Although with a lot of creativity and love the wedding took place at the beautiful and historic Thursday Club in Point Loma. Built in 1928, The Thursday Club is known for being one of San Diego’s beautiful and historical landmarks. This charming old Mission style house is located on the California coast with a panoramic ocean view. The grounds include an elegant garden path, which adds to the ambiance of any event.  It is here that Cecilia, in a sophisticated and stunning laced wedding gown, seemed to step out from the latest pages of Brides Magazine, accompanied by her ever so handsome husband, Scott.  With the help of her bride’s maids, her wedding coordinator Sharon Cole, and Event Planner Jaime Soto Jr. They were able to bring to life a modern vision rooted in an era of eloquence and chivalry and still bringing a fresh and modern twist to it. Originally from the Victorian Era, the fan bouquet became popular in the 1980’s.  This type of bridal bouquet is traditionally made with fancy lace and a bouquet of flowers, covering the fan and conforming to the arc.   The Kopchinsky’s avoided the drudges of an old-fashioned wedding by using thick paper to create fans adorned with more ornate papers.  They also had handmade coasters with origami flowers of different colors.  Birch wood branches to hold the dangling fans aloft throughout the room bringing sensitivity and ease.  It made one of those secretly prized and understated statements. More and more brides now a day are giving up traditional wedding planning and opting for a green wedding. Green weddings utilize all the perfections of modern day recycling. Some common options often chosen are the recycling invitations, letters, wood and papers – giving purpose to old items turning them into beautiful favors, table number plaques, and other décor.  Their use of vintage paper at their eco friendly wedding gave that extra sense of style.  And now this vintage theme seems to be taking over as 2012 comes around! Their entire theme was completed by the standing stained glass windows that surrounded the main ballroom and the vintage light fixtures, wall sconces, and ornate crown molding.  The guests were captivated in every sensory aspect from the feel of the décor to the taste of the food.  They chose a pre-set salad made of rustic tomato with cucumber, feta, olives and pickled red onions topped with chive oil and balsamic dressing.  The main entrée was served from a presented buffet.  Two items were served: the choice of succulent slow braised short ribs in a demi –glaze with gremalata or a fresh grilled Citrus Mahi Mahi with sides of sautéed mushrooms and Orzo salad with cherry tomatoes in vinaigrette.  Dessert was a decadent fresh strawberry Bavarian cake with white chocolate shavings and a 3 layer red velvet cake that was to die for!  It was nothing short of a night to be remembered. The evening came to an end and Cecilia and Scott rejoiced and reflected on the day and thanked the me and the Abbey for making their dream comes true.  I am so happy again to be part of another beautiful and perfect wedding and to be blessed to make two new friends.

Interested in learning another secret from our bag of tricks? Our event planners might just let one slip at a consultation. Call us free of charge.

1)      Plan some unexpected entertainment:  Guests are accustomed to seeing the usual things, like the money dance and other wedding favorites; but why not surprise your guests with unique entertainment?  One bride and groom wowed their guests with a fully choreographed tango dance, while another had a live band karaoke at their reception.  One unique option is renting The Abbey’s one of a kind photo booth, full with silly props it can be a big hit at your reception. It is always a great hit among guests and can really jazz up your party.

2)      Add a lounge to your reception:  Sometimes guests get restless sitting at the dining tables and don’t really feel the need to shake their booty, so why not create a nice lounge space for guests to escape to?  Renting a few couches or small pieces of furniture with some pillows in an area lit by candlelight really would add a level of class to your reception while maintaining a fun atmosphere.  The Abbey Catering can help, we have great lounge pieces for any occasion.

3)      Music, music, music:  Whether you hire a band or one of The Abbey’s preferred DJs for entertainment, make sure you see eye to eye on the type of music they play.  Songs like “The Macarena” and “The Chicken Dance” should really be outlawed.  And bands normally take a break or two during the reception, so make sure they have something to play as backup during those times.

4)      Kids are people too:  It’s inevitable that children will be attending the wedding, so have a game plan to keep them entertained while the adults can have some quality time together.  Hire a babysitter to watch over the kids while they enjoy a movie in a separate room or have other games and activities to keep them occupied.

5)      Keep the toasts to under 2 minutes each:  Simple and heartfelt toasts are the way to go and help maintain the flow of a good party.  Too many toasts and those that are awkward or long-winded from the cousin-you-never-talk-to can really dampen the mood.

