top 5 Favorite Images from 2010 Weddings!

#1

This one was actually an easy one for me. From the moment I saw this picture, I just fell in LOVE with it! In fact, it now sits in prime real estate on my home page of my website, and soon, my new office. Not only is this just a rad image, it perfectly fits the feelings of that day. Carmele and Matt's wedding was just SO much fun with great vendors like Bill Calhoun and Exquisite Blooms, happy guests, and the most awesome, in-love couple. To me, this picture symbolized my 2010 wedding season- Fun and FABULOUS! Thanks so much to Nathaniel Kam for this picture, and for being all around cool.

#2
Where is number 2? Oh, I can't decide! So, below, are #2-#5 or #7 or #8 in no particular order! I can do that, right?

This was another image I immediately fell in love with. So simple, yet so perfect! I love the flowy ribbon with the sandy backdrop. Thanks so much to Reams Photo for this beautiful photo from M and G's wedding day in August, and again, to Sally from Exquisite Blooms for the beautiful florals.

Another one from Paul and Amy Reams from Reams Photo! I think I have looked at the photos from Shin and Ben's wedding maybe 15 times. They are so fantastic! I was so lucky to work with Paul and Amy twice this season :)

I'm a sucker for black and white photos and this one takes the cake! This was during a "First Look" moment (don't know what a First Look is? Look here!) before Ali and Nolan's September wedding. SO special and so emotional! I had always been a fan of waiting until the ceremony to see each other, until I saw images like these- this picture is so intimate and beautiful. Thank you to Melissa from Melissa McClure Photography for this one. And a special shout out for officially being the quickest photog to get me images from our weddings together, and always a plethora of choices!

I love this dipping first dance photo from Susan and Tony's October wedding at MCRD Bayview Restaurant! It's almost like it was choreographed, its just that gorgeous. Sean Walker did such a great job at this wedding- I love all the photos!

Looking at this picture from Kim and Mike's October wedding just makes me happy. This wedding was another favorite from this year- small seaside wedding for just about 50 guests= perfection! Thanks to Acres of Hope Photography for sharing! Again, I shared the day with Bill Calhoun and Exquisite Blooms!

Did I say 5 favorites? Oops!

Another fun one!

Laura and Eric's beautiful bash at the Coronado Community Center! So cute of the bride, groom, and Mother of the Bride!

It was SO fantastic working with Erin and Louis Palos of Palos Studio

One of my very best besties was married this year, too! I couldn't resist adding this image from their reception at Old Poway Park- LOVE IT! Beki from Beki Dawn Photography did such a killer job capturing their big day.

This one isn't even from a wedding, but rather, a recent photo shoot! I die for this picture, it is so gorgeous!!! More pictures are coming from this shoot that I styled.

Hair/Makeup: Beauty by Gerine
Flowers: Exquisite Blooms
Jewelry Design: B. Mookie
Model: Brandi Folts

Thank you thank you thank you to Yasmine and Deshun of Dapper Images ! You guys are amazing and I can't wait to work with you again on Claudette and Cory's wedding in February.

Oops, I lost count. That's all for now, folks. I will be honest, the "top 5" photos is still growing. Maybe a series of blog posts just called "Images from 2010 I love" is in order??? LOL!

Ali ♥ Nolan :: San Diego Wedding :: Marston House Gardens Wedding

2010-12-15T15:05:00.001-08:00

Ali and Nolan's wedding was awesome! They are such a fun and laid-back couple, and I really enjoyed working with them AND their kids. This was my first time doing a wedding at either the Marston House Gardens or The Butcher Shop and I can say that both were excellent. The garden was a very serene spot situated in Balboa Park, and Mike and his team at The Butcher Shop made everything run very smoothly. Plus, the food was yummy!

Huge thanks to Melissa McClure for providing these photos- they are just gorgeous... it actually took me quite awhile to whittle down my favorites to an amount appropriate for a blog post. The black and white one {of Ali and Nolan's First Look} is easily one of my favorite photos of the season! So full of emotion, I just love it. I think it makes a good case for having a First Look.

If you have not yet seen their wedding video from Murasaki Media, check it out!

More thanks to the wonderful vendors below:

Ceremony Location: Marston House Gardens
Reception Location: The Butcher Shop
Photographer: Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant: Beki Andreasen
Florist: Lotus Flowers by Thomas
Makeup: Ashley Lowe with AC Makeup
Hair: Mish Mucho
Cake: Sumi’s Oven
Videographer: Murasaki Media
DJ: Dandy DJ

Rayna ♥ Dolan :: San Diego Wedding :: Doubletree CMR

2010-12-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a first look at Rayna and Dolan's September wedding- Beauuuuuuutiful bride and her maids!

IVP Studios Photography
Doubletree Carmel Mountain

♥ The Photo Booth ♥

2010-11-24T11:21:00.000-08:00

We call our photo booth "The favor that's FUN!" Not only can you give your guests a photo to take home, they will enjoy the entire experience {especially after a few beverages!}

All of our packages include a CD of all images, a custom header and footer, double strips, unlimited sessions, black backdrop, prop box, and a friendly attendant. Optional upgrades are a scrapbook guestbook and a different color or patterned backdrop- the options are endless!

Feel free to check out www.aftertheengagement.smugmug.com for some images from past events and see for yourself how much FUN you will have with our booth.

Thank you so very much to Melissa McClure Photography for the images you see here from a recent wedding. I can't wait to blog more images from Ali and Nolan's Big Day, but first I have to choose!

www.melissamcclure.com

A review from another past bride- "Everyone at the wedding still to this day can't stop talking about the photobooth and what a great idea it was. They loved the set up and all the fun props to play with. And I LOVED getting a disc with all the images after the fact, that was a good laugh haha! [The photo booth] was an amazing cost, so affordable and for what she gave and the experience it was WAY worth it! AMAZING!!" Shannon, September 2010 bride, Laguna Beach, CA

We travel all over Southern Cali, not just San Diego!

Susan ♥ Tony :: San Diego Wedding :: MCRD Wedding

2010-11-15T11:05:00.000-08:00

Susan and Tony's wedding took place in late October at MCRD Bayview. The Bayview is actually one of my very favorite venues to work at because it is beautiful (inside and out), and the staff is so helpful! If you are interested in it, contact Susan Kieras, Catering Manager- she will get you all taken care of. {kierassm@usmc-mccs.org}

Thanks so much to Sean Walker Photography for these gorgeous images of Susan and Tony, and to Frankie Hartwell, of Hartworks Floral, for the beautiful florals that day.

Laura ♥ Eric :: Coronado Wedding Video

2010-11-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

Eric | Laura from Garner Films on Vimeo.

Susan ♥ Tony :: San Diego Wedding :: MCRD Wedding

2010-11-09T15:31:00.001-08:00

I absolutely cannot wait to get photos from Susan and Tony's wedding late last month at MCRD Bayview! I always have such an amazing time there, as their staff is so helpful and fun to work with.

We also had a yummy chocolate fountain from Chocolate Haven, and our photo booth there for the festivities!

For now, here is a fun little "polaroid" I took with my Droid of the cake by Azucar {www.iloveazucar.com}. Flowers by Hartworks Floral {www.hartworksfloral.com}. Linens by A Perfect Table {www.aperfecttable.com}

Kim ♥ Mike :: La Jolla Wedding

2010-11-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

Kim and Mike's wedding happened in October at Scripps Seaside Forum. This was my first time at this venue and I loved it! We celebrated with about 60 of Kim and Mike's closest friends and family, and it was intimate and perfect. The celadon and sage greens and ivory made for a perfect palette for the seaside celebration!

I once again had an absolutely amazing vendor team to helped make this day magnificent for our couple.

Photographer: Erica, Acres of Hope Photography, {www.acresofhopephotography.com}
DJ: Bill Calhoun, {www.djforwedding.com}
Florist: Sally, Exquisite Blooms {www.exquisiteblooms.com}
Cake: My favorite seasonal flavor, pumpkin chocolate chip by Flour Power, {www.flourpower.com}

First Look vs. Waiting

2010-11-08T10:18:00.001-08:00

It is safe to say that one of my most-asked questions from my couples revolves around whether to do a First Look or wait until the ceremony. People tend to have very strong opinions when it comes to this topic! I enlisted the help of some photographer friends to gain some insight from their perspective, and share some photos.

My contributors were Beki Andreason (Beki Dawn Photography), Marin Rosche (Marin Rosche Photography), and Hillary Lachman-Gardner (Stills by Hill Photography).

Beki says "Many factors play in when deciding to do a first look or waiting to see each other during the ceremony. Some couples have always dreamed of seeing each other the very first time when the bride rounds the corner and the audience all stands admiring her beauty. The groom being brought to tears by the emotions and magic of the moment. Others love the anticipation of standing back to back and counting 1...2...3 and turning around to see their soon-to-be spouse looking better than they could have ever imagined. I love doing First Looks, and I also love the traditional way of waiting until the ceremony.

I totally understand when the couple wants to hold off and wait until they see each other coming down the aisle (that's what we did), but that's not for everyone or every wedding schedule. Light can definitely be a determining factor for which way the couple chooses to first see each other on their wedding day. If there is a late ceremony and it is going to be close to dark by the time we get around to the pictures of just the couple, then I will offer the option on doing a "First Look". Some couples agree and are even more excited about doing the first look. Others want to stick with their original plan and see each other at the alter. Either way is totally fine with me, but I do let them know before hand that if it is dark I will be using flash...which is a totally different look for their pictures. I personally would choose ambient light over flash for any shot that I take, but sometimes you have to work with what you have.

