WEATHER

Pros:

-Summer weather is amazing, especially in San Diego! The temperatures are hardly extreme and there isn’t much humidity out here.

-Another great way to take advantage of the weather? Have your wedding in the mountains! You can cut down expenses when you host your wedding in locations such as Big Bear, CA because the weather is mild. So there’s no need for heaters or canopies.

-There are also more venues available during the summertime than the winter. You wouldn’t have been able to choose a mountain location or beach front hotel if you had opted for a winter wedding.

Cons:

-The weather is unpredictable at times in the summer! The sun can be blinding for you and guests, so a canopy is a must.

-If you choose to have it during the summer, you’ll have to consider various factors like the time of the day the ceremony will take place as to avoid peak hours of UV exposure and heat.

-We advise you to keep the ceremony short if it takes place in the outdoors because guests might get sunburnt or dehydrated (be sure to provide lots of water for your guests that day!)

-MAKEUP! Avoid using airbrush makeup because it will melt in warm conditions, especially if humidity is a factor.

-Avoid spray tans at all cost because you run the risk of transferring any brown stains onto your white dress if you’re going to be standing in the sun for a while.

-August is normally the hottest month of the summer season; we suggest having the ceremony either really early in the morning or late in the afternoon (around 5-6pm).

TIMING

Pros:

-Days are longer = longer celebrations!

-Easier to plan around guests’ schedules since people are more apt to take vacation time during the summer. Kids will be off from school so parents can attend.

-Luncheons. Instead of a dinner, you can opt for a luncheon during the middle of week. It’s an effective and unique way to cut down on costs, and it’s easy to plan since most people can take time off in the summertime.

Cons:

-Reservations. Beaches and state parks will require you to have a permit and reservation for the location ahead of time. Popular spots are sometimes reserved 6-12 months in advance!

-You can’t predict weather anymore than you can predict ocean occurrences. If you’re having a beach wedding, watch out for seaweed that gets washed up along the shore, bugs, or any unwanted guests.

-Summer season typically means higher rates for rooms and venues because of vacationers and wedding season.

Getting married in the summertime can be fun and romantic, and hopefully these tips will prepare you against any surprises!

Pictures provided by www.jaycyn.com and www.maggievalleyweddings.com

Something Borrowed

Based on the best-selling novel by Emily Griffin, the storyline follows Rachel, a single and successful attorney, who after celebrating her 30th birthday realizes she’s still in love with her law school crush, Dex, the future husband of Rachel’s best friend, Darcy. Like any delightful romantic comedy, “Something Borrowed” is full of laughs and intertwined relationships. After watching the movie, you might be inclined to go and read the actual book and the whole series of “Something…” by Griffin! The film is directed by Luke Greenfield and stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, John Krasinski, Colin Egglesfield, and Steve Howey. Out in theatres now.

Jumping the Broom

The latest film by Salim Akil, “Jumping the Broom” shares a story of how two African American families from different socioeconomic worlds come together for a weekend in Martha’s Vineyard. The term “jumping the broom” actually comes from a custom practiced in Wales, by Romani people (also known as “Gypsies”) and in some African communities. In African communities, the couple would end their ceremony by jumping over the broomstick together or separately. This symbolised the wife’s commitment to her new household, which might be why this movie has been cleverly named “Jumping the Broom”.

Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) falls in love with Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso) and decides to marry him before meeting his side of the family. After meeting Jason’s mother for the first time the weekend of her wedding, problems arise between Sabrina and Jason because their families cannot get along. Sabrina must now decide whether she can overcome these issues and commit to her new family or leave Jason at the altar. Movie is currently in theatres.

Bridesmaids

From the producer who brought you “Knocked Up” and “Superbad” comes a new movie just for us ladies (and men) to enjoy! “Bridesmaids” centers the story on Annie (Kristen Wiig”} who is asked by Lillian (Maya Rudolph) to be her Maid of Honor. Being not-so-lucky in love and broke, Annie must pull her act together to show her best friend and the other bridesmaids she can carry out the job of MOH, while battling some hilarious hiccups along the way! The cast includes Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Ellie Kemper. Movie is out in theatres now.

Photo courtesy of Balboa Park

There are so many great spots and restaurants in downtown and the surrounding areas. Many people tend to just stick with the Gaslamp district, but just 5 minutes away, you can walk around areas like Hillcrest or visit Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo.

Photo courtesy of Hotel del Coronado

In Balboa Park there are always great events and museums to visit. Only minutes away from downtown is the beautiful Coronado Island, where you can choose to visit for a day to see beaches like Silver Strand State Beach or stay overnight at the landmark Hotel Del Coronado, which recently became Green Seal certified.

If you go 20 minutes north, you can stop by La Jolla Cove and grab lunch with a view at George’s at the Cove or inside the historic “pink lady,” La Valencia Hotel.

If you’re truly craving an out-of-town experience, you only need to drive an hour east or north to feel like you’re in a different city altogether. Drive up the 15-N and you can spend time at the renown golf and spa at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. To sweeten the deal, Rancho Bernardo Inn offers many specials and packages to make the most out of your weekend getaway and offers free shuttle services around town. Or you can stay at their sister resort, Temecula Creek Inn and enjoy a wine tasting journey through Temecula Valley. Their amenities include a 27-hole Championship golf course and located conveniently within minutes of 18 of Temecula’s finest wineries.

