|
|
OCTOBER
2009 |
||
LEAVING LAS VEGAS,
ALOHA MAUI!
a love story
During our years on Maui - when we were then known as The Maui Wedding Company, a Wedding coordinating service - we heard a delightful love story from one of our couples whose Wedding we arranged. We took them to Kapalua Beach at sunset and, while waiting for the photographer, videographer and guitar player to set up their equipment (every Wedding in Hawaii includes a guitar player singing Don Ho's romantic, "The Hawaiian Wedding Song"), we asked the couple to tell us how they met. Here's their tale:
The couple met online and began exchanging e-mail messages. He lived in Chicago, she in Los Angeles. After a few months of back 'n forth, they wrote to each other, "This seems promising. Let's meet!" They agreed to meet halfway, "halfway" being Las Vegas. The woman wrote, "I'd be more comfortable with a chaperone present, so I'm going to bring a girlfriend." The gentleman agreed, saying he'd also bring a friend.
The four of them met in Las Vegas and spent a weekend playing and partying. They then retreated back to the Second City and LA-LA. When they got home, the couple wrote to one another, each with a similar message, "The experience wasn't what I'd hoped for." They both agreed, wished each other well and went their separate ways.
However . . . during the course of the weekend in Las Vegas, the two chaperones fell in love. And they were the couple who were married that evening at the beach on Maui.
CAKE. Wine Country Wedding Newsletter. Temecula Valley & Fallbrook, California
|
|
|
Through CAKE's media partner - Neighbors Newspaper - banner ads are offered on CAKE, while display ads and directory listings are available in the Wine Country Weddings section of Neighbors Newspaper. Neighbors Newspaper has an annual circulation of 250,000, while CAKE is read by Brides, venues and vendors throughout Southern California.
Neighbors Newspaper
31566 Railroad Canyon Road #2-575
Canyon Lake, California 92587
951 244 7025
info@neighborsnewspaper.com
www.neighborsnewspaper.com
warning: please view responsibly!
this isn't your mother's wedding photograph!
Photographers are invited to e-mail
out-of-the-ordinary
Wedding photographs for CAKE's Photograph Of The Month to:
CAKE
[» WINE LABEL OF THE MONTH «]
vampire cabernet sauvignon
blood of the vine
You gotta love serendipity! Accidental discoveries of good fortune. While preparing the autumn edition of CAKE - and needing a Wine Label of the Month to review - we stumbled across Vampire Vineyards. Spank me, Daddy! What a ghoulishly guiltless selection for a Halloween review. VV calls Paso Robles home, sharing in-common with Temecula Valley that - as wine regions go - it's one of California's rising stars. Vampire offers 9 different varietals, including all the usual suspects, so we decided to cut our teeth on the tried-&-true Cabernet Sauvignon.
Although Henry's Market on Temecula Parkway occasionally carries the Vampire chardonnay, and BevMo on Winchester Road carries Vampire varietals for Halloween, we were unable to locate a Cab in Temecula in time for this review. So we ordered from the Winery and were way-impressed with the service. Within two days (!) we had a Vampire in the CAKE Studios.
We cut and removed the lead from the top of the bottle and proceeded to enjoy a hearty guffaw from the blood-red "cork." (One of those prosthetic jobs). Pouring into the glass, the wine was a light-ish red, filling the room with lots of fruit aromas. The smooth texture of the first taste was soft on the tongue, spreading flavors of blackberries. All in all, we found the wine friendly and drinkable.
Once again, we have to agree with the pairing choices of the Winemaker. Vampire was recommended for the food cravings of rich pasta carnivores. In our case, we decided to indulge in Linguine Carbonara and - just as we hoped - the wine complemented the smokiness of the pancetta (Italian bacon) and cut through the cream sauce. This is a combo that'll again be gracing our dinner table.
Finally, one member of the CAKE staff serves on
the Wine Tasting Committee of one of Temecula Valley's finest and rated
Vampire's blood of the vine an O+, saying it would pair delightfully with candy
corn for a little Halloween gluttony!
$9.99 13.8%
VAMPIRE
VINEYARDS
Paso Robles, California
310 vampire
info@vampire.com
www.vampire.com
"Real love is a pilgrimage. It happens
when there's no strategy. It's rare because most people are strategists."
Anita Brookner [born 1938]. British novelist.
[» HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE «]
|
|
"get your
broom a-runnin',
|
|
|
|
SHADOWCATCHER GOES TO
PRISON! Witnesses at the scene accused Shadowcatcher Imagery of showing "absolutely no signs of remorse!" Allow us to call your attention to the exhibits below. After viewing the evidence, you be the judge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
OK, so CAKE's never been accused of letting truth stand in the way of a good story.
