Winter Wonderland

I thought this was so cute for a winter wedding. Hot chocolate, personalized mittens or scarfs for the guest and a little bit of snow. A little difficult to pull off in sunny San Diego since it is suppose to hit 80 degrees in some parts of the county in the middle of December but I'm thinking more of a Mammoth type affair. Click here for more information about your next Mammoth event.

Holiday Toy Drive

 
El Cordova Hotel is having a Holiday Toy Drive December 4 - December 23th. All you have to do is go by the hotel and donate an unwrapped new and unused toy for a small child at the hotel with choice of charity. We will also be raffling away a chance for 2-night stay at El Cordova Hotel that will announce at next month's monthly mixer held on January 7, 2010

Work Christmas Party

Today is our work Christmas Party! Even though our tiny office consist of six people including the dog Tanner, we really look forward to our little get together because we get so busy throughout the year that we never have time to catch up. We usually go to a restaurant for lunch or dinner and do a little gift exchange and call it a day...definitely better than attending some huge office party where you don't even know half the people there and then have to worry about someone having a little too much to drink and seeing them in the office the very next day. No way, we choose to live on the safer side here. To all the brides and advertisers we work with, Happy Holidays

Engagement Season!

Last week I told you that I would post some more stats about the bridal industry and what we can kind of expect to happen...sort of. Anyways, here is another little fun fact for everyone. Did you know that December is the most popular month to get engaged! According to "The Wedding Report Inc," 18% of couples get engaged in December following with February with the second highest of 12%. If you are a girl out there secretly reading this blog while on the clock and you are waiting for the sparkly gift.... THERE'S HOPE! Don't do what I did where you thought every little moment was going to be it. It even got to the point where I was grocery shopping in heels because I thought it could be the moment, he never grocery shopped with me! I hate to say it but the next couple of months for all you ladies waiting could be long. HANG IN THERE!

Did you know...

 So I thought I would do a little research about how the year rounded out for bridal industry in 2009. I found so many unique facts especially when you put it into perspective with everyone that has been going on in the market these days. The next couple of weeks or so I will try to post some and you can give me your feedback.  For today posting is about colors brides and grooms were lovin and not lovin  in 2009!  The popular color was dust rose and blue.

-The wedding Report 2009-

  Brides would choose colors for these Wedding Related Items

"I Do" to Streaming

I was researching live streaming online the other day and thought it was a brilliant concept, especially for destination weddings. More and more couples are using live streams for the weddings for guest who cannot attend the actual wedding. This is a great idea for the bride who are tight on their budget or have to be firm on their head count, the bride who is having a very remote wedding or even the bride who is doing a private ceremony and having a reception later on to celebrate with family and friends. If this were something that might fit within your wedding plans, then I would ask your videographer for more details. Now for the dread question...ETIQUETTE! I do think it is proper to send a little invitation, not necessarily the same or as fancy as the actual wedding invitation but something nice to the people who have declined...maybe because the destination would be too expensive or older family members who can't make it...to give them details of the live stream. Certainly do not send an invitation to those who were not invited to the wedding but invited to watch over the computer. Ultimately, you know your guest so feel it out! Below is a link for awesome videographers in San Diego!

It's all about Distribution

The month of December tends to be one of the slower months at the magazine and so we tend to plan our vacations around the holidays. One of our newest members, Suzy, took a trip to Europe and proudly displayed our pride and joy. If you ever questioned how much we really love our magazine, this should answer your question. We are our greatest distribution. The magazine is such a well-traveled publication!

 

 

We are huge fans of Starbucks and will seek one out in the middle of the Sahara Dessert if we had to.

Sweet Alert

 This just in...for all of you that didn't know, Nothing Bundt Cakes is opening a second location in the Flower Hill Mall in Del Mar off of Via De La Valle! For those of you who have not experinced this amazing creation, they are a bundt cake retailer that offers many sizes as well as doing custom orders. I have tried the Lemon Cake and the Chocolate with Chocolate Chip. They are so good that I sometimes find myself thinking about them in the middle of the day and hoping for the next office birthday party to come so I can buy a cake. I visited the shop on a random Thusday morning right at open and it was packed. If you are thinking about ordering one for the Holidays, which I highly suggest you do, I would call ahead of time. They also do wedding orders as well!

Proofing

Today the office is proofing the Quick Guide that is being sent to the printers at the end of this week! I have to be honest, proofing is not my most favorite part of the job description but it is fun to see the layout of all the ads and articles. The Quick Guide isn't as bad either because it is a lot smaller than the magazine itself! Wish me luck!

This is the magazine when we print for proofing!

Stop the High Heel Abuse

I was looking online the other day and came across these amazing stopper device that you put at the end of your heel so you don't get stuck in the lawn. I have never tried them but I would be interested to see if they truly work. I thought it was so funny that you can embellish them!

Paint the Town!

One of my advertisers, The Boudoir Divas, sent this to me the other day and I thought it was a great idea. There are so many marketing tools and avenues that we take these days but sometimes, nothing beats just getting out there and just meeting people. Watch the video to see what I mean. Good work ladies!


The Boudoir Divas paint Downtown PINK! from Boudoir Divas on Vimeo.

