M + V Wedding

I love California weddings! I just got back from a beautiful wedding at L’Auberge Del Mar. My childhood friend Maureen married her best friend, Vinnie! Their wedding was absolutely gorgeous. We started our California weekend by arriving in San Diego around 11am on Friday from the East Coast.  We spent the rest of the afternoon settling into our hotel, Hotel Indigo, enjoying a mexican lunch & taking a well-needed nap before the evening’s festivities. Vinnie’s parents hosted a Welcome Party for the guests at Pacifica Del Mar on Friday night. The view from the restaurant’s terrace was the perfect spot to watch the sunset. I loved that we had a chance to hang out with the Bride, the Groom & their families and friends before their big day!

Saturday morning, we were treated to a complimentary breakfast arranged by M + V. We were given vouchers for breakfast in our welcome bag that we received during our hotel check in.  After breakfast, my fiancé & I spent the day walking around Del Mar. We adventured down the cliff to take a walk on the beach. I love love LOVE walks on the beach!

Guests were asked to be ready by 3:45pm to take the complimentary SUV to L’Auberge from our hotel. The wedding venue was only a couple blocks away but clearly, I preferred a ride since I was wearing heels. After spending some time in the hotel lobby, guests were escorted up to the ceremony location by their wedding planner. Guests were asked to sign a “San Diego” coffee-table book before they took a seat. Complimentary sunglasses, water & ceremony programs were also on display! I quickly took a seat closest to the aisle because I wanted to be able to take photos of the Bride & the wedding party. The aisle was beautiful, covered in various blush, ivory & coral rose petals. I was anxious for the ceremony to start, and of course to see the Bride walk down the aisle!

The bridesmaids wore coral colored short dresses, in various styles! It’s something I’ve been trying to achieve for my own wedding but its been very unsuccessful! The flower girls & ring bearer,  the Bride’s nieces & nephew, were beyond adorable! As soon as the Bride & her father appeared in the doorway, I was in awe! The Bride, Maureen, looked amazing! I started to choke up but refused to start crying in fear that I wouldn’t be able to stop! LOL. The ceremony was short & sweet.

You may now kiss the bride! Congratulations Maureen & Vinnie! You are now husband & wife!

After the ceremony, guests walked back downstairs for cocktail hour on the terrace. We picked up our escort card on our way to the bar, cute beach chairs with our name tag! I plan to display this cute favor at our family’s beach house! After an hour or so, the wedding party & the newlyweds joined us at cocktail hour! I love the group photo we took of the Bride & all the girls from our high school, Gwynedd Mercy Academy.

Dinner was located on the same terrace that the ceremony took place! L’Auberge did a great job of converting the space so quickly! The tables were gorgeous! I loved how classic & chic their settings & table arrangements looked. Some tables had flower arrangements, while others had floating candles. Before dinner was served, the father of the bride, the bride’s brother & the maid of honor/best man all did a speech. The speeches were perfect! Guests were either laughing or getting a little choked up 🙂 Afterwards, surf & turf was served!

After dinner, guests were relocated inside to the dance floor & lounge area. The band was set up next to the dance floor, which was also surrounded by cocktail tables & lounge furniture. Again, every little detail was perfect! The wedding cake was also on display inside the dance area but I don’t remember the Bride & Groom cutting the cake. I may have missed that moment 😦

We had so much fun at M + V wedding! I did not want to leave. There was lots & lots of dancing! Everyone was having an awesome time! After the reception ended, the party shifted to the hotel bar for another hour or so! I guess this group likes to party! Congratulations again M + V!! I wish you a lifetime of happiness & love together!