Tag: san diego wedding planner

Uncategorized, wedding planning

Wedding Planning You Can Do Now During COVID-19 (Whether or Not You Have a Wedding Date)

Stephanie Rose Events

Believe it or not, this COVID-19 stay at home order is a great time to plan your wedding. Below are wedding planning tasks that are easy to complete from home with a computer, a phone and your fiancée.

Budget and Guest CountJamieandIssah_0313

Deciding on your overall wedding budget and your guest count is the very first task you and your fiancée should do to start your wedding planning. Create a budget spreadsheet and allocate the amount you are comfortable spending on each item based on your priorities. The largest portion of your budget, about 50%, will be on your venue, food and beverages. Then, track your expenses as you hire vendors and sign contracts so you can stay within budget. Even if you are well into your wedding planning process, you should create a budget spreadsheet to track your expenses so far.

Hire a Wedding Planner

Did you know the best time to hire a wedding planner is before you have a wedding date? Your wedding venue is your largest wedding purchase. Having a professional planner on your team to help you make your venue decision and to negotiate your venue package and rate is imperative. Especially if you are planning a destination wedding and cannot visit the venue in person. A planner will know the venues in your area intimately and will be able to recommend the best venue to fit your style and budget.

Danny and Natalie WeddingResearch Venues

Once you have your estimated guest count and allocated budget, you can start researching venues in your area that match the size, budget and style of your wedding. Many venues, such as Julep Venue here in San Diego offer virtual tours of their event spaces allowing you to get a feel for the space from your own home. Create a list of 3 venues that meet your criteria to visit in person once the stay at home order is lifted.

Research Your Vendors

Almost all wedding vendors are working from home during this pandemic. Since their weddings have all been postponed until at least June, they are available to answer questions about their services and meet you virtually or have a phone call to discuss your needs. This is a great opportunity to talk with vendors and learn which ones fit your style and budget. If you are not comfortable hiring vendors during this time, you can create a short list of vendors you like with their availability and pricing, so you are ready to go when this pandemic ends.

Select Your Wedding Party2Q7A6556

This is a great time to talk with your fiancée about who you want to include in your wedding party. Being asked to join your wedding party is an honor that may be a welcome distraction to the stay at home order and give your best friends something exciting to plan for. You also want to be considerate of friends or family who have lost their jobs and may be struggling financially during this time. Depending on the situation, you may want to wait to finalize your wedding party.

Visualize your Ceremony

LakehouseWedding_MMP_31Many couples spend most of their time planning their reception. Use the extra time you have to really create a special ceremony that is true to you and your fiancée . Find music and readings that reflect your love story, research wedding traditions that you want to incorporate into your ceremony and write love letters to each other that can spark creativity when it’s time to write your vows.

Select Your First Dance Song

Your first dance together as married spouses is a special tradition. Use this time to discover a song that really captures your love story. Or if you are musical, write or perform a song together that can be used for this special occasion.

Create a Wedding Web Site

Creating a wedding web site is a great way to communicate your plans with your family and friends during these uncertain times. Use this extra time to upload photos and special stories about your relationship.

Take advantage of some quiet time with your fiancée to decide what’s really important for your wedding celebration.  The planners at Stephanie Rose Events are available to help talk through any wedding planning questions you have via email, text or phone. Stay safe, sane and kind.

Uncategorized, wedding planning

Your Guest Communication Plan for Postponed Weddings due to COVID-19

Stephanie Rose Events

StephRose_MMP_Bayview_005We received lots of questions after we published our Guide to Postponing Your Wedding Due to COVID-19. Many questions were about how to communicate with your guests about the postponement. At Stephanie Rose Events, allowing the couple to be present at their wedding and your guests’ experience is our number one priority. Your guests’ experience starts well before they walk into your ceremony – it starts with your communication, your save the date information, your wedding web site, your invitations, even how guests are treated as they check in to your recommended hotel can affect the guest experience.

Communicating with your wedding guests about your postponement is important. Remember, your guests’ lives have been turned upside too. They may be worried about traveling to your wedding, may be experiencing a loss of income, or just be worried about gathering in large groups. They will be happy to know that you are thinking about their well being and relieved to know there is a plan. People worry about uncertainty, so communicating your plans with your guests, even if you don’t yet have a new date, will be welcome.