6)      Have fun and fresh food:  The Abbey has amazing menus to appease any palate, so take advantage of what we have to offer and customize it by your tastes!  For a more casual style, order stations of Mexican tacos or a slider bar for guests to enjoy.  If a buffet-style or plated dinner isn’t your cup of tea; have heavy hors d’oeuvres or a simple yet elegant display.

7)      Hire a day-of wedding coordinator:  After all of the time and planning, nothing is worse than being stressed out on your wedding day.  So look into using one of The Abbey’s veteran day-of wedding coordinators to take care of all the little details and to ensure your day is as special and as worry-free as can be!

Tell us your ideas, share with us and we will share even more ideas with you, the two of us will make a great team…..

Putting your signature on your day can be as simple as determining the direction of the music. When selecting a band you must be mindful of the level of professionalism they represent. Have they performed at a wedding site prior? What do their reviewers say? And once you find the band that performs the music you want to hear, do you want them at your wedding or would it better to save them for a later party? You may end up with a garage band that performs mainly for house parties and not elegant venues. Definitely look to bands that have wedding experience. Also, would you want them involved as an MC? If you do find the band for you, ensure that you have that additional someone that is willing to be involved in announcing events. Certainly hiring an independent MC is a great option, just be prepared.

The DJ is the most popular choice and can save money when opposed to hiring a band. A band can easily be more expensive than the venue and a DJ you can typically obtain for less than a band. The one major advantage of the DJ is that you’re pretty much guaranteed someone who can MC effectively. Check of course to see that they are comfortable doing so and verify how involved or removed they are willing to be.

Ultimately, these individuals become part of your day. Find the person or persons that have the product & the value you want. More importantly, make sure you and the artist have a personal connection where you can communicate, so that you may express your vision and ideas. You want people you can count on and people you’re comfortable managing.

Feel free to select from our many musical services through one of our all inclusive packages…

Cheer dances in the body language of all those around - the setting sun slowly filling the night and hearts of the people.

The postcard experience of Ocean View Villas was the perfect setting for this lazy, hazy, fun-filled wedding. With the dramatic views atop the sunset cliffs, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the excited couple said “I do” among overjoyed family and friends.

The couple envisioned an all-white classic wedding with a few flattering quirks. The tablescapes were mesmerizing, gowned in crisp white linens, dazzling with crystal stemware, adorned with simple white wooden folding chairs, and united by an original floral centerpiece designed by our friends at Artquest flowers.

Once the ceremony was over guests were welcomed into the cocktail area, where servers weaved in and out with mouth watering treats – specific morsels of the bride and groom – while playful family and friends shared laughter over the snapshots at the photo booth and the bartenders kept the drinks flowing.

The couple opted for a traditional seated dinner, a fine dining experience complimented by the Abbey’s signature salad and a dual entree finale; so each guest had the chance to try both awe-inspiring main course.

As the sun set, the warm glow of evening turned to the cool dark of night and guests danced with the stars – infused by the hip beats of DJ Randy – who mixed in the prime requests while reading the crowd with a psychic pertinence, persuading the crowd to move in tune to the ever evolving mood.

It was a true pleasure for us to experience this special day. Lydia and Qihai chose one of the Abbey’s spectacular wedding packages – which including all the rest – beheld the Maui Penthouse! Their union was feverishly fantastic and begot an event that will not be forgot.

Days to nights like these are common with the Abbey Catering – providing fresh ideas and prime locales, we build great moments from the ground up. Feel free to find out how your visionary day-dreams of a bold gathering – wedding day wonder or anything else under the sun can become a simple matter of experience – both ours’ and yours’.

• The perfect venue – check
• #1 caterer in San Diego – check
• Wedding vendors & coordinator – to fill in all those minor details – check
• Ceremony and reception preparation – check

Now if anything, I know you’d want your guest to be impressed by the setting and ambiance of a love filled day labored with comfort and anticipation. So, that brings us to the last check on your list above, and I would have to say one of the quickest ways to dress your ceremony and reception is your chair selection. Chairs can bring elegance, clarity, and comfort to both the feel of the space and to guests, of who are made to feel a little like royalty.

