This Covid-19 crisis has hit the wedding world hard! So many weddings cancelled or postponed, even more of them completely re-imagined! My heart hurts for the couples and families who are realizing that the visions for their dream wedding may not happen this year. I grieve for the couples who have loved ones that are not going to be able to attend a wedding of any size.

If you need help, I am here! If you need someone to guide you through the maze of rescheduling a wedding, or someone to help you brainstorm ideas so that you can still get married this year, I’m here! If you need answers to wedding planning questions, I am here to help!

 

Expert advice from professionals in the know!

#1

Combine, Combine, Combine

Turn your favors into place cards. Provide floral wrapping paper or bags for your guests to take home the blooms in your centerpieces (without taking the vase). Transfer the florals from the ceremony to the reception tables (even the arrangements on the arch can be reused, just have your florist design them that way). Have a sweet treat for your guests made on site (entertainment, favor, and dessert!) 

Even Services can be combined sometimes! A lot of vendors will offer different services other than the main services they are known for. Look into production companies that combine multiple services into one contract. They are usually already at a discounted rate! 

#2

Rent, Borrow, or Re-Use

Ask your florist if you can supply the vases, or rent the vases from the florist and have them ALL returned after the event. Just make sure that Aunt Ida doesn’t run off with the table 9 centerpiece. 

Rental Companies, Wedding Planners, and Florists have stock rooms full of left over goods from past events. I know I do! And most are willing to let you rent out vases, candlesticks, arches, aisle runners, bird cages, cake stands, etc. at half the cost of buying them new on your own. 

Check out resale blog spots and thrift stores to get gently used items for your wedding! 

#3

Get Creative with Time

Traditionally weddings are held in the late afternoon or evening. But having a morning or lunch time event can change a lot of prices! Catering prices go down because lunch is a lighter course than dinner. There is not so much pressure to feed guests for a cocktail hour. Drinking from the open bar can easily be limited and themed with brunch style cocktails. And venue choices broaden, adding restaurants and bars that can’t be privately reserved during the evening hours. 

If your worried about losing the party atmosphere during the daylight hours, add an optional after party at a secured location later that evening. After parties allow you and your guests to enjoy dancing (and drinking) the night way without you having to directly pay for the DJ or Bar Service. And it allows Grandpa to make it home before bedtime. 

#4

Ditch the Seating Chart

Not only does this save you time and stress in the last couple weeks before your wedding, but it saves you money on place cards, escort cards, table numbers, and the extra cost of a plated dinner. Buffets, food stations, and family style dining are becoming more popular options for weddings, and this eliminates the need to have assigned seating. To help your guests still feel like they were personally thought of, have a favor display with one for each guest. label the favors with names and personalized messages on each one.

#5

Invite Less People

I know it sounds harsh. And for some families, it just isn’t an option. But almost everything you purchase for your wedding is a per person cost. We’re talking invitations, tables, chairs (2 per person- ceremony and reception), linens, centerpieces, size of dance floor, food, drinks, cake (often both per serving and cake cutting service), favors, stationary, etc. When you add everything up, it’s not just the $35 per person dinner cost that increases. Nearly every cost goes up. Adding just 10 more guests can make the a $1,000 increase to your wedding expenses, and that’s on a modest budget. 

Want more details about what is listed above? I’d be happy to point you in the direction of some great resources both in San Diego and internet based! Email me at

juliette@simplyelegantweddingplanning.com

 

 

 

You’re Engaged! Congratulations are in order!!!

……now what……

How much do you have to spend?

For most couples, money is a very stressful thing to talk about. But it is so important to start now! I suggest scheduling “the talk” after going to dinner and returning to the comfort of your own home.

1. Estimate what you can save:

When do you think you want to get married? What month?

Multiply the number of months left until the wedding by how much you and your groom can realistically set aside each month. If you think you will be paying for most of the wedding yourselves, think about picking up a small part time job a couple nights a week. Or maybe just babysitting or dog walking… every little bit is going to help!

