May 062011
 
Cake Spotlighting San Diego Wedding

Cake Spotlighting

The Robert Paine Scripps Forum in La Jolla is one of my favorite San Diego wedding venue locations because of the modern architecture (which opens up many options for lighting) and the view!

The ceremony was held out on the grass at an angle facing the palm trees and ocean. The wooden birds at the base of the floral stands added a fun element to the design (these birds also showed up at the base of the cake table later on).

After the ceremony guests were greeted into the reception space by a fun place card display strung between two white ladders topped off with flowers and hanging photographs. Our coordinator Suzanne from Crown Weddings and her team really helped keep the schedule and events running on time.

Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding Ceremony Unique San Diego Wedding Idea Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding Centerpieces

I performed my main duties as their San Diego wedding DJ but they also were really interested in many of the lighting options I was able to show them. We added lots of uplighting throughout, projected a custom monogram gobo up above their sweetheart table, added in the cake spotlighting, as well as, some ambient dance floor lighting for later in the evening. I can really do quite a bit with this space to totally transform it into something special!

Uplighting at Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding Monogram & Uplighting at Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding San Diego Wedding Music

After the meal and toasts were finished their guests were ready to dance! I started off with a few slow songs and some older songs that worked for all ages. As you can see a few of the photo booth props made it out onto the dance floor.

San Diego Wedding Dancing San Diego Wedding Photo Booth Props Scripps Forum Wedding Entertainment

As the evening progressed I played more and more of the current music to make sure the younger crowd was also having a great time.

San Diego Wedding DJ Scripps Forum Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding Lighting

I used some ambient dance floor lighting (in the photos above and below) to really throw some color into the area and to also set off the fun dancing photos. Guests danced until the end and our bride & groom had an excellent night!

Monogram Gobo at Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding Lighting Scripps Forum San Diego Event Lighting Last Dance at Scripps Forum San Diego Wedding

Extras Provided:  Uplighting, Cake Spotlighting, Monogram Gobo Projection, Ambient Dance Floor Lights

MUSIC:

Ceremony Bridesmaid’s Entrance – The Frey “How To Save A Life Instrumental”

Ceremony Bride’s Processional - Norah Jones “Come Away With Me Instrumental”

Ceremony Recessional – Ingrid Michaelson “The Way I Am”

First Dance – Sade “By Your Side”

Mother/Son Dance  – Sarah McLachlin “Blackbird”

Last Dance - Tim McGraw “Tiny Dancer”


SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Coordinator =  Suzanne with Crown Weddings

Photographer =  Michael with True Photography

Caterer =  TK&A Custom Catering

Cake =  Michele Coulon Dessertier

Chairs & Linens =  Concepts Event Design

Transportation =  Avante-Garde Limousine

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Apr 172011
 

Los Willows Fallbrook Wedding CakeLos Willows located in Fallbrook, CA is a San Diego wedding venue that provides an all in one wedding ceremony and reception space. They have a few different outdoor areas to take advantage of, as well as, a nice large lake onsite. The reception is held in a large permanent white tent where the inside is nicely draped with white fabric and has few hanging chandeliers to enhance the overall look.

This wedding was a referral from a past San Diego wedding I helped DJ back in 2007. The other couple were guests at tonight’s wedding so it was nice to see them and chat for a few minutes. They now have a child so it sounds like things are going well :)

Los Willows Wedding Ceremony Site

The ceremony is typically held in the gazebo that is right next to the lake. Sometimes the bride will choose to make her entrance into the ceremony on a boat that crosses the lake. Other wedding couples choose to make their exit from the ceremony onto the boat. Our couple didn’t opt to do either of these today. In the photos below you can see the ceremony gazebo, the outdoor patio space with built in bar used for the cocktail hour, and the wedding centerpieces on the tables inside the tent.