The way I set up a First Look is to have the groom facing towards me with his back to his bride. The bride will come up behind the groom and surprise him with a hug, a sweet nuzzle, or even just a tap on the shoulder. The groom anxiously spins around to take the first look at his stunning bride. It is a very special moment to capture between just the 2 of them without a whole audience staring at them.
So, when it comes to deciding between the 2...I think ultimately either is fine unless lighting or timing is a factor on your wedding day."

Here are some First Look photos from Beki:

Marin- a newlywed herself- says "Perhaps the most significant aspect of a wedding day – the bride and groom seeing one another for the first time.

A First Look allows for the bride and groom to have an intimate, private moment with one another, without distractions or interference. The moment is completely for them, and they are not on display. The anticipation still rivals that of a traditional wedding, as the emotion and initial reactions are still there, though they are not there for the guests to see. After all, the day is for the bride and groom, and no one else, right? Further, formal photos can be “checked off the list”, allowing for the bride and groom to celebrate the rest of the day with their family and friends.

A tradition is a tradition, because it works. The bride walking down the aisle is a vision that warrants incredible emotion, for the groom and the guests alike, and it feeds the anticipation that has been brewing until that very moment. The groom is emotionally involved, the family is emotionally involved, and the friends are emotionally involved. Everyone is invested in that moment. However, when my husband saw me walking down the aisle, undoubtedly, we did not hear the music, or see our guests. We only saw one another – it was like tunnel vision – and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. It was the best of both worlds; my husband and I had our emotional experience, while our family and friends had theirs.

One might say I am a bit partial to tradition, but every wedding is different, and every wedding is relative to the bride and groom’s style, perspective, how they want to experience the day, and how they want the day to be remembered."

Here are some photos from Marin of a couple who waited until the ceremony:

Hillary says "I always encourage brides to do a first look. A lot of brides follow the old superstition that you should not see each other before the wedding, but I don't think they realize that photographers NEED that time! Not only do photographers need that extra time, but the bride will appreciate it when she sees her pictures that she saw the groom before. I love when I have plenty of time to photograph the couple together, not stressed and rushed to get to the reception, and get those needed shots BEFORE the reception. Then, after the ceremony, (where if you aren't seeing each other you need to cram in not only family pictures but bridal party AND solo bride and groom shots) you are not rushed on time to get everything under the sun in a 50 minute period.

A typical first look will involve communication in making sure the groom is facing me (the photographer). I then have my assistant have the bride walk up behind him and tap him on the shoulder... this is when we capture the "first look."... during a ceremony, it's not always possible to capture the groom's first reaction to seeing his bride for the first time.

Not only for time constraints is it wise to do a first look, but it makes for a beautiful spread in your album along with a fun progress shot in your slideshow."

Here is a progressive First Look collage from Hillary:

I was so glad to get these opinions from some very talented photographers! I do think that this proves that First Looks CAN still have that magical and emotional moment that waiting until the ceremony can; and that the lighting might definitely be something to consider, depending on where in the year your Big Day falls.

For what it's worth, my husband and I waited until the ceremony. For some reason, that tradition was one of the only ones I cared about!

Contributors:

Beki Dawn Photography- www.bekidawnphotography.com

Marin Rosche Photography- www.marinchristina.wordpress.com

Stills by Hill Photography- www.stillsbyhill.com

Laura ♥ Eric :: Coronado Wedding

2010-11-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

Laura and Eric's wedding in September at the Coronado Community Center was gorgeous. Laura was easily one of my most creative brides ever- every detail was immaculately planned and conceptualized by her and her family. From the "candy shop" candy buffet stand to the beautiful crystal backdrop for the cake; it was just amazing! This was my first time working with Erin and Louis Palos of Palos Studio and WOW! Their photography style is stunning.

Venue: Coronado Community Center
Flowers: Bride, Bride's Mom and Bride's Aunts
Photography: Palos Studio, www.palosstudio.com
Cake by: Great Dane Baking Company, www.greatdanebakery.com, Los Alamitos

M ♥ G :: Coronado Wedding

2010-11-02T10:54:00.001-07:00

M and G's Wedding in August on Coronado Island was wonderful! The weather was perfect, and so was this couple. I got to work with some of my very favorite vendors- always a plus!

I particularly enjoyed the flowers at this wedding, by Sally Preston-Gonzalez, of Exquisite Blooms. Such neat colors and textures! Enjoy!

Venue: Candelas on the Bay
Flowers: Exquisite Blooms, www.exquisiteblooms.com
Photography: Reams Photography, www.reamsphoto.com
DJ: Bill Calhoun, Mobile Music DJ, www.djforwedding.com
Cake: Flour Power, www.flourpower.com

Carmele ♥ Matt :: Carlsbad Wedding

2010-10-20T17:28:00.000-07:00

Carmele and Matt were married on a beautiful sunny afternoon in September on South Ponto Beach in Carlsbad, CA. We worked on their wedding for a year, and I think it came out wonderfully! It was one of my most favorite days of the season.

This was a destination wedding for them and their families, who came from Arizona to get married on a beach here in San Diego and I am sure glad they did.

I had a such a great vendor team for this wedding, it literally went off without a hitch!

Photographer- Nathaniel Kam Photography {www.nathanielkamphotography.com}
Florist- Sally, Exquisite Blooms {www.exquisiteblooms.com}
DJ- Bill Calhoun {www.djforwedding.com}
Caterer- El Indio
Cupcakes- BatterUp! {www.batterupcupcakes.com}
Cupcake tree- Enticing Tables {www.enticingtables.com}

Ali ♥ Nolan :: The Video :: San Diego Wedding

2010-10-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Ali & Nolan {the highlights} from Murasaki Media on Vimeo.

Check out this lovely video from Christina at Murasaki Media! Ali and Nolan's wedding highlights...

Feel free to contact her regarding her wedding videography services. I think this is such an important vendor to have. One I did NOT have at my wedding, and regret to this day.

http://www.murasakimedia.com/

Photographer: Melissa McClure, Melissa McClure Photography
Flowers: Sally Preston-Gonzalez, Exquisite Blooms
Ceremony: Marston House Gardens
Reception: The Butcher Shop Restaurant
DJ: Neil Smith, Dandy DJ

Kristina ♥ Jon :: Engaged

2010-10-10T10:49:00.001-07:00

Meet Kristina and Jon! This gorgeous couple is getting married at La Valencia in January with a lovely Winter Wedding at an amazing boutique hotel. I was really excited to hear about all the unique details they have decided on, including some touches of black- my favorite for a wedding!

I am looking forward to working with Kenny Grill for the first time. I have had a chance to stalk his blog a bit, and I think their wedding pictures will be phenomenal! Long story short, I have another HOT HOT HOT couple to add to my list of clients... I am so lucky!

http://kennygrill.com/

Vanilla Ice and You.

2010-09-27T14:04:00.001-07:00

One of my lovely couples shared their wedding website with me this morning and it is... totally amazing! I wish I could share it, but it has some personal info on it, you understand ♥

I did, however, have to pull this most amazing and incredible diagram. If you didn't know, I am also in love with Vanilla Ice and You (my husband, in my case). Yes, I try to hear ol' Vanilla at every wedding, so if I am working yours and you unexpectedly hear the amazing beats, its probably just me.

Frances ♥ Josh :: San Diego Wedding :: Bali Hai Wedding

2010-09-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Frances and Josh's wedding was at the newly remodeled Bali Hai in late June, and it was a lot of fun! Not only did I get to work at the place I was married, this couple just had a really rad event. We had a huge candy buffet, hula and fire dancers, and a cool cake designed by a friend.

I worked this wedding with Chris and Bri Vaughn, from VaughnGo Photography. They even shot a cool photo booth! I really enjoy their photography. Something about it strikes me as so real, yet so dreamy at the same time. There is a lot of cool style to it! Please treat yourself and check out their website and blog- www.vaughngo.com

DJ, cake, and flowers were all done by friends.

The Photobooth is One of San Diego's Best!!!!

2010-08-11T10:28:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we found out that we won 2nd place in Bridal Insider's People's Choice Awards for Best San Diego Wedding Vendor for Favors!!!! We are so excited that our booth was recognized. We can definitely provide a wonderful option for wedding favors- Make a Memory, Take a Memory!

www.bridalinsider.com

Check out BI for all your wedding planning needs!

Chase ♥ Melissa :: San Diego Wedding :: Paradise Point Wedding

2010-08-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

Chase and Melissa's wedding at Paradise Point on July 30 was awesome! They had a Coordination/Photobooth combo package. I can't wait to get the pro photos from 1 Look Back, but until then, here is a photobooth shot!

Liza ♥ Roger :: Del Mar Wedding :: L'Auberge Wedding

2010-08-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

Liza and Roger's wedding was absolutely stunning! The celebration took place on June 27 (hence the 6 2 7 pool balls!) at L'Auberge Del Mar. A gorgeous site for a gorgeous wedding with lots of details. The apple green and ivory palette was a bit unexpected for a beachy wedding, and I LOVED it!

Stan and Jeanette, of Trailbrook Photography (http://trailbrook.com/) could not have captured the essence of the day better.

