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Rushing waterfalls, blooming scenery and lush bamboo groves set the scene for the exotic wedding ceremony  at San Diego Botanical Gardens. The bride, groom and their 200 close friends and family got to share this beautiful occasion in a breathtaking setting. Tucked away into corners of the gardens were romantic details; pictures of the happy couple throughout their courtship, a photo printing station so that guests received instant memories of the special day and a sign-in book where they wished the loved-up pair future happiness. The all-inclusive package meant a stress free day for the bride and groom and allow them to focus, enjoy, and relish their special day. This striking jewel-toned themed wedding was highlighted by a gourmet 3 tiered cake from Baby Cakes, classic hairstyles and flawless make-up by Leland, the talented and trained eye of videographer Tareq, skilled creative photographer Deb Shields, and extraordinary flowers by Artquest Florist. Wine from the family vineyard made the day even more memorable and beautifully complimented the Mediterranean styled dinner prepared by highly trained Abbey Catering chefs. Family and friends rounded off the evening dancing under the stars to the sounds of the Matt Yeakley band and DJ Alex Trumbo. Everyone was left aglow with the magic of the evening and memories that will last a lifetime.

For more info on this fabulous outdoor venue, please feel free to contact us here with any questions we can help you answer.

Photos courtesy of  Deb Shields Photography

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Balboa Park was honored in celebrating the joining of Brian and Ally. Their event took place in three specially chosen locations throughout the park. The ceremony was located in the Casa del Prado patio. With the high arches and unique architecture this wedding was a beauty from the get go.  Afterward, the guests traveled down a long sidewalk that was bordered by a narrow water feature. The pond was inhabited by greenery, flower, and various forms of wildlife. Cocktail hour was sure to spark smiles, thanks to both the delicious hors d’oeuvres and stunning views. Later that evening guests were escorted to The Museum of Photographic Arts where their night would unfold with music, food, laughter, and joy. With over a hundred guests to witness, the bride grabbed the microphone and sang her love to her new husband. As all guests stared in awe and you couldn’t help but feel thankful to witness one of the most magnetic chemistry between two individuals.  Congratulations to the newlyweds.

The Abbey Catering & Event Design would love to help you plan you wedding at this preferred venue or any other one in San Diego.

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On a picturesque day in Del Mar, California, the beaming bride and groom tied the knot at the Del Mar Powerhouse.  The sun glittered over the waves and a cool breeze blew as the two exchanged the vows time has woven into their relationship.

During cocktail hour, guests celebrated the union with a champagne toast and appetizers that included tri-colored bruschetta, mini beef Wellington and chicken satay.   Guests were welcomed into the dining room where they were greeted with the couple’s own take on the traditional pre-set Abbey Signature Salad including leafy greens, caramelized walnuts, fresh strawberries and dressed with a raspberry vinaigrette.

Dinner was a home-style dual presented entree that included panko crusted Tilapia, braised superior Angus beef, truffled cream cheese  garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal veggies and perfectly seasoned risotto to which the guests were hungrily obliged.

The new couple danced the night away and decided on a kiss and a cupcake for dessert.  A perfect end to a wonderful day!

We look forward to providing you with the same exquisite day in the near future by contacting us here.

Photos courtesy of Julie Buchta Davis Photography

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On Friday, the sixth of August, The La Jolla Woman’s Club was transformed into a beautiful seaside escape. With green moss balls swaying from a large picturesque tree in the courtyard guests were welcomed to their cocktail hour. As the Abbey servers delivered mouth watering hors d’oeuvres to each individual guest, they couldn’t help but smile and reach for seconds. Dinner was especially delightful thanks to a menu created specially by the bride and groom. With Mojito Chicken and Lemongrass Tilapia, you could be sure that all palettes were pleased this evening.   FlourPower made this couple’s night even more memorable by creating an original cupcake master piece. Each individual cupcake held a handmade sugar seashell blanketed by aqua blue frosting. Yum!  Nothing compliments dessert more than a fabulous European Espresso from EuroBar.  As the lights went dim the party started to heat up. The DJ, who was also a friend of the bride and grooms, spun mixes that had guests on their toes the entire night. The bride was not afraid to hike up her dress and bust out her moves when joining their guest in celebration.  As the clock neared the final hour the guest were pleased to all have been invited to an extended party nearby. Wow! What a night to remember.

