June Meeting at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina

images courtesy of Lisa at www.ellegphotography.com



The San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina Shines Along San Diego Bay

Weddings of Distinction paid a visit to an iconic San Diego wedding property for their June luncheon meeting – The San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina (www.starwoodhotels.com).

WoD President Bob Brichmann, DJ and Emcee from Artistic Productions (www.artistic-productions.com) welcomed everyone to our June luncheon meeting. Honored guests included Stephanie Mason, Catering Manager for The San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina (www.starwoodhotels.com, Lindsey Campbell, Office Manager for Plush Lounge (www.loungefurniturerental.com) and Ariane Pardubsky, daughter of WoD member Cheryl Byrd, Haynes Antique Car Chauffeuring (www.lancedurant.com).

Stephanie Mason gave us a nice brief overview of the Sheraton and its banquet facilities. Stephanie has been in the hospitality industry for 11 years and at the Sheraton for about two years. The hotel is an incredible San Diego venue on the water with gorgeous views of the downtown skyline. They pride themselves on their service, quality and attentiveness to their wedding clients.

Bob introduced a cute icebreaker to warm up the meeting with a “guess who this is” type question and response quiz. Bob encouraged members to get to know each other on a more personal level as they network and share business leads.

Our showcaser for the day was Cynthia Blase, owner and wedding coordinator of Cynthia Zatkin Events (www.czevents.com). Cynthia, a native Californian, has a passion for event planning. Cynthia has planned events for a non-profit organization on the East Coast and has worked as a catering manager for the Hyatt Aventine in La Jolla. Cynthia strives to foresee what is needed to make her client’s wedding a “red carpet” moment!

Cynthia offers a couple of different packages, including full service, day of and month of planning. Cynthia also has a talented assistant – Andrea. Their ultimate compliment is to hear guests say, “The wedding is so the bride and groom!”

The Board shared several items of internal business. The Brichmann’s annual BBQ/Pool Party/Potluck was announced for July 12th. Co-Marketing Director Lisa Gisczinski, photographer from Elle G Photography (www.ellegphotography.com), shared new web site news and progress. Don’t forget to submit “Real Weddings” info for publication.

Raffle winners were: Dennis Way, ABI Photography (www.abiphoto.com) - gift basket donated by Ann Strobel (www.annsplans.com); Amy & Maurice Wright from The Theorie (www.thetheorie.com) - a magnum of champagne courtesy of Cynthia Blase; and, Merrylin Brichmann from Artistic Productions (www.artistic-productions.com) - a family portrait & 8x10 courtesy of ABI Photography.

The Weddings of Distinction 2009 Board:
President, Bob Brichmann, DJ & Emcee from Artistic Productions (www.artistic-productions.com)
Vice-President, Ann Strobel, Coordinator from Ann’s Plans (www.annsplans.com)
Treasurer, Merrylin Brichmann, DJ & Emcee from Artistic Productions (www.artistic-productions.com)
Founding President, Susan Ashley from Romantic Honeymoons, (www.romantichoneymoonsbysusan.com)
Membership, Carrie Esparza from San Diego Authentic Flavors Custom Catering (www.sdauthenticflavors.com)
Secretary, Andrea Pena from The Prado at Balboa Park (www.balboaparkweddings.com)

Committee Members:
Marketing: Lisa Gisczinski, photographer from Elle G Photography (www.ellegphotography.com); Shannon Henry, photographer from Studio Carre (www.studiocarre.com)

Weddings of Distinction is a non-profit networking group specializing in weddings and special events (www.weddingsdistinction.com). They meet monthly at various San Diego County hotels, resorts and special event facilities. Their July meeting will be Tuesday, July 28, 2009, from 11:30am-1:30pm at The Soledad Club (www.soledadclub.com).