Another fun and informative meeting was held for the ABC-OC Coordinators on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010. Our host venue, The Dock in Newport Beach, was the perfect site for us all to mingle, dine and listen to a couple of fabulous Orange County ladies discuss the “it” factor of OC and beyond. Our guest photographer, Joel from Studio EMP captured lovely pictures of our afternoon.
The topic was Hot Trends and we invited several winners of the ABC-OC first annual trendsetter awards to come and display their talents such as the lovely Larissa with Inviting Occasion, Steve Shanahan with Honored Occasions, and linens by Wildflower.
As guests entered the Dock’s reception area, beautiful paper name tags and entrée selection disks were displayed, created by Artiface. Once they entered the dining area, champagne was served, as well as delicious hors devours . On display to take home were favors by Mindy Himmel from Just a Bite Cake Pops. Yummy!
Cloudy skies didn’t take from the beautiful view of the marina. The interior of the room was decorated by moss green and plum linens, hanging glass vases with fresh blooms, several varieties of fresh flowers in mixed vessels and comfortable benches and cushions for pure relaxation!
Our first speaker, Greer Wylder, from Greer’s OC spoke of the hottest trends in local dining and activities. As a wonderful mention for us, she spotlighted several ABC-OC members such as The Spiraled Stem and Wildflower Linens.
Amy Squires, from Wedding Chicks, then informed the group about how she and co-owner, Jocey, choose what to post about on their blog and how vendors can best submit their own work to be featured.
Thanks to following fabulous team for donating their time and service!
Venue: The Dock, Christine Overstreet
Speakers: Greer Wlyder, Greer’s OC/ Amy Squires, Wedding Chicks
Photographer: Studio EMP
Florist: Inviting Occasion
DJ/AV/Music: Honored Occasions
Linens: Wildflower
Favors: Just a Bite Cake Pops
Paper Goods: Artiface
As members arrived…they were greeted into a trendy poolside welcome reception. From the ultra hip private cabanas with glow tables to the amazing specialty lighting and music, provided by Atmosphere Entertainment, it created a wonderful sense of arrival for the members! The Atrium also created wonderful and unique specialty drinks and hors d’oeuvres to tantalize our taste buds! Bob Ortiz was also present taking wonderful pictures of this special evening.
Following the welcome reception, members were then invited into the Garden Ballroom where they were welcomed by warm colors of terracotta and green. BBJ’s linen was wonderfully accented with Sussanna Davidsons (Roger’s Gardens) beautiful floral designs along with Jeni Maus’ (Studio EMP) creative menus! And to finish off the well dressed tables Classic Party Rentals provided the elegant gold Chameleon Chairs.
Prior to dinner service Wendy Dahl (former co-director) and Sharon Gall (former co-director) took the stage to introduce the new 2010 – 2011 ABC-OC Co-Directors.
Lisa Moon (Co-Director of Administration), Kelly Feeney (Co-Director of Finance) and Michelle Tortuya (Co-Director of Programs) were thrilled and honored to have been given such a warm welcoming by all members as they took the stage to then introduce the new 2010 Steering Committee:
Linda Ly (Communications Chair), Marianne Besseling (Ambassador Chair),
Natalie Vishney (Programs Sub-Committee) and Tania Aguayo (Membership/ Database Chair).
Following Introductions, General Manager Ron Nugent, then entertainingly welcomed members to the Atrium Hotel!
Following the unique and creative dinner designed by Executive Chef Chris Reischl and Director of Catering/ Conference Services Sheryl Taylor of the Atrium Hotel; members then traveled to the Hibiscus Ballroom to enjoy the warm gourmet coffee provided by Brew HaHa Catering and delicious cupcakes provided by Itty Bitty Sweets! And alas…
SPEED NETWORKING began!
With members sitting at tables dressed by BBJ Linens new Madeline Table Linen, members were then able to make new friends and colleges to start off the ABC-OC New Year with a Bang!
It was a beautiful night filled with stars at the Island Hotel Newport Beach, for the first annual ABC-OC Trendsetter Awards on December 8, 2009!
