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.

“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

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.

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…

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…

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…

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.

The Ceremony

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A ceremony held outdoors on the green grass with an ocean side backdrop. The couples are enveloped in the beautiful San Diego weather and enraptured in each-others' love.

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

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….

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

Making the right choices can make a big difference.

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…

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.

Welcome to the Soledad Club

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

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…..

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…

It was a beautiful day in Coronado, as Heather and Kurt arrived at The Coronado Community Center. The weather was perfect for the Twilight Ceremony on Coronado Beach.

As we were began setup, the power went out in the building. Power outages when the weather is warm is common. When we were told how large of an area was without power, we acted on the areas that we had control over. The remaining problems were met with creative solutions. One of which was the Center getting the generators. I was very impressed at how quickly The Coronado Community Center responded to this crisis. They were able to rent two portable generators from the City of Coronado and had them on-site within 45 minutes which allowed us to setup temporary lighting for both the banquet room and for the kitchen and have enough power for the DJ. Everything had been accomplished prior to the ceremony even ending. As the guests arrived for the reception, they entered an oasis of Music and Light while the rest of Southern California sat in darkness.
The reception area has beautiful views of Glorietta Bay and the San Diego Skyline.

As guests arrived, they were welcomed by the Abbey Staff passing trays of Ahi Poke served on a Wonton and Filet Wellington. The open bar, fresh fruit floral display and gourmet cheese and cracker display was also a popular area of the patio.

Uncontrollable obstacles happen all the time, its how you handle those obstacles that make all the difference, come see how we do it…

Marina Village – with all its charm and attraction, can accommodate small intimate affairs of 60 guests or grand weddings of 350. For Saturday receptions, rental rates start at $600.00 for the “Nautical Room”, which holds 60 seated guests and the Saturday price is still low at $2600.00 for the “Baja Room”, a room which holds an amazing 350 guests.  Rental of a suite includes a 5 hour period to hold your event, and you can setup and breakdown, at any time of the day, the dance floor or complimentary tables and chairs.  Each room is only rented out once per diem, so you can come in to decorate as early as 9:00am and even rarer for San Diego event venues – your event does not have to end until midnight!  Still another bonus is a costless and vast parking space available for you and anyone you are so inclined to invite.

Consider having your wedding ceremony in a beautifully landscaped lawn, the birds humming perfectly pitched tunes, the wind blowing soft curls through your hair and all for $600.00, renting a prime locale on the best day of the week – Saturday, for only six benjamins the beauty of this experience could be yours to remember.  The $600 covers a liberating 3 hours, an arch and a hundred white wood chairs. If you book the ceremony and reception through The Marina Village, you can look forward to a $100 discount.

If any of the above intrigued you, The Marina Village is located on 1936 Quivira Way and stays open 7 days a week.  Feel free to check out their website to find some wonderful pictures and an array of information at their website or you could pick up a phone to schedule a visit by dialing (619) 222-1620.

We have always enjoyed working with The Marina Village and if you also require culinary expertise our phones and doors are always open – we offer cash saving specials on catering and event design with this beautiful venue.

Do you dream of spicing up this magnificent venue? What details can we help arrange for the celebration of your special day…

Abbey one, Outage zero!

On to the Coronado Community Center, at reception time it was lights out for millions in San Diego and Coronado Island was not exempt. Fortunately, the Community Center & Abbey Team worked in concert with one another to ensure back-up generators powered the Reception.

Abbey Two, Outage Nothing.

When a situation seems beyond all our control it could have easily been a time when people stood by and just accepted the state of affairs. Brides & Grooms may have been understanding but when you secure the best, expectations must be exceeded.

Congratulations to our Happy Couples & Go Team!

From Lisa and Ned Harbour:
“WOW! Words can seriously not say enough about The Abbey. My husband and I got married in July this year and had our wedding at the Cuvier Club, catered by The Abbey. We worked specifically with Zapher Dajani, the president and founder. We also worked with Derick and Warren. May I say that these men made my dreams come true. My husband and I are from Phoenix, AZ so our wedding was a destination wedding in La Jolla. Our families are also from Tennessee, so this was a celebration of our marriage, but also a vacation for many. Our family and friends had nothing but incredible things to say about the staff, the food, and our wedding as a whole.

Destination weddings can tend to be stressful as a bride because you are not always there, you can’t see things in person all the time nor speak with people face to face. Zapher and the Abbey made me feel as though I wasn’t even having a destination wedding. He was always available by phone or email at all times, and if he wasn’t going to be, he would let my husband and I know and he would put us in contact with Derick. I never once felt a sense of discomfort or stress that I wasn’t able to be in La Jolla to plan my wedding. It was true peace of mind. The whole team coordinated with my florist and my bakery. We used the DJ recommended by The Abbey and he was incredible!

The staff at the Abbey is so talented. The chefs are amazing, I have been to many weddings where the food is good, but nothing that I will remember forever. The Abbey surpassed any food I have ever had! Our guests are still talking about our food today. Anytime we talk to someone that attended our wedding, they comment about how they want to eat our wedding dinner all over again. The wait staff that serves the food is wonderful as well. My father had made a slide show to be shown during dinner, I was concerned about this because I thought the wait staff might get in the way when changing from salads to dinner. This worry was most definitely a silly one with The Abbey. My guest said that they never saw the wait staff even clear plates or bring out the dinner, the staff was so smooth with this transition. The guests said they were watching the slide show and next thing they knew they looked down and dinner was there! Simply incredible.

The Abbey Catering and Event Design is truly full of multitalented people. They took a vision that I had and sent it soaring above and beyond my wildest dreams. Zapher has a true gift and has staff that shares this gift. They all work so incredibly hard… and they LOVE what they do. They live and breath The Abbey and I can guarantee that they will never do an event with less that 100% passion and heart. Their passion and talent is the reason they make dreams and visions come true every day.

One last note, people have always said to me “Don’t sweat the small details of the wedding, if they don’t go right, no one is going to notice.” I took this quote into great consideration and can honestly that NOT ONE single small detail of our wedding went wrong. Everything was perfect, it was a dream come true with The Abbey.

Thank you!
Leah and Matt Harbour”

From Alicia Urban:
Alicia Urban’s Voicemail Testimonial
   Just click on the link above to listen.

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…

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.