The place
Choosing from the myriad options for a wedding venue — the fundamental launch pad for the main event — can be an exciting adventure or a downright daunting search. One option to help track down that diamond in the rough is to start by narrowing down the general environment you seek in a wedding site. From historic to contemporary, beach to garden and everything in between, La Jolla has just the right venue to fit any couple’s style on their big day.

WEDDING WITH A VIEW
Wedding scenes don’t get more stunning than those situated against the backdrop of a setting sun and an expansive glittering waterline. Thanks to La Jolla’s temperate climate and stunning coastline, a romantic beach wedding is just steps away with rentable beachfront options all along the coastline. The Jewel’s most popular beach wedding locations include the famed Ellen Browning Scripps Park, Kellogg Park, Cuvier Park — known as the “Wedding Bowl” — Windansea Beach and Calumet Park. Permits for beach weddings are issued through the San Diego’s Park and Recreation Department. To inquire about permits, call (619) 235-1169.

FOR THE CULTURAL COUPLE For a more cultural affair, try one of the Jewel’s wedding sites imbued with art, history and culture. The exquisite Darlington House, the artistically infused Museum of Contemporary Art, the historic La Jolla Woman’s Club, the scenic La Jolla Cove Bridge Club and the oceanfront Scripps Seaside Forum all provide one-of-a-kind venues for a memorable evening surrounded by enlightened architecture, inspiring artwork and natural garden and beachfront settings.

A TIME FOR TRADITION For brides and grooms who hear church bells when they think of their ideal ceremony, La Jolla’s options are endless. Popular church venues include the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, Congregational Church of La Jolla, St. James-by-the-Sea, La Jolla Christian Fellowship, La Jolla Lutheran Church, All Hallows Catholic Church, Mary, Star of the Sea, and La Jolla United Methodist Church.

AN ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE All-inclusive country clubs, like the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and La Jolla Country Club, make for elegant, versatile spaces to host your big event with teams of professionals on hand to cater to your every whim and fancy. La Jolla’s many hotels, too, provide more than just a place for out-of-town visitors to rest their heads — they also serve as classy venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions of all shapes, sizes and forms. A few options around town include La Valencia, Grande Colonial, The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla Cove Suites and the Estancia Hotel & Spa.
— Mariko Lamb

The flowers 
Floral décor of the 21st century has the power to transform any space into an elegant atmosphere that will take your guests’ breath away. Whether you opt for vibrant pops of color for a glamorous occasion or subtle accents for a chic rustic look, let La Jolla’s floral specialists help put that tender loving care to each and every petal and transform your wedding venue into a masterful work of art.

GO GREEN
“What’s trending now for weddings is whatever has not been done before,” said Kimberly Buffington, owner of Flowerchild in La Jolla. “Brides are requesting their own personal style mixed with whimsy and creativity.” Buffington said popular wedding themes of late include “green” or “eco chic” weddings. In one of her recent weddings, Buffington incorporated organic coffee beans, lentils and locally grown purple hydrangea and green cymbidium orchids; invitations, menus and escort cards made with soy ink on recycled paper; and tree seedling party favors wrapped in burlap and adorned with a purple ribbon. “I am a huge fan of thinking outside the flower box, and I love to mix organic elements into my work,” she said. “Flowers are no longer the plant in the middle of the table. Instead, the centerpiece is now at the forefront demanding attention and stirring conversation.”

USE MODERN TOOLS
With the explosion of social media sites and online images, modern brides tend to know exactly what they want before even setting foot in a flower shop, said Ginny Boland, event design manager at Adelaide’s. “Brides peruse Pinterest, wedding blogs, websites and online magazines to create their dream wedding,” she said. “Most of them have already created their own version of a vision board. They have everything at their fingertips to create their one-of-a-kind wedding.” With personalized service of the utmost quality and products from top designers and best growers in the world, Adelaide’s can cater to any type of couple and their budget. “As Adelaide used to tell her granddaughters, ‘There is something here for everyone.’ We strongly believe that and work to make every bride happy,” Boland said. One of Boland’s favorite weddings this year was a vintage-lace-meets-rustic-cowboy theme. The exclusive ranch wedding had tables dripping with lace, crystals and luscious pink peonies crossed with high-end gourmet barbeque and cowboy boots. “The best thing about planning a wedding in 2012 is that you make it your own unique memory,” she said. “No wedding is alike.”
— Mariko Lamb