As guests arrived down the red carpet and experienced their very own Step & Repeat, Lauren Hillary Photography was there to take photos of each attendee in front of the custom designed ABClogo backdrop (provided by Justin Hawkins Artistry Photography), which was later a keepsake of this star-studded event!
During the Cocktail Reception, guests enjoyed the holiday sounds provided by The Event Consultants, while delighting in tasty hors d’ourves and being treated to inviting warm beverages by Lattes on Location.
At last, it was time to enter the glamorous ballroom that was filled with luscious crushed red velvet linen (provided by Wildflower Linen), amazing and magical centerpieces featuring a unique, tall lamp effect, adorned with holidaydécor and florals in turquoise, silver and white, and accented with beautiful red roses (provided by Couture Flowers). The room glowed in turquoise hues and star designs (provided by Invisible Touch),a beautiful Program (provided by Posh Printing) lay atop the silver-beaded charger at each place setting, and petite red swag bags draped the silver chiavaris (provided by Classic Party Rentals).
ABC-OC Co-Director, Sharon Gall, welcomed everyone and thanked all of the *Participating Vendors, including Glen Hodson, Director of Catering for the Island Hotel, who shared with us the multi-million dollar renovations that the Island Hotel had undergone recently.
Guests enjoyed their Amuse-Bouche of “Macaroni and Cheese” made of Elbow Pasta with Taleggio Cheese, Crushed Truffles and a Parmesan Tuile, and second course of Butternut Squash soup.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for had arrived, asWedding Planner and Awards Committee Chair, Kathy Jo Peterson, took the stage for the much-awaited presentations!
Kathy Jo stated that she believed that OrangeCounty does some of the most beautiful weddings in the world and was delighted to finally honor some of those who have taken our events to new heights.
The lifestyle experts who judged all of the nominees were also in attendance and introduced with thanks;Carol Poon, Editor of Bride and Bloom Magazine,George Nickles, Catering Director ofPelican Hill Resort & Spa, and Jean Piccard,ABC California State Coordinator. A preview of the judging was shown prior to the Presentations (provided by Elysium Video Production) and a surprise Live performance of Canon in D was played on electric guitar by rising star, Cammarota.
Reverend Clint Hufft accompanied Kathy Jo with the Presentations while the winners were announced and given a beautiful, crystal award that encompassed a star design and personal inscription of 2009 ABC-OC Trendsetter Award Winner and the category in which each winner had won. Winners were also treated to a lavish swag bag that included goodies from Frostings Cupcakes, Design Visage, Candee by Sandee, Shorebreak Hotel, Wedding Chicks, Wonderland Bakery, and many other treats.
Bleu Cotton Photography was there to snap the photos of the winners, while also capturing the evening festivities.
And the winners are……. Best New Idea: Flower Fusion Best New Concept : Fantasy Flower Design Best Introduction : Honored Occasions Best Finale : Once Upon a Time Weddings and Special Events Best Memento: Wedding Video Best Captured Moment : The Pampered Bride Best Design : Inviting Occasion Trendsetter of the Year : Youngsong Martin from Wildflower Linen
Congratulations to all of the 2009 ABC-OC Trendsetter of the Year Award winners!
After all the excitement, guests then enjoyed their Main Entrée and Dessert of warm pudding cake with espresso ice cream, while watching the ABC-OChighlights of 2009 (provided by Ashley Video Productions).
ABC-OC Co-Director, Wendy Dahl, gave a final goodbye with fellow 2009 ABC-OC Steering Committee members at her side (Kelly Aguilar, Lauren Hillary, Allison Howell, Stephanie Lairson and Sharon Gall) and invited everyone to enjoy the rest of the evening. Guests did just that by dancing the night away on the white diamond-shaped dance floor (provided by Best of the Best Events) to the outstanding and amazing band by Jordan Music Entertainment!
Please take a moment to consider attending a proposed October 27th luncheon networking event for the ABC-SBLA Chapter at the exquisite Terranea Resort, located in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The South Bay group has not been active of late, as two of the co-directors stepped down due to other commitments. However, there is a unique opportunity to experience a beautiful venue in our own backyard and a very exciting event is in production.