If you are postponing your wedding, there are two possible scenarios:

  1. You have selected a new wedding date.
  2. You have decided to postpone your wedding, but have not yet selected a new date

In both situations, communicating with your guests is important. You do not need to wait until you have a new wedding date to communicate with your guests.

You have selected a new wedding date

If you have already postponed your wedding and selected a new wedding date, your guest communication plan will focus on communicating your new date to your guests.

  1. Update your wedding web site. The easiest and quickest way to update your guests is to update your wedding web site with your new date, location and any other details your guests need to know. Guests can then be directed to your wedding web site to stay up to date on any changes. Email your guests with a note about your decision to postpone your wedding and a link to your web site.
  2. Send change the date cards. Similar to save the date cards, change the date cards simply inform your guests that your wedding date has changed. There are lots of creative options for change the date cards on Minted and etsy Check with your stationary designer for options as well.
  3. Send (or resend) your invitations. If you have already sent your invitations, especially if they included an RSVP card, you will need to resend them. A new date may change some guest’s ability to attend, so asking for a new RSVP card is reasonable. If only the date has changed, but the locations and details have not, you may be able to collect the RSVP information electronically without resending new invitations. If your wedding date and location has changed, we recommend sending new invitations and RSVP cards reflecting the new information. If you have not yet sent your invitations, you will design them with the updated date and information and send them as usual.

Suggested wording for change the date cards or emails

Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we are taking every precaution to make our wedding safe for our guests. We have decided, to postpone our wedding until [date]. Please check our wedding web site [URL] for updates. More information and new RSVP cards to come. Thank you for your understanding and support. We cannot wait to celebrate with you!

You are postponing your wedding, but have not yet selected a new wedding date

If you are postponing your wedding, but have not yet selected a new wedding date, your guest communication plan will focus on communicating your postponement decision to your guests.

  1. Update your wedding web site. The easiest and quickest way to update your guests is to update your wedding web site with a note that your wedding is being postponed and more information will be coming. Guests can then be directed to your wedding web site to stay up to date on any changes. Email your guests with a note about your decision to postpone your wedding and a link to your web site.

Suggested wording for postponement emails

Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we are taking every precaution to make our wedding safe for our guests. For this reason, we have decided to postpone our wedding. Please check our wedding web site [URL] for updates as we work to find a new wedding date to celebrate with you. More information to come. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Once you have a new wedding date, follow the guest communication plan above for communicating your new wedding date to your guests.

If you have any questions at all about postponing your wedding, we are available via email, text or phone. Stay safe, sane and kind.

wedding planning

A Guide to Postponing your Wedding

Stephanie Rose Events

Kristin_april2019_35Wedding planning is stressful enough without a worldwide pandemic. The effects on the wedding and hospitality industry are unprecedented. We are working closely with our couples to make decisions about when to postpone your wedding and if you need to postpone, how exactly to start.

First, it is OK to feel stressed, disappointed, frustrated, even angry about postponing your wedding. You have been pouring your heart and soul (and your money) into your wedding planning for months. It is completely normal to have all the emotions right now. So cry, yell, eat a pound of chocolate – whatever you need to do to get those negative emotions out.

When you’re ready to discuss your wedding plans, the entire wedding industry is here for you. And you are in good hands. As an industry, wedding vendors are the best at being flexible and remaining calm in sticky situations. We thrive on finding solutions quickly. As wedding planners it’s our job to proactively plan for disasters and to mitigate them before they appear. I have rescued weddings with mishaps ranging from lost rings, broken shoes, flooded venues, severe allergic reactions, fist fights, drunk family members, missing children, you name it – I’ve fixed it.  Global pandemic? We’ve got this. Trust me, there is no one better equipped for weathering a global pandemic than wedding pros.

When should I postpone my wedding?

We are closely following the CDC, California State, and local mandates about gatherings during this COVID-19 outbreak. The CDC and White House have banned gatherings of 10 plus people through March 31, while gatherings of 50 plus are banned through May 11. Some local cites, like Del Mar, CA have banned events through May 31. We are advising our couples with wedding dates through May 31 to postpone their weddings.

If your wedding date is in June, we are advising you to hold tight until the end of March and see what the revised mandates are from the CDC and State. However, if you are anxious and stressed and about your June wedding date and feel like you absolutely have to take immediate action, then move forward with your postponement plans – the wedding industry will support you.

How do I postpone my wedding?

If you are postponing your wedding, you will need to communicate with both your wedding vendors and your guests. Let’s talk about the vendors and logistics first.

