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Testimonials to The Abbey

Every once in a while a couple comes along with sincerity and hearts as big as the world.  Young Love is virtuous and innocent.  It leaves the heart of others gasping for the same romance.  Nicole and Brandon tied the knot on April 28^th in beautiful sunny San Diego.  Brought to life was their vision of a casual beach theme an old world, tropical paradise.

We had chosen the front ceremony garden facing an European style fountain. In front of the fountain, the father of the bride made a stunning customized arch for his daughter that was adorned with tropical center pieces by Four Season’s flowers, one of our preferred vendors for the Abbey Catering.  For this tropical paradise, facing the tree, there hung floral balls and lighted lanterns from the tree, feeling of an enchanted Hawaii.

The north arbor-covered terrace was the definite spot to have the cocktail hour.  Guests were welcomed into the space by an Abbey staff member, each greeted with a signature cocktail, “The Mai Tai” that was hanging off a beautiful metal sculpture that the Abbey has to offer their Bride and Groom.

The Bride and Groom walked to the ocean for photos while guests were enjoying cocktails and  hors d’oeuvres,  returning to the club in time to make their grand entrance. Nicole and I had a vision to move the Arch that Richard Morse built, to be re-located to the main stage. The cake table was placed just in front of it to create a striking photo opportunity.

Creating a space for the grand entrance for the guests and the Bride and Groom is crucial to a wedding.  Nicole, Brandon, and I came up with a grand entrance that was breath taking for everyone.  However, this grand revealing was kept from everyone until the doors opened.  The guests were stunned by the captivating details and colors and the elegance of the drapings from the chandelier which were highlighted by amber lights.  As they entered, the focal point was the beautiful soft coloring of a buttercup and sea theme, only to be highlighted by the amazingly crafted arch.  The Bride and Groom entered the space and had their first dance under the soft draping of the white chiffon canopy and with all their guests to watch them with smiles on their face while true love exuded.

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The bridal party and I had a wonderful tasting together where I first became part of the family.  We laughed, smiled, and talked about the vision for their wedding at the tasting.  The chef and I created an exquisite menu for them as they tasted samples of food that could be catered to their wedding.  These meetings are just the beginning where I become close to my bride, groom, and their family.  The Abbey Catering and Design made a menu for them that had stuff mushrooms with Ratatouille, beef skewers with a homemade Asian glaze with sesame seeds, coconut crusted golden shrimp, and fresh homemade pita with hummus for appetizers.

This was only to follow by the Abbey preparing a delicious fresh summer green salad with mandarin oranges, a hint of color to match the wedding, cranberries, caramelized walnuts, and a homemade raspberry vinaigrette in a red cabbage bowl.  As everyone always knows, you first eat with your eyes, and then taste with your mouth, the catering had both.  The salads were preset which gave such a color pop to the tables that it created a stunning view with splashes of orange, purple, and green, and a hint of white.

Dinner followed with succulent chicken Payard with a Sherry reduction and sautéed mushrooms and a black peppered pork chop with a black berry demi glaze only to be accompanied by a delicious Israeli sundried couscous and grilled mixed vegetables.

The Abbey staff and I catered to everyone by having first-class service.  We, at The Abbey, always cater to our guests as if they are royalty and I take pride that each and every wedding I coordinate is perfect.  Together, the bride & groom, sometimes family members, and I create a special and magical day like if it was out of a fairy tale.  The day of blissfulness becomes enchanting and with the help of The Abbey Catering Company and Design we do make dreams come true for each and every lovely couple.  Congratulations to my new family, Mr. and Mrs. Henzie.  May all your days be as glorious as the day of your wedding.  Thank you for choosing The Abbey and having me as your coordinator and making your vision come alive.

   

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If you thought being a bride in this economy is stressful, try being the father of the bride.
Traditionally the bride’s family is tasked with footing the wedding bill, but the troubled economy means many families are unable to afford both their children’s nuptials and their impending retirement. For proud parents, the topic can be a difficult one to discuss, but experts say honesty is the best policy.