2. Talk to your families

Muster up the courage and ask your parents, and his, if they are planning on pitching in on the wedding spending. This should be in person if possible. If they say yes, ask them for a specific dollar amount. Tip: Estimate to spend a little less than what they offer, this way if you need money at the end of the engagement, they wont be burnt out on resources! Now is also a good time to ask any other family who may be inclined to contribute.

When you add everything up, subtract about 10% to allow for last minute costs and overages.

Now that you have your budget total…

How are YOU going to spend it?

 

There is absolutely NO right way to spend your budget! It is personal to you! So how do you figure out where your money needs to go?

Make a list of what you will be spending your money on…

The Dress

The Tux

Ceremony Location

Reception Location

Wedding Planner (full/partial/”day of”)

Rentals

Food

Flowers (Personal, Ceremony, and Reception)

Officiant

Photographer

Videographer

Music/ Entertainment

Invitations

Stationary

Cake

Gifts/Favors

Bar

Rings

Beauty

Transportation

Honeymoon

 

Now rate each category from most important to you → least important.

For example, photography was the most important thing to me when I got married. Turns out, about 1/3 of our budget went to the photographer, because I knew what I wanted, and that was a good photographer who understood my artistic eye! For my friend, the venue was most important to her and her fiancé. They wanted a mountain view, with a down home country feel. That is how they were both raised, in different parts of the country. And it was a big deal to them that they were able to find a venue with the same qualities that could make them feel at home!

Once you have figured out what is important to you and your groom, you can start spending accordingly. But don’t just start spending, do some research… figure out what the average cost of the services and products are for your area. Here are San Diego’s average costs of wedding vendors! For other areas, I suggest googling “the category” + “your city”. A lot of wedding vendors make you email them for  a price quote, but some will post the prices on their site! Look at these vendors prices to get a estimate of what the average cost is in this category. Factor this info into your spending as well. Make sure you are following your prioritized list to gauge how much of your budget should be allotted to each wedding category.

Combine, Edit, Save, and Spend

 

Combine:

Start thinking of how you can combine elements! Check out the live plants featured above ↑. A potted flower or succulent placed on the tables as centerpieces, can double as favors to the guests sitting at that table! They can even triple as place cards by stringing tags with the guests name or the family name around one of the stems.

Edit:

What is down at the bottom of your list, that neither you or you fiancé really care about. Maybe it’s a professional officiant or a traditional 5 tier wedding cake. Spend less or even nothing on the items and services that mean the least to you! I don’t care how much money you have…The less you spend on things that you don’t want the more you can spend on the items you do want!

So what do you do when you future in laws step in and say that their has to be “a cake”? Here’s the rules: You can not ruin your future relationships over you wedding plans. As messed up as it may sound, you have to listen to what everyone wants. But when there is no room in the budget for it, say just that! “We simply can’t afford it with everything else that we need to spend our money on. We would love to have “a cake”, but other items have our priority. If you would like to pay for “the cake” we would be more than happy to help you pick it out!” But remember, if they pay for it, they have a say in it! So be careful what you relinquish power on, make sure it’s not something that you have to have exactly your way. These are bottom half of the list items!

Save:

Look for ways to save. Be creative. DIY, or enlist the services of your super hip and crafty aunt. My cousin’s new wife sewed each persons napkin and the table runners! This added so much pattern and charm that a simple centerpiece and the basic white table cloth and plates from the catering service was all that was needed to make the reception tables amazing! Not to mention, it made each of their 150 guests feel so special.

Look to who you know! If they meet your style and standards, reach out to the people you know to help you out a little! If they are professionals, remember not to ask them for too much, as they make their living based on the services that you are likely asking them to discount. Be respectful, and they will reciprocate! If they are hobbyists, offer them a little something in return for their service. If they refuse payment, at least hand them a gift card and a thank you note on the big day!

Spend:

Take advantage of a planning notebook or a online wedding guide. Wedding Wire has the most comprehensive budget tracking system I’ve ever seen, and it’s Free!!! It will help you estimate, track, and adjust your spending. They also have a payment reminder system that will remind you when you have a payment coming up!