A little detail goes a long way, especially with the old style classical feel of chiavari chairs if that is your vision. It’s important to source the right chair for your day and the team can help you. Depending on the decor that you have set your heart upon, there are many options in the way of chairs to help you. The same chair can be used at both ceremony and reception, but if you are having a beach ceremony I think you would probably emphasize your floral decor, the arch and the surroundings to bring out a romantic oceanic feel as the waves crash upon the shore blessing your union, I recommend a simple white wooden folding chair. They’re padded for your guests comfort and can be attained for about $2.50 each. Next, do you transfer those chairs to your reception or go another route. What does your venue say to you? Is it a hall, garden, historic building, or more contemporary? Fort the three former, I like to see a chiavari chair. You can select from a variety of colors for your chair & pad. Prices vary pending your color and availability but expect to spend approximately 4 times the standard wooden chair. There are also clear lucite chairs to dress your day should you be in a more contemporary venue or museum. There are a variety of styles to suit your every need. Contact your event consultant today to discuss the right direction for your day.

If you would love to have the use of our trade secret resources contact us for your next event…

The Abbey Catering Photo Booth for fun, personal videos and pictures.

If you are anything like the team at the Abbey, we know you like to have fun, either acting goofy with your friends and family or making lasting memories in which you can look back on and laugh about later.  So, guess what?  We decided to get a fully functional, state of the art photo booth, with  video capture and access to upload your photos to facebook almost instantly!

You can imagine your surprise as your friends, family and guests take candid shots of which they can share on their facebook instantly or you can have as we conveniently store all the videos and photos onto a usb flash drive, while they get to have the proofs.  This is a great way to entertain everyone as you have some genuine fun making goofy faces, and recording special messages for a seasonal party, wedding, or corporate event, and it makes a great ice breaker as you share the photos you have taken over food, drinks, and a great all around time. You can even come in and check it out for yourself. Oh! And did i mention that the themes can be fully customized for any event, and its mobile, meaning it can be brought to any events catered by the Abbey…now how’s that sound for a little added fun?

The Abbey has plenty of ideas to help add more excitement to your event day and we value your thoughts on how we can make it better. Click here and share your ideas…

Who is your favorite Harry Potter character? Come make memories, we can help you host….

A sunset proposal to be remembered for a lifetime.

I received a call 3 weeks ago from an Abbey patron and was asked to create a perfect dinner for two. It was to be the dinner at which the question of questions was to be asked. I eagerly accepted, for that is the reason we live for – to help two individuals dreams come true. I worked with Lester to present the ideal menu to my Executive Chef Matt, who amped up our vision to a culinary masterpiece. When our guests arrived at their beach-side couture picnic, they were greeted by Matt himself who dazzled them with a seafood salad in vinaigrette and a table-side seared filet with grilled vegetables. As the sun set, Matt was blessed to witness the proposal and the resounding “Yes!” At the Abbey, we love what we do, and it was a true honor to be a part of this magical evening with two very special people. Your memorable moments are what makes all our hard work worth the effort.

Perfect setting to pop that "Will you marry me?" question.

What moment would you like to create for a special someone….

They don’t just groom you for weddings either….whether its a night on the town, or a photo shoot, they come to you in the privacy of your own home and they even do spray tanning, which drys instantly, doesn’t smell, changes the topical layer of your skin so you actually tan underneath…It goes on easy, sets in 15 minutes, and last 6-12 days. And it actually feels good during the process….what can you say to that guys? But don’t worry gents, they can also do woman too. Its 100% confidential, and in a totally comfortable atmosphere. And ladies if your reading this, now he has no reason to not look his best, as PROJECT – M grooms his physique and relaxes both mind and spirit making sure you both look your best for your pictures.
Last but not least, and this is the best part, you can get all your grooms and brides-maids done too!

Project M has different packages to cater to all your needs, and it’s part of The Abbey’s All Inclusive Package.

Contact us here to find out more about The Abbey’s All Inclusive Package options.

The interior of the limo is impressive, with clean and contemporary lighting designs surrounding the curved and comfortable seating arrangement are 4 bars with fully customizable drinks. Our limo has 8 large flat-screen TVs and plush leather seating for up to 10 people. The Abbey’s stretch Escalade is 40 feet long full of entertainment and great for relaxation, perfect for settling the nerves of any bride-to-be and a great opportunity for a little fun before or after the ceremony. You can trust that your car will turn up on time every time and if you choose to use the limo before and after your wedding, The Abbey Catering will charge no extra for the time in between. This massive Escalade is a great bonus when you choose from the Abbey’s all-inclusive packages.

