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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

If you’re on the look out for a bay front wedding at an easily affordable price, look no further, The Marina Village is on the southwestern tip of beautiful Mission Bay.

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…

No Comments | Tags: Marina Village, San Diego, venue

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…

 

 

No Comments | Tags: abbey, All-Inclusive Wedding Package, art, Corporate Events, event, event design, la jolla, party, photographer, reception, San Diego, venue

A theme is all it takes to turn your party from average to adventurous and fun. The Weiner family wanted to take their daughter’s bat mitsvah one step further than just a party. “Which house would you choose Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Slytherin?”  The fun movie theme of Harry Potter was perfect for this kind of celebration.  The main dining area was set up similiar to the Hogwarts School dining area with the house name banners and then a side dining area with tables labeled for places within the movie like the Whomping Willow and King’s Cross Station.  You could almost feel the magic.  Hiring the Abbey Catering and Event Design Co along with their event coordinator made this party flow with ease.  From set up to clean up, everything was taken care of –  from keeping the guests appetites fulfilled to being kept busy with a photo shoot where you could dress up as your favorite character from the movie.  Normal parties are things of the past, now themed parties have become more popular and the thing to do.From birthday parties to even weddings it is no longer just a party but an event the host family wants their guests to remember.  Celebrating in style now means having fun while you do it. So…..

 

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

No Comments | Tags: abbey, catering, design, event, photographer, venue

Of course you know the bride to be is pampered and prepped to look her best on one of the most memorable days of her life when she is wedded to the man of her dreams….but, what about the guys?
Often there’s only the bachelor party then the wedding and Bam!…the honeymoon. But now the Abbey is proud to the let the men know that we have something special in store for you too! It’s called Project M, and it’s a featured project for men, to groom you to your finest. Featuring everything from hair-cuts, photo preparation and blemish cover up; which is so subtle that even you will not be able to tell the difference. You will look your best for your pics, and get pampered….GQ style. Their motto is “Let us Man-You-Up for your special events!

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.

14 Comments | Tags: abbey, All-Inclusive Wedding Package, bride, event, photographer, San Diego, vendors, venue

The Museum of Photographic Arts, located in the heart of Balboa Park in San Diego, is a favorite venue to house a wedding reception for couples such as Kristie and Jarold.  With room enough to hold about 200 guests and access to an open patio for cocktails before dinner, guests get private access to the many beautiful exhibits that pass through this historical building.  There is also access to a photo booth for fun pictures with the guests and a widescreen projector to share photos and other fun life experiences.  The Museum is one of many preferred venues of the Abbey Catering.  This couple and their guests were treated to a lovely cocktail hour with drinks while servers walked around with trays of delicious appetizers consisting of sauteed chicken skewers, hummus on fresh pita bread, coconut shrimp and the favorite ahi on cucumber slices.  Then followed dinner and dancing with a DJ provided as part of their wedding package selected through the Abbey.  As the sun set over the park, the guests completed their memorable experience as Kristie and Jarold departed to begin their honeymoon as a couple now bound as one.

Let one of our Preferred Venues bring beloved memories and joyful smiles to your next celebration…

No Comments | Tags: abbey, bride, event, fine dining, museum, photographer, reception, venue, wedding

Coronado Community Center

Coronado boasts some of the most beautiful views of downtown San Diego, which makes it a perfect location for a wedding. The Coronado Community Center is a popular choice for those who want to combine a breathtaking location with top-notch amenities. The Nautilus Banquet Hall comfortably seats 250 people, and is situated right next to a ceremonial lawn which overlooks Glorietta Bay and the skyline of San Diego.

The location of the Community center is just one of the selling points for the venue. Aside from this, many brides flock to the center for the amenities it provides, such as large reception room, patio for cocktails and photographs and doors which open up onto the bay. The venue has its own kitchen, and allow full flexibility with vendors to allow you to personalize the wedding exactly how you wish. Tables and Chairs are even included!

Another plus point for the Coronado Community Center is the location for visiting guests. The Center has an ample parking area, and there is an endless choice of accommodation for those who have a few too many glasses of bubbly by the bay. Being by the bay allows the ocean breeze to tantalize the senses as they waft in through the fully sliding, fully open, ocean side doors.

The venue costs $400 by the hour and $200 by the hour if you are a current resident of Coronado. But make sure to book quickly and far in advance! The coronado venue is high prized and is usually booked for two years at any given time.

The Coronado Community Center is a popular wedding choice and offers so much that it’s no wonder it has become one of Abbey’s highly recommended preferred venues. Just as the Coronado Community Center has The Abbey Catering and Event Design as their #1 caterer!

 Contact us today and let’s talk about your Coronado wedding day!

No Comments | Tags: Information, Locations, venue, wedding

 50,000 flowers from the best floral design teams dangled in every possible position as wonderful bouquets and artistic arrangements along the walls and halls of Baloboa Park’s Museum of Art. 

 Where to my delight the beautiful aroma of flowers wafted through the air welcoming me as I entered this scene of fantastic art and floral display. Many mingling and merrily refreshed onlookers wandered amidst surroundings which emanated an ambiance of an enchanted garden. It was In that moment I could feel this was an event put together with style, class and soul. Chilled martini glasses hung as forbidden fruit among orange and ruby roses which transitioned nature and play in a heavenly style, as if they were apples asking to be picked and savored.

As I turned from the menagerie and martini tree toward other delectables I was enticed to find the flavor of the artists and the flavor of the fine dining were in perfect harmony. Each taste from my avant-garde mashed potato martini possessed and mused with the visual taste of the décor and design. While each sip of my classic martini fulfilled my desire while I pondered the magic involved and thirsted for more time among this spellbinding Walk through the Arts. Unknowingly I came to the San Diego Museum of the Arts with an fantastical hunger and left full of wonder, filled in spirit, and rich in taste.

1 Comment | Tags: abbey, art, catering, creative cuisine, cuisine, design, event, event design, Mixer, party, refreshments, San Diego, San Diego Museum of Art, venue

Just a trolley ride away, The San Diego Museum of Man could be the space for your next special event,
The Museum of Man is a dramatically elegant Venue for your Wedding or Special Event.

 

 

 

It boasts a majestic tower and tiled dome when lit up will delight your guests as they marvel at the seamless flow of the Rotunda which is ideal for mingling or as additional seating for your day. Your guests can meander through exhibits as they engage in good food , cocktails, and good times. This is a destination Venue at the front door of Historic Balboa Park that is not to be missed.

 

San Diego’s Balboa Park has much to offer you and your event if seeking history and beautiful structures and landscaping, is this what you seek or more…….

No Comments | Tags: abbey, catering, reception, San Diego, venue, wedding

 

The Abbey Catering had the Honor of Representing Equality California at the Hall of Champions on April 30, 2011 for their San Diego Equality Awards Ceremony honoring Equality, Leadership and Justice.   At a sit down dinner for 300 guests, that was sponsored by over 30 companies who also supports Equality California, the featured entertainment was Mango and Dango.

 

 

The Awards recognized distinguished compatriots who went above and beyond their duties while facing challenges and over coming obstacles. Equality California was founded in 1998, and has helped many individuals throughout its inception and continues to do so in present time. The Abbey Catering was one of the biggest contributors to Equality California and we were proud to represent them at their Awards Banquet with delectable dishes of savory food and scrumptious desserts.

 

 

 

 

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No Comments | Tags: abbey, catering, ceremony, corporate catering, Corporate Events, event, Hall of Champions, museum, San Diego, venue