A final glimpse at more of my favorite photos!

Photography by David Crane Photography

All the best to the bride and groom and their lovely new family!

The Vendors

Venue: Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa - Debra Ayala
Photography: David Crane Photography - David Crane
Florist: Flowers Forever - Paula
Cake: Heide Rogers
Guitarist: Classical Guitar featuring Miles Monyier
DJ: Smith Sounds - Jeremy Smith
Favors: The Cookie Chew - Liz Chou
Coordinator: Bellini Events - Alicia Garcia

Time for the party! Mike and Roxanne’s friends and family really knew how to have a good time!  Here are some glimpses of the decor elements of the reception.  For their table assignments, they used album covers instead of table numbers!

Photography by David Crane Photography

Weddings are a celebration and these folks celebrated like champs!  I love the photo of Mike and Roxanne dancing (her feet are off the ground)…SO cute!  And I especially love the photo of the little girl standing at the doorway…. unbelievably adorable and a great shot by David Crane Photography.

Photography by David Crane Photography

Tomorrow I will post a collection of other fave photos from the wedding!

The Vendors

Venue: Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa - Debra Ayala
Photography: David Crane Photography - David Crane
Florist: Flowers Forever - Paula
Cake: Heide Rogers
Guitarist: Classical Guitar featuring Miles Monyier
DJ: Smith Sounds - Jeremy Smith
Favors: The Cookie Chew - Liz Chou
Coordinator: Bellini Events - Alicia Garcia

Mike and Roxanne had a very lovely story.  They were great friends throughout high school, but afterwards they had gone their separate ways.  Then one day, they managed to find their way back to each other (thanks to the power of the internet).  To hear Mike talk about Roxanne and their kids is something special.

Photography by David Crane Photography

Not only did Mike have his vows for his lovely bride, but he also prepared “vows” for the two kids. This had to have been one of the most touching moments I’ve ever seen. I don’t think there was a dry eye to be found.

Photography by David Crane Photography

More to come tomorrow!

The Vendors

Venue: Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa - Debra Ayala
Photography: David Crane Photography - David Crane
Florist: Flowers Forever - Paula
Cake: Heide Rogers
Guitarist: Classical Guitar featuring Miles Monyier
DJ: Smith Sounds - Jeremy Smith
Favors: The Cookie Chew - Liz Chou
Coordinator: Bellini Events - Alicia Garcia

I had the joy of helping Mike and Roxanne realize their wedding dreams at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort back in May of this year.  This was a really special wedding for me because I work with Mike on a regular basis for my corporate events.  So being able to help him and his lovely bride was truly an honor.  And after hearing all the great stories about him and Roxanne (and the way he sweetly talks about her) I couldn’t wait for the big day!

After going through all the wonderful photos from David Crane Photography, I had too many that I loved!  So there will be multiple posts of this wedding!

Today, we start with details prior to the ceremony!

His

Mike and Roxanne’s son is perhaps the cutest Best Man I have ever seen!  And had it not been for the lovely bride, we would have stolen the show!

Photography by David Crane Photography

Hers

Seeing a bride on her wedding day as excited as Roxanne was, is always refreshing!  She was exuberant, happy and such a joy to work with!

Photography by David Crane Photography

The Vendors

Venue: Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa - Debra Ayala
Photography: David Crane Photography - David Crane
Florist: Flowers Forever - Paula
Cake:  Heide Rogers
Guitarist:  Classical Guitar featuring Miles Monyier
DJ:  Smith Sounds - Jeremy Smith
Favors: The Cookie Chew - Liz Chou
Coordinator: Bellini Events - Alicia Garcia

We live in San Diego and have some of the best beaches in Southern California.  Its only natural that people would want to get married at the beach!  There are some things to consider though:

Courtesy of HereComestheGuide.com

• Permits: You have to get permits to reserve any of the public spaces in San Diego.  That grassy knoll at the Embarcadero south of Seaport Village…permit required.  La Jolla Cove Park…permit required.  Beaches surrounding Mission Bay…permit required.  Do your homework.  Permits are not that costly, but if you don’t have one, then someone can rain on your parade the day of your wedding.
• Parking: Living in San Diego, we all know how difficult parking at the beach can be.  Make sure you’ve picked an are where you can reserve a parking lot.  Your guests will appreciate it!
• Setup: Are you going to have chairs on the sand?  If so, make sure you discuss this with your rental company.  Walking in sand can be difficult and then having to haul chairs on top of that can be even more so.  Some rental companies will charge extra for the setup simply because of the extra manpower needed.
• Music: Live Acoustic is the easiest way to go.  Why?  Because a DJ or amplified group of musicians will need speakers and power.  And you’re not likely to find an electrical outlet in the sand.  So if you decide to go with a DJ or amplified group, then make sure they know the setup and how much extension cord they will need.  There is a possibility you will need a generator if there is no power source nearby.
• Sand: It will get everywhere!  So make sure your guests know about the ceremony in the sand.  You can even supply sandals for anyone that may have forgotten!  Put them in a beach bucket and you’re set!
• Wind: It may be windy.  Very windy!  If you intend to have programs for your guests, don’t put them on the chairs or a table.  Have someone handing them out to guests as they arrive.  And if you DO place them on individual chairs, then use shells or river rocks to weigh them down.
• Bathrooms: Our fine city does the best they can with maintaining the public restrooms along the beach.  And while your beach-side wedding ceremony may only last 20 minutes, your guests will probably be there around an hour.  Do you really intend to have your Great Aunt Susie use the public potty?  If you have children, older adults, or a large party then you may want to see what your options are for a portable restroom.  I don’t mean the plastic Andy Gumps that don’t flush!  Portable restrooms can be as nice as your own home bathroom.  Its worth looking into if only to make your friends and family feel more comfortable.
• The Bride’s entrance: It is meant to be a climactic moment.  In theory, the doors swing open and there’s the bride!  Stunning, radiant and beautiful!  The crowd oohs, aahs and sighs and the groom tears up.  It becomes anti-climactic when the bride has to walk in plain sight for 3 minutes before she reaches the aisle.  Consider creating space.  Talk to your rental company about what options you have for pipe and drape or sections of trellis.  You may not literally have doors to enter from, but you can still create an environment that will allow you to make an entrance!

There are venues around San Diego that have beach areas for your wedding, the Hotel del Coronado comes to mind.  But for those of you thinking outside the box, these are definitely things you want to keep in mind as you plan your day!