The Abbey Blog

By now you’ve probably read through tons of bridal magazines and seen over 100 episodes of “Say Yes to the Dress,” now you’re an expert on wedding dresses. However, here are a few things to think about:

• Shopping for your wedding dress with your close friends and family should be a part of the fun and joy of the wedding planning process, so it might be nice to wait for them until you begin. However, if you have time, it definitely doesn’t hurt to start looking at styles and designs so you know exactly what you’re looking for when you begin shopping.

• Styles for Fall and Winter weddings generally come out in April of each year, whereas styles for Spring and Summer generally come out in October, so if you want to keep with the season and style, then waiting until the appropriate time may be the right choice.

• On the flip side, sometimes wedding salons have amazing sales that can’t be passed up. One of my brides found out about a salon in Beverly Hills that was going out of business and had the type of designers and dresses she was looking for. She managed to purchase three different dresses she loved for the budget she was going to spend on one!

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Imagine yourself in a dream….you are on an island nestled away in a lagoon tucked in beautiful lush marshes that meanders out to the ocean.  Breath taking views scents of the glistening ocean, and the sounds of seagulls above whisk you away to Nantucket while you are in beautiful Southern California, Carlsbad.  This estate’s venue of Contemporary Modern meets the romantic getaway is the perfect location to have a beautiful and elegant wedding.

Chris and Sara are such a beautiful couple in mind and spirit that being such an important part of their wedding made it so much more than work, but as if I was part of the experience.  Every once in a while, you come across, such a joyful couple, that have such wonderful friends and family that once the wedding is over it feels like you were there during the whole journey.

From the minute I met the lovely couple I was brought in with open arms and was welcomed into their world of a new partnership.  Sara came in with a vision and a dream and I and my team from The Abbey were able to make her fairytale come true under the twinkling lights in the patio nestled among the trees.  We created such an intimate setting lit by candle votives, beautiful flowers, and sumptuous food that no one could resist or forget.  We set off the evening by having beautiful red cabbage bowls as our vessel for our most delicious Abbey salad.  This beautiful presentation was pre-set on the tables that all you saw were splashes of reds, greens, and purples.  These artful presentations were in place of party favors.  Dressing up the table with nature’s vibrant colors against the beautiful centerpieces gave the table such vibrancy of color and allure, and not to mention great taste.

The food, need I mention, was so delicious.  The presented buffet boasted such a beautiful romantic scene that came right of a romance novel.  The candles, gems, and silver adorned branches, glistening colors of purples, reds, and blues from the flowers from the arch from the ceremony, was presented on the buffet station where our chefs served the guests.  They were presented with a duo of succulent slow braised short ribs and a beautiful Jidori chicken drizzled with an herb white wine sauce.  Accompanying this outstanding entrée were delicious sides of our famous truffle cream cheese mashed potatoes and ever so fresh blanched broccoli from our local farmer’s.

The second half of the evening, where the party let loose and everyone talked about the young couple after watching their amazing slideshow out under the twinkling trees is how the rest of the evening took place.  The main room was light by beautiful lights, candles everywhere, and the Dj pumping out their favorite tunes.  It felt liked you were plucked out of the Limelight in New York where it was one of the premier night clubs of NY’s past.  Everyone participated in the union of 2 loving people.  Smiles filled the room, conversations of memories of the couple, and traditions of the couple’s ancestry were shared amongst each other.  Congratulations Sara and Chris from The Abbey staff and me.

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Don’t let the name of this place fool you:  hailing as a “contemporary art museum for families,” let your inner child and imagination run wild when planning your next event and host it at the contemporary New Children’s Museum in Downtown San Diego.  Although the venue may have the word “children” attached to it, it’s sharp and modern architecture,  hands-on exhibits for all ages, and the venue’s unique characteristics really lends itself to any type of reception, be it a corporate function or an elegant wedding.