Los Willows Fallbrook Wedding Ceremony Los Willows Fallbrook Wedding Cocktail Hour Los Willows Fallbrook Wedding Centerpieces

The inside of the tent is draped in all white fabric which is a perfect canvas for adding lighting. You can really do some fun things with an all white tent like projecting patterns up onto the walls and ceiling or projecting a monogram above the head table. Tonight we used some custom colored uplighting to wash the tent in a purplish pink and to pull some color out of the flowers while adding some color to the area.

Los Willows Fallbrook Wedding Uplighting Los Willows Fallbrook Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding DJ

Dancing went fairly well tonight considering it was a Sunday evening. We didn’t have too much time to work with since the entire event was only five hours long. At the end of the event we had everyone line up just outside the tent to see our newlyweds off. They made their exit and headed off in a Rolls Royce…

Los Willows Wedding Reception Tent

MUSIC:

Bridal Party Introductions – “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

First Dance – “I Will” by The Beatles

Father/Daughter Dance – “Love & Happiness” by Mark Knopfler & Emmy Lou Harris

Cake Cutting – “You Make Lovin’ Fun” by Fleetwood Mac

Last Dance – “Small Town” by John Cougar Mellencamp

 

SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Photographer – Flutter Glass Photography

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Apr 022011
 

Ceremony Magazine 2011.

A Positive Energy Productions San Diego wedding is featured in the 2011 Ceremony Magazine!  This was a great wedding held at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines.

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You can view professional photos and a description of the wedding here:  California Wedding Wave Website

Here is a link to the Positive Energy blog post from that wedding:  Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Wedding

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San Diego Wedding DJ in Ceremony Magazine San Diego Reception DJ in Ceremony Magazine

Mar 152011
 

The Bali Hai on Shelter Island was remodeled about a year ago and has really been updated into a nice San Diego wedding venue with one of the best views of downtown. It still has a comfortable Polynesian feel with a modern twist. We started off with the ceremony right at sunset which made for some dramatic photos. Perfect spring weather for an outdoor ceremony!

Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Ceremony Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Uplighting & Monogram Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Uplighting

The wedding lighting I provided this evening looked amazing. I think the uplighting (they selected blue to go with the wedding colors) and the monogram gobo on dance floor really made these photos stand out. The monogram gobo was a complete surprise for our bride & groom since the bride’s parents told me to keep it a secret. They loved it!

Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Cake With Uplighting Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Cake & Monogram Bali Hai Wedding Table Uplighting

After dinner we moved into our couple’s first dance and then into about 45 minutes of dancing.

Time to cut the cake!

Bali Hai San Diego Wedding First Dance Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Slow Dance Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Cake Cutting

They had a great time this evening. Guests of all ages were out there on the dance floor.

We topped it all off with an exit filled with bubbles.

Bali Hai San Diego Wedding DJ Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Reception DJ Bali Hai San Diego Wedding Exit

San Diego Wedding Vendors:

Photographer:  A Slice Of Life Photography

Cake:  Shirley The Cake Lady

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Feb 262011
 

Estancia La Jolla is one of my favorite locations for a San Diego wedding. It has a nice upscale atmosphere yet feels very comfortable at the same time. The staff is extremely friendly (Laurel is great to work with) and the service is excellent. It was raining all day so we had to make the decision to pull the ceremony inside next to the La Jolla Ballroom. Cocktail hour was also held inside in another area close to the ceremony. Not quite the outdoor setting we were hoping for but it all worked out and everyone stayed warm and dry! Guests then headed over to the Grande Room for dinner and dancing.

Estancia La Jolla Wedding Ceremony Estancia La Jolla Wedding Cocktail Hour Estancia La Jolla Wedding Flower Centerpieces

The room looked great with large manzanita branch centerpieces on a number of tables and some larger floral arrangements on other tables. It seems that serving dinner “family style” is becoming a San Diego wedding trend lately as I see it more and more often. This was a large Italian group so serving the meal family style made them feel right at home. After a little dancing our couple cut the wedding cake and we opened up a gellato / ice cream bar that the guests dove into!