Leave some money for the last minute add-ons, tips for your vendors, and “oops, i forgot about…” shopping trips. Even the most organized bride is going to have the last minute blowout shopping trip to Hobby Lobby or some other craft store to pick up “all the other things”!

Remember for tips and tricks on ways to save, read more of what the Simply Elegant blog has to say! 

A couple other budget friendly blogs I LOVE to read:

Broke-Ass Bride

Budget Savvy Bride

Check out my services for Wedding Planning as well as “Day of” Wedding Coordination! If you need help getting started, schedule a free Start up Consultation with me, where we can talk about your wedding plans, I can give you some great information, and we can talk about which wedding planning services might be right for what you, your budget, and your wedding!

Happy Planning!

-Juliette

 

 

If you’re local to San Diego, or at least familiar with the area, you know that San Diego is not all beaches and surf shacks. There are many areas that make up San Diego. North County, South Bay, East County, Beach Towns, Mid-land, Downtown, Coronado… etc. And the crazy thing is, each area has it’s own unique scenic landscape and forecast! The awesome thing about being a local is that we know what to expect for all of it. If you’re wanting a sunny Summer beachside wedding, you probably don’t want to pick a date in May or June. If you’re wanting it to be “Fall” weather for your outdoor rustic wedding in East County, don’t pick September, that’s still summer! Below, I’ve listed out some great options for each area of our little County. Some may not have popped up in your google searches, so it’s worth the read if you’re still on the hunt for a venue for this year!

My last venue blog post I broke down some of San Diego’s best (in my opinion) venue’s into budget and how much planning you will need to do at each one. We talked about the different planning styles that venues can require, what it means for a venue to be a “site-from-scratch” and what it means for you when it is “all-inclusive”. If you still haven’t read it and need more than just this article — Click Here —

Downtown

Great for high up views and urban living wedding photos, downtown San Diego venues are either high end glam, or they have a real industrial modern vibe! Either way, I’m in love! Even in downtown you still have separate neighborhoods that really define the style of the area. So I’ve listed the neighborhood next to the venue, so you know where it is and what is around it!

University Club atop Symphony Towers – Downtown Core – Amazing views from the very top of downtown San Diego, the wow factor is strong with this one!

The New Children’s Museum – Gaslamp(kinda) – So different, and SO cool! This hands on children’s museum is so cool for kids and kids at heart. The space transforms into this industrial modern, and super eclectic building for your one of a kind event!

US Grant Hotel – Gaslamp – Luxury and History in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter!

Sandbox – East Village – Urban Industrial with lots of ways to make it completely yours!

Mission Brewery – East Village – Historic San Diego with Industrial roots! This building is so unique and is perfect for a cool laid back couple who wants to PARTY!

Quartyard – East Village – A super hip, super fun open space venue in the middle of all the high rises and unique charm that downtown has to offer.

Harbor View Loft – Harbor Island – I think this might technically be outside of Downtown, but it’s super close to the Airport. Because of it’s location, it makes it perfect for destination clients who might have busy guests that might need to cut the trip to San Diego short, although I don’t understand why anyone would want to do that 😉 Not to mention, it’s run by one of the top catering companies in the area, so everything can be handled in house, making it really easy for the couple who is planning.

Coronado

Coronado Tidelands Park – This public space can be reserved by permit, and sanctioned off, just for your special event. Right on the water, overlooking both the Coronado Bridge and glimpses of the Downtown skyline.

Coronado Island Marriott – The small town feel of Coronado combined with direct views of the San Diego skyline, and waterfront access.

Coronado Community Center – This beautiful waterfront building has areas for Ceremony and Cocktails outside, and your reception inside.

Lowes Coronado – Coastal Traditional, this resort has so many beautiful options for your event. Not to mention the amount of amenities the hotel has for guests and the above and beyond level of service for Brides and Grooms to be!

Beach Towns

Hyatt Mission Bay– Mission Bay – amazing sunset views and really yummy food, in a tropical oasis hotel.