As the Preferred caterer at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, The Abbey Catering & Event Design is proud to bring you the best La Jolla Wedding ever.

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It surely was a day to remember for the nearly 100 guests that

attended this special occasion . The ceremony took place at

Calumet Park in La Jolla. With the amazing ocean view in the

background, there was hardly a dry eye to be found.   The

marvelous wedding reception was held at the elegant La Jolla

Woman’s Club nearby. This lovely couple chose our All Inclusive

Wedding Package which included The Abbey limo, delightful cup

cakes from FlourPower, one of the kind photographer Tande

from Studio D,  Best Beverage Bar Service, up lights that set the

amazing tone for the entire evening, Artquest Florist, hair and

makeup, Deluxe Euro Coffee Bar and of course digital camera docking station. The digital camera docking station is provided

with each wedding package and just keeps getting more and

more popular. Guests can mingle with the camera and capture

special moments.  Then taking the  photos to the docking station

to print to take home a keepsake from the day. This wonderful

scrap book provided by our client only highlights just a portion

of this remarkable event. We were able to upgrade the couple’s

rentals to our very high end Chiavari chairs that added extra

class and elegance to the reception. We were more than

delighted by the many compliments from the guests and we

wish the newlyweds a bright and happy future together!

We would love to make your wedding just as memorable. If you

have any questions, ideas or themes you would like to discuss

about your upcoming wedding, give us a call, email or contact

us here. We can help with finding the right venue for you needs

but balanced with you budget. We can point you in the right

direction when starting to look at vendors and the services

they offer. We can even show you how one of our All Inclusive

Wedding Packages can save you time , money and headache

and still make you special day wow all in attendance.

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Hiking in the sand down to beach was no problem for the groom and his entourage, who all sported “flip flops” and elegant tuxedos!  The bride and her bridesmaids looked cool and elegant as well, however they chose chic footwear  for the ceremony and “comfy shoes” for later.   (We girls do love our shoes!)

The reception was held at Levyland, a magnificent private residence nestled into the lagoons of Carlsbad.This stunning 6,000 sq ft home, located on a three acre private peninsula, offers a unique combination of privacy, open space, ocean and lagoon views , and inspired architecture.  Guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers from 2 outside decks with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean on the west and beautiful valleys on the east.

Dinner was served in the lovely East Garden where elegant tables were dressed in classic black and white. The exquisite florals found throughout the entire day were provided by San Diego’s own, Exquisite Blooms.  Each guest was greeted with a chilled split of champagne at their place setting.  It wasn’t long after dinner and champagne, that the dancing began and guests mingled and shared stories.  A traditional wedding cake was provided but miniature cupcakes, from the exceptionally talented Sweet Cheeks Baking Company, also were on the menu to keep things fun and playful.  And to accommodate Many memories were made on this magical night.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Donovan and thank you choosing The Abbey Catering to be a part of it!  We were very proud and honored to work with Courtney Tibbets of AfterTheEngagement.com.  Best Wishes from The Entire Staff!

We would love to help plan your wedding at the wonderful Levyland in Carlsbad, San Diego. Please get in touch with us so we can talk here.

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This loving couple started their journey of being married to one another at the La Jolla Darlington House on Saturday July 31th. The ceremony and reception were decorated with deep purple and delicate white linens. After the “I Do’s” were said, the night began with a full sit down meal served to all 130 guests. Everyone was very pleased with the efficient and orderly superb service. For dinner we served our highly desired Citrus Marinated Chicken, cooked to perfection and finished in Champagne, fresh herb and light cream sauce. The duel entrée was completed by Black Angus New York Strip rubbed with sea salt, fresh herbs and stuffed with garlic and seasoning carved for each guest according to their temperature liking. The unique colors and ambiance created by the music was a heartwarming experience for both, the special couple and their guests. As guests partied at the end of the night there was a feeling of pure love and joy in the rose garden, where the wedding nuptials had taken place.

