Venue Spotlight: The Surf and Sand Resort

Honored Occasions has the honor and privilege to do weddings and event at some of the best resorts in Orange County.

The Surf and Sand Resort is no exception!

We have been working with the team at the Surf and Sand for about 10 years and have done over a hundred events with their team.  From breathtaking ocean view ceremonies, receptions in their newly renovated ballroom, to events by the pool and celebrations in the sand. Surf and Sand is one the best finds in Orange County!

Features in Laguna Beach Magazine showcase it’s unique property and establishments for some of the finest food and luxury accommodations in California.

“Surf & Sand Resort, resembling a sun-washed Mediterranean Village, lies on California’s Laguna Beach shoreline where the waves of the Pacific meet 500 feet of pristine sand. Laguna Beach, which is renowned for its long history as a center for the arts, is home to the world-famous Pageant of the Masters festival.” from Surf and Sand’s website

“Imagine walking down the aisle on a sunny terrace overlooking the ocean, or holding your ceremony right on the sand at our Laguna Beach wedding venues. Surf & Sand Resort offers the backdrop for picture perfect Laguna Beach weddings as you celebrate with friends and family in an elegant ballroom with immaculate decor and deliciously creative cuisine.” from Surf and Sand’s website

They have won several awards over the year but for the brides, “The Knot’s Best of Wedding Award for 2016” Impressive.

With three distinctive ballrooms, The Pelican Ballroom which can hold 180 guests to the Sand Dollar or Sand Castle Ballrooms that hold 80 and 60 guest retrospectively.

 

Thinking about having a beautiful ocean ceremony and wedding reception, check out our friends at Surf and Sand Resort and see why their slogan on “Adore & I Do” can be the perfect location for your upcoming wedding.

“Our team of culinary experts will work with you to create a custom menu just for you and your wedding reception in Laguna Beach, so that every course reflects your personal taste. Or you can choose from one of our popular packages. Your selections of creative seaside cuisine will showcase the freshest seasonal and regional ingredients, while innovative wine pairings offer yet another tribute to the perfect dining experience.” from Surf and Sand’s website

“Need some TLC? Aquaterra is an intimate Laguna Beach spa with eight indulgent treatment rooms, an ocean view couples room, a cozy Nail Nook with two pedicure areas, and a manicure table. Guests at our Laguna Beach spa are provided with plush robes, and comfy slippers prior to treatment. Our lounge areas are separated by gender and offer an indoor eucalyptus steam room, outdoor Jacuzzi, showers, and all locker room amenities. An intimate co-ed relaxation area with a fireplace, refreshments, and indoor and outdoor seating is also on premises.”from Surf and Sand’s website

Choosing the right venue to host your wedding is important but also choosing the right vendor team is also important. Hiring a photographer who knows the ins and outs may be one of the most important decisions you will face after choosing your venue. Look to Jim Kennedy Photographers, Nicole Caldwell or Frank Salas who are all preferred vendors at Surf and Sand (and dozens of other venues.) Once you have your photographer you may want to consider a video or film maker. Again, we recommend the following at Surf and Sand Plug Films, Watertree Films, Hoo Films and the Emotion Picture Studio.

Remember, always look at vendor that have worked at the venue and take that into consideration when choosing them as they may have a secret spot for pictures, a new entrance idea or understands the venues color palette and can create a stunning floral centerpiece.

We were honored to be a finalist for the 2017 California Wedding Day-Best DJ in Orange County.  Being nominated is such an honor but the criteria and votes come from others in the industry who feel that Honored Occasions provides a level or professional service, fun and exciting options in the area of DJ, MC, Lighting and Photo Booth Services.  Our years of experience, fun and professional DJ and MC’s and attention to detail is what we offer to create the wedding of your dreams at Surf and Sand or any Southern California Wedding Location

If you are truly thinking about having a breathtaking ocean view wedding with some of the best weather coupled with exceptional food and service; look no further than Surf and Sand Resort.

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Annual Holiday Party 2016!