Estancia La Jolla Grande Ballroom Wedding Estancia La Jolla Wedding First Dance Estancia La Jolla Wedding Gellato Station

Dancing continued for the rest of the evening. I was surprised that they lasted until the end since this was quite a bit longer than most (an eight hour event) and many of the guests were visiting from the east coast (three hours later for them). All in all a successful event!

Estancia La Jolla Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Reception DJ

Estancia La Jolla Wedding Cake.

Music:

Grand Entrance:  Closer to You Instrumental – Cure

First Dance:  Crazy Love – Van Morrison

Father/Daughter Dance:  In My Life – Beatles

Mother/Son Dance: Black Bird – Beatles

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San Diego Wedding Vendors:

Estancia:  Laurel Ganzel

Photographers:  Eddie Bojorquez with Studio 512

Cake:  Flour Power

Florist:  San Diego Flowers by Coley

Coordinator:  Kristy Weinzimer

Officiant:  Minister Jerry Bryant

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Feb 192011
 

Tonight’s wedding was over at the Powerhouse Del Mar. Our couple had actually gotten married months earlier but wanted to have a reception in San Diego to celebrate with all of their friends and family. This took the pressure off of them and really allowed them to enjoy the evening. Even though they had gotten married months earlier they got all dressed up and our bride got to wear her dress again. I guess that’s a good enough reason to have another party!

Powerhouse Del Mar Ocean Patio Powerhouse Del Mar Wedding Tables San Diego Wedding Table Centerpieces

San Diego Wedding CroquemboucheDuring the cocktail hour I provided the projection equipment to play the video of their actual wedding ceremony. This was a nice touch so that the guests who were not there could still be a part of their day. My main duties were to perform as their San Diego wedding DJ but I also helped provide the uplighting for the reception space.

Since our groom is French the bride decided to surprise him with a Croquembouche instead of cake. Croquembouche is a French pastry. It is a high cone of profiteroles (light choux pastry dough filled with a flavored cream or ganache) bound and decorated with threads of caramel. The name Croquembouche comes from the French words croque en bouche meaning ‘crunch in the mouth’. Tonight they had a choice of chocolate or orange ganache. The orange was amazing!

Uplights at San Diego Wedding San Diego Wedding Entertainment San Diego Wedding DJ

There were a large mix of ages at this wedding. I played more of the standards and oldies early on and moved into the current music as it got later in the evening. Overall it was a nice casual atmosphere were everyone was relaxed and able to enjoy themselves.

Extras Provided: 10 amber uplights

MUSIC:

First Dance Song:  La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf

Father/Daughter Dance Song:  Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder

Last Dance Song:  Falling slowly by Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Catering =  French Gourmet

Florist =  Sweet Pea Flower Co.

For more information about this event click here =  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Jan 282011
 

San Diego Wedding Cake Spotlighting Tonight’s wedding was over at the Kona Kai Resort on Shelter Island. The bride’s sister’s hired me as their San Diego wedding DJ back in 2008 so it was great to see the family again! We started off the evening with a beautiful outdoor beach ceremony overlooking the docks and bay. Guests moved inside for cocktail hour while the bride & groom stayed behind for photos.

The reception room was framed out with yellow/amber uplighting that really played up the atmosphere of warmth and candles in the space. It is difficult to see in the photo below but I thought it was fun how they had two different chairs. A patterned chair for the bride & more of a bold solid chair for the groom.

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Kona Kai Wedding Beach Ceremony Kona Kai Wedding Uplighting Kona Kai Wedding Uplighting Sweetheart Table

As you can see in the photo below (and at the top) the cake spotlighting I provided really placed some importance on the cake and made it stand out from across the room! You can also see in the center photo our groom is a Navy pilot so he had his dress uniform on for the reception.

Kona Kai Wedding Cake Spotlighting. Kona Kai San Diego Wedding First Dance Kona Kai San Diego Wedding Slow Dance

Dancing was not a problem with this crowd! We played a huge variety of music tonight since there were quite a few older adults, as well as, younger kids at the wedding.