The plan
Whether planning a grandiose formal occasion or a simple beach wedding, every couple could use a little help. Delegating tasks to relatives or receiving professional assistance for the grander scheme can help ease a couples’ workload, reduce stress and ultimately ensure the event goes off without a hitch. “A wedding is two things. It is most likely one of the biggest parties the bride and groom have ever planned with all the people most important to them attending, and it is the event marking the biggest decision they will make in their lives,” said Cynthia Zatkin, owner of the La Jolla-based Cynthia Zatkin Events. “The combination of those two things is very exciting, but extraordinarily stressful — even for the most competent in us. Hiring a wedding planner means having a guide, a personal assistant, and a new BFF through the process.” Wedding planners can assist in setting and sticking to a budget, navigating the enormous field of vendors, keeping the wedding preparations on track and creating a design that caters to the couple’s unique personality. “The little-known secret to good wedding planners is that we actually save our clients a lot of money through our guidance, negotiation abilities and vendor relationships,” Zatkin said. “We decrease stress … and act as an insurance policy that all of their planning will actually be perfectly implemented on the wedding day.” 
— Mariko Lamb

The food
One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding — and one of the things most guests will remember, for better or worse — is figuring out what to serve. Weddings, just like couples, come in all shapes and sizes these days, and the food is no exception. Some go for five-course lavish meals, while others opt only for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Whatever your food fancy, chances are you’ll find someone in La Jolla who can create it. Establishments like The French Gourmet and Girard Gourmet offer couples everything from the appetizers to the cake, and can create menus according to the unique taste of the bride and groom. “I’ve done very different events,” said Michel Malecot, chef and owner of The French Gourmet. “One wedding had sliders with pulled pork and sweet potato fries, and another where we provided the cake and they brought food trucks in. People want to be a touch different. Everyone wants to be unique.” Other caterers in the area include Giuseppe Fine Catering and The Abbey, with catering options ranging from simple and elegant to lavish and unique. As for trends in the culinary scene, Malecot said he’s seen everything on either end of the budget spectrum. “People are either very concerned with their budget or they have all the money in the world,” he said. “But mostly, we’re seeing that people like extremes. They’ll maybe have some beautiful linen or satin, and then have a very funky menu.” Whatever the food requests, caterers — and wedding professionals in general — appreciate working with someone pleasant. “It takes a special breed of person to work in weddings,” Malecot said. “Some brides are very easy to work with, and some like to micromanage everything. But I always say that if you’re not buying peace of mind, I’m not charging you enough.”
CATERERS:
•?The French Gourmet: 960 Turquoise St., (858) 488-1725, www.thefrenchgourmet.com (offers desserts, as well) •?Girard Gourmet: 7837 Girard Ave., (858) 454-3325, www.girardgourmet.com (offers desserts, as well)
•?Giuseppe Fine Catering: 700 Prospect St., (858) 581-2205, www.giuseppecatering.com
•?The Abbey: 7776 Eads Ave., (888) 238-0949, www.theabbeycatering.com

BAKERIES:
• Cups: 7857 Girard Ave., (858) 459-2877, www.cupslj.com
•?Flour Power: 2255 Avenida de la Playa #7A, (858) 558-1199, www.flourpower.com
• Michele Coulon Dessertier: 7556 Fay Ave., Suite D, (858)?456-5098, www.dessertier.com
• Sprinkles:?8855 Villa La Jolla Drive, (858)?457-3800, www.sprinkles.com
— Kendra Hartmann

The time out
Couples spend so much time and energy planning their wedding, it’s important they take a break in the preparations as the event draws nearer for a little pampering and mental health time. The bachelor and bachelorette parties can be a good time to get away from the planning process and relax with friends. While a night out on the town is traditionally the way soon-to-be-newlyweds celebrate their impending nuptials, there are myriad other ways to take time out from the chaos of planning such an event. Spa days have become a popular way to unwind with friends, and La Jolla has no shortage of facilities in which to sit back and let yourself be pampered. Another unique activity to do with friends or out-of-town guests is the private flower party. Solana Beach-based Isari Flower Studio offers private in-home parties for any occasion, incorporating the relaxing effects of floral design into a celebration complete with delectable treats and tasty cocktails. Master horticulturist Morgan Jenkins said research on horticulture therapy suggests that working with nature reduces stress, tension and rewards nurturing behavior, making a floral design class the perfect pre-wedding stress reliever. For more information on Isari’s monthly classes or private events, visit www.isariflowerstudio.com.
— Kendra Hartmann

