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Elegant Fairmont Hotel Wedding


My dear friends and blog followers, I was given the honor of an invitation to write a blog post about one of the exquisite Fairmont Hotels on the west coast with respect to hosting a wedding event.  Having stayed in at least seven of the Fairmont Hotels over the years, mostly on both coasts of Canada, I was beyond delighted to accept the invitation and have given it my best effort. I will be most interested in your feedback which will be encouraged at the end of this post.  Thank you in advance for viewing what I consider to be...



Southern California's Premier Wedding Destination
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar

No matter what time of the year you plan to get married, Southern California is the perfect place to host a wedding, and the zenith of wedding venues is found at The Fairmont Grand Del Mar, in San Diego, California. The weather is nearly perfect year around and this property possesses breath-taking views and close proximity to the Pacific Ocean as "icing on the cake" as they say.  Come with me as I highlight what a grand wedding yours can be.



As your friends arrive at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, they will be mesmerized  by the visual promise  of a wedding they will not soon forget.  This is an all inclusive, unparalleled wedding and event venue! The southern California palm trees set the stage for a beach-themed wedding.  Your guests may reserve a luxurious room to enable them a worry-free evening when the festivities come to a conclusion.


Arrive a day or two early and the men can play a round of golf on one of Southern California's most beautiful championship golf courses while the ladies can indulge in Five Star Spa and beauty services.

spa lounge

Fairmont Grand Del Mar - San Diego, CA, United States. Spa Womens Lounge

The immaculate Spa can accommodate your entire wedding party.


 The Great Outdoors

Imagine your family and friends seated at beautifully decorated tables with breathtaking  panoramic views of the greens on  the golf course, a reflection pool garden area, or overlooking the rolling hills of the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

 Fairmont Grand Del Mar - San Diego, CA, United States. 12th Hole Up to 13th

Guests will be ever so patient as you endure the timeless tradition of the taking of the wedding photos when they can find repose with scrumptious Fairmont appetizers and a classic, refreshing beverage.  While mingling with mutual friends and meeting new acquaintances, your guests will discover that the views are spectacularly part of the entertainment. Adventurous eyes will always find a place to be delighted within the property.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar - San Diego, CA, United States


The capacity for a large gathering is no challenge for the staff at Fairmont Grand Del Mar.  With it's impressive location and the ability to host from 20 to 2,000 wedding guests, this immediately becomes a top contender in your search for the perfect wedding venue.


Should your dream wedding necessitate a smaller more private space, Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers their Reflection Pool area where guests can move straight from the ceremony directly to the banquet. 






You will discover that there are many unique, impressive places within the property to implement the various stages of your wedding venue.  


 Department of the Interior

Choose anyone of the banquet locales to bring the magic of your personal wedding alive.


This photo does not appear on mobile devices.


There are a variety of spaces to choose what highlights your plans best. Do you need the assistance of a wedding coordinator?  No problem!  The Fairmont Grand Del Mar has a complete staff of knowledgeable professionals that can assist you in accomplishing your personal requests.

Imagine that you have chosen a beach-themed wedding.  Here are some ideas of what can be accomplished in your honor and for your pleasure on your wedding day



When your guests arrive, they will be directed to your perfectly prepared venue within the Fairmont Grand Del Mar to launch your wedding or reception.  Delightfully offered to them will be signature cocktail or sparkling wine blended with Blue Curacao for a celebratory libation.  Don't forget to have the bartender add a few blue colored sugar rocks at the bottom for a whimsical effect!





Knowing that the Fairmont Grand Del Mar staff is attending to every detail, the bride and groom can rest assured that their dreamed about day will be nothing short of magical.   


 


Upon receiving their introductory signature beverage, your guests may  discover cozy, seashell bedecked small tables strategically placed around the perimeter of the reception territory offering  romantic or restorative areas to enjoy.  Your treasured family and friends will find tranquility during the stages of the wedding event while savoring their chilled glass of one of California's best Chardonnay's, a glass of bubbly, or another favored beverage of choice. 
(This is an off site photo)

 


After the sun sets, the candles will be lit on the creatively set tables for that romantic look you long for.  Relax by the water with friends, an appetizer, and beverage of choice.  
(This is an off site photo)



A well-appointed table awaits the lucky wedding party and attendants.


A bit more lavish than the banquet tables at large, a special tablescape can be designed for the wedding party and attendants.  

Begin  with sand-toned tablecloths. (Burlap works well for this look.) A specially chosen fabric is used upon this table to display the look of a sandy beach. (Chargers are crafted from rock-design floor tiles from Home Depot and adhered back to back with the included adhesive.)  This foundation will now host the remainder of the dining essentials.  Rock and water toned appetizer plates are set upon seashell embossed dinner plates. Embellish your setting with ocean blue napkins to make a visual splash on your seascape table.

Your guests will dine as though they were on the beach with sparkling crystal that brings out the essence of the sparkling ocean water along with the hews of the glimmering ocean water itself in the sea blue water goblets.





A variety of beachy elements join in the event by being themselves in all their beauty.