Kona Kai San Diego Wedding Dance Music San Diego Wedding Reception Music Kona Kai San Diego Wedding Lighting

I also provided some atmospheric ambient lighting on the ceiling above. It really looked amazing hovering over the dance floor and added some fun color / movement in the photos! Excellent crowd that would not stop dancing.

Kona Kai Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Reception DJ

Extras Provided:  Uplighting, Cake Spotlighting, Ambient Dance Floor Lights

Music:

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Song:  Canon In D – Pachelbel

Processional:  Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Isreal Kamakawiwo’Ole

Unity Candle Lighting: You Raise Me Up­ – Josh Groban

Recessional Song: Can’t Help Falling In Love With You­ – Elvis

Grand Entrance:  Don’t Stop Believing – Journey

First Dance:  It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill­

Father/Daughter Dance:  Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle

Mother/Son Dance:  What a Wonderful World – ­Louis Armstrong

Cake Cutting:  Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard

Garter Toss:  Giving Him Something He Can Feel­ – En Vogue

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San Diego Wedding Vendors:

Photographers:  Susie Liquist Photography

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Jan 152011
 

Koala Cake On TV - Amazing Wedding CakesTonight’s wedding was held at the Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula, CA. This event was slightly unique because we had a film crew at the reception… The wedding was being featured on the We TV show Amazing Wedding Cakes!

Christopher Garin from “Let Them Eat Cake” designed the cake. Chris Garren was informed that our couple was looking for a koala bear cake. Why a koala you might ask? They met while both were in the Navy and strictly followed military protocol about “no signs of public affection”. So they came up with a code-word to represent their love “koala”. A competition kicks in on the show, who will create the cutest koala? The cake is complete with a eucalyptus tree with lifelike leaves placed next to the abstract cake with aboriginal decorations.

Click here to view a short video from the Amazing Wedding Cakes TV show featuring the Koala Cake.

Click Here to read highlights of the wedding on the Amazing Wedding Cakes WeTV website.

Wilson Creek Winery Wedding Ceremony Temecula Winery Wedding Venue Wilson Creek Winery Wedding Sunset

We started off with the ceremony outside on the patio overlooking the vineyards where a personal friend of the bride & groom performed the ceremony. Guest’s then moved inside the winery for cocktail hour while our couple took some photos around the property.

Wilson Creek Winery Wedding Kiss Wilson Creek Winery Wedding Couple Wilson Creek Winery Fun Wedding Photo

After the cocktail hour the doors to the Barrel Room were opened. Guests were invited into the cozy space with one uniquely large “U” shaped table for everyone. The red uplighting really added some much needed warmth & interest in the room.

Wilson Creek Winery Wedding in Barrel Room San Diego Wedding Entertainment Temecula Winery Wedding

It was a smaller intimate crowd this evening. We had fun. As their wedding DJ I tried to play a large variety of music tonight since there were guests of all ages. You can see that we had some fun and our groom had some fun as well :)

Wilson Creek Winery Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding DJs

At the end of the wedding reception we invited all of the guests to make their way outside. We lined them up on either side of the exit doors and handed out quite a few sparklers. Add in a few matches and some cheers… We have a great photo and our couple was off!

Unique Wedding Ideas

MUSIC:

Bridesmaids Enter Ceremony:  Feeling Good – Michael Buble

Bride’s Processional: When I Fall In Love –  Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole

Recessional: All in – Lifehouse

Bride & Groom Entrance:  Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti

First Dance: Only You Can Love Me This Way – Keith Urban

Father/Daughter Dance: I Loved Her First – Heartland

Mother Son Dance: Unforgettable – Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole

Cake Cutting: Sugar Sugar – The Archies

Garter Toss: Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

Last dance: Save The Last Dance –Michael Buble


SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Photographers =  Aquario Studio

Cake = Christopher Garin from “Let Them Eat Cake”

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Dec 182010
 

Powerhouse Del Mar is a great San Diego wedding venue if you want an all in one ceremony and reception location right on the beach. The ceremony today was held out on the patio. We weren’t sure if the rain would hold out for our couple but we made it through the ceremony with only a few drops.