The best negotiated price I’ve been able to obtain is $40, plus a firm $5 for self parking ($10 for valet), which will be the charge for ABC members. I hope that the amazing location, an interesting agenda and positive support for our chapter will attract you to this occasion.
The approaching date requires that I sign a contract very soon and I must be assured of at least 100 attendees, so I ask that you contact me within the next 72 hours (by Wednesday evening September 23rd) if you are interested in attending.
Please feel free to forward this to other event professionals within your own network and also forgive me if you receive duplicate e-mails, as I’m attempting to reach as many people as possible.
A beautiful summer evening atop the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach was the setting enjoyed by ABC Orange County Members at the July ABC-OC All-Member Meeting on July 16, 2009. With special thanks to Sandy Shirgaokar, Catering Manager of the Surf and Sand Resort, and her awesome support team, Members were treated to an absolutely amazing evening!
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a tasty tropical beverage and offered savory appetizers during the cocktail hour. Jazzy tunes, provided by Major League Music, filled the breezy air with a warm background of music while Members embraced the breath-taking view of the ocean and enjoyed visiting and networking with other ABC Members. As the colors of the sunset filled the sky, the photographers were all thinking “this would be such great lighting for pictures!”
At last, the ABC Members were invited to the ballroom that was filled with amazing floral centerpieces designed by Dawn Hansen of Lavender Hill, beautiful red/orange taffeta linen and fruitwood chiavari chairs provided by Fusion Linens, and warm amber and orange lighting and the DJ sounds of Invisible Touch.
A beautiful menu card, alternating in burnt orange and red, was provided by Elizabeth Fleming of Calligraffiti. Guests were excited to read what a delicious meal that had been prepared by the fabulous culinary talents of the Surf and Sand Resort.
After the Welcome by ABC-OC Co-Director, Wendy Dahl, Participating Vendors shared with us some new and interesting information like chiavari chairs being offered for $4.95 by Fusion Linens, and new LED Lighting offered by Invisible Touch that requires no power, no wires, never gets hot and can change color at any time, as Members observed throughout the evening.
Before dinner was served, Wedding Consultants, Gini Garner, Laurie Davies and Kathy Jo Peterson, spoke briefly about the “Value of a Wedding Consultant” with the purpose to inform, educate and provide tools in continuing to build the partnership between ABC Consultants and ABC Vendor Members. Each speaker offered important facts and information, suggestions and necessary tools, to support the Value of a Wedding Consultant, especially in our economic challenging times.
Gini Garner touched base on the importance of Vendors referring Wedding Consultants and the concern of Vendors offering Wedding Coordinating services, in addition to their own specified profession. The concern being that this practice devalues the Need and Value of a Wedding Consultant. The main message was to ask the ABC Vendor Members for continued support to give the ABC Consultants a chance by offering a referral, thus keeping the referral system a two-way street, where everyone wins!
Laurie Davies spoke of the Need of a Wedding Consultant, especially when the client shares excuses like they already have a Church Coordinator or they already have a Catering Manager. Laurie shared how Consultants are still a vital part of the planning process and of the many details that Consultants cover with the client, that neither a Church Coordinator nor a Catering Manager or other vendor, may cover. And that, by working together as a team, makes for a happy client and a truly successful event.
To wrap things up, Kathy Jo Peterson shared the importance of building Partnerships between Vendors and Consultants and the benefits that are shared that make it a win-win for everyone!
As a result, there was great energy in the room, with most being positive. Unfortunately, a few members took the message as being “talked down to” which was sincerely not the intent. Again, the intent was simply to inform of a practice that was occurring in the industry, educate how to help it, and provide tools to strengthen the mutual support of Vendor/Consultant partnerships.
At last, a delicious dinner was served with the generous donation of wonderful wine by Southern California St. Michelle Wine Estates while Members tried to get in as much networking as possible during courses!