Please see below for vendor information and the highlight video from NR3!

Liza ♥ Roger :: San Diego Wedding Video :: L'Auberge Wedding

2010-08-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

Liza & Roger Wedding Highlights from nr3videoproductions on Vimeo.

Thank you so much to NR3 Video Productions for sharing this highlight video from Liza and Roger's June wedding at L'Auberge Del Mar! If this doesn't make you crave a wedding video, I don't know what will! This wedding was absolutely amazing, and I had a great time working with all the vendors involved.

www.nr3videoproductions.com

Venue: L’Auberge Hotel
Wedding Coordinator: Courtney Tibbets, After the Engagement
Makeup: Cindy Rankin
Florals & Decor: Pacific Event Design
Lighting and Linens: Concepts Event Design
Photography: Trailbrook Photography
Music/ Live Band: Wayne Foster Entertainment
Officiant: Rabbi Ian

John Riedy, How I ♥ Thee!

2010-08-03T17:06:00.001-07:00

So, you guys know Mr. John Riedy got photographs to me from Alli and Matt's wedding the next day, right? Now, I have this amazing slideshow a week and a half later! So enthused. I really do love getting photos quickly, so I can "relive" the day in a timely manner :) And a little bit of selfishness in wanting to see how my work came together.

Here is the slideshow-
http://www.johnriedy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=217:allison-matt&catid=48:port&Itemid=45

I love how soft and flattering the photos are!

Enjoy!

Again, the vendors for this celebration were:
Cake by: CAKE, Kimberly
Flowers by: Whimsey Florals, Diane
DJ: Events by Design, Scott Zimmerman
Lighting by: Lighting Phreek, Jesse Taylor
Photography by: John Riedy Photography, John Riedy
Paperie by: Love at First Invite, Cathy
Transportation by: Elite Image Limousine, Maria

Julie ♥ Erik :: San Diego Wedding :: Bahia Wedding

2010-07-27T19:36:00.001-07:00

Here are some quick snapshots I took at Julie and Erik's wedding on the 17th. It was a beautiful sunny day at the Bahia! Their ceremony took place in the garden there on property, it was lovely.

For ceremony and cocktail hour, we were entertained by the sounds of Miles Moynier, which is always a treat!

The colors were sunny yellows, oranges, and reds. One of my favorite parts was the pedi cabs that they hired to transport guests and themselves around property- how fun! I can't wait to see pictures from Michele Terry at Captured Forever!

DJ- Earl Henry
Flowers- SD Wholesale Flowers

October 2009 Wedding

2010-07-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

I am well aware that this wedding was quite some time ago! But I just found this photo on Facebook, and had to post it. This was the wedding of Crystal and Jeff, at Jeff's parents house in Valley Center- loved it!

Warms My ♥ !

2010-07-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Hi, Courtney –

Well now that the festivities are concluded and reality has begun to slowly set back in, I wanted to tell you how much we appreciated all of your efforts both leading up to, and also on the “day of” Alli & Matt’s wedding celebration.

I have told several people that I felt you were the perfect blend of having everything completely organized and being focused on the goal of having every step run smoothly, but without being intrusive, conspicuous or overbearing. That is a hard combination to duplicate, but you made sure we all performed our roles but still had fun doing so. And your efforts with the two young boys, Zach and Ryan, as the flower boy and ring bearer were simply superb. They listened to your instructions and carried out their roles perfectly.

How you managed to find us a replacement DJ who was that good a mere 6 days before the wedding must be some sort of trade secret, because that just didn’t seem possible. So, thank you again. I would unequivocally recommend you to any of my friends who may need a wedding coordinator in the San Diego area. Best regards.

Father of the Bride, 7.24.10

A couple more from Alli and Matt's Big Day!

2010-07-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to John Riedy for getting me these pictures SO super fast. We did have a conversation about how I like blogging my weddings pretty quickly after they happen so I can keep up on things- so, him doing this was amazing and made me one happy camper! Please check him out if you don't have a photographer yet!

www.johnriedy.com

The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Cake by CAKE, Kimberly
Flowers by Whimsey Florals, Diane

Alli ♥ Matt :: La Jolla Wedding :: The Lodge at Torrey Pines Wedding

2010-07-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

Wow! I was SO excited to see these images in my inbox this afternoon! Not only because they are so vibrant and beautiful, but because this wedding took place... LAST NIGHT!!

I am so thankful to the amazing John Riedy for getting them to me so quickly. This wedding was my first at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, and was easily one of my best. Everything went amazingly smooth, and the staff at the Lodge was second to none. Alison Hatcher, our Catering Sales Manager, was so incredibly responsive and helpful from beginning to end, and each member of the staff was kind, friendly, and accommodating.

I would be lucky to coordinate or plan another wedding at this fabulous venue!

I also want to give a HUGE shout out to Scott Zimmerman of Events by Design. He really helped save the day! Our DJ had to drop out due to a family emergency six days before our event, and Scott jumped in seamlessly. He was great with the crowd, and made everyone feel comfortable and have a great time! Give him a call at 760.802.3781.

Be sure to check out more of John Riedy's artistic photography at www.johnriedy.com. You will not be disappointed! He is efficient, comforting, and a true artist!

Cake by: CAKE, Kimberly
Flowers by: Whimsey Florals, Diane
DJ: Events by Design, Scott Zimmerman
Lighting by: Lighting Phreek, Jesse Taylor
Photography by: John Riedy Photography, John Riedy
Paperie by: Love at First Invite, Cathy
Transportation by: Elite Image Limousine, Maria

Lisa and Justin's Coronado Wedding

2010-06-29T12:35:00.001-07:00

I was so happy to receive these lovely images from Brian Kent at ABM Photography (www.abmfoto.com) from the May 1 wedding of Lisa and Justin. The reception was tented on the lawn of the Coronado Marriott, which is a great place for a wedding or room block.

Cake by Flour Power

Our wonderful DJ was Richie Rich from Mexisurf Productions- fabulous mashups, kept the dancing going all night!

After the Engagement is SMUG

2010-06-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

We are now hosting our photobooth images on www.aftertheengagement.smugmug.com

All photobooth clients and their guests will be able to log on and view the photos from their event. They can even save them to their computers for free!

Tide Pen is awesome!

2010-05-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to take a quick second to tell you about my emergency kit obsession- the Tide to go pen. I LOVE it!!! I have used it so many times at weddings, and also the other night when a friend spilled ketchup on my white shirt. This thing is amazing and everyone needs one.

*photo by Melissa McClure

Inspired Photoshoot Teasers- Old Poway Park

2010-05-22T17:11:00.000-07:00

After having met with and brainstormed with the amazing Molly of b.mookie jewelry (blog post coming soon on her fab custom jewelry), we decided we HAD to do a photoshoot together. And I knew of some great wedding vendors to include! We just had this shoot on the 16th, and now I am SO excited to share these teasers with you, by the artfully inclined Yasmine and DeShun of Dapper Images(www.dapperimages.com). I had been looking forward to this shoot for a couple months; thinking of ideas and inspiration for these "out of the box" bridal looks.

Our goal here was to present a Trash-the-Dress type shoot in a different way- something new and exciting! I hope this will give people a little insight into my style and personality as well. I LOVE the unexpected ♥

You might recognize three of these amazing models as past After the Engagement brides; Sally as the Enchanted Bride, Adriana as the 80's Bride, and Tracy as the Pinup Bride. The gorgeous Goth Bride is a Dapper Images Bride, Jayme!

The vendors who participated in this shoot were incredible to work with and pulled the ideas together perfectly, just as imagined in my kooky head:
Photography by: Dapper Images (www.dapperimages.com)- WOW!!!
Flowers by: Exquisite Blooms (www.exquisiteblooms.com)
Custom Jewelry by: b.mookie (www.bmookiejewelry.com)
Hair by: Gerine Coronado (www.allbeautybygerine.com)
Makeup by: Ann DeNicolo (www.flirtmakeup.net)
Styling and Coordination by: ME!, Courtney Tibbets (www.aftertheengagement.com)

Let Me Clarify- You Can Always Get It Cheaper ♥A Lesson In Choosing Your Vendors ♥

2010-05-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have had a few would-be clients ask me to reduce my prices. I have to say no for many reasons, and these "price shoppers" may decide go elsewhere... to brand new Coordinators who are able to offer even lower prices. While I am extremely proud of the fact that I offer coordination and planning at very budget-friendly prices; I have been in the business for a solid amount of time, worked at many favorite local venues, built relationships with a great number of amazing vendors, and planned and executed many weddings with 5-star customer satisfaction. I simply cannot compete with someone offering something for nothing. And nor would I want to. Do not mistake, I am not knocking new vendors (in fact, I love them and like to try them out all the time). I was a new vendor just a couple years ago. But a new vendor should market themselves as such, and a client should know that they are not necessarily receiving the same product. This goes for Coordinators, Photographers, DJ's, even venues!

In my business, I would much rather be known as someone who offers excellent, educated, experienced coordination than the person who can undercut the competition the most. I believe that I offer true value for your wedding dollar, without exhausting your budget. So to all you shoppers out there: as Sasha Souza says below, be sure that the "cheaper" vendor is offering the same product before you decide to make your decision based on price alone.

As for the blog that inspired this post- I read this after seeing it reposted by a local wedding officiant, Bethel (http://www.ceremoniesbybethel.com/). I think it is fantastic!!!