Annual Holiday Party

This year we surprised our guests with an Eskape Room Holiday Party and it couldn’t have been more exciting!

Thank you to the sponsors of our event

Chloe Atnip Photography

Watertree Events

Ice Bulb

Bottles & Blooms

Flowers, Etc.

JBoy Media

The Lime Truck

Chiavari Chair Rentals

Dressing up as your favorite Christmas or Holiday Song!

Don’t know what to wear to your next Christmas or Holiday Party?  Theme it up! Have your guests dress up as their favorite Christmas Carol, Christmas Carol or Holiday Song! It’s easy if you’re creative!  Here are a couple of examples but be creative!

“All I Want for Christmas”

“Oh, Christmas Tree”

“Jingle Bell Rock”                       “Grandma Got Run Over By…”

Also here are a list of top Christmas and Holiday songs: Be Creative!!!

A Child Is Born
A Chipmunk Christmas
Away In The Manger
Carol of The Bells
Christmas Shoes
Deck The Halls
Do You Hear What I Hear
Frosty The Snowman
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer
Hark The Harold Angels Sing
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Here Comes Santa Claus
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
I´ll Be Home For Christmas
I´m Dreaming Of A White Christmas
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
It´s Beginning to Feel a lot like Christmas
Jingle Bell Rock
Jingle Bells
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Joy To The World
Let It Snow
Little Drummer Boy
Nut Cracker Suite

Noel
O Holy Night
Oh Christmas Tree
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Oh Little Child Of Bethlehem
Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Santa Baby
Silent Night
Silver Bells
Sleigh Ride
The Christmas Song
The First Noel
The 12 Days Of Christmas
Up On The House Top
We Three Kings
Winter Wonderland

Vendor Highlight ~ LVL Academy

What is LVL Academy?

LVL Academy is 2-Day workshop designed specifically for those who are looking to break into the wedding industry as well as enhance their existing career as a wedding planner. The Academy is taught in a classroom setting over two days, while allowing for a lot of hands-on training and continuous Q & A with instructors, guest speakers and industry pros. In addition to a jam packed 2 days, attendees get to experience it all surrounded by others excited and passionate about events.

Who should attend the (2) day workshop?

The ideal attendee is not only the aspiring or novice planner, but a more experienced planner as well who is looking to learn new tools and techniques. We feel that we’re preparing the novice planner for what to expect jumping into a career in the wedding industry as well as tools and best practices that can apply to a more seasoned planner. Additionally, those passionate about events and weddings with no experience at all. This workshop will set them on a path to stand out over other applicants as the begin their wedding and events career.

Who teaches and are there other professional vendors that participate?

LVL Academy is brought to you by the Lead Planning Team of LVL Weddings & Events– Lindsay Longacre- LVL‘s founder and Princpal planner, Heather Hoesch- LVL Partner and Principal Planner, and Kerri Hatter, Principal Planner. We also include relevant expert wedding industry professionals to add insight in their specific area such as photography, florial design and catering. We are so excited for the speaker lineup at the fall workshop- check out our website to see who all is speaking.

Can you learn everything in (2) days?  

Upon completion of our workshop, our attendees leave with tangible skills and tools to take their passion to the next level. We do not just talk about doing the job, we teach them how to do the job well with a team mindset and a community over competition approach. They will be ready to take on planning clients and apply the skills they learned at Academy. We teach them a good foundation to get started with their first wedding or sharpen their skills for their current book of business.

Are there additional opportunities? We are always on the lookout for new talent to add to Team LVL. We take on a few select interns each semester, we are always interviewing for experienced wedding day assistants and are currently interviewing for our coordination positions.

Why LVL? 

The team at LVL has produced over 1500 weddings while currently planning over 150 weddings a year. Our experiences with all different types of clients and vendors as well as running a business,  incorporating the latest technology, branding and marketing- allows us to share best practices with new and experienced planners. We pride ourselves in planning weddings unique to our couples and providing a planning experience they can enjoy.

Who is LVL?