Powerhouse Del Mar San Diego Wedding Ceremony Music Sweetheart Table Centerpiece at San Diego Wedding San Diego Unique Wedding Favors

Once inside the uplighting really added some color to the space and incorporated their blue throughout the reception. A nice personal touch were the homemade  cookies by the bride & her mother are a German family holiday tradition. Historians trace these cookies back to the Julfest, a German midwinter celebration.

Uplights at Powerhouse Del Mar Wedding Lighting Uplights San Diego Wedding Lighting German Cookies Unique Wedding Traditions

Our couple and many of their guests really know how to swing dance so we played quite a bit of big band and swing music tonight. We also incorporated some more current music to keep things going later on. A nice and fun winter wedding.

Powerhouse Del Mar Wedding DJ San Diego Wedding DJ San Diego Reception DJ

Click here to view professional photos of this event from Dapper Images.

Here are a few professional photos from the evening:

Powerhouse Del Mar Reception Del Mar Bride Powerhouse Del Mar Cocktail Hour Dramatic Wedding

San Diego Wedding DJs Uplighting San Diego Wedding DJ First Dance San Diego Wedding Entertainment

MUSIC:

Processional:  Again – Doris Day (Acoustic Guitar)

Recessional:  How Deep Is The Ocean – Billie Holiday (Acoustic Guitar)

First Dance:  The Best Is Yet To Come – Frank Sinatra

Father/Daughter Dance:  What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

Last Dance:  (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

Exit:  Goodnight, Well it’s Time to Go (Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight) – The Spaniels

SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Photographers:  Dapper Images

Catering:  Coast Catering

Cake:  VG Donuts & Bakery

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445

Nov 132010
 

A perfect day for an afternoon wedding at L’Auberge Del Mar 11am to 4:00pm. The ceremony was held on the top terrace overlooking the ocean. Superior court judge Bromberg is a family friend so he stepped in as the officiant today. A funny moment happened when judge Bromberg asked the groom to present the ring. A HUGE fake diamond ring was pulled out and given to the bride. Everyone got a quick laugh out of it.

L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding Ceremony L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding Cocktail Hour San Diego Wedding Centerpiece

Cocktail hour was held on the middle wooden deck area. Once again a great view of the ocean! We then moved downstairs for dinner and dancing. A unique wedding idea & San Diego wedding trend the last few years has been the candy bar. This trend is not going away anytime soon. Guests (of all ages) love it!

San Diego Wedding Cake Fun San Diego Wedding Candy Bar L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding DJ

Dancing went well extremely well for a daytime wedding. The group let loose and enjoyed the afternoon.

San Diego Reception DJ San Diego DJ San Diego Wedding DJ

Here are a few professional photos from Valentine Photography:

L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding Ceremony L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding Ceremony 2 L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding Couple

L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding Rings L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding Cake Cutting

MUSIC:

Bridesmaids:  Here Comes the Sun Instrumental (Beatles)

Bride’s Processional:  Canon in D (Patrick Ki)

Wedding Party Entrance:  Holiday Road (Lyndsay Buckingham)

Bride/Groom Entrance:  Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News)

First Dance:  I’m Yours Acoustic (Jason Mraz)

Father/Daughter Dance:  The Way You Look Tonight (Father of the Bride Soundtrack)

Mother/Son Dance:  My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder)

Cake:  Night Train (Back to the Future Soundtrack)

Last Dance:  Earth Angel (McFly and the Starlighters)

After Last Dance (as people exit):  We’ll Meet Again (Vera Lynn)

SAN DIEGO WEDDING VENDORS:

Photographers:  Vallentyne Photography

Cake:  Fab Cakes

For more information about this event click here:  San Diego Wedding DJ

Positive Energy Productions  |  858.490.0445