You can read the article below.

From Sparkliatti, presented by Sasha Souza

There's one thing that I definitely know in life and that is you can always buy something cheaper - telephone service, flights, cars, office supplies, SEO optimization, wedding gowns, pharmaceuticals, wedding flowers, catering....wedding & event planners. You name it and I'll betcha there's somebody out there that can give it to you cheaper... I think that the question that people miss is: But Will It Be What I Want?

Let me give you a scenario that happened to me last year. I sent out a floral & decor proposal for an event that wasn't huge and over the top. It was for a nice party and right in line with the type of events we do. Prior to sending it out, I had gone through and made a few things optional for the client so that they could add in some of the "nice to haves". Exactly what I told them I would do when they hired me.

Then, the phone rings....it's the Mother of the Bride. We'll call her Carol.

Carol: "Sasha...in this economy how can you, in good conscience, send me a floral proposal THIS high?"

Please know that I had been through the proposal backwards & forwards and it met all of the required components that the bride simply HAD to have.

ME: "Thanks for your call, Carol, I sent it because I believe it fits the desires of Melanie (name of bride has been changed) and I did shave a lot off to try to meet your budget"

Carol: "But Sasha, how in the world do you expect us to pay for this? We have decided we don't want to spend more than X" {this would have been nice to know at the beginning, by the way}

ME: "Please let me know what you would like to cut and we are happy to make any changes you like. We can switch from long tables to rounds & squares, change the design of the flowers..."{basically, I gave her 15 options to make changes}

Carol: "But Sasha, Melanie wants all that and we expect that in this economy people are hungry for business and would be willing to make a little less profit for the job"

{quizzical look which garners the side note that, in this economy, business owners are more likely going to want a higher profit from each job, not lower to compensate for fewer jobs overall - thereby providing the contracted & paid for services ONLY and not over and above the contracted services}

ME: "Carol, I'm not sure that's the case, but let me just say that I've found out something in life and in business...you can always get something cheaper but it will not be the wedding your daughter wants, it will only be the price you like." {if you use this in your business, feel free to say "well, Sasha Souza says..."}

Why have I told you this story? Because it's true and the statement that I made at the end is an important one when educating couples and ourselves on weddings and what we get for our money.

Another example...Is the peony any cheaper because of the economy? No. So, we offer alternatives and often we substitute with garden roses. Is it the same? No. It's just cheaper and different. Some brides are OK with that and others REALLY want the peony and are not going to compromise for anything less. The decision is only theirs to make.

Carol did go on to pay the bill for the flowers when she understood that what she would get by going elsewhere wasn't what Melanie would have wanted. We were very willing to make changes to the event to get them closer to their described estimated expenditure but they were unwilling to make any changes whatsoever and simply wanted it to be cheaper. period. just. cheaper.

That isn't how this works, people. If you go to the gas station to fill up your car, you make a decision on the name brand station that you go to, how much you want to pay per gallon & the octane level of the gas you want.

OR!

You can go down the street to the gas station without all the special additives. Will your car run the same? Maybe. Maybe not. My car happens to like Chevron Techron 89 Octane or better. I put anything less in it and I'm bummed by the lack of power and performance that I get in my car. I can't go into the clerk and ask them if instead of $2.99 per gallon I can pay $1.49 per gallon and expect the exact same quality & product. If you want me to shave $100 off an arrangement, you're going to lose $100 worth of flowers & design time.

So, when you're visiting with your vendors and you ask them to reduce their price please be sure that you are getting the same exact thing - because if you're trying to compare apples to apples and one person says they can do that Preston arrangement for hundreds less than the other person - chances are you'll be left with arrangement #3 on your 72" round seating 12.

http://thealisters.typepad.com/sparkliatti/2010/05/let-me-clarify-you-can-always-get-something-cheaper.html

You did WHAT to her wedding dress? By Mary Hunt

2010-05-19T10:04:00.000-07:00

You Did WHAT to Her Wedding Dress?!

These days, the typical wedding is anything but cheap. After all, for most people it is one of the most important days of their lives. Still, finding ways to keep the costs down is a noble endeavor. Today's tips are among the best ever! I think that all you brides, grooms and the families who love them will agree.

DRESS DUTY. I was going to take my daughter's wedding dress to the dry cleaner when I read the tags. It was made of 100 percent polyester, making it 100 percent washable. I placed the dress in a large net bag, used gentle detergent in cold water, and washed it in the washing machine. I even dried it for four minutes on a medium setting in the dryer. Then, I hung it up to finish drying. It came out beautifully. Since then, it has been worn two more times by friends. Each time it is washed, it comes out looking like it just came off the rack. Faylee J., Tennessee

DRESS DEAL. When I was looking for a wedding dress, I couldn't bring myself to pay $1,500 for something I would wear for eight hours. Instead, I put an ad in the paper: "Looking to buy, rent or borrow a wedding dress." I received 15 calls and found a beautiful designer gown that I purchased for $40. I had it altered slightly, which brought the cost to a whopping $100. Maryann B., New York

BRIDE'S BLOOM. When I got married, money was tight. Since my wedding was in mid-October, I purchased potted mums in my wedding colors for less than $5 each. Wrapped in beautiful paper and ribbon, they dressed the altar. Afterward, I planted them in my garden. Twenty years later, I have a beautiful reminder of our wedding day when those mums bloom on our anniversary. Kathy, Iowa

WEDDING WOES. I work at a photo lab. Here's a scene I've encountered many times: A happy bride pops in with 25 single-use cameras that she put on the tables at her reception. The wedding photographer was only at the church for formal photos, so she counted on guests to take photos at the reception. She hoped for great candid shots of the event. Instead, children play with the cameras as toys so she gets floor shots and heads cuts. I've had brides in tears because it was such a waste of money. Disappointment is the norm. There are other ways to save on photography. Brides should cut the cost of the wedding in ways that won't sacrifice the pictures she will treasure in years to come! Janice B., New York

©Copyright 2010 Mary Hunt
Everyday Cheapskate is a Registered Trademark

The photobooth at a sorority formal!

2010-05-18T18:42:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the girls of KAO for having us out at their end of the year formal at the Bristol! It was a blast!

Win a free oceanfront vacation in Laguna Beach!

2010-05-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

I am entering! You should too! Visit here:

http://snapknot.com/blog/2010/04/26/win-a-free-luxury-oceanfront-vacation-in-beautiful-laguna-beach-california-from-surf-sand-resort-and-snapknot/

Ali and Nolan are engaged ♥

2010-05-17T11:52:00.001-07:00

Here are some lovely engagement pictures of Ali and Nolan by the talented Melissa McClure (www.melissamcclure.com). This wonderful Balboa Park shoot was also posted under the Eye Candy section of BridalInsider.com! It is always a thrill for me to see my hottie couples recognized on various sites and blogs.

Alicia is really one of the sweetest brides I have. I can't wait to coordinate their wedding and provide a photobooth this Fall! Ceremony will be at Marston House Gardens, with reception at The Butcher Shop.

Fun fact: "Ali" is my most popular brides name (either in the Alicia or Alison form) by far.

Photographer L.O.V.E!!!

2010-05-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of being connected with an amazing new photographer, Marin Houghton, of my.visual.story. I was introduced to Marin by my Assistant/Associate Coordinator, Briana, who I also LOVE :)

Briana thought that I should take a look at her friend Marin's work. I must say, I get a lot of "submissions" like this... everyone wants to be a photographer. Most of the time, they are just ok, and I pass by with not much more than a glance. The first time I saw Marin's work, I knew she had something special. I just adore the wedding she recently shot- it is so unique and artsy.

While some brides are on the fence about hiring a "new" wedding photographer, you should not be in this case! Marin's work speaks for itself, and I think she has something that some seasoned photographers don't have. She is upfront about her experience, and is so eager to gain more. Plus, although she is based out of Ventura, she is available to shoot San Diego weddings at amazing prices, and will include full day coverage and a DVD of images. She recently shot some head shots of my sister that I will be sharing soon as well :)

Check out more of Marin's work at http://marinchristina.wordpress.com/. Some SERIOUS eye candy! Marin is available for maternity shoots, family shoots, engagement shoots, and weddings.

♥ How to enjoy year-old cake ♥

2010-05-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

When I got married, I was only interested in one thing when it came to my cake... the TASTE. I never liked fondant or cakes that tasted like your kitchen sponge. Enter my favorite baker in all of San Diego, Shirley the Cake Lady. Once my mom, husband, and I tasted her cakes, we were hooked.

For my Retro-Hawaiian themed wedding, I chose Shirley's Ultimate Coconut and Zesty Lemon (made with fresh lemons!), and they were a hit for sure! I can honestly say I have never tasted better cake. Even people who don't normally love cake, LOVE Shirley cakes. She knows what she's doing; afterall, she's been doing it here in SD since 1968!

Now, to the reason for this blog... clients ask me all the time, "Are we REALLY supposed to eat year-old cake?" As tradition goes, the couple saves the top layer of their cake and eats it together on their 1-year anniversary. My husband and I did save the top layer of our Shirley cake, prepped it as she suggested, and ate it the following September 2. And... it was DELICIOUS!!! No joke!

