My Wedding Report

The fact that I just put a sports picture on my wedding blog is pretty ironic considering I wouldn’t normally be a big sports fanatic. I watch games every once in awhile with my family or Mr. Ducky and can enjoy them. However, usually I’m doing something on my computer or eating some unhealthy snack that is out in honor of the game. I’m making an exception and posting a picture because: A) I’m from San Diego so “Go Chargers!” and B) I’m going to tell you a bit about my philosophy of picking my team for the wedding…

(To balance the sports photo and all the text I’ll just post some pretty pictures throughout as you read my rambles)

When I first began to think about who I wanted to work with for my wedding when it came to vendors, location etc. I thought about it as if I were picking my team. I’m not just picking people to work for me or paying for a simple service. I’m searching for a group of people that I want to work with during this crazy and stressful process that will be surrounding me on the day of my wedding. I’m searching for my team.

We all know how hard it is to pick out that guest list and choose the people who mean the most in your life that will add to the specialness your day. You will be paying a lot so that they can be there. I think it is just as important that vendors you work with will also add to your day. Your catering manager, coordinator, photographer, DJ and florist will all be working with you closely and who they are and their work will impact your wedding and you personally whether for good or bad.

I wanted to find people that would be on my team. Did I want them to be awesome and super talented at what they do? Absolutely! However, beyond that I wanted to find people that I felt like I could connect with and if I had just randomly met them outside of the wedding process we would probably be friends. You have to trust these people and be able to let go of the control you have held so tightly onto in the months of planning. I personally feel better handing all my details, photography etc. to someone that I trust and like. These people should add to your day and you need to be comfortable around them. Your bridal party is part of your team that you can lean on from support and trust; your vendors are another extension of that team.

I couldn’t be more excited about the people that are on the team so far! Each person is insanely talented and just an awesome person that I am enjoying getting to know.

I’ve told you that our wedding will be at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. Well the catering manager, Tricia is one of the big reasons that we are there. From the time I met her I could tell she was on top of things and nothing was going to get out of control on that day with her in charge. She was really friendly and during our deciding process she was more than helpful helping me figure out budget. Also, she helped us secure the Aragon Lawn as our ceremony site when originally we weren’t going to be allowed to guarantee that particular spot.

Next week I’ll tell you about my AMAZING photographer and my INCREDIBLE month-of coordinator and why I think they are so wonderful!

Sneak peak of their insane talent…

A snapshot from my photographer:

A snapshot from my wedding coordinator:

Just looking at their pictures makes me more excited for having them on my team!

Are you ready to see what we finally decided on?!? From where we last left off I believe that we had just discovered that we would not be getting married at the Estancia La Jolla to our disappointment… I was feeling pretty frustrated and could suddenly understand why people elope. It was to avoid all this planning craziness and stress. But in spite of all the craziness from our venue hunt there was an upside!

After seeing so many places (Refer to Part I, Part II and Part III for the details) we knew more of what wanted. We wanted a unique location that had a sort of rustic charm, an outdoor ceremony, an indoor reception, not too many onlookers around, an efficient coordinator, local accommodations and nothing that our guests would feel crammed into. To meet the criteria and stay within our budget, I decided that we needed to move further inland or further south. Because of the concern that driving south would be to far for some of our guests (adding an additional 1/2 hour to a several hour drive) we decided to try searching inland. Sure enough I found that pricing was much more reasonable.

Once place stood out in particular and that was the Rancho Bernardo Inn, it seemed beautiful in the pictures and affordable from the packages that I had been sent. I was in San Diego by myself visiting my family for the weekend when I first spoke to the catering manager. She said that if I wanted I could come that day and she would show me around in person before she left. I jumped into the car with parents and fell in love with the location.

The Rancho Bernardo Inn has this rustic Tuscan feel from when you arrive on the property. The property is huge, but each area feels private. While it is a resort it doesn’t feel like a touristy destination spot. It has it’s own charm while being a major resort. There is a beautiful golf course, luxury spa and some amazing restaurants. My parents and I ate dinner there the first time we visited and it was amazing! I have no fear that my guests will have a wonderful dinner at our wedding. But I will stop all my rambling and share with you the pictures…

Disclaimer/Side note: These pictures do not do the place justice, especially since they don’t show the venue set up for an event. Use your imagination and think of all the possibility that is there…Most of the pictures I took personally unless noted otherwise

(Photo Source: Shadowcatcher photography)

I love how lantern hang in the trees and there are all these special spots and benches to enjoy your surroundings.

How great does this pool look? It makes me want to go for a swim!

Our ceremony site is on the Aragon Lawn. I’m so excited for this because at first we didn’t know if we could actually have this particular site** (see at the end for the full story). Here is the ceremony location from afar…

Here is a closeup version. The black trellace has vines and those lantern I love hanging from it. Each side is surrounded by white rose bushes and park benches. The pictures really don’t do it justice.

The cocktail hour will take place on the terrace outside the reception ballroom. The terrace is a shaded area that overlooks the golf course. There are french doors that open from the ballroom. These aren’t the best pictures, but you can get an idea.

Outside our ballroom we have our own private bar area that will be a part of the cocktail hour and somewhere to gather that is inside. Isn’t it cute?

Hung C Tran Blog

From the bar area is the entrance to the Bernardo Ballroom, where our reception will be held. The ballroom has high ceilings with wood beams, wrought iron chandeliers and french doors that open up onto the terrace where the cocktail hours was. It has that simple, rustic and can be molded into our vision for the day.

Photo from San Diego Style Weddings

Photo from Here Comes the Guide

Well that’s all the pictures I have for now. I will try looking for more pictures of actual weddings that have taken place there so you can get a better idea of what everything looks like.

I called Mark from the location describing each detail and the feel I had from being there. He was excited and told me he was supportive of whatever I decided. After deciding this was “the one” we worked with the manager to negotiate the specifics including the Aragon lawn and other details. Before signing the contract Mark and I went to the Rancho Bernardo Inn together so that he could see it in person. He loved it as well (other than the fact than I had coffee spilled all over him from our drive over, so he was very uncomfortable) and we signed turned the contract in before we left the hotel.

So what did I learn?

• That I needed to be willing to compromise. No, I was not getting the coastal location I had originally envisioned, but many of the places I had looked at were coastal regions with no views anyway. I do not have an unlimited budget and I needed to be reasonable.
• Patience, persistence and honesty pays off. During our search I felt so frustrated and at certain times wondered if it would ever work out. However, we did eventually find the location we wanted and were able to make the guarantees (the Aragon lawn) that were important.
• The most important thing is that at the end of the day Mr. Ducky and I will be married and I get to spend the rest of my life with the most amazing man in the world. This sounds so cheesy, but it’s an important thing to remember when I get stressed or disappointed during the wedding planning part.

Have you learned any important lessons along the way of wedding planning? When has your patience paid off?

**The Aragon lawn was actually not supposed to be guaranteed for our ceremony site. The lawn is attached to the fancy Aragon conference center. I would only be able to use the lawn if the conference center was not in use the day of the wedding and that would not be confirmed until weeks before. They could not guarantee the lawn and I’d have to reserve one of the other ceremony sites. I liked the other ceremony sites, but did not love them like I did the Aragon lawn. Well long story short I was honest with my catering manager about my feelings and budget (I could not afford to rent out the conference center for the wedding) and she totally worked with me. I had to be flexible on my date, but it worked out. So be patient and persistent for what is really important to you.