1. Your Wedding Planner

If you have a wedding planner, connect with her now. She will be able to handle all of the rescheduling, payment details, changes in vendors (if necessary) and be able to advise you on how to handle guest communication. If you do not have a wedding planner, follow the steps below to postpone your wedding. If you are feeling overwhelmed at tackling the postponement process yourself, connect with a local wedding planner for help.

2. Your Wedding Venue

Your wedding venue should be your first phone call when postponing your wedding. You will need to talk with them about changing the date and any financial restrictions for a date change.

Availability – When discussing postponing your wedding with your venue, you will want to inquire about dates that are available after the restrictions on gatherings are lifted. The Fall is the most popular season for weddings in San Diego, so most Saturdays in August, September, and October may already be booked. Consider holding your wedding on a Friday or Sunday for more options. When this social distancing period is over, your wedding guests will be so happy to celebrate with you, that the day of the week won’t matter at all! Ask your venue for a few date options so you can check them with your family, wedding party, and your wedding vendors.

Deposits and Payments – If your original wedding date is within the window of the CDC and/or local gathering restrictions, you should be able to move your wedding date without financial restrictions or losing your deposit. (We can’t guarantee this, but this has been our experience with the venues so far). If your original wedding date is not within the gathering restriction window, you may be charged a fee to change your date. If you choose to cancel your venue altogether, and your original wedding date is not within the gathering restriction window, you will most likely lose your deposit and possibly any other payments made so far. You will need to read your contract with the venue and talk with them to learn their policies during this time.

3. Your Wedding Vendors

Once you have some new options for your postponed wedding date, connect with your wedding vendors for their availability. You will want to check with your vendors who can only do one wedding at a time – your officiant, your DJ or band, and your photographer and videographer – before your other vendors. (Florists, bakeries, rental companies, transportation vendors usually manage more than one event per day, so they will have more flexibility with their availability) Hopefully, most of your vendors are available on the alternate dates provided by the venue. Many other couples are in the process of rescheduling their weddings at this time, so don’t get frustrated if one of your vendors is no longer available. Most wedding vendors will be willing to refer you to another vendor who matches your style, energy and budget if they aren’t able to make your new wedding date work.

The same information about deposits and payments listed above for venues applies to your wedding vendors. If you need to cancel your contract with a vendor because they are not available on the new date, you may lose your deposit. Read through the contract you signed and talk with that vendor. Much depends on how much work has already been done and if items have already been ordered for your wedding.

4. Your New Wedding Date

Once you find a new wedding date that works for your venue, your family, wedding party and most of your vendors, you will want to lock in that date! You will want to read and sign a contract amendment for your venue and each vendor with the new date, cancellation policies, and revised payment schedules (if necessary).

Once your venue and vendors are set, it’s time to let your guests know about your new wedding date. If you have already mailed your invitations, send an email with the new details as soon as possible. Then, you can either resend RSVP cards or set up a form on your wedding web site to collect new RSVP information.

If you have not yet mailed your invitations, send a quick change of date email or card (similar to your save the date information) and then get to work creating your invitations to reflect the new wedding date.

Also, note if you already received your marriage license from San Diego County, you will need to get a new license within 90 days of your new wedding date. The license for your original wedding date is only valid for 90 days.

5. Your Wedding Planning

Social distancing does not mean your wedding planning needs to stop. Lots of your wedding planning can be done online and through zoom calls and emails with your vendors. Florists and rental companies can create style sheets for your wedding. DJs and bands can create play lists and share videos. Officiants can help with your ceremony order and your vows. Photographers can create shot lists. Do as much virtual planning as you can during this time. Schedule your in-person meetings like tastings, fittings and engagement photo sessions now so that those dates are locked in when the social distancing restrictions are lifted.

6. Your Peace of Mind

Most importantly, take care of yourself and your family during this time. Your postponed wedding may not be exactly the same as you originally planned. But you will still marry your best friend and create a beautiful life together.

If you have any questions at all about postponing your wedding, we are available via email, text or phone. Stay safe, sane and kind.

 

Uncategorized

Engaged? Do this FIRST!

