I adore cupcakes… they’re like a delightful piece of your childhood come back to life!  So I actively seek out cupcakerys with quality fare.  I also adore cupcakes in miniature!  Just as tasty, but less guilt… although I tend to eat three to four mini cupcakes which is the same as one large cupcake….but I digress.

San Diego Style Weddings Photoshoot - Photos by San Diego Wedding Candids

In Los Angeles I have a favorite cupcakery, so I have been in search of a favorite San Diego Cupcakery.  Sweet Cheeks Baking Company is at the top of the list!

I first tried a Sweet Cheeks cupcake at a networking meeting for the San Diego Association of Bridal Consultants… it was a Red Velvet Mini.  I was intrigued by the tasty cupcake made from the BEST ingredients.  When you go to their website this is what you’ll find:

Mom used to make us eat cookies with oats and nuts, wheat germ and whole wheat flour…
We thought she was nuts herself, but as we’ve grown up, we recognize the need to introduce wholesome ingredients in our baked goods.
Using NO transfats or artificial ingredients, we incorporate the best of whole fresh eggs, whole wheat flour, flaxseed & wheat germ, fruits & nuts, and top quality purees & chocolates.

So not only do these sweet treats TASTE good but they are also GOOD for you!  (okay, that may be a stretch….but I’m trying to justify my vice here!)

I actually called up the Sweet Cheeks ladies in July of last year for help with a photoshoot my friend and I were working on.  We were designing a tabletop and wanted to used a boxed cupcake as the favor.  However our color scheme was black and raspberry pinks with a hint of lime green.  Not exactly colors used to entice one to food.  But Sweet Cheeks came through for us beautifully!  They delivered Blackout Chocolate Cupcakes with a perfectly pink frosting which we boxed up in clear boxes with a lime green ribbon.  We could not have been happier!  And it photographed wonderfully!

And recently, at another party I tried their Chewy Chocolate Cheeks which are like fudgey-browine-cakey morsels….YUMMY!!  I think I actually chased the server down to get another one.

The Wedding Luncheon - Photos by Barnett Photo

But, they do more than cupcakes!  For The Special Event’s Wedding Luncheon at the Hard Rock Hotel they did a full wedding cake which was both beautiful and interesting.

And on a recent visit, I walked into their kitchen (which smells like delight and happiness) and they informed me they had been baking banana nut bread and cheesecake that morning!

Elaine (the Right Cheek) and Donna (the Left Cheek) at Sweet Cheeks are such a delight to work with, do such an excellent job, and have such a passion for what they do.  It is quite a treat to work with them.

Sweet Cheeks Baking Company
4564 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Suite A*
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 285-1220
*This is their kitchen and offices…there is no storefront at the moment but we are eagerly awaiting that day!

Bohemian as a style is all about bold colors, ethnic infused patterns, and an eclectic taste!  With this in mind I pulled together ideas for a Bohemian inspired wedding.  Tell me what think!

Bohemian Chic Wedding Style

From Top Left

The Table: Go for long tables with a bold color scheme.  It creates a more relaxed and fun ambiance as well as a family dinner type feel!  Photo found on Merriment Design

Votive Holders: These copper votive candle holders are fantastic!  The design can be anything from abstract to Moroccan!  The “everything - everyday” quality is most certainly bohemian.  Found at Urban Outfitters

The Bouquet: Bold Colors and Interesting Textures!  The joy of a bohemian look is the freedom to mix and match. . .you can do multiple shades of one color then add in a dash of something completely different!  Photo by Davies + Starr - Published Summer 2006 by New York Magazine

The Champagne Flutes: This color is both bold and natural.  Its like the flute was cute from a gemstone.  The tone blends beautifully with rich colors on a tabletop!  Found at Anthropologie

The Wedding Dress: This dress by Lazaro has a simple beauty which is perfect for a Bohemian Chic bride.  Paired with long free flowing hair it makes a beautiful statement about the elegance of simplicity!  Found on Brides.com

More Votives: These red fleur de lis glasses are so much fun!  These glasses come in a variety of colors but the red makes such a statement and are extremely versatile.  Use them as votive holders and alternate with the copper votive holder for a truly eclectic look!  Found at Anthropologie