Shadowcatcher Imagery tends to blow our little minds. There are times photographers Heather & Skip Middleton are shooting so far outside the box, it's time to redefine The Box.
Case in point, their latest Trash-The-Dress-sesh. While making arrangements to photograph the Wedding of a San Diego attorney and her heart's desire, a U.S. Federal Agent, Shadowcatcher entertained a request for a post-nuptials Trash The Dress session at the San Diego prison where the couple both work. The pictures above are from the photo shoot and the results are creatively spectacular. To view the entire shoot, visit http://shadowcatcher.wordpress.com. To view Shadowcatcher Imagery's Wedding work, plus their Boudoir sessions, visit their website below.
Shadowcatcher Imagery
Escondido, California
760 533 6130
shadowcatcherimagery@cox.net
www.shadowcatcherimagery.com
|
|
KEYWAYS BRIDAL SHOW On September 27th, we had a rousing good time venturing out to Wine Country to attend Keyways Winery's first Bridal Show. Hosted by owner - Terri Pebley Delhamer - Keyways prides itself in being the only woman-owned winery in Temecula Valley. Organized by Annette Nielsen, the Winery's Wedding coordinator and Mimi Harlan, Keyways' General Manager, the show offered-up a great networking opportunity for Wine Country Wedding vendors. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Among those attending, we spotted Karen Gomez, her sister, Mildred, and Deborah Howell of Ponte Winery, Randy Green of RK Green Studios, Myra Pettus of Dan Pettus Photography, Kim & Cynthia of Sweet Layers, Karolin DiCristina & Michelle Brewer of Belle Mariée, Jenelle Jackson of Sweet Flowers, John & Wendy Rodriquez of VIP Events, Andrea Welding of Photography By Andrea, Ken & Maria Bennett of Video Adventures, Rick of The Arrangement Gallery, Joel Udayke & Dawn Dougherty of Flowerloft International, Joni Keller of I Do Makeovers, Glenn & Bev Currie of Glen Currie Photography, Tasteful Cakes, Wineberry Hill Designs florists, Janet & Trish from Babycakes Cupcake Boutique, Soundskilz Entertainment and Kellie Hanselman from Embassy Suites. |
|
|
|
THE LONGEST HOUR "We're Looking For
The Answer, Every man, woman and child who's ever participated in a Bridal Show is well-acquainted with The Longest Hour: the time-warping phenomenon of the show's final hour. For some unfathomable reason, Bridal Shows schedule fashion shows one hour before the show ends and seem incredulous that Brides soon proceed to depart. Vendors are then left on their own to endure The Longest Hour. As for the Show in question, our hat's off to Keyways Winery and Belle Mariée Bridal Salon in that there were no fashion shows during this Bridal Faire. Rather, models-on-pedestals were cleverly stationed throughout the grounds of the Winery displaying Bridal gowns. |
Nevertheless, we collectively offer-up gratitude to photographer Randy Green - of RK Green Studios - for doing the good deed of accelerating the final hour of this particular show by tripping the light fantastic!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIP EVENTS FUNDRAISER AT FALKNER WINERY On September 10th, we enjoyed watching the elite meet to greet at Falkner Winery. The occasion was a party to raise funds for VIP Events, John & Wendy Rodriquez' business which, sadly, burned down during a recent fire. |
dj's
john rodriquez & mike shroyer led revelers in several games throughout
the evening. this one was called "everybody stare at the bar!"
left to right, we spot loretta falkner, annette nielsen, karon cartwright, john rodriquez, marie
fowler, john goolsby, jim fowler, su-lin sutherland, laura mitchell, karolin
discristina & randy green
photo by CAKE
The Wedding industry in this region is a tightly-knit lot - a family - and having such a distressing event happen to this company of co-workers hits close to home, affecting all of us involved with local Weddings.
John is well-known throughout Wine Country as traveling at the level of a highly-professional DJ. As a couple, he & Wendy are the kind of people we all look forward to spending time with at Bridal Shows and other Wedding industry get togethers. Such a gathering took place in December 2008, when we ventured to VIP Events to celebrate the Grand Opening of their new business. Considering how congenial this couple is, as might be expected there were dozens of Wedding professionals in attendance that evening to join with John & Wendy in celebrating the launch of their new business. [CAKE Archives. VIP Events. February 2009].