Here are Shirley's expert directions to freezing your wedding cake-

FREEZING THE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CAKE:

1. Freeze the cake for two days, either in the box provided, or on its own.

2. Use only Saran Wrap and Heavy Duty Tinfoil to wrap the cake with. Take the cake from the freezer and wrap it 4 or 5 times with the Saran Wrap. Next, drape over 4 or 5 times with the Heavy Duty Tinfoil and then crimp the bottom all the way around and it will seal the cake for the year.

3. To defrost: Take the cake from the freezer, unwrap the coverings and let it stand in the refrigerator over night and then it is ready for you to enjoy. Congratulations!

Follow these simple directions, and enjoy your wedding cake on your anniversary!

If you are looking or a spectacular tasting cake for your wedding, visit Shirley at:
http://shirleythecakelady.com/index.php. You will NOT regret it. Besides the yum factor, she is just plain FUN to be around!

All her flavors are sinfully delicious, but my personal favorites are her caramel english toffee with almonds, her lemon, and her coconut.

Yes, I am an Officiant and a Florist, too!

2010-04-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

While all of my weddings are special to me, this one had a big place in my heart. The wedding of Michael and Hannah took place this past Saturday in a home I spent many days and nights in during my childhood! My bestie's parent's house! Jenny is one of my very best friends, and I have known her and her family since the 1st grade at Pomerado Elementary School. In fact, if you know me, Jenny, Kelli, and I are "The 3 Best Friends That Anyone Could Have!" Sing it... We 3 have known each other practically our entire lives.

But I digress...when I found out her big brother, Michael, was getting married, I was so excited to help in any way I could. Traditionally, you know I am a Wedding Planner... this day, I was to be an Officiant and a pseudo-florist!

I got ordained some time ago in order to be best prepared for anything thrown my way during my weddings (Priest didn't show up? No big deal!). I never really imagined someone would actually want me as their Officiant (not a backup Officiant, a REAL Officiant). I have also always been interested in wedding flowers, but felt that was best left to the professionals! Needless to say, I was happy to help out in both ways when I found out it was needed.

I will admit, I was very nervous on the day of the wedding. Even though we only had 15 guests, I wasn't sure how I would handle this big responsibility. I have a tendency to laugh hysterically during inappropriate times, would I do this? Would I start bawling like a fool? In the end, I did neither and just read my ceremony and it was short, sweet, and perfect.

The flowers... oh, the flowers. I thought it would be pretty easy to put together a couple of bouquets and boutennieres. No problem, right? Just throw them together and tie 'em up with some pretty ribbon. No. It took me about 3 hours to do the 2 bouquets and 2 bouts! I was nervous nobody would like them since it was my first try. I was wrong! Everyone loved them and Hannah (the beautiful bride)was so happy. All in all, this day was super amazing, and I was so blessed to take part.

Now onto the most important part of any wedding... the photographer! Beki is a fabulous wedding photographer, and also happens to be Jenny's old roommate- so, we have known her since we were about 17 or 18. I always admire her work. As a photographer, she was easy, fun, and un-invasive, and these pictures could NOT have come out any better. I really suggest you look into her work when choosing a wedding photographer. Beki was even nice enough to take a picture of Jasper and I with our child... Photobooth Tibbets! Yes, meet the After the Engagement Photobooth!

Thanks so much Beki for capturing this day flawlessly!

www.bekidawnphotography.com

Cake by Edelweiss in Rancho Bernardo

Becky and Brendan- a sneak peak!

2010-04-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Becky and Brendan's wedding was held on 3/27/10 at NTC Chapel and MCRD Bayview and it was beautiful. I could not have loved her colors any more! She was so creative to do her own centerpieces too and used candles and sliced lemons... the whole place smelled YUM!

I must admit, this wedding was a little exercise in patience and perseverance. Unfortunately, there was a giant sinkhole on Laurel with a sign asking airport patrons to take Rosecrans... thanks! Rosecrans was where both our venues were off of! Guests were late, the limo got stuck, I got stuck, I was locked out of the church to get my bride for the processional, just a basic case of Murphy's Law.

In the end, all was well that ended well. Becky and Brendan had a lovely day, wonderful time was had by all! I have to give a much-deserved SHOUT OUT to Amy and Maurice from Theorie. Wow, they are true wedding professionals and even helped to calm ME down by telling me all the mishaps they had run into during their 7 years photographing weddings. Needless to say, our troubles that day were MILD. Thanks guys, you are the best!

http://thetheorie.com/

Photoshoot!

2010-03-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce that I will be coordinating and styling a photoshoot with some absolutely amazing wedding vendors in May! We are planning to use 2-4 brides in a Trash the Dress style shoot using different non-traditional bridal looks to switch it up a bit. I could not be more excited to see how the pics are going to come out!

Photography by Dapper Images- www.dapperimages.com

Florals by Exquisite Blooms- www.exquisiteblooms.com

Custom Bridal Jewelry by b.mookie- www.bmookie.etsy.com

Makeup by Jamie Gilliam- jamieg858@yahoo.com

Hair by Gerine Coronado

Lonnie and Seth's Wedding!

2010-03-16T20:50:00.001-07:00

Lonnie and Seth had a Coordination and Photobooth combo package for their wonderful wedding this past Saturday at the Lakeshore Gardens Clubhouse in Carlsbad. We were blessed with lovely weather, and everything went off wonderfully. Their theme was rockabilly/pinup, and the colors were red, black, and white with some polka dots- super sexy, lots of feathers, dark roses, and lights!

Yummy food was provided by Jay and Donna at Creative Catering, and all flowers and decor were done by Lonnie's stepmom, the magnificent and talented Kim. I simply cannot wait to see the pics taken by their photographer/friend, Veronica!

We were told by multiple people that the photobooth was the hit of the night, and I hope that shows in these fun photos.

How trendy is too trendy?

2010-03-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

I had a bride ask me today what many have asked recently, "Is that too trendy to do for my wedding?" She was referencing a candy buffet, but I have been asked this about cupcakes, colors, themes, etc. And my answer is typically no. Why?

The average bride spends 20-30 hours PER WEEK planning her wedding. Between scouring wedding magazines, posting or lurking on message boards, researching vendors, dress shopping, and more, she is inundated every day with wedding, wedding, wedding. Most current brides know what the trends are; some being candy buffets, cupcakes, comfort foods, "mini bite" receptions, stations, late-night snacks, microdesserts, dresses with pockets, photobooth favors, mismatching bridesmaids, green weddings, etc., etc., but the "secret" is that the average person knows nothing of these trends!

At every wedding I do where one of these current trends is present, guests are wowed. I recently did a wedding with a massive cupcake tower/candy buffet, and I cannot tell you how many guests raved about it. It was like nothing they had ever seen before. If they are like the average person, they may attend 1 wedding per year. They don't see these things played over and over again in wedding pictures, blogs, and magazine spreads.

My advice is to embrace the current trends if you like them, there will always be people who have never seen it done before!

An amazing Coronado engagement shoot!

2010-03-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

It looks like I am set to have another HOT bride and groom! Claudette and Cory are getting married next February at Candela's Coronado, and they had their engagement session last weekend, also on Coronado. All I can say is... Wow! I love these pictures- they really capture the love of an engaged couple. I cannot WAIT to see how their wedding photos are going to turn out!

Husband and wife team, Deshun and Yasmine, of Dapper Images, are seriously awesome. This will be my second time working with them (see Shelly and Chico's wedding from last August), and I really enjoy it! Check them out at www.dapperimages.com. Real art!

The photobooth at Stone Brewery for Valentine's Day!

2010-02-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

Stone Brewery's restaurant invited me out for 3 nights of Valentine's fun this past weekend where we met so many great people, and had a blast! The beer didn't hurt, either. While I haven't gotten a chance to try the food yet, I am sure we will be returning here sometime for leisure. It was such an awesome place, and a rare find in North County- close to us!

The patrons and employees of the store, brewery, and restaurant enjoyed the photobooth, and I saw lots of different poses. One of the cool things about the portable booth is the ability to move it on a whim- you will see one of the employees of Stone's store peeking through the rebar gate on the store- fun!

The photobooth will be returning to Stone on Wednesday, March 3, for the "Meet the Brewers: Collaboration Day" event, which will include some neat stuff for charity. We hope to be a part of many Stone's events in the future!

Catherine + Tim at La Valencia- Pro Pics!

2010-02-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

I was very excited to coordinate Catherine and Tim's wedding at La Valencia in November. It was my first time at this venue, and I loved it! Spectacular views, old-world charm, it has it all. Thanks to Taylor at Ventana Photography for these pro photos.

The importance of an emergency kit

2010-02-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

The photo above, taken by Melissa McClure, at our wedding at the Dana last weekend is of me utilizing a tool from my vast emergency kit! You can see the big black duffle on the table- that's it!

Sara and Mike chose to do many of their pictures before the ceremony, which worked out so well and made the day a lot less stressful for all involved.

During the course of these pictures, Sara got some dirt on the bottom of her lace-trimmed gown. Not wanting to have this there during the ceremony, I was able to dip into my kit and get the dirt off with my Tide pen!!

I also used some double-sided tape from the kit during this wedding- both to tape the reserved signs to the family seating and to tape down some lace on her dress.

Other things in my kit are bobby pins, a sewing kit, deoderant, perfume, waterproof mascara, eye drops, ibuprofen, tums, mints, immodium, pens, white duct tape (works for "hemming" a wedding dress), hairspray and gel, tampons and pantiliners, lighters, and MUCH more. My brides (and grooms!) are always prepared for an emergency!

