TBL Blog: San Diego Event Stylist

Ricky and Aja’s wedding aboard the California Spirit was the perfect way to sail them into their journey together as Husband and Wife.

 

The couple shared their first look at the Marriott in Coronado against the backdrop of the beautiful San Diego skyline.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Bui Lifestyle crew was busy on the Yacht preparing for the ceremony and reception.

Concepts Event Design provided the champagne linens, the dance floor and the riser at the ceremony. All personal, ceremony and reception centerpieces and bouquets were designed and provided by Rae Florae.

The ceremony was held on the top deck of the California Spirit. It was a picturesque day for a wedding at Sea. As guests arrived, they were escorted to the top deck where they would witness Aja and Ricky officially tie the knot. The flamenco guitarist, Anthony Garcia, provided romantic melodies for both the ceremony and cocktail reception.

Once the ceremony was over, guests were invited to the mid-level deck for cocktails and tray passed hors d’oeuvres.

After picking up escort cards, the wedding goers made their way to the reception room where they would witness the Bride and Groom enter for their first time as Husband and Wife.

The reception took place on the bottom level of the boat with beautiful 360 views of the San Diego marina.

DJ Mike Farmer kept the party going with upbeat music and entertainment, and the ambiance festive with fun music and great energy!

Along with cupcakes, guests were served a slice of the delicious and beautiful cake by CAKE.

As the sun disappeared, the beautiful view of the San Diego skyline appeared in lights resulting in a picture perfect ending to a spectacular day.

Ricky and Aja’s Fabulous Vendors:

Venue: California Spirit – Flagship Cruises

Linens, Dance Floor, Ceremony Riser: Concepts Event Design

Florals: Rae Florae

Gown and Suit Pressing: Michele Basile, Forever Treasured

Hair and Makeup: Bouffant Hair

Photography: Meurer Image Photography

Entertainment: DJ Mike Farmer

Flamenco Guitarist: Anthony Garcia

Starlight Photo Booth: Disc GO Around

Cake: CAKE

 

 

 

Tags: 2011, Event Deisgner, lifestyle, san diego wedding, San Diego wedding planner, THOMAS BUI, wedding venues, weddings at sea, Yacht weddings | Leave Comments

Lilly and Bobby were married at the Santa Luz Country Club in Carmel Valley, San Diego. A rustic, yet charming and sophisticated setting, the Santa Luz Country Club is the perfect place for a Southern California Wedding.

The ceremony took place on the lawn with a backdrop of the golf course. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. The sun was shining, but quite a delightful temperature.

Guests awaited to see the couple tie the knot under the chiffon draped canopy, while listening to the soft sounds of the harpist, Devora Susman.

Our Bride, Lily, wore an Martina Liana dress, and carried a full bouquet of white peonies and white roses.  Her Bridesmaids donned spring green dresses and carried a lovely array of white roses and succulents. All personal flowers, ceremony flowers, and reception florals we designed by Adorations.

The couple and wedding party toured the property taking photographs. All photography for Lily and Bobby’s wedding was done by Valentyne Photography.

The reception took place in an elegant white tent with draped ceilings. A black chandelier provided by Concept’s Event Designs was suspended from the ceiling above the dance floor. This romantic, yet seemingly masculine chandelier adds a hint of refined sophistication to the room.

Candles were placed around the property on fountains and stairways creating a dreamy summer night’s eve.

With a series of squares and round tables, each table was adorned with centerpieces made of roses, hydrangea, and orchids. At each place setting, a single succulent embellished with a Swarovski crystal sat atop the menu cards.

Spring green table linens from Concepts Event Design, with embellished designs, added just the pop of color the tent’s majestic white interior.

Floating candles in a mix of stemmed and small votives lit up the room giving it a romantic glow. Iron cut votives and mini lanterns, provided by Adorations added subtle touches, creating a unique tablescape that perfectly coincides with the look of the venue.

The Bride and Groom wanted to take part in some of the traditional wedding rituals, so we incorporated the bouquet toss and a cake cutting.

The Bride and Groom wanted a delectable dessert table that left the guests with a sweet memory of their grand affair. Mini-desserts and French macaroons from Opera Patisserie sat on glass dessert trays, ornamented with single orchids.

DJ Marc provided audio, sound, and lightning, and lead the guests dancing into the night.

Getting Ready:

Make-up: Flirt Make-up

Hair: Brides By Blondie

Bridal Salon: The White Flower Bridal Boutique

Ceremony Vendors:

Harp for Ceremony: Devora Susman

Officiant: Father Roland Kausas

Event Specialists:

Reception: SantaLuz Country Club

Photographer: Heather Vallentyne

Videographer: Darryl Yee, Epic Affair

Floral Designer: Adorations Botanical Artistry

Paper Goods: Invitation Factory

Rentals: Concepts Event Design

Audio, sound and lighting: Prestige Audio, Marc Tosino

Sweet Additions:

CAKE: CAKE, Ceremonial cake and cupcakes

Macaroons: Opera Fine Patisserie

 

Tags: adorations, country chic, country club, desserts, martina liana, outside wedding, romantic, San Diego wedding planner, San Diego Wedding Planner Thomas Bui, San Diego Weddings, santa luz country club, tented wedding, THOMAS BUI, thomas bui lifes, Weddings | Leave Comments

Our Bride and Groom, Julie and Josiah began their journey with a stunning traditional Catholic ceremony at Founders Chapel, which sits upon the beautiful campus of the University of San Diego.

