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1)      Plan some unexpected entertainment:  Guests are accustomed to seeing the usual things, like the money dance and other wedding favorites; but why not surprise your guests with unique entertainment?  One bride and groom wowed their guests with a fully choreographed tango dance, while another had a live band karaoke at their reception.  One unique option is renting The Abbey’s one of a kind photo booth, full with silly props it can be a big hit at your reception. It is always a great hit among guests and can really jazz up your party.

2)      Add a lounge to your reception:  Sometimes guests get restless sitting at the dining tables and don’t really feel the need to shake their booty, so why not create a nice lounge space for guests to escape to?  Renting a few couches or small pieces of furniture with some pillows in an area lit by candlelight really would add a level of class to your reception while maintaining a fun atmosphere.  The Abbey Catering can help, we have great lounge pieces for any occasion.

3)      Music, music, music:  Whether you hire a band or one of The Abbey’s preferred DJs for entertainment, make sure you see eye to eye on the type of music they play.  Songs like “The Macarena” and “The Chicken Dance” should really be outlawed.  And bands normally take a break or two during the reception, so make sure they have something to play as backup during those times.

4)      Kids are people too:  It’s inevitable that children will be attending the wedding, so have a game plan to keep them entertained while the adults can have some quality time together.  Hire a babysitter to watch over the kids while they enjoy a movie in a separate room or have other games and activities to keep them occupied.

5)      Keep the toasts to under 2 minutes each:  Simple and heartfelt toasts are the way to go and help maintain the flow of a good party.  Too many toasts and those that are awkward or long-winded from the cousin-you-never-talk-to can really dampen the mood.

6)      Have fun and fresh food:  The Abbey has amazing menus to appease any palate, so take advantage of what we have to offer and customize it by your tastes!  For a more casual style, order stations of Mexican tacos or a slider bar for guests to enjoy.  If a buffet-style or plated dinner isn’t your cup of tea; have heavy hors d’oeuvres or a simple yet elegant display.

7)      Hire a day-of wedding coordinator:  After all of the time and planning, nothing is worse than being stressed out on your wedding day.  So look into using one of The Abbey’s veteran day-of wedding coordinators to take care of all the little details and to ensure your day is as special and as worry-free as can be!

Tell us your ideas, share with us and we will share even more ideas with you, the two of us will make a great team…..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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…

No Comments | Tags: All-Inclusive Wedding Package, coronado community center, san diego blackout, wedding

Last Thursday Southern California was blanketed in one of the largest blackouts in US History. You wouldn’t necessarily think it’s a big deal even in wedding season and especially on a Thursday. Guess what? We had two couples, eagerly awaiting their weddings on 9-8-2011. Just as the lights went out, the Abbey Team went into action. Ocean View Villas suffered a brief outage until our emergency generator arrived and kicked in. It was able to power the DJ and provide enough juice to get the lights going.

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!

No Comments | Tags: All-Inclusive Wedding Package, catering, ceremony, san diego blackout, wedding

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

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

Buckingham Palace isn’t the only place in the world where one can say “Do fetch me another diamond tiara”, The Abbey can do that for you too, almost.  In honor of the Royal Wedding of the decade, we are offering anyone name Kate or William a royal-getaway-for-two by providing them with our exclusive Maui penthouse for their own kingly pleasures.

 

Feeling blue-blooded? Check out some of our Royal Wedding ideas…

No Comments | Tags: abbey, All-Inclusive Wedding Package, bride, catering, ceremony, event, event design, wedding

Welcome to the first annual Britt Scripps Inn Bridal Open House. This May 1st between 12 & 3 pm the Britt Scripps Inn is hosting their first annual Bridal Open House. Come and enjoy music and good food and stroll the beautiful grounds of this historic Bankers Hill Victorian Inn. Newly added to our Vendor Attendees, Artistica Events and Elegant Events who will show you how to create the perfect decor for your next table-scape. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get an intimate look at San Diego’s hottest new Wedding Venue. Don’t miss out!

RSVP Robert(Wedding Planner/Event Coordinator) 1-866-535-8949 ext 728

The Abbey Catering

 

 

RSVP to the event now by clicking ahead and get complimentary engagement photos….

No Comments | Tags: abbey, All-Inclusive Wedding Package, bride, Britt Scripps, San Diego, venue, wedding

The Abbey is absolutely the best catering and event design company in the region.  My fiance and I chose the Abbey after doing a bunch of research, and we have not been disappointed!  We booked their wedding package, and went in for our food tasting today.  Everything was marvelous!  Matt, the chef, created an amazing assortment of dishes for our big day, and everything was delicious.  I loved the appetizer selections and main course choices – they were so different from traditional wedding cuisine.  We ended up choosing a bunch of different appetizers for the cocktail hour, including ceviche that will be served from a martini tree.  For dinner, Matt suggested (which we loved) that we go with stations.  I am super excited about the shrimp mac&cheese station.  The sample was hands down the best gourmet mac&cheese we have ever had.  I was a bit picky in telling them what I wanted, and the Abbey Catering and Event Design created the perfect meal.  Our wedding isn’t until September, but I am so looking forward to the real thing in a few months!  Everyone is so helpful at the Abbey and I have enjoyed working with their entire team.   — from client posted review 4/19/2011

 

We do what we know and that seems to be working for us and our clients and we know food best click ahead  and get scheduled for your tasting….

No Comments | Tags: abbey, bride, catering, chef, cuisine, event design, fine dining, wedding