The Garty Pavillion – Mission Bay – The memorial building connected to San Diego Rowing Club, this venue offers toes in the sand ceremony, and a beautiful outdoor reception right next to the water!

Hilton San Diego, Mission Bay – Bay Park/Mission Bay – Choices! Have a traditional beach-side ceremony in their garden, or go full on toes in the sand I Do’s. This hotel also offers the traditional ballroom, if that’s your style, or opt to have your wedding outside in their pool bar/ patio area. The key thing you get with this hotel is OPTIONS!

Fletcher Cove Community Center – Solana Beach – As with any city rental/permit, there are rules. But for the price and the amazing ocean view, who cares! This is an adorable indoor/outdoor venue space provided by the city of Solana Beach, a short walk from the sand for either a permitted ceremony or awesome photos!

San Diego Botanical Gardens – Encinitas – The beautiful and lush gardens create such a romantic and spacious event venue, perfect for a traditional, vintage, or even lux garden party! Separate event spaces make it easy to host your entire wedding onsite, while still have it feel like 2/3 separate and special locations.

La Jolla

Martin Johnson House– UCSD – Sitting on top of the cliffs, over looking the shores and ocean. This venue has my heart. It’s the perfect mixture of natural landscape and oceanic views.

La Jolla Woman’s Club– Village – You get the best of both indoor and outdoor events at this venue. They have beautiful gardens and a beautiful vintage style ballroom, you can host your ceremony and reception in separate areas, or have a beachside ceremony a couple blocks away and party the night away at the woman’s club.

Scripps Seaside Forum– Shores – Perfect for a Modern Beachside wedding, this venue has the best private wave level view of the beach, that is free of pedestrians and beach goers, as it sits just above the sand.

Scripps Aquarium– UCSD- Give your guests something to do other than gawk at you all night. This venue is both memorable and brag-able, with an amazing line up of caterer options and magnificent views and unique indoor and outdoor event spaces.

East County San Diego

The Bradford Ranch– Jamul – This gorgeous private estate rental sits in the foothills just east of San Diego. The Property backs up against a national forest, so it is totally private and ready for you to create unique and lasting memories with all your family and friends.

Sacred Mountain Retreat– Julian – If you don’t mind the drive into the mountains, this beautiful private estate rental might be perfect for you. Breathtaking views and a homey/backyard style give this place a casual feeling that will translate to your entire event, helping families to feel like they’ve been blended together for years, and are on retreat together to celebrate you!

Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan– Dehesa – Surrounded by natural hills of east San Diego, this golf resort really stands out with it’s outdoor venue spaces. It’s part of Sycuan, but far enough removed from the Casino (about 3 miles away), that your guests won’t be distracted by the slots. If you are looking for more of a Resort atmosphere, the Sycuan build out of their new hotel and event spaces is almost complete, and the whole event area at the Hotel is going to be stunning and BRAND NEW! That’s hard to find in San Diego!

27 Acres Estate– Alpine – This beautiful private home in Alpine is the perfect definition of backyard wedding venue! Get ready in the house, get married on their perfectly manicured green lawn, and then move to the back yard for dinner and dancing.

Bo Beau Kitchen and Garden– La Mesa – This indoor outdoor restaurant in old downtown La Mesa is part of the Cohn Restaurant Group, who is no stranger to grand- all inclusive- events (their other restaurants include The Prado and Coasterra)!

Brick + Laural– La Mesa – Looking for a smaller venue for an intimate gathering, small-ish wedding, bridal/baby shower, rehearsal dinner? This cute converted brick warehouse is so cute and so raw! Don’t forget to ask about in-house florals, the space is owned by a SUPER talented florist!

North County San Diego

Lakehouse Hotel- San Marcos – Have your wedding on a lake at the newly renovated Lakehouse Hotel and Resort. This charming hotel offers your guests an intimate country lake feel, like you’re all on vacation together at a lake house, except you’re not and you all have your own rooms! Chill out post wedding at their fire pits with s’mores and lawn games, this is the perfect casual lake-side wedding, without being anywhere near lakeside.