Further east of San Diego county, you can visit Julian, a small town that offers visitors a unique, country experience. Julian is a little taste of east coast rustic for the SD city slicker! Year round, the quaint city offers activities like apple picking in the fall, or the chance to build a snowman in the winter. The mountainous town is perfect for nature hikes if you’re feeling adventurous. If you take the 76-E, you can visit Cupid’s Castle Bed & Breakfast for a relaxing retreat and be a weekend princess! The owners of this local castle describe their location as “secluded in the middle of a lemon orchard… enchanting gardens will embrace you with its 400 year old oak trees, fairy grotto garden with little pond, chimes, fountains and flowers.” How wonderfully charming!

Photo courtesy of Cupid's Castle

North county San Diego is home to hotels such as The Grand Del Mar and L’Auberge–both luxurious resorts! During the summer you can don your prettiest hat and enjoy a day at the horse races at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and at night dine out at exquisite restaurants like Chart House in Cardiff by the Sea. Downtown Del Mar is the perfect low key, classy counterpart to the hustle and bustle of downtown San Diego.

It’s easy to fall into ruts or have the urge to travel somewhere far to mix things up, but we hope the suggestions we’ve offered will help keep the sense of romance and adventure going well beyond the first year. San Diego County is a huge city with many sites and attractions to offer, so start planning your staycation!

A five star wedding indeed! That pretty much explains it all. Pelican Hill Resort, in Newport Beach is the perfect ocean view venue.  As soon as you arrive at this resort, a feeling of glamour and paradise fill the air. The staff are overly gracious, and resort employees immediately greet you and make you feel welcomed.  The views are delightful, peaceful, and absolutely breathe taking.  Since this venue only allows one wedding per day, all of focus will be on making you and your guests happy.

The Italian, 300 ft rotunda, is perfect for your ceremony location, over looking the Pacific Ocean and the resorts award winning golf course really puts the mind at ease. Pelican Hill Resort is such a beautiful site already, you wouldn’t have to go out of your way to do much decorating. This spot will let the beautiful architectural work speak for itself. Steps away from the Rotunda, is the Mar Vista Ballroom. The Mar Vista ballroom stands separate from the resort, allowing wonderful privacy for you and your guests to enjoy, and it’s location is very convenient for your guests to stroll over to after ceremony.   This ballroom has an ample amount of space, huge vaulted ceilings, beautiful chandeliers and windows all around the entire ballroom with scenic views.

Words alone cannot describe this amazing venue, it is definitely a must see!  Having your wedding at Pelican Hill Resort will be nothing less than spectacular, and will certainly be a dream come true!

Photos courtesy of Pelican Hill Resort

 Celebrations go on for 3 days and simple or grand, a Lebanese wedding isn’t truly Lebanese without a ‘zaffeh’, the act of escorting the bride to her husband, in celebration of their holy marriage. Even the ‘zaffeh’ is a form of entertainment, celebration and dance because, on the third day, the groom is led by a group of dancers, as they play music, sing and dance on their way to the bride’s house.

Entertainment is an essential and important priority in Lebanese weddings. Music and dance are the hallmarks of celebration and fun in Lebanese families and culture.

 A Middle Eastern wedding celebration, is one where the dancer has a special place. Usually a belly dancer or singer will entertain the guests and more luxurious weddings will have more than one entertainer.

As you can clearly see, the Lebanese truly believe a wedding is a celebration and there is no costs to keeping guests entertained.

Beach Weddings: There are many venues surrounding the Mediterranean Sea that capture the beauty of the water and the exotic locale. The beaches in Lebanon are breathtaking and stay warm from April until October and even sometimes November.

You can also enjoy a beautiful sunset wedding overlooking Al Rousheh a very historical spot in the beaches of Beirut.

Mountain Weddings: The mountains of Lebanon, like Faraya, boast gorgeous views and venues for a wedding and can be used in both the summer and winter months.

For those who envision a white wedding, the mountains of Lebanon are a gorgeous setting and full of natural beauty.

A Different Take: Other venues include: cathedrals, castles, and the gorgeous homes that portray the history, grandeur, and beauty of Lebanon all at once.

Night Weddings: For the couple who wants something a little more fun or a wedding at night, the city of Beirut boasts multiple venue choices.

A venue speaks volumes about a couples taste and style on their wedding day. For a destination wedding, Lebanon is one of the most historical places you can choose that gives you an abundance of choice when it comes to venues from the mountains with snow to the Mediterranean Sea and even castles!

Read up about the country you are going to… Lebanon is called the Paris of the Middle East, so if you are up to fashion, you are in the right city.   Although, this time of year tends to be cold so dress warm. Be sure you have comfortable shoes, as there are a lot of sights to see and sometimes it is faster to walk than take a taxi or drive a car.

The nature in Lebanon is spectacular, lots of historical places to visit. I will talk about few of them in my next blog.

Here are the color trends part 1 & part 2 projected by Michelle Mospens of a wedding sketchbook for wedding themes and decor 2011

I hope you where inspired to start planning your color filled wedding day celebration!!