As one of The Darlington House’s Preferred Caterers, we can make you wedding spectacular anytime of year.  Contact one of our professional consultants here today!

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On a picture perfect day the bride and groom tied the knot at the beautiful Coronado Community Center.  Though the  ceremony was performed at the Hotel Del, the entire bridal party made their way to the beautifully decorated outdoor patio at the CCC for the real festivities.  The bay view was the backdrop for cocktail and appetizers.  Blue paper lanterns were swinging in the breeze and added a magical touch to the scene.

To add a personal touch to the occasion, the guests names were painted on sand dollars and displayed in sandboxes to help everyone find their tables.  The Nautilus room was lovely in blue, silver and white with spectacular flower arrangements on each table.  Each guest had a delicious lemon flavored cookie in the shape of a sand dollar at their place setting.

It might be one of those little details that get over looked by most, but The  Abbey Catering  works very hard to work with clients to help make sure that the wedding they have envisioned is the wedding that they enjoy on their special day.  We would love to make your day just as special. Contact us here for details.

We congratulate the B & G and thank them for letting us be a part of their special day!

Photos Courtesy of Darin Fong Photography

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A ceremony on the beautiful beach at the Hotel Del in Coronado can be one of the most unique and memorable weddings imaginable in San Diego.  The lovely bride and groom said their I Do’s and were then whisked away to the Coronado Community Center for a magical reception be the waterfront. With over 200 guests, the venue was filled yet retained an intimate atmosphere all evening.  For Catering, the attendees enjoyed a flow reception,  with 4 different food stations to ensure everyone’s palette’s were satisfied to their hearts content. A Summer salad station served the delicious Abbey Signature Salad and Caesar salad in martini glasses. A  Baja Mexican station  accompanied by a Southern Style Station with fried chicken, gourmet white cheddar Mac & Cheese & Cajun coleslaw to give a variety to please everyone.. Last  but not least was the Protein Station serving Black Angus New York Strip with Abbey famous Southern Style Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Two different kinds of cakes and a chocolate fountain were the absolute  “cherry on the top” to close this tremendous feast.

Like many other Abbey couples,  these  newlyweds decided to take advantage of our All Inclusive Wedding Package and chose to Honeymoon in our  luxurious Maui Condo. This has always been a popular option in choosing the different package items.  We can wait to see some of the pictures from paradise.  We wish them the best on their new journey and the best of life,  today and in the days to come.

The Abbey Catering & Event Design would love to discuss some of the package options we have for your All Inclusive Wedding.  Contact us here to speak with one of our professional wedding consultants.

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When brides want a classic look without the stress of a full veil, a perfect choice is the birdcage veil. Lightweight and easy to attach, the attachments place little stress on the hair while still giving full coverage as a veil, and add a contemporary look to a classic fashion style.

Different types of netting add full flexibility of choice to the bride, with the French net adding a softer, lace look and the Russian net appearing bolder, with more defined fabrics used. The high-fashion styles feature embellished details on the netting, and look great with added feather flower fastener.

Birdcage veils have made big news in Hollywood, with celebrities such as Madonna, Drew Barrymore and Reese Witherspoon all admitting to be fans of the style. The trend is said to be a spin-off from the tea-length wedding gown, although we love the veil in its own right because it is unique, fun and it certainly turns heads at any ceremony. The accents on the fasteners remind us of the statement jewelry trend happening at the moment, and with gown fashions becoming more princess-like and romantic, this is a beautiful way to modernize a classic look with style.

We here at The Abbey are seeing quite a bit of  both worlds in the brides we have been working with lately.  There is  a great love of the classic aspects of a ceremony and reception.  But with most of the younger brides, adding little personal touches that are a little different from the norm seems to be exact what the bride ordered.

To get more modern trends in wedding decor, ceremony styles and reception themes, visit us over at The Abbey to find out more.