Walnut Grove Park– San Marcos – Giant grass fields with a big red barn. If you’re wanting a barn wedding without the straw flooring, this is probably the most affordable and nostalgic locations that is no where near the boondocks. It’s amazing this whole park hasn’t been built over, this barn was there when I was a baby!

Bates Nut Farm– Valley Center – Growing up, this was my school’s go to field trip location. So growing up and working weddings there is SO COOL to me! They have a couple awesome event spaces to offer and have that old town country feel, that goes perfect for a rustic or country wedding!

San Diego Safari Park– Escondido – It’s still weird to call it that, it’s the Wild Animal Park people!!! And yes, you can have the most epic, most memorable, wildest weddings at any of their many event spaces! Go big in their giant pavilion, or go intimate in the tiger house, or have an outdoor celebration at the overlook. Your guests won’t be able to stop talking about the animals they get to meet up close during your private event animal encounters and you’ll love that your wedding funds are supporting animal species all over the globe!

Well, that sums up my venue list for each area of San Diego. Obviously there are WAY more than just this list. I still have a couple more venue posts coming in the future. I hope this list helps someone who is still searching for their perfect wedding venue! And if you need a planner to help you along your way, maybe you’re not living here at the moment, and you need eyes on the ground, I do that. Maybe you need help with coordination, because there is DEFINITELY a difference between a Venue Coordinator and a Wedding Coordinator. I do that too!  And if you don’t need either of those things, I respect that, and I hope you find the guidance you’re looking for here in the scrolls of my blog!

Till next post- xo, Juliette!

Now Selling Wedding Signs

 

You’re getting married! So naturally you’re going to want (need) signs for your wedding! Now Simply Elegant Weddings can make your signs for you. We even offer free pick up if you’re in San Diego!

Email Juliette directly to place an order or request a custom piece:

juliette@simplyelegantweddingplanning.com 

 

Available (Ready to Order) signs:

• Welcome sign (Welcome to our Wedding) $30

Customized Welcome sign (Welcome   Your Names   Your Date) $40

• Unplugged Ceremony (Please enjoy this moment with us, and put down your dang phone… or something like that…) $40

Make this HUGE on a 4ft free standing board: $75

• #HASHTAG# sign- usually just 5×7: $15 or 8×10: $20

Custom signs are available, just ask!

Available in Wood, Chalk Board, and Clear Acrylic(+$5-10)

 

 

 

If you’re anything like me, you L-O-V-E Thanksgiving, but you love the tradition of Black Friday even more!!! No I’m not one of those crazy people that sleeps outside Target (okay, I did that once, but that was in my 20’s). But I do love to strategize with all the ads after eating A Lot of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, and stay up really really late running around to stores that would not normally be open at 1:00 am.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday becoming more popular, a lot of wedding product websites have adopted some sort of deal for the weekend! YES, that’s right, You can Black Friday the heck out of your wedding!!! Plus you can help support your local small business wedding vendors, buy shopping/booking them on Small Business Saturday! Just talking about it I’m starting to get giddy with all the money I know I’m about to spend/save this weekend! I’ll save the thoughts of regret for when I look at my bank account next week 😉 To help you on your wedding planning journey, I’ve put together a list of websites I KNOW will have deals this weekend that will help you with your wedding purchases!

Target– I know this one is kinda obvious! And you probably don’t need a vacuum for your wedding. Probably. But maybe you need food items for your welcome baskets, or fancy plates for your in home rehearsal dinner. Candle holders, vases, home decor, gift sets for your bridesmaids, there’s a real good chance it’s discounted in some way this week!

Rent the Runway– 40% off EVERYTHING!!! Need cute outfits to flaunt at your bachelorette weekend, rehearsal dinner, best friends wedding? Or shoot, even a cute alternative type wedding gown/outfit! It’s 40% OFF!!!

Minted-  Wedding Stationary, Invites, Holiday Cards, Personalized Gifts. Minted is offering 20% off this weekend, and I think free shipping too!

Afloral.com– Vases and candle holders are 15% off the already low bulk prices of afloral!

