Urban Kitchen Catering – CUCINA urbana

A few days ago I was lucky enough to meet up with the very fabulous Carmelle from Urban Kitchen Catering, over at CUCINAurbana, which made me realize that I need to start telling you guys reviews of my vendors. So this is the first review of many, but hopefully I can help you build your *own* reviews.

We chatted about food, the industry, food, weddings, food and general San Diego stuff. Did I mention the food? She actually got married at Marina Village right about the time I started working there (in 2007), and was a very nice bride to deal with. She helps Urban Kitchen Catering at their various locations and helps put together offsite events as well. A great person to deal with, very personable and organized.

I’ve driven and walked by this place many times and was never quite sure what it was, so the opportunity to visit was much appreciated.

This place is just divine – and easy on the eyes!

Urban Kitchen Catering specializes in food design for people who care about what they’re putting in their mouths. This isn’t where I get all preachy and tell you “Local-Organic or Bust!”, because by caring about what you’re eating, I mean you’re trying to serve your guests Delicious Food that they will remember. Have you ever been to a party or wedding and remembered how awful the food was? Yeah, this is not that kind of stuff.

I had the salmon and it was … wow. “Tasty” doesn’t cover it; they did something that was more than just fish on a plate with a side of potatoes – they transformed it into Really Good Dinner. It melted in my mouth. I want to eat it on a daily basis.

SO good. This place is fantastic. I’m sure I had a full review on them but thinking of the deliciousness sort of made me forget what I was going to say.

Anyway! Just …trust me, if you want a meal at your event that is so good your guests stop talking, you let me know. I’ll hook you up.

Welcome!

Weddings, anniversaries, holiday parties, corporate events, reunions, or even just a regular get-together with a little more pizzazz than normal… I can help! If you just need a few hours of help or want someone to make your idea a reality, then you are in the right place.

I offer complimentary consultations to get you started.

Browse through the tabs above for general info, or through the posts below to read up on clients, industry related things, and the like.

Cheers!

Meredith & Eric

These guys get The Responsibility Award.

Meredith is completely insane. Which is why she is AMAZING. Fabulous, even! I really dig that chick, and to see her with her man Eric is just adorable. They’re a sweet couple. FYI – you don’t refer to them as Meredith & Eric. You refer to them as Meric, because that’s the kind of couple that they are. And they’re not even annoying about it!

The three of us met at Marina Village, and realized we had a bunch of friends in common. Is that a bad thing? Nahh…the best part is having the same sense of humor. It also turned out they wanted to get married just before me – on April 1st! Some people might think that was an omen, but this worked out in their favor.

Meric’s event was on 4/1/11, with a small ceremony on the South Lawn and festive drunken reception in the Bayview Room.

It was a very exciting time indeed.

Check out more photos over here…

Denice & Eric

I first met Denice when she and Eric came to my venue to look around for a wedding spot… and then we proceeded to talk for probably two hours straight. She’s AWESOME.

So is Eric.

Anyway, we got past the initial walk-in meeting, and she proceeded to come back and visit me almost every weekend for the next year. It was like she worked there part time. It always made me happy to see her come in and kick it.

Here’s her story:
Eric and I met at Dixieline Lumber yard. My current boyfriend at the time had applied but didn’t get hired, so then I applied, got hired, and met Eric. Once I got to know Eric as a person, and then as a friend I knew someway-somehow I was going to marry him. I dumped my boyfriend of two years, kissed Eric the next week, became his girlfriend within a month. One year Eric and I went to Big Bear for the weekend; I was getting our toiletries put away in our cabin when my cell phone rang. Eric had called me from the parking lot asking for help with our luggage. I went outside and couldn’t find him, he then called me again and told me to come down to the lake (he had something to show me)….as I walked down to the lake there were two large boulders blocking the shore line so I couldn’t see around the bend, nevertheless there was Eric as soon as I turned the bend on his knee with a ring in his hand. Once he proposed his love and asked to marry me, a fish jumped out of the lake and splashed back towards the water….that was a great indication for me to say, “yes!”

You know, with anybody else that might sound cheesy, but it just fits the two of them so well. Denice is this bright spot of sunshine, and they just get along so well. They are just really pleasant to be around. On August 14, 2009, they had their wedding ceremony in the South Lawn, followed up by a nice casual reception in the Bayview Room.

Close to two hundred people attended, and had one hell of a good time (Denice made sure of that).

Nothing brings out the best in people like a good conga line.

Anyway, after their event I was bummed because it was over. It was always fun to talk to them, fun enough that we became friends and they ended up attending my wedding as well (woohoo!) I’m so happy to have been a part of their special day.

Check out some other wedding shots over here.

Webtacular update

We’ve just acquired CupcakeSanDiego.com and CupcakeCoordination.com. Aww yeah!

Sarah & Josh

Let’s get this out of the way first: Sarah & Josh are going to make some very beautiful babies.

Sarah was a coworker of mine about seven years ago. We’ve kept in touch for years, so when she called to tell me she & Josh were gettin’ hitched, it was a super exciting time. She’s laid back and sweet, very easy to work with.

They chose the North Lawn & Marine Room at Marina Village on 4/18/09, and it was a nice gathering of about a hundred and twenty people.

More photos are over here.

You guys are awesome. Thank you for letting me be a part of everything!

Back In The Groove

Hello hello!

After an extensive illness, I’m finally well on the way to being fully recovered and getting back to the business of getting this business going again.

As I look through my database of vendors, it’s really quite a blessing to have some of the finest caterers, photographers, florists, DJs, and hotels open to working with me. This means that *YOU* will be getting the creme de la creme, so everyone wins! All my vendors are insured for at least half a million dollars in commercial liability, and whose proven track record means 4 – 5 star ratings.

As 2011 winds to a close, I find myself caught up in a whirlwind of paperwork and networking meetings… as well as a whole lot of delicious Christmas cookies. This doesn’t mean I am unavailable to work with you, it just means things (like an updated website/logo, first of all) are in the works.

In other news, two friends who I’ve known for many years recently got engaged (on the same date). Not engaged to each other, but still. Congrats to Morgan & Matt and Eric & Jenna!

Here’s hoping the close of the year brings you all the best. See you in 2012!

How Sweet It Is

Yeah yeah …the puns. It won’t all be cupcakes and glitter, but hey, you have to start somewhere.

I’ve been working in the special events industry for close to five years now, and have talked with lots and lots and lots and LOTS of people that have had a lot of parties. Mostly weddings.

Three years ago I started planning my own.

It went well.

04.23.11

Anyway, all this past experience made me realize that it feels good to help other people, so that’s why I’m trying to get this under a bit more formal of an umbrella. I have lots of resources, inspiration and ideas, and am here to help you as well! Uh, plus: weddings = FUN. If they’re not fun, you’re doing it wrong. It’s all about celebration, so if you keep your eye on that, it all works out. (I promise.)

So – enjoy my blog, bear with me while all the behind-the-scenes stuff is going on, and let’s get the party started.