Temecula Wedding Video Tours

One of our Temecula advertisers is having a special this month on there DVD's. It's actually really cool; the DVD highlights live footage of actual weddings, interviews with facility owners and operators and still photos showcasing Temecula’s most spectacular wedding venues. It also introduces you to many of Temecula’s most sought after wedding professionals. These Vendors will answer some of the most frequently asked questions brides and grooms ask about their products and services. The video also includes over $5000 in free wine tastings, products and services. Click here for more information about ½ off special this month!

NACE

So I went to my first NACE Meeting the other night and thought it was such a blast. I guess ever meeting starts out by doing a little networking at each other’s booths and with people who are attending for the evening. I totally lucked out because there was a candy company there along with 410 degrees...best cookies ever. We sat down and listen to a speaker. He was a military vet who was in a tragic car accident, which caused him to lose use of his legs. He started training and went to the Olympics earning a gold medal! Very impressive. We ate a fabulous meal from Continental Catering and called it a night. I almost forgot. It was a year-end awards time so congrats to all the winners! Click here for information about NACE.

As Simple As ABC

Today was the monthly meeting for ABC. It was held at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park, which is really cool location. I can totally see a sports theme rehearsal dinner or wedding being held there.  A lot of wedding professionals were in attendance which made networking really nice.  There was a break in which some of the vendors got an opportunity to talk about this last year and some of the struggles they faced. I think it was really nice for everyone in attendance to see that they were not alone and this year was hard on EVERYBODY. As usual, the French Gourmet did the food and it was fabulous. They have one more meeting that is also going to be there holiday party. I really encourage everyone to go. Click here for more details.

Head over Heels

The other day I was talking to one of my bridal dress advertisers and we were talking about some of the different shoes they were seeing with brides as they were doing there last little alterations. Below I posted some of the design that brides are wearing to incorporate  some of their personality on there special day.

Excellence in Journalism

A couple of weeks ago was the annual San Diego Press Club ceremony for Excellence in Journalism. This press club is proud to be one of the largest in the U.S. with nearly 400 members.  There were approximately 900 entries that were judged by other press clubs around the U.S. and one of San Diego Style Weddings writers placed with two of her articles. Kathryn Bechen with Kathryn Bechen Ink won first place for her humor article, What's Your Wedding Planning HOT Button, published by San Diego Style Weddings and won third place for her feature article, Ecological: Make Your Big Day Big Time Green, published by San Diego Style Weddings. We are so lucky to be able to work with such a talented writer. Be sure to visit her website to see many other writings and her new article in the new issue of San Diego Style Weddings.

Going to Market

Both dresses are from Vera Wang Spring 2010 collection

 This last weekend was a big weekend for the bridal dress shops around the world. It was time to go to market! This is pretty much equivalent to Fashion Week. All the big bridal gown dress designers have parties and runways shows to introduce their new collections for the fall and some spring of 2010. Below are some of the pictures of the gowns. There’s definitely a trend of a higher neckline coming back. For more information about some of the dress and when they hit the boutiques, click here.

The two dresses above are from Amsale Spring 2010 collection

  

To the left we have Christos and to the right we have  Reverie by Priscilla of Boston

above we have the always gorgeous Monique Lhuillier Spring 2010

A dash of inspiration

I can barely get this blog out because I am still so excited from last weekend’s event. Two Wedding Mecca’s collided in San Diego on Sunday at the Carlsbad Costco...publisher of San Diego Style Weddings and the creator herself...Martha Stewart! It all started last Thursday when Dena ran through the office to tell us that she heard Martha was coming to town, and yes we are on a first name basis now. All the girls in the office nearly fell out of there chairs except for myself, I thought it might be a nasty rumor that would get my hopes up for an even bigger fall. So I did what any other girl would do...I took it to the twitter, someone had to know something. I never heard anything and so I put up my protected guard as if I never heard such allegations. Then, early Sunday morning I get a text from Dena..."MARTHA IS IN THE BUILDING!" Dena waited in line for about two hours to come face to face with the woman who gives us so much inspiration to brides and vendors all around the world. I posted some pictures below for you to check out. Enjoy!

Notice the San Diego Style Weddings Business cards in hand...we are always ready to network!

 

People waiting for Martha!

 

 

 

Grand Opening

This Saturday is the Grand Opening for ElyseREUBEN Custom Couture. 

elyseREUBEN presents the Crystal Vineyard Collection.  Please join us for an evening of music, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and a couture runway including our 2010 collection of Bridal Gowns.
Mingle with industry professionals, Brides and the designers of elyseREUBEN, Temecula's Custom Gown Full Service Bridal Boutique. Admission - This event will benefit the Safe Foundation in Temecula, an organization that serves to protect against family violence.  Each guest is asked to please bring an unwrapped gift for children ages 10-17.  Donations such as gift cards, will be given to local families in need through the Safe Foundation. elyseREUBEN, along with the event sponsors, look forward to seeing you at the Grand Opening.  Runway seating is limited, RSVPs are encouraged.

Photography provided by Theorie Photography.

Party Pictures

I finally got around to posting some of the pictures from the Launch Party at Loews in Coronado.  All the pictures were taken by Xavier Bailey Photography.

Beautiful Flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food, Food and more Food!

 

 

 

Toys for Tots

Dena speaking in front of a crowd, which we all know she hates

 

The Band...they were so great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cupcakes from Sweet Cheeks Bakery...the girls that work there are fabulous!

 

Donuts...so yummy

 

The Cigar Lounge

 

 

 

To see more party pics, visit Xavier Bailey Photography website by clicking here