Michaels– Michaels is always more effective when you go in the store. But they do have an online coupon to use on Thursday that is an additional 30% off your entire purchase including sale items! stock up on wood craft items, paint, and home decor that can double as wedding decor and stack the discounts on everything you need to DIY your wedding to perfection!

Men’s Warehouse– Normally for Groom’s I HIGHLY recommend TheBlackTux.com. But for black friday, Men’s Warehouse has some incredible deals on shirts, ties, and suits. If your groom wants to buy a suit for the wedding instead of rent, this might just be the best weekend to do it. If you’re just thinking of getting him some new shirts for christmas, this is also a great sale to hit up!

BHLDN– Have you been eyeing one of the many perfect wedding gowns from BHLDN? You definitely don’t want to miss their black friday deals!

Etsy– Etsy is the best of both small business saturday supporters and Cyber Monday celebrators! They have a ton of deals going all weekend long for wedding decor, wedding gifts, wedding jewelry, and Christmas presents!

TheRingBoxes– The ring box is doing 50% off your first 3 monthly boxes with their subscription.

Happy Shopping!!! Oh, and Happy Turkey Day too!!!

xo, Juliette!

 

When planning a wedding, people are always concentrated so much on Budget! But it can also be super helpful to think about planning style too! you know, to keep your sanity and all! If you find the perfect looking venue at the perfect price, but it’s also a DIY style-do everything yourself venue, How is that going to fit into Your life? Some women have time for that, but others DON’T, and that’s just the truth. Hopefully this article will help you discover some amazing venues you might not have known about or thought of yet. And hopefully this article will help you learn what is best for you, setting you up for success from the very first part of planning, picking a venue!

 

Some Important Terminology:

All-Inclusive: Venues that come with catering and banquet staff to handle set up of everything venue/meal related. Banquet staff will set up tables, chairs, linens, place settings, fold napkins, etc. Catering staff will cook, serve, and clean up everything meal/beverage related. Most of the time, these types of venues also come with a venue representative that will help guide you through the process of everything the venue will provide and can offer suggestions on other vendors as well. Often times, these venues will charge by “Food and Beverage Minimum” instead of a flat venue/room rental fee. Although, sometimes there is a ceremony site fee added on, since that is a second area for their staff to set up and manage.

Food and Beverage Minimum: This refers to the minimum $ amount you need to spend in order to use the venue space(s) selected. Instead of being a flat amount that you will pay in the end, the final price will vary greatly depending on the number of guests, length of event, amount of added on services, and level of bar/meal provided for your guests.

Site from Scratch: When the venue includes the venue space, and that’s it. It may be a beautiful wonderful amazing space, but you’ll be in charge of getting everything needed to make a wedding happen there. Things like Lights, Tables, Chairs, Linens, Table settings, Catering, etc, and sometimes even restrooms.

Low range Budget: in the San Diego area, overall wedding budget equalling $15,000 or less

Mid range Budget: overall wedding budget between $20,000-$35,000

High end Budget: overall wedding budget over $40,000

 

Favorite Higher-End Venues:

  Inclusive Planning-

• Hyatt Manchester Grand – views for days and a top tier catering menu that can create something amazing just for your wedding
• Coronado Island Marriott – Top service from the moment you decide that is your venue! Not to mention, the amazing water-front location that overlooks downtown!
• Estancia La Jolla – What I love about Estancia, is that it’s so hidden. Once you’re on the resort grounds, you feel completely secluded from the world outside, creating an atmosphere of intimacy for you and your guests.

      Site from Scratch Planning-

• Scripps Seaside Forum – the forum has the BEST beach side location in all of San Diego. The approved catering list consists of only Full-Service Caterers, which will take care of everything for you from food to rentals, and sometimes even decor.
• Darlington House La Jolla – This historical house is a gem! You’ll need to hire a coordinator, and they have an approved only list of Caterers for you to choose from.