The team at LVL is a group of experienced planners with diverse backgrounds and a passion for wedding planning, ranging from principal planners to coordinators as well as assistants and interns.

LVL Academy Website

Nixon Library Wedding Open House – June 30

Join us and lots of fabulous vendors at the Nixon Library Open House June 30 from 5:30-7:30pm!

“Experience the Library’s beautiful rose garden and breathtaking East Room that play host to the finest weddings in Orange County, during the rare and wonderful opportunity!

Enjoy appetizers from some of Orange County’s finest caterers, try some savory sweets and champagne and be wowed by some amazing table top designs for the area’s best floral designers. Get inspired by the latest wedding trends, beautiful florals, luxury linens, specialty furniture and more…”

Register free: {here}

 

 

Venue Highlight ~ The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel

One of our favorite venues to work with is The Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, so we reached out to them and asked a few questions to our prospective brides & grooms.

What makes The Waterfront different for couples?

We would say there are hundreds of things that set us apart from other venues!  From the very beginning when a client arrives, they are welcomed into our Waterfront Events Boutique located in the main lobby.  This luxury one stop shop provides the ultimate all-inclusive experience and shows what The Waterfront is really about…  “Striving for Five”!  Our “5 Diamond” service, attention to detail, tight-knit family is just why you’ll love us!  We pride ourselves on service.  All couples and guests are treated like VIP from valet to front desk, the restaurant, and all the way into their event!  We have a great team of creative partners to help our couples with an all-inclusive service and the best part… we’re located right at the beach!  Whether you are looking for a casual, intimate or elegant event… we’ve got the space for you!

PC: Jim Kennedy Photography

Tell us about the new expansion underway: 

The new expansion adjacent to our hotel will include an additional 190 guest rooms, mostly suites, 3 new ballrooms, 3 additional meeting spaces, and an event lawn which will accommodate up to 400 guests!  A killer new ocean view rooftop lounge located on the top of our new guest tower, hotel restaurant and bar… all brand new and ultra-modern!  Not only are we thrilled for our guests upcoming event experience and the new spaces, but they can also enjoy a new pool with waterslides and entertainment for the kiddos.

Is there anything that a couple or their planner has done at your venue that you thought was amazing and had never had it done there before?

We were trying to do a hanging cake in our alcove of our Pacific Ballroom but have not succeeded yet.  That would be pretty awesome!

PC: Studio EMP

How many different indoor and outdoor locations are available to be booked for weddings?

Currently, we have 4 outdoor ceremony sites – an enclosed Veranda where the processional starts at the top of our Grand Staircase, our Ocean Front Pool Deck Ceremony which has beautiful sunsets, an Ocean Front Terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a Toes in the Sand Beach Ceremony site.  Indoor locations include our Tides Ballroom, Pacific Ballroom and Grand Ballroom.  When our expansion build concludes, we’ll have even more than that! Including a large event lawn that will be ocean front and exclusively private for weddings.

What is your favorite location on property for a couple’s photo or their first look?

Our staircase is pretty iconic.  It is also getting a facelift in our expansion time, and will be an even more fabulous spot to capture that special moment.

PC: Brian Leahy Photography

Anything else you would like everyone to know?

We are a fun team and love our couples!  Everyone on staff will be a great resource and help plan your special day.  We have the best service, location, staff and food!

Now booking through Summer 2017

 

 

Featured Wedding on WedLuxe Magazine’s Blog

We had the pleasure of doing the lighting for Corinne & Yijue’s wedding with A Good Affair, Wedding and Event Production at The Resort at Pelican Hill which was featured on WedLuxe Magazine‘s blog today! Check out the full feature: {here}

 

 

Such great vendors to work with too!
Planning & Design: A Good Affair, Wedding and Event Production
Venue & Catering: The Resort at Pelican Hill
Photography: Jessica Claire
Floral Design: Nisie’s Enchanted Florist
Stationary: EAST SIX
Hair & Makeup: Ivy Chou
Ceremony Chairs: Classic Event & Tent Rentals – Orange County
Reception Chairs: Blueprint Studios
Lighting: Honored Occasions Honored Occasions Entertainment & Lighting
Draping: Through A Good Affair
Chargers, Glassware, Flatware: Casa de Perrin