Stephanie Rose Events

Congratulations, you’re engaged! Before you look at venues, try on a dress or even look at Pinterest, there is one task you absolutely need to do first. Stop all of your wedding planning. Don’t do another thing. The one, and only thing, you need to do right now is set your wedding budget. I know, it’s not very sexy, but trust me, it is everything in your wedding planning.How to set a wedding budget

Did you know that couples like you underestimate the cost of their wedding by 40 percent? 40 percent! Having a true understanding of what things cost and setting a reasonable budget, will save you from overspending and fighting about money being spent. I see it all the time. Taking the time to do your budget first, is the smartest way to happy wedding planning.

So, how do you set your wedding budget? I want you to think of a concrete amount of money that you will not consider going over. What is your breaking point? Is it $15,000? $40,000? $102,350? Every couple’s financial circumstances are different. Pick the number that is comfortable to you. That’s it. Then, you fit the wedding plans to your budget, not the other way around.

Once your budget is set, then you allocate it. In general, wedding budgets are broken out like this:

50% venue, food, cake, beverages
10% photography, videography
10% entertainment
10% flowers, decor, rentals
20% attire, transportation, stationary, favors/gifts, planner

There are no hard rules to wedding budgeting though, so if you have always dreamed of being married under a ceiling of orchids, then you would allocate more money to your flowers and decor and take that extra percentage from another category. The trick is to take any extra money needed for one category from another, so you don’t go over your total budget. Make sense? I promise if you set your budget first, your wedding planning will be much easier.

Want more San Diego wedding planning tips? Just send us a quick hello using the form below. Prefer a consultation? We always have chocolate and champagne to share!

Stephanie Rose Events is one of San Diego’s most trusted wedding planning teams. We guarantee your wedding will be exactly as you envision with every detail executed perfectly. We work with exclusive vendors to create a guest experience that is unique to you.  Do you want to stress over the details, or be a Stephanie Rose Events bride and be a guest at your own wedding? Schedule your free wedding planning consultation here.  We can’t wait to meet you!

Real Weddings, Uncategorized

Vietnamese Garden Wedding Featured on Borrow & Blue and Brown Sparrow Wedding Blogs

Stephanie Rose Events

One of our favorite weddings of the year was recently featured on two wedding blogs. Vi and Rick had a colorful multicultural wedding incorporating both Vietnamese and Mexican traditions. The couple selected the Japanese Friendship Garden for its gorgeous grounds, the colorful foliage and the spectacular ornate wooden gate that served as the ceremony backdrop. The bride wore a traditional red ao dai for the ceremony and then changed into the perfect ivory draped neckline gown. See all the colorful details here and hereNguyen_Calvos_photo.

Stephanie Rose Events is one of San Diego’s most trusted wedding planning teams. With experience planning weddings in San Diego’s best wedding venues, including Coronado, La Costa, Carlsbad, Balboa Park and Del Mar, your wedding will be exactly as you envision with every detail executed perfectly. We work with exclusive vendors to create a guest experience that is unique to you.  Do you want to stress over the details, or be a Stephanie Rose Events bride and be a guest at your own wedding? Schedule your free wedding planning consultation here.  We can’t wait to meet you!

Vendors:
Stylist and Planner: Stephanie Rose Events
Photographer: bycherry Photography
Hair & Makeup: Glam Dolls
Flowers: Flora Glamor
DJ: Choice Entertainment – Mattt Phipps
Dessert: Nomad Donuts
Caterer: Ranch Events
Venue: Japanese Friendship Garden

Catholic Weddings, Uncategorized

Catholic Weddings – Reception Directory

Stephanie Rose Events
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San Diego has some of the most beautiful Catholic parishes in the country. Unfortunately, most of the parishes do not have ample facilities to host a dinner wedding reception. Below are our favorite picks for reception venues close to your San Diego Catholic church.

pinterest-catholic-receptions

All Hallows, La Jolla
La Jolla Country Club
La Valencia Hotel

Ascension Parish, San Diego
Qualcomm Stadium
32 North Brewing Company

Blessed Sacrament Parish, San Diego
Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center
SDSU Alumni Center

Christ the King, San Diego
Moniker Warehouse
Luce Loft

Corpus Christi, Bonita
Chula Vista Golf Course
Eastlake Country Club

Founders’ Chapel (University of San Diego)
Francis Parker School
Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa
Junipero Serra Museum

Good Shepherd, San Diego
Karl Strauss Brewery Gardens
32 North Brewing Company

Guardian Angels, Santee
Carlton Oaks Country Club

Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church, San Diego
Doubletree San Diego – Mission Valley
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

Holy Family, San Diego
Riverwalk Golf Club
Francis Parker School

Holy Spirit, San Diego
Cucina Sorella
Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center