Sara and Mike - Love at The Dana

2010-02-07T11:41:00.000-08:00

Here are some more wonderful images from Sara and Mike's wedding at The Dana on Mission Bay. It was such a wonderful, stress-free day thanks to Sara, Mike, their friends and family, and the great vendors! This is such a wonderful venue in San Diego.

Photos by the talented Melissa McClure photography team of Melissa and Mandi- www.melissamcclure.com

Flowers by my favorite florist, Sally Preston-Gonzalez of Exquisite Blooms- www.exquisiteblooms.com

Cupcakes by yummy Babycakes- www.babycakessandiego.com- only 4 cupcakes were left at the end of the night!

DJ services by Mick the Elite British DJ- he kept the party going all night, and even played my favorite song! www.elitebritishdj.net

What an incredible team!

Samantha and Xandon- Pro Pics

2010-02-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some Pro Pics from Samantha and Xandon's wedding, which was held in early November, at the Prado in the Loggia Room. I love working in this room at the Prado- it means a small, intimate group, and it is so beautiful! It lends itself to all kinds of amazing decor.

While I would LOVE to take credit for the great details at this wedding, they were all Sam! She had the most wonderful ideas, I just had to set them up :) This was one of my most favorite weddings ever! She was so incredibly creative! I love seeing wonderful wedding details.

All photos by Heather A Photography- heatheraphotography@yahoo.com
Cupcakes by Cupcakes Squared, including some gluten-free options
Flowers by Christine of Fancy That! Designs
Cupcake tower by the groom! See, they ARE that creative! Love this couple :)

Sara and Mike- The Dana- Teasers already?

2010-02-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

So, being a positive person, I try hard not to complain. I have, however, been known to grumble a bit about photographers who forget to share pictures from mutual events- especially when months have gone by and I have sent reminder emails :)

I have the opposite problem with Melissa McClure, one of my favorite photographers. She had teasers to the bride and me by the NEXT MORNING. Are you kidding me? She wanted to make sure Sara and Mike got to see a few pics before they left on their honeymoon. She was able to do this the last time I worked with her as well. Really something special! The photos capture the real emotion of the day, which was fun, stress free, and all about the bride, groom, and their families and friends. Do you not just LOVE the silhouette picture?

Her associate photographer, Mandi, is also wonderful and fun to work with. I just love them both!

Visit Melissa at www.melissamcclure.com, and her blog at www.melissamcclure.net

Donita and Loren- The Flowers

2010-01-26T10:12:00.001-08:00

I found these great pictures from Donita and Loren's wedding at Sycuan in November on Sally Preston-Gonzalez' blog (Exquisite Blooms). I love working with Sally! This wedding was so amazing, and I just died for the deep red florals. All in all, it was a perfect day!

Bride's Choice Awards 2010 Winner- Wedding Wire!

2010-01-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced After the Engagement has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Wedding Coordinators.

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

After the Engagement is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that After the Engagement is among the very best Wedding Coordinators within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at www.weddingwire.com/aftertheengagement

About WeddingWire, Inc.

WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Love a Local Business ♥

2009-12-28T10:43:00.001-08:00

"Wedding Vendors Gone Wild" from the fabulous Andy King!

2009-12-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of pro pic teasers that Andy put together for me from Donita and Loren's wedding last month! This is what I do at weddings- eat cake and yell at other vendors... Just kidding!

I really enjoyed working with Andy King, he makes you instantly comfortable, and he is so funny! Check him out at www.AndyKingPhotography.com

Also, be sure to visit the blog of Donita and Loren's florist, Sally Preston of Exquisite Blooms, for more lovely photos! http://exquisiteblooms.blogspot.com/2009/12/donita-loren-sycuan-resort.html

I ♥ Sweet Cheeks Baking Company!

2009-12-18T14:02:00.001-08:00

I had the opportunity today to finally get down to Sweet Cheeks and meet the team there. I was even lucky enough to go home with a few of their delicious mini cupcakes! These are some of the best cupcakes I have had- and most you know that I fancy myself a cupcake expert. If you are looking for a bakery for your wedding cake, cupcakes, or special event cake, please check them out, they really do some amazing stuff.

http://sweetcheeksbaking.com/

One more from Sally and David's wedding! ♥

2009-12-16T16:55:00.000-08:00

I had to add one more photo from Sally and David's wedding- super super cute and you can tell it was a real, candid moment!

www.melissamcclure.com

Adriana and Justin's Pro Pics ♥

2009-12-10T11:06:00.001-08:00

Here are some pro pics from Adriana and Justin's wedding at the Prado in October- LOVE!

Adriana was a freakin' HOT bride, no? Smokin'!

Working with Heidi O (www.heidiophoto.com) was great, and the Prado is easily one of my very favorite venues- if you are still venue searching, go check it out and ask for Marcy Melley! Love her! Be sure to check out Heidi O's blog too for MORE great pics!

Sally ♥ David Slideshow

2009-12-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

Check out Sally and David's slideshow from Melissa McClure! More wedding photography fineness! Gotta love this photographer...

www.melissamcclure.com
www.melissamcclure.net

http://melissamcclure.com/slideshows/mccormackwedding/

Photobooth at the Christmas Sweater Party!

2009-12-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

The After the Engagement Photobooth was a hit on its first night out! I think this would be a great addition to any party, wedding, or celebration!

We chose to use the Christmas tree as a backdrop, but we will have a plain black backdrop available. The options are endless! We managed to fit 20 people inside a photo at one time!

Donita and Loren are married!

2009-12-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

I think November was a month of old-school-people weddings. I had Sally's last weekend, and the weekend before that, I had Donita and Loren's wedding at Sycuan. Now, I have known Donita since she was a freshman in high school and I was a junior, so it was really cool to see her get married!

Pro pics coming soon from Andy King Photography- seen in the pic above Doin Work! He was so much fun!

I also have to stop to brag for a second because I GOT MY OWN SHIRLEY CAKE at this wedding! Donita and Loren had a delicious Shirley the Cake Lady cake, and she had her hubby, Harold, bring me one too! And boy, was it amazing. You cannot go wrong with Shirley cake people!

Flowers by Sally Preston, Exquisite Blooms- http://www.exquisiteblooms.com

DJ services provided by Vynce Pham-- kept the party going all night with his awesome tunes and mashups! - http://www.musicphreek.com/

Sally and David are married!!! Pro teasers ALREADY!

2009-12-01T14:04:00.001-08:00

My (so far) last wedding of 2009 has come and gone! While all my weddings are super special, I especially enjoyed this one as I have actually known Sally since 4th grade! We have lost touch and reconnected a couple of times (this last time being over wedding planning), but I was very honored that her and David allowed me to share their day.

I must admit, things were touch and go for awhile... LOL! There was a big San Diego storm the night before the wedding and the morning of. Getting married at the Wedding Bowl does not allow for rain! Luckily, Mother Nature cooperated!

I am so happy to have finally worked with Melissa McClure- we have 2 or 3 more wedding scheduled together in 2010, which I am looking forward to. She was a great presence on the wedding day, and had these teasers to me THE NEXT DAY! Check her out at www.melissamcclure.com. She is easily one of my favorite photographers.

Flowers by Sally Preston, Exquisite Blooms
Cake by Flour Power

Introducing... After the Engagement Photobooth !!!

2009-11-24T14:35:00.001-08:00

After the Engagement Photobooth Rentals

Our photobooth is perfect for your wedding, party, holiday, event, or fundraiser!

Introducing a fresh, all-inclusive approach to the traditional photobooth. After the Engagement Photobooth rentals utilize an Open Air Photobooth ™. Being the smallest and lightest photobooth on the market, the options are limitless. From living rooms to wedding venues to yachts to private areas at nightclubs, this booth can be set up anywhere power is available. The openness of the booth means that groups of up to 10 or 20 can fit in one image! The digital imaging, print quality, and speed of the booth are superior to anything on the market.

• Wedding package can include unlimited time from the beginning of cocktail hour through the end of your reception with no additional charges for extra hours or idle hours during dinner!
• Party packages have many options, including choices for unlimited hours, or blocks of time from two to four hours.
• Fundraiser and charity package includes the option to pay no rental fee, and only charge a per-print cost, where your organization keeps half the proceeds!

Every Photobooth rental package includes:
• Double prints - each session prints out two strips!
• A thumb-drive loaded with all images from your event!
• Your event information personalized on each strip!
• Free prop box - hats, boas, glasses, wigs, tiaras, all kinds of fun things to make your photobooth experience that much more special!
• A professional attendant for the full rental time!
• Memories to last a lifetime!

Optional Upgrades:
• High-quality guestbook and all the supplies
• Save the Date strips, thank you strips, or holiday strips

Contact me TODAY for more info! Serving San Diego and SoCal!

Melinda and Robert- Pro Pics!

2009-11-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

Melinda and Robert's wedding at the Admiral Baker Club was a great time! Top pic is of me- do work! Here are some pro pics from their photographer Amy, 2nd Story Photography. Check her out! http://www.2ndstoryphotography.com/

Tracy and Gregg- The People!

2009-11-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

Such a great day in September :) Thanks again Tracy and Gregg for letting me be a part of your day!

Tracy and Gregg- The Details!