The Jewelry: Don’t be afraid to be an individual!  This Gerard Yosca Butterfly Pearl Collar Necklace & Earring Set is funky without be overly done or too far out in left field.  Paired with a joyfully simple dress and hair creates a unique look!  Found on Avelle

The Bridesmaid Dress: Don’t go mainstream!  Anything called a bridesmaid dress will probably not capture that free flowing bohemian feel.  This Nicole Miller dress captures that Bohemian essence like nothing else!  Found at Nicole Miller

The Decor: Use a statement piece to tie everything together…like this chandelier!  (I have thing a for chandeliers)  Its fun and colorful with a slight vintage quality to it.   Found at Anthropologie

Baby Showers, Bar Mitzvahs, Quinceneras, Weddings, Anniversaries. . . those are all life events and times to celebrate.  As somber as the loss of a loved one can be, it can also be a time to celebrate the life they led and share those memories….hence the name Memorial Service.  It is a time to gather with friends and family and embrace the memories of your loved one.

We recently had the honor of helping a family plan the memorial service for the family patriarch.  This family man chose to raise his family in San Diego as opposed to his native Boston.  However, many of his children (now adults) found themselves in various parts of the country and there was still a rather large contingent of family on the East Coast.  This situation prompted the family to hold two services: one in San Diego and the other in Boston.

With all the grief that accompanies the passing of such a loved family member, it can be difficult to plan the service…let alone two.  So the family sought us out to assist them with the plans they had for the San Diego memorial service.  It was a small gathering of 50 people at the father’s home, which contained photos and awards from his days in the service as a boxer as well as photos dating as far back as the turn of the century.  It was quite humbling to be in the presence of a such a well documented family history.

Because the family hired us as well as a professional caterer to assist them, they were able to focus their attention on each other, the memories, and the stories of their dearly departed.  It was very special to hear this man’s children tell stories of growing up in that home.  They told a story of how the ducks come around every year (much like the swallows in San Juan Capistrano), go door to door searching for food and knocking on the doors with their beaks until you feed them.  Its a memory special to that family and that home that we were honored to partake in.  And when the ducks showed up at the doorstep on that very day the family, friends and neighbors all gathered around to talk to the ducks and share their own special memories.  I cannot say enough how humbled and honored we were to help this family.

Once upon a time matchbooks were one of the standard wedding favors.  You would get them in a primary color and have gold or silver foil type embossed along with a design of wedding bells.  Those days are gone (and thank goodness!) and the matchbook’s chic and modern cousin is taking center stage.  Let me introduce you to the Matchbox!

Chic & Modern Matchboxes from ForYourParty.com

Now, as a non-smoker the need for matches is not always immediate. But I should tell you that whenever I need to light a candle, what do I look for….matches!

Top Row Left to Right
Chandelier Matchbox Design by Cid Pear
Antoinette Matchbox Design by Hello! Lucky
Amelie Matchbox Design by Delphine
Coral Matchbox Design by Cid Pear
Flower Burst Matchbox Design by Cid Pear
Honeysuckle Matchbox Design by Hello! Lucky

Its a very common practice these days.  You complete a wedding registry and the store you’ve registered at is kind enough to give you cards to include with your invitations so that your guests will know exactly where to go.  The convenience is brilliant!  But, not so fast!  It is actually a faux pas to include registry information with your formal wedding invitations.  The perception is that by including your registry information, you are setting an expectation that a gift is “required.”  Now, we know that’s not what you’re saying, but all the same it is not entirely appropriate.  So, then what are you to do?  You don’t want to field calls about where you’re registered, but you would rather not do anything considered rude or inappropriate.  Here are your two best options:

• Inform your closest family and friends of where you are registered and ask them to relay the information to anyone that asks.
• For your invitations, include a card directing guests to your wedding website for more details and information on the wedding (including accommodations, directions, etc)

Now, the etiquette police won’t be knocking down your door if you decide to go ahead and include your registry details with your invitations.  However, do keep in mind that proper etiquette does say its a no-no!

Happy Monday!