Holy Trinity, El Cajon
Crystal Ballroom
Sycuan Golf Resort

The Immaculata, University of San Diego
Francis Parker School
Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa
Junipero Serra Museum

Immaculate Conception, San Diego
The Cosmopolitan Hotel
The Abbey on 5th
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse Restaurant

Mary, Star of the Sea, La Jolla
La Valencia Hotel
Cuvier Club
Darlington House

Mater Dei, Chula Vista
The Venue at Eastlake
Otay Lakes County Park

Mission San Diego de Alcala, San Diego
Riverwalk Golf Club
Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

Mission San Luis Rey De Francia, Oceanside
Paradise Falls

Most Precious Blood, Chula Vista
The Pavilion at California Yacht Marina
San Diego Country Club

Nativity, Rancho Santa Fe
Del Mar Country Club
Rancho Valencia

Our Lady of Angels, San Diego
The New Childrens Museum
Moniker Warehouse

Our Lady of Grace, El Cajon
Mission Trails Golf Course
Carlton Oaks Country Club

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chula Vista
Pier South Resort

Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Diego
Marriott Coronado Island Resort
Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, San Diego
The Santaluz Club
Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, San Ysidro
Pier South Resort

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Lakeside
Hazy Meadow Ranch
Lakeside Community Center

Our Lady of Refuge, Pacific Beach
Catamaran Resort & Spa
Paradise Point Resort

Our Lady of the Rosary, San Diego
Marina 5 Penthouse
San Diego Maritime Museum
Residence Inn & SpringHill Suites San Diego Downtown/ Bayfront

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, San Diego
The Lafayette Hotel
The Prado at Balboa Park

Our Mother of Confidence, University City
Green Acre Campus Pointe
San Diego Marriott La Jolla

Our Mother of Perpetual Help, San Diego
Mt. Helix Park

Queen of Angels, Alpine
Campbell Creek Ranch

Resurrection, Escondido
Daley Ranch

Sacred Heart, Coronado
Coronado Island Marriott
Hotel del Coronado

Sacred Heart, Ocean Beach
The Thursday Club
Stone Brewery Liberty Station
The Brick

St. Agnes, Point Loma
Bali Hai Restaurant
Kona Kai Resort & Spa

St. Anne, San Diego
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Gold Leaf Project

St. Anthony of Padua, National City
The Pavilion at Chula Vista Marina

St. Brigid, Pacific Beach
Tower 23 Hotel
Darlington House

St. Catherine Laboure, San Diego
Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa
Francis Parker School

St. Charles Borromeo, Point Loma
The Pearl Hotel
Brick

St. Charles, San Diego
Coronado Cays Yacht Club
San Diego Country Club

St. Columba, Serra Mesa
94th Aero Squadron Restaurant
Francis Parker School

St. Didacus, San Diego
Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
Crystal Palace Banquet Hall

St. Elizabeth Seton, Carlsbad
Leo Carrillo Ranch
Park Hyatt Aviara
Omni La Costa

St. Ephrem Mission, El Cajon
Mission Trails Golf Course

St. Francis of Assisi, Vista
El Camino Country Club
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort

St. Gabriel, Poway
Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club
Maderas Golf Club

St. Gregory The Great, San Diego
Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club
Doubletree Golf Resort

St. James, Solana Beach
Lomas Santa Fe Country Club
Morgan Run Country Club
L’Auberge Del Mar

St. John of the Cross, Lemon Grove
BO-beau Kitchen & Garden

St. John The Baptizer, Ukrainian
La Mesa Community Center
Mt. Helix Park

St. John The Evangelist, Encinitas
San Diego Botanic Garden
Lux Art Institute
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

St. John The Evangelist, San Diego
San Diego Zoo
Mr. A’s Restaurant

St. Joseph Cathedral, San Diego
El Cortez Don Room
University Club atop Symphony Towers

St. Jude Shrine of the West, San Diego
San Diego Central Library
Luce Loft

St. Kieran, El Cajon
Sycuan Golf Resort

St. Louise De Marillac, El Cajon
Sycuan Golf Resort

St. Luke, El Cajon
Sycuan Golf Resort

St. Margaret, Oceanside
Shadowridge Golf Club

St. Mark, San Marcos
Twin Oaks Golf Course

St. Martin of Tours, La Mesa
La Mesa Community Center

St. Mary, Escondido
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Orfila Vineyards & Winery