 

“I’ve seen a few cases where a bride would make all these big wedding plans and then six months later, her parents would say, ‘We know we promised you $50,000, but we can only come up with $5,000,’” says Bill Hammer, certified financial planner and vice president of wealth management at Vanderbilt Partners in Melville, N.Y. “Once deposits have been made, it’s often more expensive to cancel the wedding than to go through with it, so then you have people going into debt because they didn’t discuss things ahead of time.”

 

For parents, Hammer says the rule of thumb should be that if you can’t write the check when you make the offer, don’t make the offer. Any money given to the happy couple should already be in cash, a savings bond or a CD. “You may have $50,000 in your stock portfolio, but if you wake up tomorrow and it’s down by 40% then it’s a huge problem.”

 

According to TheWeddingReport.com, wedding spending on average has dropped 3.4% in the past year to $25,631 from $26,542. But even if spending is down, it’s easy for parents to end up chipping in more than they’d planned. Hammer advises parents to offer a specific dollar amount rather than items on a “wish list”.

 

“You might be in for a rude awakening if you tell your daughter that you will pay for the dress, the reception and the limo. Any one of those things could be more than you had been planning on spending. Instead, tell your daughter what dollar amount you can comfortably contribute,” says Hammer. Parents of the bride may be able to relax a little as traditions change. According to TheWeddingReport.com, in 2010, the bride and groom paid for an average of 58% of all wedding costs, while the bride’s parents paid for an average of 21%. The groom’s parents shelled out an average of 14% of costs.

 

Los Angeles-based wedding planner Wayne Gurnick, owner of Moments by Wayne, says the down economy has more families splitting the financial responsibility of a wedding.

 

“Before 2008, 70% of my clients were the bride’s parents. Now, 70% of my clients are the bride and groom. There has been a huge shift, and a lot of brides are complaining about it,” says Gurnick. “These days, the couple may be getting a monetary gift from mom and dad, but they aren’t counting on it.” Gurnick says in the last several years he has worked with couples to slash wedding budgets by as much as half, planning wedding picnics in public parks instead of expensive reception halls, and serving Chipotle instead of $200- per-head fillet mignon dinners.

 

“One thing is consistent—whether it’s the bride and groom doing the planning or the parents of the bride, everyone wants to make their dollars go further. Everyone is realizing that the 99¢ Only Store sells great napkins.”

 

Your Wedding vs. My Retirement

For parents who already know they can’t afford to give as much to their daughter’s wedding as planned, have the conversation before any planning gets started, says Tim Harrington, CEO of consumer financial resource FiPath.

 

“With the financial crisis we are in and the deterioration of most people’s savings and retirement accounts, those are real conversations we are having and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of pushback. Families are working together to find something more affordable.”

 
Parents shouldn’t feel like they are letting their children down if they choose to hang onto their savings for retirement rather than putting it toward a wedding.
“Your children will understand. Sit down with them and go over things; let them know how much you have saved for retirement. If a big wedding isn’t in your budget, tell them exactly that. No one needs to go into debt for a party that’s only one day,” says Harrington.  Using cash is one of the best ways to keep wedding spending in check and possibly negotiate a deal in the process, according to Harrington.

 
“Don’t put any wedding expenses on a credit card. If you have to make a deposit with a credit card, that’s fine, but pay with cash. Very often if you’re paying with cash you can better negotiate with vendors. Everyone from the DJ to the florist will be willing to work with you if you’re using green.”

 

Contact us today and we’ll show you how to really save big when it counts the most.

mymoney@theabbeycatering.com

888-238-0949

 

Credit: Kathryn Tuggle (http://www.foxbusiness.com/archive/author/kathryn-tuggle/index.html)

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/02/24/dad-to-daughter-your-wedding-or-my-retirement/#ixzz1o5DnUYoG

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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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