The fashion Summer is the season of the bride. What girl doesn’t want the picture-perfect day — blue sky, warm weather, sunshine? So, being that we are full swing in the season, let’s go over some trends in the bridal department. Since my husband and I eloped 13 years ago, I had to do a lot of research and enlist the help of some local experts. Catherine Bachelier Smith of CBS Lifestylist, Monica Snell of M Bride and Liza Pinard of Bella Bridesmaid have all been in the business a long time, and they took time out of their busy schedules to educate me. What I found most interesting is that they all said the same thing when it came to choosing the dress: bridal does not follow trends in the same way that fashion does. It’s based on what the bride has been dreaming about since she was a young girl, and it’s a very personal decision. (This mentality, however, should go hand in hand with a certain amount of open-mindedness. Smith, Snell and Pinard pointed out to me that just because a bride has been dreaming of a princess gown her whole life doesn’t mean it is the right fit for her body type. They advised brides to listen to their consultant and try on things they might not normally try on). Another idea my bridal fashion teachers touched on was the phenomenon of brides choosing multiple looks for their wedding day. Some brides are going with a formal dress to get married in, and then change into something more flirty and fun for the reception, allowing them to let loose and dance into the wee hours. Some brides will even do a third look and change to depart from the wedding and into her new life. Either way, it provides the bride a way to express herself through fashion. If buying multiple dresses isn’t in the budget, changing accessories might be a good alternative. Add a beaded or colored sash to the dress and use a flower made out of feathers in your hair, or change out your jewelry for a completely different look. Rachel Larraine is a local designer who makes amazing creations using feathers, silk, crystals and more. The bottom line is today’s bride doesn’t hesitate to bend the rules. Another rule often getting bent involves bridesmaids — and this is one I think is long overdue. There is nothing worse than wearing something you despise all day, pretending to look happy in it and let everyone take your picture! Your bridal party will consist of several different body types, and one dress will not compliment all of them. Thankfully, retailers like J. Crew and Ann Taylor have caught on and sell all their bridesmaid dresses in several colors and silhouettes. Brides, relinquish some control here! These girls are here to have fun and support you — the least you can do is let them be comfortable. Your pictures will look better if everyone in them is happy and feeling confident. Even though wedding fashion is unique to each bride, there still exist some trends. Lace is big right now (perhaps thanks to Catherine Middleton), while a blush color — beautiful for any bride — is showing up more and more, and tangerine is popular for a bridesmaid. Dresses are being made of more natural materials like silk, organza and chiffon, replacing heavier materials like satin. This shift has also accompanied changing colors, from white to antique ivory, vanilla, ecru, champagne, etc. Strapless seems to be a perennial favorite, but halter and keyhole backs are also quite popular. Heavy embellishment is giving way to beautifully layered and gathered gowns — an eye-catching look, but very simple. One thing is for sure: perusing all the styles of gowns shows how skilled someone must be to create such a beautiful garment. Happy wedding season everyone! Whether you’re the bride or guest this season, have fun and remember this is about celebrating with family and friends, so the mood should be joyous, light and festive. “It should be one of [the bride’s] favorite days, not necessarily the best day of her life,” Smith told me. How true this is — life has many wonderful events in store for us, not just one day! • Catherine Bachelier Smith: wedding coordinator and stylist, (760) 889-3725, www.cbslifestylist.com • Monica Snell, M Bride: 702 Pearl St., Suite H, (858) 551-1718, www.mbridesalon.com. • Liza Pinard, Bella Bridesmaid: 935 Silverado St., www.bellabridesmaid.com
• Catherine Bachelier Smith: wedding coordinator and stylist, (760) 889-3725, www.cbslifestylist.com
• Monica Snell, M Bride: 702 Pearl St., Suite H, (858) 551-1718, www.mbridesalon.com
• Liza Pinard, Bella Bridesmaid: 935 Silverado St., www.bellabridesmaid.com
– Sabrina Heft