We at Abbey Catering and Event Design know that, at a wedding, all eyes will focus on your tablescapes, so it’s important to get it right. A well designed table can bring color and life to any party setting and will direct the eye to the things that are important in the arrangement.
A common starting point is with the color scheme, and many brides choose to compliment the colors of the wedding attire with the theme of the reception room. While there is a good reason to do this, there are also other options which will liven up the room and really impress your guests. Going monochromatic and highlighting different shades of the same color adds a look of boldness and grandiosity, and working with your existing colors ties everything together to create a unified look. One daring suggestion is to work with all of your main and accent colors, alternating the colors between tables. Another is mixing square and round tables.
We’ve been keeping a close eye on the trends and fashions of 2011 and one subject that has been big news is the use of themes to provoke a series of ideas. A great example of this is a Twilight-inspired tablescape, using an apple – a feature on the front cover – as a recurring theme throughout the ornaments and colors on the table. Using your favorite moments, books, films or even fairy tales, The Abbey will work with you anyways we can to create your vision and give your event a memorable and unique edge.

 For when it comes to weddings there are choices to be made.  Most choose to take their lover’s hand down the isle through a floral wonderland. The venue can change in general; but as you can see, the beauty of the Cuvier Club to the left brings nature’s select beauty into a wedding.  The manners of a traditional wedding are usually the same, there is a lavish party planned for months with each detail in perfect harmony, every bit hanging on that perfect moment; until that time when the unity of two lives becomes one–within the surroundings of family and friends, amidst a world of fantastical décor and alive with spiritual sublimity.

There is always another road you can go down and that is toward the city of lights, which can tempt any soul into its seductive and lavish lifestyle; but only as a brief and bright flame. Some do choose to enter the concrete wilderness and wed at whim. They can do so within the company of a resurrected Elvis singing sweet songs of holy matrimony or with strung cans jingling as they coast past a drive through reception; quickly buying themselves a happy meal wedding. For some, this spur of the moment gamble feels genuine in their hearts and with the excitement of a Las Vegas strip some could see why.

            Each has their own way and their own path they must take down the isle and life. Both innately bring their own sense of beauty or excitement into the world and each aim to deliver the most amazing time that individual could have. So do you drive through the city of lights or trail down an isle of roses?

So we Ask, Should a Wedding be a Short and Sweet Slice of Serendipity or the Grand and Gorgeous Chorus of  Tradition?

Britt Scripps Inn wedding catering venue and party planning spot.

RSVP Robert(Wedding Planner/Event Coordinator) 1-866-535-8949 ext 728

The Abbey Catering

RSVP to the event now by clicking ahead and get complimentary engagement photos….

"Green" Thermo Boxes to save the environment.

Leading the event design and catering industry into a “green” friendly industry would be a nice label to have placed on us.  This is the reason we have started using the Thermohauser Thermo Boxes for food transfer and storage.  They are light weight, super durable and hold in both heat and cold well without requiring gasket change outs, thus being better for the environment.  We’ve tried them out and we like them so we challenge the rest of the industry to do the same.  Are you environmentally conscious and want your clients to know?  Our clients know we do and they like our “green” colored attitudes.   Are you “green” friendly, we are, using our services helps the environment…

The Abbey Event Catering gets involved.

The Abbey appreciates all the good fortune we have received through all our patronage given from the community of San Diego County and those surrounding it.  We give our all so that each event is special to those that attend and the best compliment we can receive is a friend or family referral to use our services.

Through such patronage, we are proud to give back to the community which include such organizations as National Association of Catering Executives, the American Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Fund, the Mercy Outreach Surgical Team, Equality California Organization, the Rob Benzon Foundation, the GLBT Historical Society, the San Diego Museum of Man, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the St. James by the Sea Church, Riviera Magazine, and many more.

We, at The Abbey Catering, offer our event design and catering services all throughout San Diego County all the way up to some parts of LA County including communities like La Jolla, Mission Bay, Mission Hills, Rancho Santa Fe, Coronado, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Encinitas,  Hillcrest, Mission Beach, Camp Pendleton, San Marcos, San Luis Obispo, Vista, Bird Rock, Downtown, and most other districts throughout San Diego.

Giving back to your community benefits you as well as your community.  If you wish do a benefit and help your community, join with us, click ahead and give back to your community….

The original Abbey built for royal ceremonies, events, weddings and other parties.

