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Testimonials to The Abbey

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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For the ultimate beachfront wedding, look no further than The Powerhouse Community Center on Coast Boulevard in Del Mar.  This venue can host a wedding or event of up to 120 seated guests, with Del Mar Beach as your backdrop and an indoor reception to keep the party strong.

You could begin your wedding or event with a ceremony and cocktail reception to follow on the West Patio with picturesque Del Mar Beach as the scenic panoramic backdrop.  After you and your guests have taken in what nature has to offer, move into the main and upstairs floor space of The Powerhouse for a seated dinner of up to 120 guests.  Guests can also be seated in the covered patio, weather permitting.  After dinner, stay inside to dance to the music played by a DJ or small band while enjoying the company of your guests.

After a bit of entertainment, escape to the upstairs deck for some fresh ocean air and look upon the shoreline through one of the venue’s coin-operated telescopes or step off the property and onto the sand for a leisurely nighttime stroll.

Parking can be a bit tough in this area, since the venue is on the beach and nestled between Seagrove Park and fine dining restaurants.  However street parking and private parking lots are available.  This much sought-after venue books out well in advance, with events beginning as early as noon and ending no later than 10pm.

Rental fees are done by the hour or purchased as an all-day event and vary depending on the day of the week and month, but a 3 hour minimum is required to secure your date.  The venue includes the complimentary use of 60” round guest tables, 120 white padded folding chairs, as well as some additional banquet tables, which is a great bonus and savings.  For availability and more information call us at ( 888) 238-0949 at extension 2.

How often do you get the ocean as your backdrop?  This is your chance and we can reserve a date with you…

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Are you a sports enthusiast? Do you appreciate San Diego’s rich sports history? Are you searching for the perfect venue to host your next corporate event? Then look no further than the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum in the beautiful Balboa Park. Boasting over 68,000 square feet of banquet, reception and meeting space, the Hall of Champions is perfect for your next event destination.

The Hall of Champions has three levels, each befitting for events of different sizes and directions. The lower level has a theater complete with audio and visual capabilities, as well as a gallery for a seated reception of up to 350 guests. The main level, with 30’ ceilings, two large video screens and a decorative sail, can accommodate 400 guests for a seated reception or 500 guests for theater-style seating. If your event or meeting is smaller in scale an ideal space can be the San Diego Sports Commission Boardroom or the Walter Zable Banquet Room & Terrace in the upper level of the museum. The Boardroom has a U-shaped table for 40 guests, as well as a drop down video screen, dry erase board, and attached catering preparation area. The adjacent Walter Zable Banquet Room & Terrace has room for a seated reception of 120 guests and the outside terrace has a capacity of 60 guests.

All venue rentals include tables and chairs, a PA system, house lighting, as well as a free two hour setup and one hour tear down. Parking is abundant in Balboa Park and there are three adjacent lots next to the museum.
For more information and to schedule a visit, you can make an appointment by contacting their Events Department at (619) 699-2309.

If you enjoy what this amazing venue has to offer give us a call and we can give you even further details or share information about similar venues available that can meet your needs…

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At your next event, why not sip on a specialty cocktail while admiring an exhibition of rare and precious gems?  Or enjoy a bevy of gourmet hors d’oeuvres next to a giant megalodon shark that hales from the San Diego region?  You can experience this and all the natural history our region of Southern California has to offer at the majestic San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park.

The Sefton Grand Atrium in the museum is a sharp and modern space with a four-story translucent ceiling perfect for a wedding of 275 guests for a seated dinner, or a corporate cocktail reception of 500.  Curious guests can explore the numerous exhibitions and galleries, including the museum’s permanent Fossil Mysteries wing.  Here you can examine fossils found by the Museum’s paleontologists and discover what plants and animals looked like from 75 million to 10,000 years ago in the Southern California and Baja California region.

For those looking to move their party outdoors, take advantage of San Diego’s year-round beautiful weather on the El Mirador Rooftop Terrace, the only one of its kind in Balboa Park.  It has superb views of Balboa Park, downtown, and the San Diego Bay.  The space can accommodate 100 for a seated dinner, up to 200 guests for a reception, or 190 for a ceremony.

Rental fees are charged by the hour and vary depending on areas of the museum you would like to reserve, but a 4 hour minimum is required to secure your date.  The venue does not include any rentals, but The Abbey Catering can take care of those needs for you.  For more information and to schedule a venue visit, please contact our specialist at (888) 238-0949 ext. #2.

