{venue spotlight} Coto Valley Country Club

I am beyond excited for this month's wedding!  First of all, the Bride + Groom are friends of mine & I LOVE coordinating for friends.  Secondly, when I worked at Jay's Catering I had the privilege of being a part of the team who re-vamped the Coto Valley Country Club into the amazing wedding & event venue it is today!  SO without further ado...take a look at this beautiful venue.  (this blurb is from the CVCC website, which I actually wrote :)

"The Coto Valley Country Club is the premier destination for your exclusive Orange County wedding.  Nestled behind the gates of Coto de Caza, the Coto Valley Country Club offers a variety of spaces to customize your perfect event.

Begin with a beautiful outdoor ceremony on the lush green lawn under a white pergola with a sparkling chandelier.  While the bridal party is taking photos, guests enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the patio surrounded by topiaries with market lighting strung above, and mingle in the adjoining Lounge with a gorgeous built-in marble bar. 

When it’s time for your grand entrance guests enter the Grand Salon, complete with a dramatic stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Dance the night away in the Grand Salon or the Lounge, the choice is yours!"

Photo Credit:  Hanssie Trainer, Gem Photo, Whitney Turner

{venue spotlight} Holland Park West

I LOVE being introduced to new venues.  Holland Park West in Fresno, CA is no exception.  The grounds are peaceful and beautiful.  There's lush landscape, bubbling brooks and sparkling fountains everywhere you turn.  I can't wait for Chelsie + Brett's wedding next month!

To see more of this beautiful venue, check out Mark Janzen Photography, who also happens to be the photographer capturing Chelsie + Brett's big day! 

The Hotel: Love It or Leave It

When it comes to a wedding venue, everyone has an opinion. Most brides have a vision for what the day will look like, and the look of the venue sets the tone for that vision to come to life.

Some may dream of an ocean front ceremony, others a thick woodland like Bella & Edward in Breaking Dawn...so what if you're not lucky enough to live close to those magical places? Don't despair! The one venue that is in every city across this fair country of ours is the hotel ballroom. While it may not have the unique charm of a rustic barn or the pizazz of a car museum, it does have several perks you may want to consider as you plan your Big Day.

1) Onsite EVERYTHING. Forget dealing with a million different vendors. Hotels are all-inclusive. Your setup, menu, alcohol/beverages and even cake come from one place! Plus they will have a list of trusted outside vendors who work there repeatedly, which saves you future headaches.

2) PERFECT for out of town guests! You don't have to worry about Great Aunt Suzie getting an early ride home or Cousin Bobby who had a little too much vino and is about to pass out the second he leaves the dance floor. Guests can book a room themselves or you can arrange for a block of rooms, which usually means a discounted rate. You'll love this, too...after all the celebrating you can walk to your room!

3) The party can go on & on & on..... It's open 24 hours! Especially if the ballroom isn't close to rooms you can party til all hours of the night. Usually midnight is a standard cutoff, making your party last at least an hour or two past a typical outdoor or independent venue. Just be careful not to assume anything...some hotels may charge additional fees for longer hours, so just ask how much flexibility you have.

So there you have it! Something to think about before you nix the idea of a hotel ballroom altogether. This is where I'll be Saturday for Chelsea + Roger's reception!

Venue: Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center

Venue Spotlight: Arroyo Trabuco

This Saturday I have the privilege of coordinating Andrea + Tom's wedding at Arroyo Trabuco. It's conveniently located in South Orange County in Mission Viejo, at the end of Avery Parkway.

It's serene and peaceful, surrounded by natural beauty. I love venues that have both indoor & outdoor space. There's a beautiful garden for your ceremony, a patio for cocktail hour and a ballroom for dinner and dancing. It's so nice for guests to have a good flow to the evening, only steps away from their next destination.

Great photo ops all around

O'Neills Bar & Grill

Lovely Bride's room

Great ballroom...love the beamed ceiling.

Venue Spotlight: Franciscan Gardens

I cannot wait for this Saturday! I get to coordinate the wedding of Kari + Eric at the gorgeous Franciscan Gardens in San Juan Capistrano. Not only are they a beautiful couple inside & out, their venue is spectacular. Lots of Spanish detail plus beautiful greenery...see for yourself!

Under the pergola is the perfect spot for a King's Table! Love it.

Photo Credits: Kate Noelle, Anne Watson

Venue Spotlight: The Ebell Club, LA

Saturday I had the privilege of assisting my friend Heather Ham with a wedding at the Ebell Club in LA. We had an awesome team of vendors & the day went beautifully. Pictures to come!

Venue Spotlight: Dove Canyon Country Club

I had the honor of coordinating Rochelle + Jeff's reception at the Dove Canyon Country Club on November 13th (which, coincidentally, was my husband's & my 5th anniversary). Everyone at Dove CCC was wonderful to work with. They were extremely professional and helpful. The grounds are really beautiful; you can have an outdoor ceremony followed by hors d'ouevres and reception inside their gorgeous ballroom with spectacular views of the golf course. I'll post pictures of the Veturis-Coles wedding soon!

Contact Becky for more information: events@dovecanyonclub.com