As of this writing, VIP Events is looking for affordable office furniture to use in their new shop in the Canyon Lake Towne Center. If anyone can be of help, John & Wendy can be reached through the contact information below. Further information about the fire can be found on the North County Times' website at:
VIP EVENTS
31580 Railroad Canyon Road
Canyon Lake, California 92587
951 244 8769
john@myvipevent.com
wendy@myvipevent.com
www.myvipevent.com
[» IN FURTHER WINE COUNTRY NEWS «]
|
|
TEMECULA CREEK INN As reported of late, we recently had the distinct pleasure of touring the grounds of Temecula Creek Inn. Guided by Laurie Miller - the Inn's Sales Manager - we saw the property from soup to nuts. Sitting on the outskirts of Wine Country for the past 40 years, it's difficult to know where to begin in describing Temecula Creek Inn. Being Wed-o-holics, we admittedly gravitate toward TCI's 3(!) Wedding venues, but will save the best for last. Let it be said, there's no other venue in Southern California quite like Temecula Creek. For starters, the Inn's 350 acres dwell at the base of the picturesque mountain range creating the Temecula Valley Wine Country. Although the property's name includes "Inn," frankly, it's the golf course that lures guests. (Husbands play golf, wives visit Wine Country). Boasting 27 holes, the links provide a gorgeous backdrop for the rooms, Wedding sites and restaurant.
|
temecula creek inn
As for the rooms, there are 130, 10 of which are suites. All include plasma screen TV's, plus wireless Internet access. Relating rooms to Weddings, we couldn't count the number of times over the years we've heard Brides, Grooms and their Parents say they want the Wedding held on a property where their guests don't have to drive following the reception. They want for their guests, once the party concludes, to be able to simply walk back to their rooms.
Other Temecula Creek amenities include a heated pool, two tennis courts, a fitness studio. Not to mention - check it out - you can actually see Pechanga Casino from the Inn!
| In addition to the golf course and Wedding
sites, the Inn is celebrated for its restaurant - Temet Grill.
Overseen by Executive Chef, Salvatore Giuliano, who specializes in
complementing the wines of Temecula Valley with the bold flavors of his
signature Mediterranean recipes, Temet Grill offers unique culinary
experiences to its diners.
To our mind, one of Chef's more intriguing undertakings is his visiting the Valley's wineries, sampling their fare, and then returning to Temet Grill's kitchen to create original dishes to pair with the signature wines of Temecula Valley's finest. |
|
|
|
We've gone on about the beauty of Temecula Creek Inn's
expansive 350-acre countryside grounds, the get-away-from-it-all
experience of the 27 holes of golf, the plush rooms, the delectable
cuisine of Temet Grill . . . now allow us to delve into the romance of the
Inn, its Wedding sites and the memorable Weddings they
host.
TCI's nouveau arrivé Wedding site is the GM's House, which once housed the Inn's General Manager. It should be noted that, as well as being on tap for Weddings, the GM's House can be reserved for stays by hotel guests. When staged for Weddings, the site is a study in beauty. Over the years, we've been to so many Wedding locations that we tend toward being slightly jaded. And then along comes a location such as this. As told by the accompanying photograph, Weddings and receptions at the GM's House - on the golf course - |
|
are scenes right out of a movie. With the majority of Wine Country Weddings taking place at sunset, the golden light at the site will simply enthrall you. Another newly added Wedding site to Temecula Creek's property is in front of the waterfall outside the Pro Shop. The site is intimate, the sound of the falls is mesmerizing and the photo opportunities are endless. |
|
|
|
And then there's the Stone House. At 130 years of age, the Stone
House sits in a wooded setting, surrounded by centuries-old oak trees.
(The CAKE Studios property plays home to four heritage oaks. Three are
200-years-old, the 4th is 400-years-old. In comparison to the ancient oaks
at the Stone House, our trees are mere babies).
The Stone House was built in the 19th century as a mess hall for quarrymen mining granite in the local mountains. Now part of TCI's property, the Stone House serves as the Inn's ranking Wedding site. Paraphrasing what we said at the top of this piece, there's no other Wedding site in Wine Country quite like the Stone House. When you're on the grounds for a Wedding, you'd never guess in a million years that Wine Country is a mere 15 minutes away and Pechanga Casino is within 10 minutes. All the Bride, Groom and Wedding guests experience is the privacy of an historic site in the middle of a grove of ancient oaks. Miles from nowhere. We highly recommend contacting our friend - Alison de Jong, TCI's Wedding Coordinator - to begin planning your nuptials. |
We end our visit to Temecula Creek Inn with one little-mentioned note about the property - their display of roses. 1,000's of rose bushes! We're huge rose fans, but the humble rose garden at the CAKE Studios plays home to a mere 16 bushes. Driving onto Temecula Creek's grounds at the height of the spring rose bloom, if for no other reason than to see the flowers (and indulge in a glass of wine), is an experience of a lifetime.
