This will have to be a two-parter, there’s just too much good stuff!  Like this, for example:

So – if you follow our blog, you know that we were delighted to be the official photographer for the NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado – a wedding giveaway to a fantastic couple, Stefanie and Jerome.  We got to know Stefanie and Jerry from their engagement session, and we love how in love they are!  We were blessed to work with some amazingly talented wedding vendors, as well:

Venue/Dining:  The Prado at Balboa Park                  Wedding Gown: M Bride Salon, La Jolla, CA

Rings: Robbins Bros. Hair: Dario Salon, La Jolla, CA             Make-Up:  Christy Stevenson

Flowers:  Magnolia Flower Shoppe

Cake: SweetCheeks Baking Co.

Invitations/Paper: Get Carded

Linens/Event Decor: Concepts Event Design

Entertainment: Bollotta Entertainment

Video Production:  Taylor Films

Rehearsal/Pre-Ceremony: Se Hotel, San Diego

Event Production: The Henley Company

Gown Cleaning:  Hangers Cleaners

And we’d also like to thank Nick Lamb and Tyler for assisting us throughout the day!  Thanks, guys!!

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Stay tuned for Part II of Stefanie + Jerry!

This dinner features charbroiled filet mignon with 2 jumbo prawns skewered with a rosemary sprig, over mashed potatoes, all atop wilted grazing greens.  The first course is a butternut squash soup with foam and crushed walnuts.  The meal includes a small, potted creme brulee!

This dinner features grilled yellowtail and charbroiled chicken, over sweet potatoes and greens.  The first course includes grilled asparagus and frisee salad with tomatoes.

The final selection is quite the conversation piece, featuring beef short ribs and a lobster pot pie, accompanied by mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.    The first course is a baby spinach salad with sliced strawberries, and shaved parmesan, drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

Hungry?  Well before heading to the kitchen, click here to vote for your choice! (Voting begins after the Friday morning news, 9.25.09.)

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Stefanie was sooo cute – there were a couple times I noticed her looking into the mirror, or at the back of my camera, and she was REALLY seeing herself as a bride.  It’s one of those moments that hits brides, and I never get tired of witnessing it.  One time I noticed Stefanie looking down after she saw herself, and  she had this huge smile on her face.  I just let her have the moment.  Then she looked up and said Jerry is just going to be blown away.  I teared up for her (yes, I’m a HUGE sap)!  It’s so great when we get to see the excitement and anticipation, and how tickled brides get at the idea of surprising their grooms! 

Here are a couple of photos from each hair style.  To view more on NBC’s wedding website, and cast your vote for your favorite hairstyle – click here. Voting begins after the NBC morning news on Friday, 9.18.09.

Style 1 – This style is mostly down – soft, flowy, and romantic, and accented with little white flowers in the back.

Style 2 – This style is half up and half down, with a little Spanish flair.  The back is swept to the side, and comes over Stefanie’s shoulder.

Style 3 – This one is a traditional up do, with a very classic style.

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Sweetcheeks Baking Co. is one of the competitors for the NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado event in October 2009.  The ladies there are friendly and creative – and truly enjoy their jobs!  They were working on a huge cake while I was there, and they excitedly showed me all the various elements they had been working on prior to assembly.  They are truly passionate about their job, and it shows!

This is the cake they’ve designed for Stefanie and Jerry, the lucky winners for the wedding!

Check out all 3 competitors, and click here to vote for your favorite.

Here are some photos from my “behind the scenes” tour:

This zoo-themed cake was for triplets.  The attention to detail is impressive – from the sugar animals, to the scaly snake with a forked tongue, to the chocolate palm tree topper!

Here is the cake they’ve designed for Stefanie and Jerry, the lucky winners of the wedding giveaway!

Check out all 3 competitors, and click here to vote for your favorite.

While I was there, Richard, who oversees the wedding cakes, was putting the finishing touches on a different cake:

The restaurant is charming, complete with brightly colored shutters, and the pastries inside are just as eye-catching!

Check out the competing vendors’ work, and go here to vote.

I had a “heavenly” time visiting San Diego’s Heavenly Cupcake store in the beautiful East Village.

They have a cool retro, whimsical look throughout, including a fun lounge area to hang out and enjoy a cupcake or two.  They feature many different flavors, with varying daily selections.  I think the red velvet with cream cheese frosting was my favorite, but it was a tough call!  They have “minis”, too.   AND – for weddings, Heavenly Cupcake makes cool cupcake tiers that are very fun!