I was completely blown away by NCM’s current exhibition, “Trash,” comprised of amazing and thought-provoking pieces from 12 artists, like the fully-functional rock wall made from recycled cardboard and plastic.  And I really appreciate the exhibition’s mission to change how we see trash, by challenging us to ask more questions and changing our perspective on the subject and how to address issues surrounding it.  As the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
The museum has three levels of interactive event space, with a total capacity of up to 1,000 guests for a standing reception and up to 620 guests for a seated dinner.  For more intimate affairs, the main level can be broken into sections so guests don’t feel too far apart.  Unique photo opportunities are endless in this venue, with most of the exhibits and rooms serving as perfect photo backdrops.  You can also hire an in-house chalk artist to create some art on the museum’s huge box-like chalkboard, like an elaborate image for a photo backdrop or something as simple as a logo and seating chart.

Two patios can serve as an outdoor cocktail reception or even wedding ceremony site.  For those that want a little more green, a small park across the street can also be permitted for a ceremony.

For more information, contact any of The Abbey Catering’s Event Consultants at (888) 238-0949.

Schedule a walk-through with us today

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During your special day, your bridesmaids and groomsmen favor and indulge you, they actually jump through hoops to make sure everything, from the bridal shower and bachelor party to the receiving of the rings and the throwing of the bouquet, is an absolute success.  As the tradition goes with newlyweds you are supposed to show your appreciation for all of your friends’ lovely and hard work with a gift to remember so they will never forget this very special day.

When it comes to Shopping for affordable gifts of remarkable quality — it can be quite a chore, especially when your getting closer and closer to the main event. So what do you suppose would make great gifts for the bride’s maids and groom’s men?  Something electronic perhaps, something stylish maybe, a spa treatment, bath kits, candles, jewelry, money clips, stylized stationary – engraved of course.

For the wonderfully alluring ladies, a locket guarantees to attract attention as it dangles from your neck.  While gentleman, just imagine how zoot suit you’d look with a genuine mechanical pocket watch twirling in your hands, pocket watches used to be a thing of the past but they are slowly gaining in popularity, plus its something you can decide to pass on as an heirloom.  Both are beautiful and ingenious, pocket watches have long since been held as a classic and notes a sense of style and sophistication while a locket can be the most remarkble item one owns with an endearing keepsake and memory inside.  Cool, classy, and uniquely traditional. Consider as a bride and groom how surprised and happy your bridesmaids and groomsmen might be for a gift that literally stands the test of time.

This is our area of expertise, why not let us cook up some new ideas you could use?

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You’re still gushing over how your new fiancé proposed and stunned by the beautiful stone on your finger. But now you have to start the actual planning of your wedding day, which can be an overwhelming and daunting task.

You can approach these important decisions with confidence by selecting an All-Inclusive Package through The Abbey Catering & Event Design Company, and here is why:

1) You can take advantage of our consultant’s free wedding knowledge and experience. Pick our brains and find exactly what you’re looking for based on your vision for your wedding day.
2) We include a day-of wedding coordinator: With the all-inclusive package, you have the service of one of The Abbey’s professional and veteran day-of wedding coordinators to take care of all the little details to ensure your day is as special and worry-free as can be!
3) Choose from a list of 17 professional vendors and other amenities to complement your wedding day: Choose from our list of amazing and talented photographers, videographers, DJs, florists and cakeries, or other unique options like a state-of the art photobooth and a luxury limo service.
4) You won’t find a better value in town: We contract with the best vendors in San Diego and receive 50-75% off their regular rates, in turn passing on the savings to you! They are not only accountable to you as a client, but they are accountable to us as well.
5) No hidden service fees: For our all-inclusive package clients, we waive the typical service fee that most catering companies charge. We also never charge a cake cutting or cake service fee or a corkage fee.

For five more reasons contact one of our consultants today.

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Lovebirds at the La Jolla Cove Suites

Working in the Wedding Industry is a true gift. A few months back I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a couple who have found themselves a special place in my heart. Lynn and Greg have great energy and a sense of humor that made my experiance with them validate everything I do. As an Event Coordinator, I am the first point-of contact at the Abbey. I listen and guide my Brides & Grooms into the direction that is best for them. After their reservation, our couples are introduced to our In-House Coordinator until their Wedding Coordinator is assisgned. We work in conjunction to ensure there is a support struct in place to exceed all expectations. Throughout the process with Lynn & Greg, they constantly kept me laughing and hopefully I reciprocated approriately:) I had the distinct pleasure of being invited as a guest to their day and yes, I was there. It was a tremendous joy to witness these two very special people enjoy a picture perfect day at the La Jolla Cove Suites.