With a color palette of blues, greens and purple, the bridesmaids donned floor length blue gowns and carried bouquets of white roses and fuchsia Macara Orchids designed by Blush Botanicals.

The Bride, Julie, wore a mermaid shaped gown and carried a bouquet of roses, freesia, Calla Lillies, and fuchsia Macara Orchids.

After tying the knot, Julie, Josiah and the Wedding party headed to Balboa Park for photos around the grounds.

While the Bride and Groom gallivanted around Balboa Park photographed by Narrative Images, guests trickled into the elegant Prado courtyard for Cocktail Hour. Guests mingled and reminisced over wine, cocktails and tray passed hors d’oeuvres while they anxiously awaited the return of the newlyweds.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Bui Lifestyle crew was bustling about preparing the Prado’s Grand Ballroom for Julie and Josiah’s wedding reception.

With high ceilings, Spanish-style beams, hand-stenciled doors, and a grand theatrical stage for the band to play from, the Prado’s Grand Ballroom is a highly coveted and picturesque location.

With florals by Blush Botanicals and linens by Concepts Event Design, the Thomas Bui Lifestyle team transformed the room into a summer night’s dream. With apple green linens, gold Chivari chairs, and tall cylindrical centerpieces of tulips and Macara Orchids Julie and Josiah’s reception was whimsical yet refined and sophisticated.

The blue uplighting done by gave the room comfortable warmth.

Upon entry into the Grand Ballroom, guests searched for their designated tables that were identified by framed pictures of Julie and Josiah in many of the different countries that they have visited together.

The cake table sat at the forefront of the room showcasing the 5-tiered cake.

The Head Table was beautifully ornamented with a mirrored table runner, mercury glass candelabras and countless votives for a romantic candlelit look. Macara Orchids were places sporadically around the table adding pops of color to the gleaming surface.

After enjoying a tastefully orchestrated menu of either salmon or short ribs, the dancing and celebrations really picked up. A full dance floor and no signs of slowing, the guests boogied the night away.

As a special treat for the wedding goers, a popcorn table with popcorn, Julie’s favorite snack, was set up for a sweet late night snack and take away.

 

 

 

 

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We were excited to design a formal sit down dinner soiree for 18 guests. The theme was winter; cozy, intimate, romantic and warm. The black-tie affair had guests arriving on the red carpet, and was greeted with a chandelier pathway as they entered the residence.

LaVonne Crawford from Adorations Botanical Artistry delighted all the guests with her creativity and lush floral arrangements. Birch branches rich pine cones, paired with romantic peonies, hydrangeas and gold roses. All the gorgeous paper goods were designed by Jennifer Dailard from J Grace Fine Paper

 

Beautiful fur caps, French gold brocade linens from Wildflower Linens

More photos of the beautiful table

Following the four course dinner by TK&A Custom Catering, guests were treated to a mouth-watering dessert table by Wicked Spoon

 

Individual Tiramisu and Panna Cotta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Event Design: Thomas Bui Lifestyle

Photographer: Sean Capshaw from Resolusean

Floral Designer: LaVonne Crawford from Adorations Botanical Artistry

Paper Designer: Jennifer Dailard, J Grace

Linens: Wildflower

Catering: Taylor Smith, TK&A Custom Catering

Dessert table: Eva Lagudi-Devereux  Wicked Spoon Events

Rentals: Cris Joseph, Classic Party Rentals

Tags: 2010, 2011, black-tie, chandelier pathway, cosmopolitan champagne, cozy, Decor, Design, Event Design, Event Designer, Evnet Planners, formal sit down dinner, intimate, red carpet, romantic, San Diego, san diego wedding, San Diego wedding planner, soiree, Table Design, THOMAS BUI, Thomas Bui Lifestyle, warm, Wedding, wedding planning, winter | 1 Comment

We love everything about this stylish and chic wedding; the decor was breathtaking, ambiance was warm and intimate, and the all the gorgeous details; nothing short of spectacular. This young entrepreneur couple loved fine cuisine, travel and haute-couture. Their wedding included all of these requirements; and then some. We started with an intimate and private estate, The Hacienda House at Rancho Valencia Resort.

Being in the fashion industry, it was very important for the bride to have a unique, special pair of Christian Louboutin. She spent months searching for this special pair of Swarovski encrusted shoe.

 

Upon entering the reception, guests were greeted with a bubble dancer in the pool.

 

Tables were draped in Platinum color Dupioni linens, and black chiavari chairs.  We covered the table with unique flowers all in shades of white. At each place setting, a single blossom of Gardenia in a small vase with a rhinestone crystal band added a personalized touch.

Overhead, an iron lamp shade with dripping white Dendrobium orchids gave it a subtle, masculine, yet romantic touch. The base of each lampshade was covered in rhinestone.