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Bankers Hill is a truly beautiful part of San Diego, and nestled quietly in it rests a venue that brides dreams are made of. Britt Scripps Inn has a fairytale charm which isn’t just contained to the inside, and stood on the corner of Maple St and 4th Avenue, it’s impossible not to notice this strangely enchanting building. Every inch of the exterior is perfectly sculpted to show an authentically restored example of luxury living in the late 1800s.

And the beauty doesn’t end there, throughout this 9-room hotel you will find antique furniture, treasured textiles and rich woodwork carefully filling every inch the hallways, common areas and boutique guest rooms. Staff are attentive to your every need and all the rooms include flat-screen TVs, heated towel racks in bathrooms filled with high-end toiletries and 1,000 thread-count linens in beds you will never want to leave. If you do manage to tear yourself away from your room, the chef will be sure to reward your efforts with a full breakfast cooked to order, and free fine wine and cheese later in the night.

If you’re looking for a fairytale castle to retreat to, bring your prince charming to Britt Scripps Inn. From the welcome-chocolates on the pillow to the ‘anything you need’ 24-hour butler service, you’ll wish you could stay here happily ever after.

To learn more about how The Abbey can help make your fairytale wedding come true…contact us here for more information.

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You know that saying…’once a bridesmaid never a bride’, well the same goes for event directors. After each wedding, there is one question that I always want to ask the bride and never get the nerve to….”Can I try your dress on…please…just for a minute?” I finally came up with the perfect solution- throw a fake wedding, which I have been doing since I was about 4 years old. Ironically, to the same groom- my little brother Rob. I wanted to make this bridal show different than others, instead of the regular fashion show- I threw a faux wedding in the beautiful ceremony garden at the La Jolla Woman’s Club and included our amazing staff and their children. Blanca and her team at Elegant Events dressed the site with ivory chiffon, feathers, and over-sized silver candelabras- purposely leaving out any florals- to give that vintage-inspired look and we added silver Chiavari chairs from Best Rentals for seating. As all of the guests were seated, a classical guitarist from DJ Randy 3 (actually Randy’s own brother) played as the flowers girls- Ava and Lillianna, 2 of our vendors daughters’- made their way down the aisle. Following them was Mitzi, our kitchen managers’ daughter as junior bridesmaid – then event lead Gabi and Coordinator Extraordinaire Petr Trebin as groomsmen and bridesmaid. Our dashing server Marc (who also models throughout San Diego) as best-man and Maggie- as maid of honor- wearing my favorite bridesmaid dress; a mint colored strapless tulle Vera Wang gown which is a classic for sure! All the ladies and girls dresses were hand-picked by Betsy from Bella Bridesmaid just down the street in La Jolla, and the tuxes from Men’s Fashion Depot in San Diego. And then my moment, which was just SO much fun… As my daughter held my train, I walked down the aisle in a champagne Kenneth Pool Couture gown that felt like a dream which Cher from Chez Bride picked out for me along with those amazing chandelier earrings. Walking down the aisle and seeing our amazing clients, vendors, staff and their families was a special feeling. And seeing my brother took me back to where my dream started.. it was a magical moment. Myself and the entire wedding party were accessorized with beautiful floral arrangements from Artquest Floral, which were a variety of nosegays including orchids, callas, and Gerberas. And when we heard “you may kiss the bride”- Rob and I, along with everyone gave a chuckle… and I got a kiss on the cheek. It was a wonderful moment!

The La Jolla Woman’s Club is a fantastic venue for your upcoming nuptials. As the preferred caterer of  The Club, we would be happy to discuss with you how we can make your memorable day come true. Contact us here to talk about it.

Event Lead Gabi and Senior Events Coordinator Petr making a stylish bridesmaid and groomsman.

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The gorgeous weather was a perfect wedding day that

matched the beautiful array of yellow flowers provided by

ArtQuest Floral. 160 guests came together to enjoy the love

this couple share. June 12th was dream come true for a new

bride and groom! Located at the Darlington House, the pristine

rose gardens were in full and magnificent bloom. DJ Randy

played everyone’s favorite music while the sun fell, leaving

behind an unforgettable sunset!   This couple chose the

Abbey’s ultimate package to include a wonderful honey moon

in beautiful Maui, Hawaii. We waved them goodbye and wished

them well on their honeymoon and life together.