St. Mary, National City
Gold Leaf Project

St. Mary Magdalene, San Diego
Soledad Club
Hilton San Diego Resort

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Oceanside
Oceanside Marina Suites

St. Maxmillian Kolbe Mission, Pacific Beach
Tower 23 Hotel
Zlac Rowing Club

St. Michael, San Diego
Sweetwater Farms
Chula Vista Golf Course

St. Michael (Chaldean), El Cajon
Sycuan Golf Resort

St. Michael, Poway
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Stoneridge Country Club

St. Patrick, San Diego
The Prado
Lafayette Hotel

St. Patrick, Carlsbad
The Crossings
The Flower Fields
Cape Rey Hilton

St. Peter (Chaldean), El Cajon
Cottonwood Golf Club

St. Pius X, Chula Vista
Swiss Park & Hall
San Diego Country Club

St. Pius X, Jamul
Steele Canyon Golf Club

St. Rita, San Diego
Gold Leaf Project

St. Rose of Lima, Chula Vista
The Pavilion at Chula Vista Marina
Swiss Park & Hall

St. Therese of Carmel, San Diego
The Santaluz Club
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar

St. Therese, San Diego
Mission Trails Golf Course
La Mesa Community Center

St. Thomas More, Oceanside
The Slate Barn & Gardens

St. Timothy, Escondido
California Center for the Arts

St. Vincent De Paul, San Diego
57 Degrees
The Abbey on 5th

San Rafael, Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Maderas Golf Club

Santa Sophia, Spring Valley
Spring Valley Community Center

Stephanie Rose Events specializes in Catholic wedding planning. We know the unique challenges of planning a Catholic wedding Mass with a dinner reception. Schedule your free wedding planning consultation here and let us help you be a guest at your own wedding or use the form below for more information.

Read more about planning your Catholic wedding here:

Catholic Weddings – Can I Get Married Outside?

Catholic Weddings – Marriage as a Sacrament

Catholic Weddings – Roles for Family & Friends

Catholic Weddings, Uncategorized

Catholic Weddings – Choosing a Reception Venue

Stephanie Rose Events

San Diego has some of the most beautiful Catholic parishes in the country. Whether your wedding will be held at the ornate Immaculata on the University of San Diego campus, the historic Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, or the gorgeous Our Lady of the Rosary, your ceremony is guaranteed to be picture perfect. Unfortunately most of the parishes do not have ample facilities to host a dinner wedding reception. You will need to select a different location than the church for your reception.JAYNE-BENSON-365

Most Catholic wedding couples assume they should select a reception location close to their church. If your reception immediately follows your ceremony,  than it is much easier for your guests to travel to a close reception venue. In that case, it makes sense to select a reception venue within a few minutes drive of the church.

But what if you have a time gap of 4 or 5 hours or more between your Catholic wedding ceremony and your reception? If there is a significant amount of time between your wedding ceremony and your reception, you can select any venue you like for your reception. Some guests may elect to only attend the ceremony or the reception. We do recommend selecting a hotel for out of town guests that is close to the reception venue, regardless of where your ceremony venue is located.

Catholic Wedding Planning Tips:

  • Reuse your ceremony decor at your reception. Altar floral arrangements can be placed on either side of your sweetheart table and aisle decor can be reused as centerpieces or to accessorize your cake table.
  • Ask your florist to transport your flowers from the  church to the reception venue after your ce
    remony and church photos are complete.
  • Print the name and address of the reception venue on your ceremony programs or on small cards at the church exit so guests can easily find their next location.

Stephanie Rose Events specializes in Catholic wedding planning. We know the unique challenges of planning a Catholic wedding Mass with a dinner reception. Schedule your free wedding planning consultation here and let us help you be a guest at your own wedding.

Real Weddings

Watercolor Wedding Photo Shoot

Stephanie Rose Events

It all started with the shoes. I spied these glorious Kate Spade watercolor pumps and knew I had to use them in my next wedding inspiration photo shoot. A watercolor wedding has limitless possibilities for color and texture and movement. I decided to focus on watercolor as art and incorporated frames into the design. Flowers by Coley installed the centerpiece bridge that allowed us to hang several vintage frames that created a living art gallery at the table. cliftonphotography-12cliftonphotography-47cliftonphotography-43cliftonphotography-22cliftonphotography-74Each place setting featured a white or gold frame with vintage white and blush plates. The perfect watercolor  table linen was provided by La Tavola. Colorful menus also carried the watercolor theme.