For dessert, The Fry Girl treated all of the ABC Members to her unique service of freshly made mini donuts with choice of topping! Yum was all that could be heard! The Fry Girl also offers deep fried ice cream, corn dogs, fries and other delights! Great for any event!
from Lisa Moon
On Tuesday, August 11, the ABC-OC Consultants enjoyed a relaxing luncheon at the brand new Shorebreak Hotel located on “The Strand” promenade in downtown Huntington Beach. Karla Flores with Elegant by Design was the featured speaker who inspired and provided knowledge to the consultants on quick floral fixes. Who knew that Stick-Um could serve so many purposes??…Karla did and shared her secrets of the trade with the consultants!
Much appreciation is extended to Stacey Hofflich, Senior Catering Manager, with the Shorebreak Hotel. Her excellent service in assisting with the planning of this event and her attention to detail did not go unnoticed. The chef and banquet team were also amazing at making all of the consultants relax and feel at ease to enjoy this special event!
We also have much appreciation to the following vendors who have also extended their customer service in making this event special:
Karla Flores with Elegant by Design for being the featured speaker and providing unique and stunning floral designs.
Youngsong Martin and Desiree Patterson with Wildflower Linen in providing the White Lily Pad Linen with Charmeuse Key Lime napkins and chair covers…what a stunning combination!
Linda Goldsheft with The Cake Studio for providing a unique and very delicious cake! The design was a perfect replica of the Lily Pad linen!
Kathy Jo Peterson with Raise the Cake for providing a very upscale and darling cake riser. It was a perfect detail to enhance the cake!
Vivian Chou with The Paper-Girl for providing elegant menu cards and name tags!
Lauren Johanson, Angie Rittel and Taylor Harkins with Chivas Skin Care for providing unique handmade soap favors. What a great idea for favors or welcome basket items!
Mark Wood and Wendy Fuld with Mark Wood Entertainment for providing live acoustic music to welcome the consultants’ arrival!
Lauren Hillary for taking such amazing and detailed pictures!!
From Marcy Hail of Wyndham Hotel Orange County
When using a Chocolate Fountain for a special event or wedding, make sure you use dark-colored fluffing to decorate around the fountain. That way, when the chocolate splatters (and it always does!) it will not
show as much!
You are invited to a Sensational Bridal Luncheon Workshop.
Join a panel of wedding professionals as they share their knowledge, tips, and secrets for planning your wedding day. Be inspired, find your wedding style & have your questions answered.
Sponsored by
The Beverly Hills Hotel
& Linda Howard’s Sensational Celebrations
June 7, 2009 from 1 to 4 in the afternoon
The Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California
On Tuesday, May 12th, the ABC-OC Consultants were treated to an amazing luncheon at Jason’s Downtown Restaurant and Catered Events in the heart of downtown Santa Ana near the Artist Village! Reverend Clint Hufft was the featured speaker and shared with the Consultants a wonderful presentation on how to become ordained and the numerous details involved with Wedding Ceremonies.
After the presentation, several Consultants were able to go online and get ordained right then and there! Now, if the Consultants run into an emergency situation at one of their weddings where a minister is unable to make it, the Consultants that got ordained will be able to step in and continue on with the show!
Many thanks go out to Jason for preparing such a delicious lunch and savory appetizers, and Adriana with Jason’s Catering, for assisting with so many details to ensure that our luncheon was absolutely perfect!
Our appreciation also goes out to the following Participating Vendors: Fusion Linens for providing the beautiful rust linen with peacock colored napkins Tustin Florist for giving the dining room tables a glow with mosaic candles
Brandi with Girl Friday Designs who provided exquisite menu/vendor cards for each place setting Parking Company of America for providing valet services, Large Screen Display Rentals who provided the screen and projector for Reverend Hufft’s presentation,
and to Marc Weisberg Photography for taking such fantastic photos!
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club graciously hosted our all-member meeting in April. The evening began with passed hors d’ouevres and champagne cocktails. Dinner was served in their permanent tent structure with beautiful floral designs and delicious food. The dinner portion of the event concluded with a fountain. Caramel is the new chocolate. Members enjoyed bananas, marshmallows and other tasty treats from the caramel fountain station.
After dinner, members made their way upstairs to speed network. This activity really helped our members connect and get to know one another. We can’t wait to do it again.