Your guests will be continually enchanted with so many places for their eyes to gaze upon while dining.  When the candles are lit, your table is transformed to a warm beach setting.




The wedding party table could be set with personalized seashell and starfish place cards or miniature pool chairs that hold name tags as seen in the banquet tables below the next picture.

Individual name cards may be positioned at the place settings of the guest tables at large
like those found at MarthaStewart.com





The wedding party and attendants table will  welcome your guests with more of a keepsake place card enclosed in the form of message in a bottle at the table of honor.  As your treasured friends and family, they may secure them as a souvenir of happy memories created at your majestic wedding event.





How lovely your main banquet area tables can be with all kinds of beachy elements.
Did you notice the treasure chests?
Design by Denise Davey



The Dining Experience












Now for the grand dinner!  Your guests may be served a citrus avocado salad or one of the many other delectable options from the Fairmont Grand Del Mar's extensive choices




As an encore to the salad, impress your guests with the best Lobster Bisque in Southern California!  Here, the seashell bowls are reserved for the wedding party table.  Your remaining guests will be equally impressed with their serving in the Fairmont Grand Del Mar tradition.  Add a bit of whimsy if you wish with fish crackers within the soup. 

Notice, your guests will be so impressed, they will be taking photos of the tablescape as well as each other and you!






The menu selections are quite extensive at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.  For your land lubber guests you could opt for  a delectable leg of lamb accompanied with new potatoes and broccoli spears.  Of course it will be embellished with a tropical flower!




With an ocean themed wedding, it only comes natural to offer the option of a Maple Soy Salmon creation paired with Wild Rice casserole topped with freshly steamed spinach. Of course, this will be served with a variety of artisan breads. Vegetarian choices are also available.



Whether you opt for small individual sized desserts such as a chocolate molten cake adorned with white chocolate seashells, or, an unforgettable ocean-themed wedding cake, you will find that Fairmont Grand Del Mar can accommodate all of your custom requests.


LOVE this but with navy ribbon and coral flowers instead of white.:

What guest would not be amused and delighted by a 
one-of-a-kind ocean themed wedding cake?!

Cake Designed by Cake Central





Should you opt for a water-themed tablecloth rather than a sandy one you can elevate the wow factor with Mylar scalloped sheets trimmed around the edges to appear as though you were dining in a glass bottom boat.  This could be positioned on top of a sandy look tablecloth to emphasize both water and sand.



Another type of bottle to hold a name tag or wedding favor. Remember to tie with a raffia ribbon, attach a seashell, and fill it with sand and diminutive sea shells.




Guests may keep their personal favor of Gourmet Sea Salt enclosed in a burlap pouch...





...and perhaps, you may choose to gift your bride's maids with an ocean-themed pin or necklace  as a special memento of your treasured friendships and wedding.









The Grand Finale


 You have now hosted and spent the most memorable evening of your life at your magical wedding and reception. It's time to bid your guests good-bye and recline to the wedding suite reserved just for you at the unparalleled Fairmont Grand Del Mar.

Fairmont King Room


Recline to a well-appointed suite with a fabulous California view.




Enjoy a spacious living room as you  relax and refresh.


  
 Fairmont Grand Del Mar - San Diego, CA, United States

A luxurious bathing area welcomes you.



Rise & Shine

 

Awaken on your first morning as a married couple and indulge in tropical banana, pineapple and coconut waffles delivered to your suite to start the first day of the rest of your lives with pure deliciousness.  Enjoy Kona coffee with it and a glass of fresh squeezed California orange juice.



In addition to all the reception choices, 
here are a few elegant wedding essentials you may find of interest.



Unlike other weddings, a beach-themed wedding goes beyond the traditional wedding bouquet with the extraordinary  presentation of seashells, starfish, sea glass, sequins and ribbons.


Hey, I found this really awesome Etsy listing at https://www.etsy.com/listing/184041227/starfish-corsage-sea-shell-corsage:

Your groom and groomsmen will amuse with an amazing starfish and pearl boutonniere!


Boutonniere From:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/184041227/starfish-corsage-sea-shell-corsage

Every event is handled professionally with attention to your personal preferences.
Every newlywed and guest is guaranteed an experience of a lifetime. 

To tour the property and see how you may be accommodated,
  contact the Fairmont Grand Del Mar directly at:

  1 (858) 314-2000
5300 Grand Del Mar Court
San Diego, CA 92130



I hope you have enjoyed the tour and will consider recommending the Fairmont Grand Del Mar to anyone who should be smart enough to ask you where a dream wedding location in Southern California is.

I have attempted to give credit to any entry not designed by me.  If I have failed in some way, please let me know and I will make whatever corrections are required.  Fairmont Grand Del Mar photos used by invitation.

If you would kindly comment about this Fairmont Del Mar wedding event in the comments section below, I would love to know what you especially like,or, what questions you have.  If you have any difficulty, please email me your thoughts at MakeItDelightful@gmail.com
 




Thank you, Alex Mitchell, for inviting me to share this special hotel with the world. 
 I hope it is delightful to you and all my blog viewers!  ;-)

Debbie Bolduc






















Ways to Warm Up Your Family Room for Autumn


Happy Autumn! 