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The place card table held gorgeous framed flowers – truly a work of art! The place cards were painted with water colors and hung from paint brushes that topped champagne glasses. To keep with the watercolor theme, each champagne glass was topped with a colorful swirl of cotton candy.cliftonphotography-90cliftonphotography-95

Stephanie Rose Events is one of San Diego’s most creative wedding planning teams. With experience planning weddings in San Diego’s best wedding venues, including Coronado, La Costa and Del Mar, your wedding will be exactly as you envision with every detail executed perfectly. We work with exclusive vendors to create a guest experience that is unique to you.  Do you want to stress over the details, or be a Stephanie Rose Events bride and be a guest at your own wedding? Schedule your free wedding planning consultation here.  We can’t wait to meet you!

Our amazing vendor team:

Photography: Clifton Photography

Flowers: Flowers by Coley

Chairs: Raphael’s Party Rentals

Linens: La Tavola

Frames, Plates and Glassware: Archive Vintage Rentals

Menus and Stationary: Take Note! Creations

Macarons: La Reine des Macarons

Venue: Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Design and Coordination: Stephanie Rose Events

Real Weddings, Uncategorized

Garden Wedding at Cape Rey Carlsbad

Stephanie Rose Events

This garden wedding at Cape Rey Carlsbad was filled with sweet little details. The bridal bouquet, boutonniere and centerpieces, created by Franco’s Flowers, all contained a mixture of seasonal blooms and succulents.

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The ceremony aisle in the garden was lined with photos of the bride and groom in chronological order from childhood to adults to depict their journey to their wedding day. 170_0628_ejb171_0629_ejb

The huppah was handmade by the groom’s brother and lovingly delivered from Colorado. The eucalyptus décor was the perfect addition. 198_0735_ejb003_0922_ejb

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio overlooking a stunning San Diego sunset and ocean views.253_1271_ejb

Guests’ seating cards were displayed in potted succulents adorned with Scrabble pieces, to signify the couple’s favorite game.258_1266_ejb

Keeping with the San Diego theme, tables were named for the couple’s favorite local hangouts. 256_1256_ejb

Guests went home with handmade sweet treats, lovingly made by the groom’s family. 263_1289_ejb264_1290_ejbThe cake was simple and elegant decorated with purple roses and a custom cake topper.

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All of the memories were captured by the amazing team from Sutography Weddings. 304_1501_ejb

Stephanie Rose Events is one of San Diego’s best wedding planning teams. With experience planning weddings in San Diego’s best wedding venues, including Coronado, La Costa, Carlsbad, and Del Mar, your wedding will be exactly as you envision with every detail executed perfectly. We work with exclusive vendors to create a guest experience that is unique to you.  Do you want to stress over the details, or be a Stephanie Rose Events bride and be a guest at your own wedding? Schedule your free wedding planning consultation here.  We can’t wait to meet you!

Vendors:
Stylist and Planner: Stephanie Rose Events
Photographer: Sutography Weddings
Hair & Makeup: Secret Salon
Flowers: Franco’s Flowers
DJ: Cloud 9 Entertainment
Cake: VG Donut & Bakery
Officiant: Rabbi Ian
Venue: Cape Rey Carlsbad

Real Weddings

Catholic Military Wedding Part 2

Stephanie Rose Events

Thank you to Russell John Films for allowing us to share this gorgeous Catholic, military wedding. The amazing vendor team:
 Stylist and Planner: Stephanie Rose Events
Photographer: Brett Butterstein Photography
Videography: Russell John Films
Hair & Makeup: Socal Hair and Makeup
Flowers: FloralWorks & Events
DJ: San Diego DJ & Video
Cake: Twiggs Bakery
Transportation: Elite Image Limousine
Stationary: Take Note! Creations
Venue: Immaculata & Bali Hai Restaurant 

Stephanie Rose Events is one of San Diego’s most respected wedding planning teams. With experience planning Catholic and military weddings in San Diego’s best wedding venues, including Coronado, La Costa and Del Mar, your wedding will be exactly as you envision with every detail executed perfectly. We work with exclusive vendors to create a guest experience that is unique to you.  Do you want to stress over the details, or be a Stephanie Rose Events bride and be a guest at your own wedding? Schedule your free wedding planning consultation here.  We can’t wait to meet you!