Favorite Mid-Budget Venues:

  Inclusive Planning-

• Maderas Golf Club – A great rustic-italian inspired landscape located in the hills of scenic Poway. Plus it has indoor and outdoor options for your party.
• The Prado – A staple of San Diego culture, nothing beats a special date night at The Prado. Except maybe, getting MARRIED there! Their ballroom is exquisite, and has that same Spanish influenced design carried throughout it’s interior! And their ceremony areas are just as spectacular!
• Horton Grand Hotel – So much historical charm packed into this small and intimate hotel! Amazing outdoor venues for both ceremony and reception.

      Site from Scratch Planning-

• Martin Johnson House – The perfect mix of rustic and beachy! Set on the hill just north of Scripps Pier. This venue needs everything brought in, except for restrooms. However, the catering list that you need to choose from are all Full-Service Caterers who will take care of all the rentals and bar options if you want them to, which will save you a lot of time and questions!
• La Jolla Woman’s Club – I love the indoor/outdoor feel of this amazing venue. You can eat outside, party inside, get married outside then eat and party inside, the options are abundant, and all of them are beautiful. What is also amazing about this place is that you can bring in whichever full service caterer you like!
• The Bradford Ranch – If you’re wanting a piece of property that is completely off the grid and completely yours to use for your entire celebration, this is it! It’s tucked into a pocket of Cleveland National Forest, in the foothills of East San Diego. The entire property has that organic country feel that’s all over Pinterest, and you can completely make it your own. The catering list has options for Full Service Catering and Rentals to make your planning a little easier, or you can opt for a more casual/less expensive catering option and DIY the heck out of your wedding day!

Favorite Lower-Budget Venues:

      Inclusive Planning-

• Chula Vista Golf Course – This golf course is located in Bonita, just east of Chula Vista. It’s convenient, affordable, and has lots of charm! Choose from two ballrooms inside for your reception, and have your ceremony out on the green.
• Handlery Hotel Mission Valley – You get so much more than just the standard 4 white walls with this hotel. It is located conveniently in hotel circle, so if your guests stay at other hotels, it’s an easy walk or short Uber ride. The back garden has to be my favorite. So lush, so green, and so private. They even have an option to have your ceremony in the garden, then they can flip the space into dinner and dancing set up, while your guests enjoy the air conditioned inside for cocktail hour!

      Site from Scratch Planning-

• Old Poway Park – If you like the vintage/historical look or trains are really your thing, this venue has a LOT of character! Get married in the little chapel/old school house, then have your reception outside next to the big gazebo or in the train yard! The best part of getting married here is the lack of restrictions when it comes to catering. You can DIY it (though I’d strongly recommend not doing that), you can get a food truck or taco cart. Or have a full staffed elegant affair. The choice is really up to you. Be aware of alcohol rules and regulations as you are on public property! I believe a professional bar company does need to be pouring the drinks all evening. They do have tables and chairs for you to use, but you need to set them up, or hire someone to do it.
• Coronado Community Center – A more upscale take on a community center, because it’s Coronado! This venue is water front, a short walk to the beach(for couple photos) and has designated areas for ceremony, cocktails, and reception. Their catering list is extensive, and has plenty of more affordable options if you need them. And the community center can provide tables and dance floor! Just make sure you’re not in any hurry to tie the knot, this place typically has a year – two years out already booked.

 

For ANY of these “Site from Scratch” places that have designated or approved only catering lists, and you need someone to help to point you in the right direction of which ones to reach out to for your style/preference/budget, just email me! I’m happy to include this and other help throughout your planning, even if you’re only interested in the coordination package. 

 

Here are some photos of the above venues…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the next Month, I’ll be breaking down the BEST Wedding Venues in San Diego?

 Are you ready to find the perfect venue for your Wedding? I am!

 

Diamonds, big or small, they are a symbolic part of the engagement ring. Diamonds are made through extreme temperature and extreme pressure. The earth takes carbon, applies extreme temperature and pressure, to create a stone which is pure and eternal. A diamond ring is given as a promise and a commitment that even through the most intense pressure and life’s challenges, the pure love that you two share will last forever. And so it is said that ‘Diamonds are Forever’.

But diamonds come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Have you ever wondered which style most represents you?