Thank you Lynn & Greg -
you both are the reason I do, what I do.

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Are you in the mood to rock around the clock? Host a sock hop party! Gather your friends and roll up your jeans. A 50s sock hop can be a great party theme that gets everyone involved and on the dance floor. That’s exactly what Ascent Reality did for their Holiday Party at The Cuvier Club.  The T-Birds and the Pink Ladies were present as they twisted the night away.  “Grease is the Word”!

Grease was the word as the movie “Grease” was played throughout the night to really put everyone in the mood.  It was a great way for people to take a break from the sock hop and enjoy the movie projected on the wall like you were at the drive-in.  Guys with their greased back hair and white shirt with rolled up sleeves and the ladies with cat eyed rimmed glasses and pony tails were dancing to the dj rockin’ tunes and to a live performer (dance, instructor/singer) who looked like a cross between Marilyn Monroe and Sandy from Grease.  What an amazing voice she had and she was very beautiful as well.

Betsy Adams and her co-workers were in the Christmas spirit as “Danny and Sandy” got down to yester years’ past tunes and had a wonderful feast of food and spirits.  Appetizers that were tray passed included: coconut shrimp, meatball skewers, and Margherita pizza. On top of that, they enjoyed dining on 4 different stations of food.  There was a Sliders Bar & Gourmet Mac-n-cheese station with all the fixings. Let’s also not forget the “shaken, not stirred” Salad Bar.  For dessert, this event through its guests back to a vintage era of non computers and innocent fun by having The Floats Bar, complete with different sodas, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup.

Happy Holidays to Team Ascent from everyone at The Abbey.  Thank you to taking us back to an era of fun and laughter and transforming The Abbey to a 50’s dinner, drive-in movie theme.

Discuss with us what fresh trend you could start.  

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It was a beautiful clear crisp day where after months of planning and organizing the royal court for Joy Lomahan and Noah Silva had their ceremony amongst the royal court of 150 admiring guests at The Cuvier Club. At 2:30pm Joy and Noah wed on December 2, 2011. Colors of cobalt blue, black and white swirls and charcoal grey splashed the romantic, intimate and personal wedding where all the guests felt at home. The flowers were art to me. They looked like they were picked from a magical garden. The blues drew from the color of the ocean and the reds of a Royal Court.

Joy and I wanted to plan a wedding where 150 guests would feel like they were of royalty, but yet comfortable and at home. So listening to the bride’s ideas and with the collaboration of my ideas, we were able to have a posh reception in the main ballroom of the beautiful Cuvier Club under the strings of lights that hanged from above bringing a feel of an old world Italian setting a fresco. The mix of 16 tables of decadent linens; alternating colors and flower; different textiles and stationary’s; accents of lights and candle light; brought excitement to the dinner party. Every table became a part of the celebration. After working so many wedding, I am able to offer many ideas and styles to bring any wedding to the next level and make it always unique for each bride.

The food…amazing of course! Instead of as sit down dinner, we planned to have the guests be a part of the experience and we created 4 stations of presented meals. The court was able to choose the personalization of a the Abbey Salad, the char grilled chicken station with gorgonzola cream sauce and seasoned grilled vegetables, or the slow cooked braised short ribs with garlic cream cheese mashed potatoes. The fourth station was created for the vegetarians where they had portabella mushroom ravioli. However, I made the fourth station extra special for the newlyweds special guests of the royal court, the ring bearers and the flower girls. We created this station for the kids to be part of the wedding too. . The fourth station was created for the vegetarians where they had portabella mushroom ravioli. However, I made the fourth station extra special for the newlyweds special guests of the royal court, the ring bearers and the flower girls. We created this station for the kids to be part of the wedding too. You could see that they were excited to be part of the experience. As having the chosen to have an all inclusive wedding package, the beautiful couple chooses to have a Euro coffee bar that offered unique lattes and cappuccino’s as one of their options. It set a tone of refinement and it complimented the extensive dessert bar which had cupcakes, cookies, candies, and more. The foods of the night were fir for a king and queen.