Below are some images from my tour.

Isn’t the “lounge” cute?

And this is Rosemary and her husband who run the show!

So we finally got to spend some time with Stefanie and Jerry for their engagement session.  What a fun couple.  They are very much “into” each other (translation:  lots of “unauthorized” smooching) – haha!  too sweet!!

We started at La Jolla for some lovely ocean blues, and Jerry was happy to be at the beach. He hasn’t been surfing in some time, and the sound of crashing waves and scenery was a welcome sight.   It was exceptionally hot, muggy, and breeze-less (strange, but true) – so there were no complaints when the waves came up and got us all wet – well, Nikkie may not have been jumping for joy!

Then we did a quick switch, and headed to the Gaslamp Quarter.  Stefanie and Jerry cleaned up real nice – and looked like supermodels walking the streets!

Here’s more about Concepts Event Design:

“Opulence can easily define the elements of your occasion and we, Federico and Haydee Alderete, are here to assist you in creating the most awe-inspiring event imaginable.

Family operated, Concepts Event Design has led the event industry for over seven years, providing the San Diego area with unprecedented professionalism,
customized event design, specialty linens and hand-crafted lounge furniture. We signify event design excellence, where tailoring your dreams
into reality is our business.

Concepts Event Design utilizes decorative elements, pristine craftsmanship and unparalleled experience, bestowing a magical feeling that will enhance your
surroundings and transform any setting before your eyes! No matter what your budget, our creative team of event professionals will transform your ideas
into a custom and unforgettable display.”

In the center of the showroom, they have a display table, that is changed frequently, and each place setting is different, to feature several different looks.

Concepts Event Design collaborated with each of the competing vendors for the current NBC floral voting category.  With Haute House Orchids, Concepts provided lovely aqua table linens with white napkins to compliment the graceful white orchids.  To view, click here.

For Magnolia Flowers, burled wood charger plates and chocolate brown napkins were provided to set off the autumn colors – green, dark red, and brown.  The table linen in green, was accented by an organza ribbon that winds about.  View here.

And for Embellishmint, Concepts provided a sweetheart’s table and rounded bench for the newlyweds.  The draped fabrics, in silver and pewter, set off the antique white roses and pales shades of pink, peach, and blue.  Silver charger plates, abalone shells, and a jeweled embellishment accented the napkins.  View it here.

And, here’s Haydee, the creative genious behind this innovative company:

The centerpiece showcases large white, flowing orchids, which are set against an aqua blue tablecloth.  On the table are small vases with more white orchids and roses.

The napkins are adorned with a small orchid – an elegant touch!

Haydee, at Concepts Event Design lent her creative touches, and provided the linens, chargers, and chair tie-backs!

Check out all the vendor submissions, and cast your vote here (after the morning new on Friday, 9.4.09).

Here are some photos from my tour of Haute House Orchids.  Soooo many orchids – and I was only in 1 of the greenhouses!

I love the intricate “veins” on this variety below:

The husband and wife owners are very sweet, too!  They’re described as a “comtemporary mom and pop” business.  Here’s more of what they have to say:  “We believe in higher quality over larger quantity. Our goal is to offer you a highly personalized service in a simple format. We welcome special orders and can customize the size, color and variety of the orchid and the type of container, making up an arrangement as unique as your occasion, or yourself.”

Allison Stevens, owner of Magnolia Flower Shoppe,  is an wonderful floral designer, who is also competing in the NBC Throws a Wedding event.  Trained in France, she brings unique concepts to your wedding.  She prides herself for thinking “outside of the vase!”  Magnolia Flower Shoppe “creates bold designs that employ flowers and other organic elements in unique arrangements that are bold, striking, dramatic,  and utterly unique.”

Here is the floral scheme Allison has developed for  Stefanie and Jerry, winners of  NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado:

Allison chose fall colors as her theme.  The centerpiece is eye-catching with the cascade of rose petals flowing down.

Check out all the vendors’ work, and go here to cast your vote (after the morning new on Friday, 9.4.09).

The plates are quite a conversation piece, made of wood.  The chocolate brown napkins are accented with fresh rose petals, and a large green leaf.

And a round of applause for Concepts Event Design, who furnished all the gorgeous linens, and plates!

The tablecloth has a rich ribbon scrolling throughout.

Introducing Allison, the designer of Magnolia Flower Shoppe::