How many venues have you visited that you like?  Join us on a venue visit and get a personal walk through with someone that knows…

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San Diego is known as America’s finest city and owes that nickname to the warm sun and the beautiful sandy beaches, the pleasing temperature and ocean cooled breezes.  So when planning your next event, you can combine all of the remarkable qualities of San Diego with the historical and quaint bayside venue, The Mission Beach Woman’s Club.

The main banquet room of The Mission Beach Woman’s Club is perfect for anything from casual to formal affairs, perfect for up to 110 seated guests or for a standing reception, 150 guests.  The adjacent stage has a built-in projector screen for those that may wish to use the venue for a business meeting. This can also be the perfect place for a DJ or live band to perform on your wedding day.  Wedding ceremonies can be conducted on the bayside patio or for a small fee, paid to Mission Bay Park, performed on the sand and in front of the bay.

The bayside patio can also seat an additional 24 guests. There are eight dedicated parking spots in front of the venue, also free parking lots and street parking all around. Since the venue is located among a residential neighborhood, all events must end by 10 pm; but there’s still enough time to enjoy yourselves.

Although prices are subject to change, Saturday rental rates at The Mission Beach Woman’s Club includes 6 hours of event time, setup time, and time to breakdown. The price for a full day rental from Sunday to Friday is constant its less often used and more often free, just be careful to book ahead if you’re looking for an available Saturday.

Since we are on the subject of price, we are pleased to announce, for a limited time only, to the next five clients, who view and comment on the Mission Beach Woman’s Club, and who purchase a seven-option, all-inclusive wedding package for 100 guests or more, a complimentary rental of the Mission Beach Woman’s Club from us at The Abbey Catering.

We should also let you know, the venue includes the use of twelve 60” round tables which allow all guests to converse with ease, seven 6’ banquet tables, 110 chairs and a smaller table perfect for couples. I have to say, all an amazing savings in rental costs!

For availability and more information call us at ( 888) 238-0949.  You can also visit their website, check out their Facebook page or simply look below for a plethora of event photos.

 

Find out how you can receive this special giveaway, click here!…

 

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The Thursday Club is a boutique venue nestled among grand homes above Sunset Cliffs in picturesque Point Loma.  Once you lay your eyes on this gorgeous property you will want to host your next wedding or event here any day of the week.

The panoramic ocean view from their beautifully manicured garden is the perfect location for a ceremony and can hold 100 seated guests.  You can also host an outdoor reception here, and if you want to rent the garden space only, the rental fee is $500 for one hour.

The main banquet hall, equipped with a small stage, can accommodate an event for up to 175 seated guests and 300 standing.  When you want to take a break from all of the festivities, you can escape to a sitting room adjacent to the banquet hall, or one of several outdoor patios and take in the breathtaking scenery.

Since the venue is located among a residential neighborhood, all events must end by 9pm.  And although the venue supplies tables and chairs, it may be wise to rent larger 60” round tables in order to seat more guests comfortably. Parking is relegated to streets in the neighborhood, but space is aplenty.  Brides will be pleased to know a bridal suite with a small private patio is available.

Although fees are subject to change, rental rates for a Friday thru Sunday are $2500 and $1500 for a Monday thru Thursday.  This grants you 6 hours of rental time, which includes setup and breakdown.  If you want to secure the venue for more time, additional hours are only $100 each.  For more information, visit their website or call the Resident Managers at (619) 224-5264.  Office hours are Wednesday thru Sunday from 9am-5pm.

Take a venue tour today or visit on your own but remember help is always just a phone call away….

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Congratulations!!! You’re newly engaged! What’s next? Some have had their vision planned from youth, but how do you make it a reality? Is it even realistic? The first step is coming up with a reasonable budget. Do your homework though, when you add all the required services such as a DJ, a photographer, a florists, a videographer, your cake, and your catering the price will rise steadily and you may find yourself over-budget.

It’s ideal to think about your caterer almost immediately after you’ve confirmed your venue. This should be booked 1 year out. Then on to the vendors. First & foremost, your photographer & DJ must be selected. There are many photographers & DJs out there but finding the one you want takes time. Your florist & cake provider can work numerous events a day so I would do initial consults 8 months out and confirm 5-6 months till. This is a good path to follow in the beginning.