As the night came to an end, Joy and Noah, family and friends, experienced a warm and breathe taking conclusion of sparklers to conclude the fairy tale wedding. The young couple departed to start their new life together.

Congratulations Joy and Noah Silva!

To get five more reasons contact one of our consultants today.

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After months of planning, Christmas came for Kristina Schulz and the company she works for, T.Y. Lin International Group.  Decisions were to be made, and the stockings were hung and all of The Abbey’s helpers were there in order to make wishes of celebrating a year of prosperity and good fortune.

The North Pole of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park is a place for history and memory.  And as we all know, San Diego lacks the traditional feeling of a wintery Christmas in a perfect climate.  So San Diego gets into a Holiday spirit by kicking off the season in Balboa Park.  Where they are having a grand celebration in San Diego, a two night extravaganza – where close to 300,000 people come to Balboa Park for the December Nights to celebrate with food, music, and numerous events the park offers.  The season continues throughout the month with Balboa Park hosting numerous holiday parties and events.

The Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), founded in 1983, possesses an international reputation of excellence through its presentation of high quality exhibitions, lectures, publications and films.  A museum without walls since 1972, MOPA became what it is today when the City of San Diego donated a 7,000-square-foot, custom-designed space in the Casa de Balboa Building in Balboa Park.

MOPA has one of the largest photography publication collections in the country

and is a one-of-a-kind destination for scholars, researchers and professional photographers. Having a Christmas party at MOPA is a great way to make memories and using San Diego’s finest A-List Catering Company, The Abbey Catering Company to create the layout is the way to go.  We offer nothing but impeccable service, a cheerful attitude, and first class service that will make any holiday party a hit. Happy Holidays to Kristina and T.Y. Lin International Group! Being the Senior Event Captain and being the perfectionist that I am, you will always have a perfect celebration for any occasion.  All the details and objectives that Kristina wanted for her company were met and then exceeded.  I was able to give her ideas and suggestions for their night to be both a happy and delicious one.  The food, appetizers, and 3 course meal were sumptuous and 5 stars.  The elaborate display of desserts and coffee were stunning and exuded a feeling of celebration.  All of this happened in the main lobby of MOPA and the guests were able to wander through the museum and have a memorable night.

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For those boys and girls who ended up on Santa’s “Naughty” list this year, Yelp San Diego hosted their annual XXX-Mas Party at The Cuvier Club on December 12 for Elite Yelpers, and the party definitely made a few elves blush and giggle.

Yelpers enjoyed a plethora of delights and activities throughout the evening, including a hosted bar and delectable appetizers provided by The Abbey Catering. With a signature vodka cocktail in hand, guests were able to sample and raved about such treats as juicy chicken satay skewers with a Thai peanut sauce, thick and meaty beef sliders, crispy coconut-crusted golden shrimp with a sweet Thai aioli, and vegetable fritters with a roasted garlic horseradish cream sauce.

Since it was a Christmas party with a sinful twist, Yelpers came dressed (or undressed) in all sorts of costumes, as anything from naughty Santa girls to Christmas-inspired flashers. To capture the imaginative costumes, The Abbey Catering’s state-of-the-art photobooth was on hand all night, so guests had a photo keepsake of the evening and were even able to post their shenanigans on Facebook from the photobooth. In true Yelp fashion, those who “checked in” to the party received a free Yelp watch and Yelp koozies (one of my favorite items).

With a little liquid courage, Yelpers got the place all steamed up (literally), by shaking their groove thing in the main banquet hall while DJ Connor rocked the beats. Before the end of the evening, several lucky Yelpers won some amazing raffle prizes donated by The Cuvier Club and The Abbey Catering. Some guests with the best costumes won an intimate dinner for two provided by The Abbey Catering. Others won weekend getaways for a Las Vegas strip penthouse, with the grand prize being a one week’s stay in a beautiful Puerto Vallarta villa.

All in all, The Cuvier Club and The Abbey Catering had an amazing time with Yelp San Diego and the party proved boys and girls on the “Naughty” list have way more fun!

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