 

We added just a tiny splash of color, Aubergine, at each place setting. Napkins wrapped each glass charger plate delivered the finished touch. A single bloom of Vanda purple orchid was the perfect touch to an already lovely chic table.

 

No wedding is complete without a dessert table. We dressed the “distressed barn” and kept in it’s rustic condition.  The Harlequin designed cake was elevated on a custom box made by the groom. French Macarons in different flavors also graced the table.

Dessert table

 

Chandeliers hanging in the trees

 

As a surprised for the guests later in the evening, a vodka and caviar tasting bar was set-up.

 

And a chandelier lounge area to enjoy the vodka and caviar

 

Set the Scene

• Table designers:  Thomas Bui Lifestyle
• Photographer: Paul Barnett
• Video: Epic Affair
• Flowers: Isari Flower Studio
• Linens and Decor: Concepts Event Design
• Paper elements: Alchemy Fine Event
• Gown: Christos
• Tuxedo: Hugo Boss
• Bubble Dancer: American Acrobat Co.

Tags: aubergine, black chiavari chairs, bubble pool dancer, caviar, caviar tasting bar, chandelier lounge, chandeliers, Christian Louboutin, Concepts, custom box, Dancer, Dendrobium orchids, Design, Dessert table, distressed barn, Event, french macarons, glass charger plate, Harlequin designed cake, lampshade, lifestyle, Long Table, louboutin, lounge, Platinum color Dupioni linens, rancho santa fe, rhinestone, rhinestone crystal band, romantic, San Diego, splash of color, swaroski, The Hacienda House at Rancho Valencia Resort., THOMAS BUI, Vanda purple orchid, vodka, vodka and caviar, white | Leave Comments

On a clear, beautiful afternoon in October, Thomas Bui Lifestyle designed a marriage proposal for a special couple. Being that the couple are both professional photographers, they’ve seen it all so it was important to deliver something that captured the WOW factor, and still make it memorable.

The bride loves color and the symbolism of the Indian weddings so we hired Raj Tents to build an octagonal shape tent draped in vibrant colors of orange, red and soft gold. The morning of the event, we cleaned and plucked 500 stems of red roses. Fifteen minutes before she arrived, we build a path petal path from the entrance of the car to the tent. It was a thick blanket of red roses just for her. She could not contain her emotions once she saw that the tent was just for her.

Of course she said, “YES.”

We will be designing their wedding in Palm Springs, October 2012.

Tags: bright, city lights, colored tent, engagement, engagements, Harbor Island, lifestyle, Ocean, Proposal, Raj Tents, San Diego, San Diego views, sunset, THOMAS BUI, Wedding | 2 Comments

Theme, “Enchantment”
Exquisite Weddings magazine contacted us back in May to design a tablescape for the Fall 2011 issue.

We collaborated with LaVonne Crawford, principal designer and owner of Adorations Botanical Artistry (www.adorations.com). We’ve worked with Adorations on many weddings and events, so this time, it was nice to design a table with no boundaries or limitation to color.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

By Adorations Botanical Artistry & Thomas Bui Lifestyle

This formal setting tucked in an arbor under a vine-covered trellis speaks of elegance. “The bold blacks of the chandelier and snakeskin covered chairs accompany the deep Kelly greens of the linens, enlivened by pops of gold and softened by pink peonies. Black ceramic compotes are crowned with verdant gardenia foliage and filled with an abundance of blush flowers.” Golden roses are woven throughout, which play off the gold-rimmed glasses and flatware. Lanterns holding gold pillar candles hang from above. Grand Rosé Mimosa: Pour ½ ounce of Grand Marnier into a flute, add a splash of rosewater (just enough so that you can smell the roses), fill with rosé Champagne. Garnish with 1 or 2 rose petals placed delicately on top. Et voila!

Set the Scene

• Table designers: LaVonne Crawford, Adorations Botanical Artistry, adorations.com & Thomas Bui, Thomas Bui Lifestyle, thomasbuilifestyle.com.
• Flowers: LaVonne Crawford, Adorations Botanical Artistry, adorations.com.
• Candles and décor: private collection.
• Linens: La Tavola Linens, latavolalinen.com.
• Flatware, place settings, and stemware: Classic Party Rentals, classicpartyrentals.com.
• Tables: Rancho Bernardo Inn, ranchobernardoinn.com.
• Chairs: Hire Elegance, hire-elegance.com.
• Paper elements: Wendy Ware.
• Chandelier: Concepts Event Design, conceptseventdesign.com.
• Gown: The Bustle, thebustledelmar.com.
• Tuxedo: The Gentlemen’s Tux Club, tuxclub.com.

Tags: Black chandelier, Exquisite Weddings magazine, Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, Table Design, wedding decore | Leave Comments

Time lapse video of the Sangeet party. photos of the three day wedding will be posted soon.
Thank you to Gene Higa for capturing and editing the video

Indian wedding Decor Time Lapse

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Tags: Indian Wedding, san diego wedding, THOMAS BUI, Time Lapse, Video, Wedding Decor | Leave Comments