It's been fun setting out all the Autumn decor this year.  I love how you can add sparkle to arrangements with mirrors, candle holders, metallic enhanced ribbon, glass pumpkins and glittery leaves.


Please excuse the hammer and chisel on the fireplace.  We (my husband) has been lifting the wood floor planks up due to water damage.  I should have caught that, but, I didn't.:- O  I wanted to show you the full look of the fireplace, which is the room's focal point, before I show you a close up.




When you walk in the family room it bursts with the look of fall.  
I feel like a puppy in a pile of raked up leaves!




While I really enjoy viewing the traditional orange pumpkin color, I felt it might be a good idea to incorporate a few of these creamy pumpkins on the sofa table the rests under the octagonal window.  This space furnishes a lot of height under the window.  So I opted to place these on top of some wooden candle sticks.  I turned a fairly large Autumn spray upside down in front of the candle sticks and it creates the look of newly fallen leaves.  I thought it was delightful!




 I think the vignette still needs some life.  I'll have to ponder that.




This wreath encircles a vintage look lantern and I keep it on my coffee table year around.  I never get tired of it and it pulls all the colors of the room into it's glory.  It really works well with all the Autumn decor I have displayed around the room.




Just off the family room is my kitchen that I have set up for an Autumn gathering.  I am getting excited to have a few friends over.  But...we have to complete the re-piping of our plumbing and lay new floors in the family room and kitchen before I can do that.  I'm hoping it will be all done within two weeks.  That would truly be delightful!!

I am thinking of serving chili and cornbread or pumpkin soup and sandwiches with a light salad.  What do you think you would serve?   I'd love to hear your ideas. 

Until next time, I hope you are able to make someone else's day delightful!  That's always fun!  

XOXOX, Debbie




Ways To Warm Up Your Dining Table For Autumn


I think Autumn is almost everyone's favorite time of year for a variety of reasons.  I know it is mine.  One of our very favorite vacations is going to New England in the Fall.  I must say, Utah and other states offer fabulous colorscapes as well.  The colors at this time of year are anywhere from majestic to magical.  Photographs never do them justice.  

When decorating my autumn tables, I make every effort to duplicate the beauty of the natural season.  I love fresh flowers as a rule, however, in Autumn I am able to save lots of money by using artificial florals that give me the look I desire without having recurring costs each year.  I invite you to come take a look at what I've come up with.


To begin with,  a bright orange tablecloth graces the table.  Adding to that are rattan chargers topped with fine Lenox Eternal china this year, rather than the autumn colored plates of past years.  I adore these leaf and bird appetizer plates that furnish a pop of color and will launch the dining experience.  They could also be used for rolls and butter and be placed to the left of the dinner plate above the forks.


 A little silk leaf was added for whimsy above. A bit of berries is added below.


Combinations of crimson and sage bird plates were alternated at every other place setting.


Lenox Charleston water goblets were chosen to create sparkle on the table.  They teamed up beautifully with the King's Crown vintage wine goblets, which contributed to creating additional drama in the color on the table.


An Autumn wreath encircles the vase with sequined sparkles and artificial bittersweet berries.



Additionally, Autumn sprays fill the brushed nickel vases on each side of the centerpiece.  If you look closely you can see the glittered glass leaves that were purchased at Hobby Lobby this year.  I loved the sparkle they provided to the table.

 

If you are thinking that the artificial flowers don't do a table justice, please think again.  I have never had a guest come in and say, "I'm surprised you used artificial florals", or  any other negative sounding comment about them.  Everyone generally ooohs and ahhhs over the settings, which makes all my efforts worth it to me. ;-)


I did purchase new Autumn napkins this year from Kohl's.  I just love them!  Along with the small floral sprays that could be used for napkin rings, they really look amazing.  I'm just setting the sprays on the table this year so that the napkins don't have to compete with any other thing.





I took this picture in the morning light because I wanted to show how the glass sparkled.
 I'm lucky that my upholstery and draperies lend themselves to the Autumn color pallet too.


Any menu choice would only be enhanced by the table setting.  I'm thinking a roasted pork with an apricot or other fruited sauce.  Now I'm getting hungry!


Can you see the pumpkin salt and pepper shakers within the small basket? 
It's fun, it's Autumn, and it keeps them together as they are passed around the table.


I so love the deep reds and golds in the leaves of Autumn, don't you?



I hope you have enjoyed viewing my labor of love.  I wish I could have each and everyone one of you over for dinner.  How fun that would be!  

If you enjoy my posts, I would love it if you would make a comment below, and/or even share it with friends.  I blog as a hobby, so I don't interrupt your viewing pleasure with ads along the way.  I do post friends I am promoting at the right side of the blog.  If you want me to add you.  Please let me know. 

I only post when I have something I think would be of value or pleasure to you.  My next post will feature how I decorated my family room.  I hope you'll come back and join me for some more Autumn ideas.

I have over 1,500 followers on Pinterest, perhaps you'd like to follow me there too at: https://www.pinterest.com/dbolduc3/

I would love to hear about your Autumn plans. Hope you have a DELIGHTFUL day!  

Debbie