TEMECULA CREEK INN
44501 Rainbow Canyon road
Temecula, California 92592
951 694 1000
temeculacreekinn@jcresorts.com
www.temeculacreekinn.com
|
HOW GREEN IS OUR VALLEY
|
Briar Rose Winery is on deck this month with their green practices at the Winery. Winemaker - Les Linkogle - reports, "We recycle our wine bottles and all of our plastic bottles. Beyond that, we use environmentally friendly shipping material for our Wine Club Shipments. The inserts that hold the wine are made from recycled paper products." |
BRIAR ROSE WINERY
41720 Calle Cabrillo
Temecula, California 92592
951 308 1098
dorian@briarrosewinery.com
www.briarrosewinery.com
[EDITOR'S NOTE: with thanks to Linda Kissam]
|
|
Things Can Only Get Better This is one of those "Turning Lemons Into Lemonade" tales. As reported recently on these pages, CAKE-pal - Clay Blake, Executive Chef at Wilson Creek Winery's Creekside Grille restaurant - launched the Cicchetti Bar, |
serving afternoon plates of hor's doeuvres. We've been dying for a taste of Chef Clay's new-to-Wine-Country concept, so journeyed over to Wilson on a recent Friday afternoon to indulge. Unfortunately, the Cicchetti Bar had closed by the time we arrived. We asked the hostess and our waiter the hours the Cicchetti Bar was open and both replied, "The hours vary." This wasn't what we wanted to hear!
["And did we feel scared - we did - but we didn't stop and falter. And if we threw it all away, 'Things Can Only Get Better.' " | Howard Jones | ].
Yes, we were scared, but weren't about to throw it all away, so we stopped and ordered a plate of Chef's Calamari, plus glasses of Wilson's finest. And then things began to get better.
It's a delight to be involved in Wine Country's Wedding game because the cast of characters is relatively small and - as a result - we get to develop relationships with so many players. For example, during the course of our meal, dropping by our table was Su-Lin Sutherland, Wedding coordinator for Wilson Creek, plus Sheri Smith, florist-supreme for Murrieta Flower Girl, DJ Gary Boeldt of Elite Music Works and Officiant, Judi DeMarco. After our sip 'n graze, on the way out we spotted Cean Orrett, of Cean One Photography, putting his camera to the test. All the above were there for a Wilson Creek Wedding. (Guilty Pleasures: we have to admit to enjoying a glass of wine while watching the rest of them work).
WILSON CREEK WINERY
35960 Rancho California Road
Temecula, California 92591
951 693 9463
info@wilsoncreekwinery.com
www.wilsoncreekwinery.com
[» THIS JUST IN «]
|
THE D'JAY COMPANY We had the pleasure of meeting Jay Fitzgerald, The D'Jay Company's wizard-behind-the-curtain, last year while attending the inaugural meeting of the Temecula Valley Wedding Professionals at Keyways Winery. The gentleman sported a dry, self-deprecating wit that soon had us in stitches. We've since seen Mr. Fitzgerald in action and one of the first things we took note of is that he passed our dress code test. (And we assume this goes for the entire Team D'Jay). |
|
[Pardon us while we indulge in a brief rant: we're sticklers for apropos dressing. If those of us involved with Weddings are working in circumstances where gentlemen clients are wearing tuxedos and suits, and the women are wearing gowns and cocktail dresses, we should dress in-kind. Levis? Shorts? Nikes? Flip-flops? Get into another line of work].
We also appreciate that The D'Jay Company realizes each Bride, Groom and Wedding is unique, so Jay guides couples in putting their own stamp on the evening's events. This includes Jay and his team being able to turn on a dime if last-minute ideas come to a Bride's mind that she thinks her reception will be the better for.
After 20 years DJ'ing and lighting Weddings and events, The D'Jay Company is pleased by how much repeat business they do, with clients being happy enough to return year after year. (Not for new Weddings, of course!).
The D'Jay team boasts 9 DJ's including three from KROQ radio, four who are bilingual and one who's a former member of Gwen Stefani's band, No Doubt. Brides & Grooms are going to have a lot of fun with these guys. (And one gal)!
THE D'JAY COMPANY
6834 Springview Place
Alta Loma, California 91701
888 944 8905
jay@thedjaycompany.com
www.thedjaycompany.com
VENUES & VENDORS:
If you have Wedding & Wine Country-related
news you'd like to share,
please contact:
CAKE
CAKE is proud to strafe the blogosphere on the wings of the following blogs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
CAKE is the Wedding newsletter
of the
Temecula Valley wine country /
Fallbrook area
2 Inform. 2 Entertain.
|[caution: please read responsibly. CAKE is not your mother's wedding newsletter!]|
If
you experience a problem seeing CAKE text or photographs,
please visit the site directly by clicking:
www.cakeweddingnewsletter.com
If CAKE has been forwarded to you, please click "contact" to request your own copy. And tell a friend!
To cancel your subscription to CAKE, click "contact" and enter "unsubscribe."
© 2007-2009 CAKE
cartwright & cartwright
All rights reserved