In Southern California, your average venue books in advance 1-1/2 years ahead and are usually the the second most expensive item in your budget. Research venue pros and cons online and then pick 7 to 9 you like

and go visit them.  Ultimately, go with your heart when making a selection balancing your budget and your pro/con list. We, at The Abbey Catering regularly assist brides & grooms looking to finalize their venue choice. Find someone who knows the ins and outs of the venues in your area. As an industry leader, our Wedding and Events Consultants have numerous years experience developing events all over San Diego and they will gladly get you the important background on your venues of choice.

Next step, do you want catering only or an all-inclusive package? It really depends on you. Average catering prices based on 150 guests will run 2 to 3x your venue price so keep that in mind.  All-Inclusive packages are typically custom having both value and drawbacks, so be well informed and ask a lot of questions. The two  major advantages of an all-inclusive package are that they provide a list of vendors you can work with, and since the reputation of the company is intertwined, you know that you’re in good hands. Still, always check reviews. You definitely want to know who you’re dealing with. Second, with an All-Inclusive Wedding there is a seamless team mentality which is priceless for the precise execution of your day. Third, with an all-inclusive you get a complimentary wedding coordinator which also runs the Vendor Meeting.  This meeting is for all the vendors, the bride, the groom, the planner and anyone else that is involved with the decisions to meet at the venue and hammer out all the details once and for all.  After this meeting, the planning is over!

Let us help you put your signature on your day, we have the pen & the time if you’re ready to start…

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The Soledad Club is a charming wedding venue located across from the famous Kate O. Sessions Memorial Park. The Soledad Club is able to seat up to 225 guests, comes with a complete stage, and holds breathtaking views of Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

The large outdoor deck surrounding The Soledad Club is ideal for snapping perfect wedding photos the beautiful San Diego stationed as your back drop.  The lower-level property works great for large cocktail receptions and has a conformed arch that displays an effortless frame for ceremony space.  Fifty free private parking spots are available for use on site while extra street parking is found on Soledad Road.

Rental rates vary depending on time of year, but begin around $1895.00.  However, rates can be less if you decide to secure your wedding on a day other than Saturday.  The Soledad Club is located on 5050 Soledad Road.  For more information, visit their website or contact our Soledad Club expert at (888) 238 – 0949 ext. #2

The Soledad Club is a preferred venue at The Abbey Catering and we would love to have the opportunity to combine our best effort in conjunction with this beautiful venue to create an awe inspired experience at your next event.

Need more venue ideas?  We have many and if you need a caterer,  it would be our pleasure…..

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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…..

No Comments | Tags: floral, fun, party, photographer, venue, wedding

The San Diego Botanical Garden located in Encinitas is a choice spot to have a wedding and with the perfect weather that frequents San Diego an outdoor reception is paradise waiting.  The Huyhn party chose this spot for its beauty and seclusion, they wished to have a nice intimate gathering of family to witness this special day for their exchanging of vows.  Surrounded by blossoming flowers, stunning clear blue skies overhead and exotic smells wafting throughout the gardens.

Fifty guests sat in the “Walled Garden” and watched while the officiant began the exchange of vows.  Gathered together under a wood grove of trees and green fern, shaded from the sun and birds flying all about, the ceremony commenced.

After the two “I do!”‘s, the guests move to the reception area. The Victorian Gazebo Lawn is a space where you can seat up to 250 people for dinner and dessert.  Their dinner was set using  buffet stations, a martini salad shaker station, a main entree station and the favorite, a doughnut station, where there was a selection of doughnut pastries and hot chocolate. The perfect invitation to treat one’s self to after dinner. The buffet station was perfect for this environment, guests could get up for second helpings if they wished and eat at their own pace.

The sun finally set and lamp lights began to come on.  The the gazebo where the cake was being set up lit up in brilliant blues to cast an enchanting hue over the guests as they finished dinner and prepared for the cutting of the cake.  The day was a total success and the guests and staff watched as the newly wed couple whisked away to begin their honeymoon.

We would like to thank our vendor-partner Julie Buchta Davis Photography & Associates for providing the amazing photographs that you see here.

Thinking of an outdoor wedding? Where have you considered or would you like us to assist in finding you an outdoor venue location…

No Comments | Tags: photographer, San Diego Botanical Garden, wedding