Well, the awesome people at Invaluable.com (a premier source for all things auctioned), have given us some amazing resources to help us figure out what rock best suites you!

 

 

---

Take the following quiz to figure out what kind of diamond works best for you!!!

 

 

For more info on the different diamond shapes that are on your favorite engagement rings, go to Invaluable’s website to learn more!!!

Have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

xo, Juliette!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you planning for a winter wedding? You can’t go wrong with the following 3 timeless design themes. We’ve come up with some great inspiration to inspire your wedding day!

---

 

Nothing is more classic than greens and cremes at the holidays!It is naturally inspired, and classically driven! For fashion, Style an ivory bridal gown with a classic black tie worthy Tux or Suit like the ones found at The Black Tux. Have your ladies where olive gowns with ivory bouquets to tie it all together! Pair these fashion ideas with lots of warm candles, creme colored linens, and dark green accents. If you are just dying to add some sparkle, go with a Champagne glitter color. Stay away from the yellow or rose gold colors, as that will quickly take away from the warmth and rich vibe you’ve got going with the olive and creme!

Fun Ideas:

Want to spruce up your sweetheart table setting? Add some olive green glassware, like these found at Target’s Hearth and Hand (Magnolia) Collection from Joanna Gaines (oh how I love her style!)

Instead of small votives, don’t be afraid to go a little bigger on your candles. No need to hide them away in lanterns, since this is all about a clean, natural look. Try these plain glass church candles- pour your own, or find them at the dollar store!

 

---

 

This color scheme feels a bit more modern, but is still a good look now and forever. Even though it still feels warm and inviting (key winter wedding traits), it will pair nicely with a modern venue, if that’s what you’ve decided upon! The warm tones of the wine colors and the coolness of the navy blue brings sophistication and class, while adding a layer of contrast to the mix which is always a bolder/youthful move. Whether its an all glass/sharp angled venue like the new Central Library in Downtown San Diego, or a clean lines and reclaimed wood backdrops like at Booze Brothers Brewery in Vista, this is going to be a beautiful design theme with a wintery feel!

Fashion: Have your groom dress in a simple fitted blue suit, or instantly take him to the next level with this fly blue tuxedo rental. Have your ladies lead you in with these beautiful wine inspired bridesmaids dresses from Blush Fashion Boutique!

Fun Ideas:

If your venue doesn’t already have a lot of wood on the walls and such, bring in some wood elements with Farm Tables either as all your guest tables, or just for a dramatic long head table.

If you’re set on having linens on your tables, go for a dark navy blue, with Marsala or Creme colored napkins folded flat under a wood charger.

Add in modern (dark) wood elements with calligraphy wooden signage on iron easels.

 

---

 

 

Pantone has spoken. Ultra Violet is 2018’s color of the year, so there’s sure to be a lot of purple items on sale this upcoming year! Take advantage. Even though people may not associate Purple hues with the winter season, it is surely always a crowd favorite and a timeless look. Pair plum and violet with a light blush pink and neutrals of grey and black, and you have a well balanced design plan, that can’t go wrong! For winter weddings, the richest color in your pallet should be the most visible. Letting all the other colors act as supporting roles and neutrals that will help that deep color shine. In this pallet, let that plum color soar by dressing your wedding party, tables, and florals in the most royal color of them all!

Bump this theme to the next level, by splurging a little on some Marble Top tables from To Be Designed San Diego. Check out photos on their Instagram here: TBD San Diego Marble Tables

Or if table cloths are more your style, go for a deep plum purple linen with grey napkins!

Don’t hold your florist back. Ask for purple hues of all shades in an ombre style arrangement.

 

---

 

Winter is coming ladies and gentleman! Let me know your thoughts and other winter color inspiration by commenting below or on our Instagram posts!

And if you or your groom are looking for a suit or tux that would be perfect for the wedding day, send them to TheBlackTux.com/VIP, and enter my business name Simply Elegant Weddings to be set up with a personal concierge to take them and their groomsmen through the entire process! It’s brilliant!

 

Happy Planning,

-Juliette