Would you like to find out more about our Luxury Maui Condo?

Perhaps details on one of our All Inclusive Wedding Packages?

We can provide you with all the information you need.

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Guests watched on as waves crashed in

and our couple exchanged heartfelt vows

of love. A beautiful day in La Jolla’s Cuvier

Park(AKA The Wedding Bowl)- was the

setting for our bride and grooms nuptials.

A few blocks away, our Abbey team was

hard at work putting the finishing touches

on a reception that was sure to please.

Headed up by Abbey Captain Linda, the

historic Darlington House was transformed

into perfect vision that welcomed guests

with the sounds of big band and tantalizing

appetizers. After a perfectly executed

dinner service, guests were delighted by a

picture perfect creation from Babycakes.

After some dancing and time with good

friends and family, Ran & Eric were whisked

away into the night to celebrate the first

night of their new marriage. It was a

pleasure to witness the joining of these

two very special people and their families.

Best wishes,

Robert Battoe

To find out more about the historic La Jolla Darlington House venue, please get in touch with us here. We can answer any of your questions and even help with some planning ideas.

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May 22nd was a day to remember for one newly wed couple! The Abbey Catering & Event Design helped make this a special day at the Darlington House in beautiful La Jolla. Decorated with yellow, white, and blue, 143 guests joined the two hearts that became one on this beautiful day. After a lovely ceremony, guests mingled during cocktail hour and continued the festivities with tray passed hors d’oeuvres. Friends and family began their dining experience to choreographed service with a choice of chicken Cordon Bleu filled with provolone cheese, smoked bacon, and topped with a sweet gorgonzola sauce, or a perfectly seared filet mignon. As they danced the night away, and played musical money for the centerpieces, the magical day lead to a fairytale evening and a wonderful new beginning. For more info about the Abbey Preferred Venue, Darlington House, contact us here.

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Saturday was a very special day in San Marcos. The

Abbey Catering & Event Design pulled out their very best for

the bride and groom at Old Richland Schoolhouse where their

wedding ceremony and reception took place. The Abbey’s All-

Inclusive package was absolutely exquisite. We  provided

the cake, coordinator, flowers, limo, staff, videographer,

photographer, linens, and the honeymoon in The Abbey

condo in Maui!

At the reception, the tray-passed appetizers more than

pleased all of the 180 guests. Delicious appetizers like Filet

Wellington, coconut-crusted golden shrimp, as well as

others, were sure fire crowd pleasers. That was followed

by the wonderful seated salad and last but not least, the

presented dual entree of Chicken Cordon Bleu and Black

Angus New York Strip that was carved for each guest.

After seeing how elated our stunning couple was during

and after this joyous occasion, we at The Abbey are

immensely proud in knowing that we were able to take

part and provide for this phenomenal day!

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La Jolla Cove Suites… another beautiful Abbey Preferred Venue. It sits across from the La Jolla Cove and the venue itself is the entire roof of the hotel. Spacious outdoor accommodations for an afternoon ceremony and indoor amenities for an elegant night time reception.  Hands down the most incredible and amazing views of the Pacific for a San Diego Wedding Venue. The Open House will have many different vendors and options to help show what you are able to accomplish at this wonderful venue. I encourage anyone interested in a beach type wedding with spectacular ocean views to come by and see if this is the place for the day of your dreams. Team LJCS up with The Abbey Catering & Event Design to truly make your visions a reality. Hope to see you all there.

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Our Executive director Jesika Leszewski-Grove was honored with the chance to contribute to one of the industry’s most respected and sought after publications, Ceremony Magazine. A  staple for almost any upcoming bride, this is the go to source for inspiration, innovation and magical ideas for that special day. Click on the Ceremony Magazine Link Here to read the full article and see how Jesika and everyone at The Abbey Catering and Event Design can turn your vision into a reality.

No Comments | Tags: articles, ceremony, jesika, magazine, San Diego