Vendor Highlight ~ Wedding Coordinator, The Perfect Fairytale

Tell us about The Perfect Fairytale? How did you get started?
I have had a passion and love for wedding planning since I was a teenager. After I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Public Relations, I further developed my passion for the industry as an assistant to an event coordinator in 2007. I worked in weddings and public relations at Pelican Hill Resort from 2008-2010. I earned my wedding planning certification in March 2010 and officially opened The Perfect Fairytale the day after my certification.

Why do you do weddings versus other events?
We specialize in weddings because weddings is where our heart is. We enjoy getting to know a couple’s love story, being a part of their wedding planning from the beginning to end, and gaining new friends at the end of the day. As much as we would enjoy corporate events, showers, and various parties, we know our passion lies in weddings.

You have just recently returned back to CA, why was that?
I was born and raised in Orange County and never thought I’d move away, however because of my husband’s job we moved to Roanoke, Virginia in June 2011. Since I just started The Perfect Fairytale a year prior, I also relocated the company to Virginia. My husband and I moved back to Southern California in June 2015 and we are delighted to be home!

Describe the different options couples have for booking you?
The Perfect Fairytale offers three wedding planning packages including full service, partial planning, and day of coordination. Our full service package is the Diamond Deluxe Package, which assists couples with the entire planning process from beginning to end. Our Crystal Package is a partial planning package where couples plan about half of their wedding and we plan the rest together. Our Gem Package assists couples with the last month of planning to finalize all details of their special day.

How many weddings are you planning a year?
For the last few years, we have planned 15-20 weddings per year, allowing us to give personal attention and detail to each couple. We are in the midst of bringing a new wedding planner on board this year so we can double the amount of weddings we take on starting in 2017 and beyond.

What is your favorite thing about being a wedding planner?
My favorite thing about being a wedding planner is working with each couple and being part of such a memorable day. After spending so much time together with the planning, I feel like I am at my close friend’s wedding and that is truly special for me.

If you could offer one piece of advice to every bride, what would that be?
To hire a wedding planner! We can help relieve all of the stress of planning a wedding so you don’t need to worry about a single detail

Why choose you? What makes you different than other planners?
We understand that there are other wedding planners to choose from, but The Perfect Fairytale truly offers something special. We assist our brides and grooms from the beginning to the end of the planning process. We consider our brides and grooms to be close friends who are near and dear to our hearts. We are always here for you and treat every detail of your day as if it were our own.

What do you like to do when you are not planning weddings?
When I am not involved in “all things wedding,” I can be found on a nature hike with my husband and Australian shepherd, Colby. As a true foodie, I enjoy trying new and unique dining experiences from a small corner deli to a special dinner out with my husband. Spending time with family and friends is one of my favorite hobbies, in addition to shopping great sales at Kate Spade.

Dove Canyon Golf Club Bridal Boutique – March 20

Join us and lots of other fabulous vendors at the Dove Canyon Golf Club Bridal Boutique March 20!

Dove Canyon Golf Club is such a beautiful setting for any wedding or event, and is a must see if you are looking to get married in Orange County! Hope to see you there!

Real Wedding ~ Jeanie & Jesoo

We had the sincere pleasure of DJing as well as providing the lighting for Jeanie & Jesoo’s gorgeous wedding at Terranea with A Good Affair Wedding & Event Production. To see more of their gorgeous day, check out the A Good Affair Blog

 

 

 

 

Planning & Design: A Good Affair Wedding & Event Production
Venue & Catering: Terranea Resort
Florist: B’s Blossoms
Dixieland Band: Tedesco Enterprises
Reception Band: The Young Guns
DJ & Lighting: Honored Occasions
Photography: COBA Images
Videography: Good Times Productions – Check out the incredible highlight video {here}
Bakery: Vanilla Bake Shop