2009-11-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from Tracy and Gregg's spectacular photographer- Garrett Photography! www.garrettphotography.com

Praise ♥

2009-11-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

Please see the lovely cards above that I received recently from some October brides. I also got a wonderful email from a Mother-of-the-Groom:

Dear Courtney,

Thank you for being there for me on my son’s wedding day. You are a jewel! You are simply the best! I will refer you to many of my friends. I felt so calm and relieved knowing you were there overseeing everything for me. It would not have turned out as beautifully organized without you. You are also a very sweet and kind person. God bless you always Courtney. Take care my dear, and I know we will meet again in the future.

So wonderful to hear from these pleased clients!!!

Busy, busy, busy

2009-11-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

This has been an incredibly busy wedding season for After the Engagement! In this post, you will find a couple of pictures from recent weddings. I have gotten far behind on blogging, but I am always updating pictures from weddings on Facebook- friend me! You can find me under Courtney Tibbets or aftertheengagement @ att . net!

Sahara Hotel- Las Vegas

2009-10-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to attend a wonderful wedding vendor conference, the Wedding MBA, from September 22 to September 24 in Las Vegas. I learned so much and met so many wonderful vendors, but most of all, my excitement for a Las Vegas wedding partnership grew. I get so many clients asking me for hotel and activity recommendations in various honeymoon and Bachelorette locales. Many of these clients plan to head to Las Vegas for at least one of these vacations.

I was lucky enough to be invited by the Sahara, http://www.saharavegas.com/home/Default.asp,
to tour their facilities and stay in the amazing
Ambassador Suite during my days in Vegas, the perfect suite for a small wedding reception, a Bachelorette party, or a honeymoon. First of all, this suite is old Vegas at its best- rumor is that Elvis stayed here at one point. While sitting in the living room of the 2-bedroom suite,
you can just feel the nostalgia of the Rat Pack days. This suite was made for a party! There are 2 showers, 2 bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and the hard-to-forget bath tub smack in the middle of the Master Bedroom. The floor-to-ceiling windows line one whole side of the suite, and make the perfect sunset or sunrise that much better. Our bed was very comfortable, as were all the furnishings in the room. The décor is very retro- think metallic wallpaper, dark woods, and big chandeliers. We loved it.

The restaurants at the Sahara were great as well. First we visited the Nascar Café. While it was really designed for Nascar fans, I am confident that any sports fan would appreciate it. The food was good and the service was quick. We enjoyed watching a few people try and eat the six pound, 24 inch burrito that the Café is famous for- none succeeded, by the way! The Nascar Café also has an upstairs area which is perfect for larger parties including wedding receptions, birthday parties, and Bachelor parties.

The highlight of our culinary experience at the Sahara was the House of Lords steakhouse. I had a lovely stuffed mushroom and salmon, while my husband enjoyed a huge triple peppercorn New York Strip. For a steak enthusiast, he declared this one of the best steaks he has ever had! The House of Lords can also provide their private room for parties such as a reception or rehearsal dinner.

All in all, we enjoyed our trip to Las Vegas immensely, and that is largely due to the Sahara Hotel. Lorin Balaban in the Weddings Department , lorin.balaban@saharalv.com, would be happy to assist you with any of your group or wedding needs, and feel free to contact me with any questions. I am more than happy to help you plan your destination wedding or event!

Crystal and Jeff!

2009-10-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

I had such a wonderful time at Crystal and Jeff's wedding! It took place at Jeff's mom Kathy and stepdad Russ' house and it was just lovely. The whole event felt very intimate and home-y, I truly enjoyed myself. The dinner was catered by the Jalapeno Grill, cupcakes by Babycakes, DJ was JMC Events DJ Joe Comstock, and photography by Wayne Vinas of Tru Image (last - awesome- picture is his).

I happened to have a lot of seamstress duties this day, as well as removing a bee from under the dress duty :) Working with this couple and their family was a real joy and renewed my love for my job.

After the Wedding!

2009-10-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

Got a nice email from a recent bride today...

Hi Courtney,

Thank you so much for everything!!!! We had the most amazing time at the wedding and an awesome honeymoon!! Again, THANK YOU for helping make my wedding so special, it was nice to not have to worry, knowing that you were there to take care of everything.

Thank you,

Tracy & Gregg

Melinda and Robert!

2009-09-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Melinda and Robert's wedding last night at the Admiral Baker Clubhouse went great. This couple was very laid back- no toasts, no cake cutting, no garter/bouquet, no bridal party. They were all about having fun and spending time with their family.

I must say, the decor was some of my favorite thus far. She had a plumeria lei placed on each chair and it made the room smell HEAVENLY! These linens and chargers by Irene at a Perfect Table really made the space stand out- amazing. I loved all of the candlelight and flowers.

One of my favorite things that they did was gather a ton of photos of themselves and their families and put them into all different frames. This helped decorate the guestbook table and another table in the foyer. It looked so awesome and vintage. I MUST see this again at another wedding. The guests loved seeing all the photos.

I can't wait to see the pro pics from 2nd Story Photography

All in all, another success for After the Engagement! Yay!

Leezel and Allan!

2009-09-20T19:51:00.001-07:00

Leezel and Allan's wedding was a great success! Ceremony was at the Good Shepard Parish in Mira Mesa, reception at the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla. With a large guest list, my Assistant Briana was a huge help yet again. We had a lot of energy-saving lightbulb favors to set up (with help from one of Leezel's friends), and we also ended up being the cake decorators, as the florist had to leave before the cake arrived!!!

Leezel and Allan are truly some of the nicest people I have ever met, and their family and friends were delightful as well. We really enjoyed ourselves. It was fun to work with DJ Scott Zimmerman, of Events by Design, as we worked together for many years at Gyminny Kids Gymnastics. I can't wait to see the pro pics by Fritz Harmon Photography!

Jeremy and Jill E-Pics

2009-09-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

I had to share these engagement pics of my couple Jeremy and Jill. Aren't they fabulous? Engagement pics are always some of my faves! These two will be getting married at Levyland in Carlsbad in January- can't wait!

If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding, engagement shoot, TTD shoot, family photos or more, I suggest you contact Melissa McClure- I am so excited for our November and January weddings together, and I am sure she will be making many more appearances on this blog :)

http://www.melissamcclure.com/

Happy Anniversary to Chelsee and Jeff!

2009-09-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary (the 13th) to Chelsee and Jeff Epperly! They were my very first couple one year ago and I am so grateful. This year has afforded me so many amazing opportunities and it all started with this wedding at Orfila Winery :)

Since then, I have done close to 30 weddings, and have over 20 scheduled so far for 2010.

I am so honored to be given the chance to be an important part of every wedding that I do.

Photos by their amazing photographer, Jason Lanier, www.jasonlanier.com

More love for Nathaniel Kam!

2009-09-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

This is my lovely couple, Carmele and Matt from Arizona! They came out here for Labor Day weekend to scout locations for their 2010 wedding, and decided to get together with Nathaniel for an engagement shoot. I love how they came out! Carmele and Matt are a wonderful couple, looking to get away from the AZ heat and get married with their feet in the sand here in San Diego. We are still looking for a venue for them on the beach, if you have any ideas, let me know!

New Business Headshots

2009-09-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Yay! I went to the NTC Promenade a couple weeks ago with Nathaniel Kam of Nathaniel Kam Photography to get some headshots taken for business promo's. I was very nervous at first, since I have really never gotten my pics taken alone, except for Senior Pictures and a couple for my wedding. He was very easy to work with though, and we had a lot of fun!

Here are some of the images he took! Nathaniel is available for engagement sessions, weddings, fashion shoots, and more. He shoots with a great eye, and is affordable. He really loves what he does! Check him out:

http://nkamphoto.wordpress.com/

Shelly and Chico- Pro Pics!

2009-09-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some pro pics from Shelly and Chico's wedding on August 30. Shelly was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen, and the men all looked so handsome in their ivory suits! The open rooftop at the Bristol allowed the guests a wonderful surprise and made for some wonderful photos.

I love these images from their photographers- Yasmine and Deshun from Dapper Images- check them out! http://dapperimages.com/

Gregg and Tracy!

2009-09-07T18:57:00.001-07:00

Briana and I had a great time Coordinating Gregg and Tracy's wedding at the Rancho Bernardo Inn (yes, even grabbing a photobooth session). The colors were golds, ivory, and some hints of chocolate brown and champagne. Really lovely, neutral palette.

The guests had a great time dancing and utilizing the photobooth guestbook and two-bar setup. The chivari chairs that were rented brought such a great elegance to the room, along with all the beautiful votives.

I can't wait to see pics from the photographer- Garrett Photography!

Lauren and Daniel- Pro Pics

2009-09-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some professional pictures from Lauren and Daniel's wedding on, yes, 7-11 (hence the pic in front of everyone's fave convenience store). I am so in love with these images! As I told you before, the "Brothers Wright" use film to shoot their weddings, allowing a much different feel than the digital that has become standard.

Lauren and Daniel were sincerely one of the nicest couples I have ever worked with. Lauren was so sweet, and geniunely enjoyed her day.

I highly recommend this team of brothers for your wedding! Check them out!

http://www.thebrotherswright.com/bwrightphoto/

Shelly and Chico!

2009-08-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Just a couple quick cell phone pictures from Shelly and Chico's wedding yesterday. Can't wait for the pro pics from Dapper Images! This wedding was so awesome, and the bride looked absolutely stunning. What a fun, fun couple and great guests.