The most talked about event of this year will likely be the royal wedding of Prince William and his lovely bride to be Kate Middleton.  All happening on the 29th of this month this very exclusive, all inclusive event has been on the lips of many over the previous months.

Imagining your own wedding right now? Wouldn’t you like to have your own Royal Wedding, filled with the same luxurious foods, colors and ambiance of which all your guests will talk about for years to come?

Just one of many choices to decorate your wedding cake prepared by our favorite catering vendors.

We can help you make it happen, with our highly qualified staff. We will take care of your every need and treat you like the royalty you are. Just talk with our Event Planners to get started today.

Be treated like royalty for one day, ask about our exclusive royal wedding package and let us see what we can do for you.

Events and Ceremonies can get plenty of catering and design work done.

We tell no lie when we say there was a red carpet and paparazzi.  Dressed to kill like the stars, these 400 guests were dressed to impress and walk the runway like it was theirs for the taking. Once inside, guests were able to wonder about and enjoy delectable food from one of the four tables provided by Abbey Catering. Each station contained, pan seared chicken breast in orange chicken marinade and drizzled with lemon and caper beurre blanc sauce and citrus infused basmati rice with diced seasonal grilled vegetables, and eclectic dessert bites!
Guests loved the brilliance and enthusiasm this event brought, the time and effort gone into this event was noticed and the company was overjoyed.

The Cuvier Club is the perfect place to host an awards ceremony.  Click ahead and create a rewarding awards ceremony for those you work with and the many great accomplishments each one has achieved….

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The vibrant royal blue was the main color of the wedding and thus, everything else seemed to fall into place. It was held at the Immaculata Church at USD which couldn’t have been a more suited place with its desirable blue ceilings and wall draperies. Eighty guests were invited to this special ceremony to have their hearts filled with love and joy for the couple’s special union.  The reception was held at the La Jolla Women’s Club. It was also decorated with royal blue linens center pieces with a broad range of bright colorful flowers, and accompanied with silver chivari chairs that brought class to the room like no other.

Wedding bouquet for the bride getting married, Catch It!

The Wedding Ceremony and the exchange of wedding vows.

Wedding ceremony after party hosted by us the catering and event staff.

That perfect wedding cake for those fun wedding photos...cake in your face.

Catering menu picked and tables set for gourmet foods and caterer special dishes.

Guests experienced fine dining provided by the Abbey Catering and an open bar to with a wide selection of cocktails. DJ Randy kept all on their feet throughout the afternoon and not a moment passed that Julie Buchta didn’t capture with her amazing photography. This was most certainly one for the books and will be talked about in a once upon a dream for ever and always!

The color scheme mesmorized every guest instantly and your wedding can be just the same, so click ahead and tell us a story we could tell our children about your ceremony with your prince charming…

Guests enjoyed skewers of caprese, and sautéed chicken dipped in tropical Jamaican sauce and various appetizers with an onsite chef provided by the Abbey Catering. Fourty-five guests mingled and enjoyed their friends’ new home while they sipped cocktails and enjoyed the newly decorated home’s style and taste.

The Abbey was referred to this couple by a friend, resulting in an evening filled with calm class and a smooth relaxed precision of detail that only a new homeowners couple would come to expect.

Catering events is fun, let our event planners show you more.

Have your party fully catered and decorated by the Abbey catering like this couple  did after a stressful move into a new home, click ahead and make your life more rewarding with a party that cleans up after itself…

Event Design wedding decoration for San Diego wedding.

A great way to add to your event is to rent some unique furniture that goes with the a theme that you have chosen.

Lounge furniture with clean lines offers a contemporary feel, and now many companies are incorporating color into the buttons, piping, legs, so you can personalize it! A large white square ottoman with throw pillows and blankets are a great way to create a “cozy” feel.

Tufted couches are fantastic for many designs as well! For a vintage feel, try a velvet tufted couch or chaise in a rich color. For a shabby-chic feel, a fabulous overstuffed white or cream couch, even scour your friends and families houses and “borrow” it for the day (sometimes the cleaning bill is more econimical than renting PLUS it can be a better fit!). My favorite at the moment is using colorful adirondack chairs in the perimeter of your space, maybe outside in the garden or lawn. It makes an amazing and bold statement.

Use your imagination, you can never make your wedding too personal.

Event design is fun and makes your wedding photos look classy.

Even the simplest of details can make ordinary become extraordinary. Make your event have a little extra flare in it, click ahead and give us a taste of what flare you would add to your event…