I have to give a shout out to my new assistant, Briana. She was added on to help me for this wedding at the last minute and I seriously could not have done it without her. If any other Coordinator's are looking for assistants sporadically, she is awesome!

Less than 2 months!

2009-08-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for our next cruise, aboard the beautiful new ship, the Carnival Splendor. We will be headed to the Mexican Riviera with some friends. I can't believe it is now less than 2 months away. I have been researching weddings aboard cruise ships, so I will definitely be checking out the chapel on board! I always recommend cruising as a great option for a honeymoon.

Going on a cruise is a true vacation from start to finish!

Alison and Ryan

2009-08-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

I loved Alison and Ryan's wedding! Aren't they the cutest couple? These photos were taken by their photographer, Jay Rubin, of letterten photo. Check out his site!
http://weddings.letterten.com

Vegas

2009-08-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

I am currently in the planning process for a trip to Vegas for the 6th Annual Wedding MBA Conference. Many of my brides ask me for Vegas rec's for honeymoons or bachelorette parties, and while I have been there a couple times, I have always stayed in the same hotel and it is not exactly wedding-appropriate.

I have been heavily researching hotels so that I can possibly take some wedding related tours of sites, suites, and activities while there and get you some reviews- so stay tuned! If you have any particular recommendations, let me know!

Part 2- Pro Pics Candace and Phillip!

2009-08-24T12:57:00.001-07:00

Love! Isn't the one she caught of the tired ringbearer awesome? Be sure to click on each picture to enlarge :)

http://chelseaanne.com/

Candace and Phillip- Pro Pics Part 1

2009-08-24T12:54:00.001-07:00

Love, love, love these pics by Candi and Phil's awesome photographer, Chelsea Anne- http://chelseaanne.com/. She was really great to work with and I love all her detail shots so much!

Yesssssssss!

2009-08-19T18:22:00.001-07:00

As Ice Cube would say, "Today was a good day." I found out that I won a contest for San Diego's Hornblower to name the theme for their "Sights & Sips" cruises in September. My submission was Endless Summer. I thought it was perfect for San Diego in September- fresh summer ingredients making their last appearance and drinks with umbrellas (watermelon margarita, anyone?).

Loves it! Does this mean that event planning is the right business for me? Oh yeah, baby. Run your wedding themes and color schemes by me!

Check out the Sights & Sips, and other Hornblower cruises here: http://www.hornblower.com/whatsnews.asp?port=sd

Stay tuned for my review of the Hornblower for your next event.

Alcohol calculator for your wedding- how much to buy?

2009-08-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this alcohol calculator from Real Simple! It will help you decide how much liquor to get depending on your guest count and what types of alcohol you will serve. Perfect for a DIY venue!

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/weddings/wedding-wine-liquor-calculator-00000000008314/index.html

Bridal Insider's Featured Vendor

2009-08-17T11:31:00.001-07:00

I am so happy to be the featured vendor on Bridal Insider's home page this week! Check it! www.bridalinsider.com

Book a wedding THIS WEEK while I am featured, and receive 20% off any of my three packages!

How RAD is this line of wine at Target?

2009-08-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

I saw this wine today while browsing Target (aka the best store ever). Only $11 and perfect for those bringing their own wine to their venue. They had Chardonnay, Merlot, and another. LOVE! In case you cannot read the label, the wine is named "Monogamy", and it reads "Truly Madly Deeply".

Things I am excited for

2009-08-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

I am looking forward to the following in the coming days/weeks:

*Shelly and Chico's wedding

*My first wedding with my new Assistant, Briana

*Tasting at the Dana on Mission Bay with Sara and Mike, and finally meeting my couple from DC

*Cupcakes at Babycakes- mmmmmmmmmm!

So Looking Forward to Leezel and Allan's Wedding!

2009-08-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

I met one of my couples for the first time yesterday. The wedding is on September 19 and I am SO EXCITED. They will have a photobooth (which I plan to sneak into one time), a magician, energy saving lightbulb favors, Scott Zimmerman as the DJ (who I worked with for 4 years when I was the Office Manager of Gyminny Kids Gymnastics), and up to 450 guests! Wow!

I love it when I get so excited for one of my weddings- it does not even feel like work!

It was so great to meet you guys!

STOKED

2009-07-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

Keep an eye on Bridal Insider (http://www.bridalinsider.com/)! I should be up on their homepage as their featured vendor within the next two weeks. Yay!

I have a busy, busy, fall to look forward to, and am booking into fall 2010 also.

I have also booked a couple last-minute weddings this past week- yay! It is never too late- try me!

Lauren and Daniel

2009-07-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

Lauren and Daniel's wedding this past Saturday was a success! It was a beautiful, warm summer day, and the waterfront venue was perfect. The reception was held at Humphrey's by the Bay on their concert lawn- really incredible. I really like this venue because it is gorgeous and super-convenient. This couple chose to have an afterparty at Humphrey's onsite bar, which is a fun way to extend the festivities.

Lauren's choice of pale pink peonies was amazing, and many guests commented on how beautiful her decor was. I have to say, this is one of the sweetest couples that I have ever worked with. They were both really and truly NICE people.

I can't wait to get some photos from their photographers to post- they used the brothers from BWright photography, http://www.bwrightphoto.com/. After chatting with them, I was amazed that they do NOT use digital photography at all, but rather film. It gives such an awesome look.

{after the engagement.} san diego wedding blog

Adios!

Post-nuptial depression :: How to deal with Life After the Wedding

Sheryll ♥ Joey :: San Diego Wedding ::

Claudette ♥ Cory :: Coronado Wedding :: San Diego Wedding

Under construction

:: Riviera Palm Springs :: An amazing destination!

Kristina ♥ Jon :: La Jolla Wedding :: La Valencia Wedding

Winter Bridal Inspiration ♥

♥ Happy Happy 2011 ♥

Ali ♥ Nolan :: San Diego Wedding :: Marston House Gardens Wedding

Rayna ♥ Dolan :: San Diego Wedding :: Doubletree CMR

♥ The Photo Booth ♥

Susan ♥ Tony :: San Diego Wedding :: MCRD Wedding

Laura ♥ Eric :: Coronado Wedding Video

Susan ♥ Tony :: San Diego Wedding :: MCRD Wedding

Kim ♥ Mike :: La Jolla Wedding

First Look vs. Waiting

Laura ♥ Eric :: Coronado Wedding

M ♥ G :: Coronado Wedding

Carmele ♥ Matt :: Carlsbad Wedding

Ali ♥ Nolan :: The Video :: San Diego Wedding

Kristina ♥ Jon :: Engaged

Vanilla Ice and You.

Frances ♥ Josh :: San Diego Wedding :: Bali Hai Wedding

The Photobooth is One of San Diego's Best!!!!

Chase ♥ Melissa :: San Diego Wedding :: Paradise Point Wedding

Liza ♥ Roger :: Del Mar Wedding :: L'Auberge Wedding

Liza ♥ Roger :: San Diego Wedding Video :: L'Auberge Wedding

John Riedy, How I ♥ Thee!

Julie ♥ Erik :: San Diego Wedding :: Bahia Wedding

October 2009 Wedding

Warms My ♥ !

A couple more from Alli and Matt's Big Day!

Alli ♥ Matt :: La Jolla Wedding :: The Lodge at Torrey Pines Wedding

Lisa and Justin's Coronado Wedding

After the Engagement is *SMUG*

Tide Pen is awesome!

*Inspired Photoshoot Teasers- Old Poway Park*

Let Me Clarify- You Can Always Get It Cheaper ♥A Lesson In Choosing Your Vendors ♥

You did WHAT to her wedding dress? By Mary Hunt

The photobooth at a sorority formal!

Win a free oceanfront vacation in Laguna Beach!

Ali and Nolan are engaged ♥

Photographer L.O.V.E!!!

♥ How to enjoy year-old cake ♥

Yes, I am an Officiant and a Florist, too!

Becky and Brendan- a sneak peak!

Photoshoot!

Lonnie and Seth's Wedding!

How trendy is too trendy?

An amazing Coronado engagement shoot!

The photobooth at Stone Brewery for Valentine's Day!

Catherine + Tim at La Valencia- Pro Pics!

The importance of an emergency kit

Sara and Mike - Love at The Dana

Samantha and Xandon- Pro Pics

Sara and Mike- The Dana- Teasers already?

Donita and Loren- The Flowers

Bride's Choice Awards 2010 Winner- Wedding Wire!

Love a Local Business ♥

"Wedding Vendors Gone Wild" from the fabulous Andy King!

I ♥ Sweet Cheeks Baking Company!

One more from Sally and David's wedding! ♥

Adriana and Justin's Pro Pics ♥

Sally ♥ David Slideshow

Photobooth at the Christmas Sweater Party!

Donita and Loren are married!

Sally and David are married!!! Pro teasers ALREADY!

Introducing... After the Engagement Photobooth !!!

Melinda and Robert- Pro Pics!

Tracy and Gregg- The People!

Tracy and Gregg- The Details!

Praise ♥

Busy, busy, busy

Sahara Hotel- Las Vegas

Crystal and Jeff!

After the Wedding!

Melinda and Robert!

Leezel and Allan!

After the Engagement is SMUG

Inspired Photoshoot Teasers- Old Poway Park