Let Them Eat Cake!

Ever since I can remember -- all of my friends and family who have planned their weddings... have always said the best part of wedding planning is the cake!

The one thing they neglected to mention - is just how much sugary, sweetness and cakey deliciousness we would need to encounter! LOL.  Last Saturday, Colby and I ventured to San Diego for a holiday party and decided to schedule one of the cake tastings we needed to have...

We arrived in North Park a bit early - so we headed to Urban Solace (also our caterer) for a celebratory cocktail while we waited for our appointment time... YUMMY!

Both of us were getting hungry.. we had a small bite on the way down to San Diego - but now, hours later we were famished...and tempted by the incredible menu at Urban Solace... We resisted - not having a clue of what was in store for us... and I think it's safe to say that was the smarted decision we could have ever made.

Upon entering Heaven Sent Desserts - we were overwhelmed by the beautiful cakes in the cooler... we were handed 2 bottles of cold water - and took a seat waiting for the owner, Lachlan to join us.  He joined us a few moments later - and we immediately connected with him.  He is SO nice, creative...and knowledgeable.  He seemed genuinely interested -- and wanted to help us create our dream cake.  We spoke with him for a while - showing him photos and talking about the path we thought we'd like to go on...

And then came the CAKE!

Lachlan initially brought us four HUGE pieces of cake!  Of which we devoured!  Under explicit instructions from Lachlan - we were to pay attention to flavor, consistency... pretty much any/every detail you can think of to describe cake!

 

From L to R:
There was the Hawaiian cake - a white cake with whipped cream, chucks of pineapple and flavors of Kiwi and coconut... delicious - but not quite right.

Next was an incredible white chiffon cake - with whipped cream and chucks of fresh strawberries.  Just a tad sweet, light and airy - this was an awesome take on traditional strawberry shortcake...

Then came the biggest surprise for Colby!  A light yet perfectly flavored chocolate cake.... with a raspberry gelee and pineapple mousse. Being a fruit and chocolate lover - this particular cake had caught my eye in the front of the store... but Colby cringed when I told him how amazing I thought it'd be.  Colby - is NOT a fruit/chocolate mixer...and yet, we both loved that cake!  It truly was the perfect blend of tangy fruit and sweet cake -- super light, not too sugary or decadent. Pretty much perfect. Different and delightful.

Last was a dark, decadent and super rich fudge chocolate cake with a Peanut Butter mousse.  This cake was Colby's ultimate.  For me - way too rich and heavy.  I nicknamed it the "one biter" lol.  Don't get me wrong - it was incredibly delicious.... but we ultimately agreed the combination might be a little heavy for our wedding guests...although we might just be back to share a piece for date night at some point... :)

Just when we had thought we had our fill... Lachlan brought out one more cake for us to try.  It was a dutch cake - less moist, a bit rougher but still a beautiful chocolate flavor. The cake had a bit of Chocolate ganache on top and the inside was filled with a Bailey's Irish Creme Creme Brulee. Decadent and delish -- just not for us.

All in all it was a super successful meeting and we really loved working with Lachlan and tasting his cakes... they are definitely Heaven Sent! They are definitely a contender! 

As for us - I think we are still flying high on all the sugar... although it was well worth it! We still have a few more tastings to go -- and heaven help us - we even have 2 tastings in the same day! We could give new meaning to death by chocolate!  Sugar shock anyone? LOL...

Colby enjoying the moment...

The Hunt for THE Dress!

What a weekend!

After many stores - trying on even MORE dresses... I think I have finally found THE ONE!

Saturday - mom and I headed out on our journey around our neighborhood.  We only went to two stores, but after the search, we were exhausted.  I had been to the first store once before.  The sales girls are "nice" enough - but still felt superficial both times I was there... it's obvious when you walk in you're more a "potential sale" to them then a customer shopping for the most important day of their life.  At the first store... there wasn't a ton of options...and the dresses were HEAVY.  Something I absolutely do NOT want to deal with on my wedding day.... not to mention - one dress the sales girl tried to put me in was a size (or two) too small... so getting in and out of it was ridiculous... and painful.  OUCH!  I did find one dress that was a maybe but that just equals not the right one.  Boo.

We had high hopes for the second store - but much to our disappointment - it was worse.  All of the dresses felt old and had way too much fabric for what I wanted...some of them even felt like it should be on "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding!" :) So many of the dresses were just not "me."  Too glittery, too full, too small, too lacey... just not IT.

I definitely had a strong idea of what I wanted my dress to look like... but I just wasn't finding it... and the last thing I wanted was to buy a dress that wouldn't look like me.  The last thing I want is for my friends and family to not recognize me the first moment I step onto the aisle... "Who is THAT?" is NOT what they should be thinking in that moment.

- Saturday was just exhausting.-

Sunday was an all-together different story. Although it was another early morning it was well worth it.  Two of my oldest and dearest friends joined us on our quest for the perfect dress!  It meant so much to me for them to be there, cheering me on... two friends, who along with my mom know almost every facet of me... have known me all of my adult life and then some... who probably even know me and my personality better than I do at times.  It was really special having them with me... and I will be eternally grateful for being able to share that moment with them.

We began the morning in Huntington Beach, drinking Bloody Marys, Mojitos and Mimosas... along with breakfast!  Yes, we got an early start! But I think we all had excitement and a positive feeling today would be the day we were hoping for.  We went to the first store... and after trying on MANY dresses... I think we actually found THE ONE!

For obvious reasons... I can't disclose what "THE ONE" looks like... but I can tell you that it truly fulfills every thing, feeling and desire I could ever want.   When I described what I was looking for -- whimsical, fun, flirty, sexy.....with a casual elegance.  What I don't want is to take myself too seriously... to not look like me or like I am playing dress up... What I do want -- is to blow Colby's mind on August 11th, 2012... and I think this dress might just be the ticket. ;-)

I swear this is NOT THE dress. Not EVEN close as this dress was ridiculously out of my budget....but still worth posting...because if I had unlimited funds - this quite possibly could  have been my dress...Amazing - isn't it?  I still wouldn't have it any other way though... because MY dress - is more than AMAZING.  It's "me."  :)

Style Me Pretty --

OMG - I am LOVING this site right now! 

Style Me Pretty is a style savvy wedding resource devoted to the modern bride. They cover everything from gorgeous real weddings to up and coming vendors and seasoned pros in the invitation, floral, fashion and photography industries. They feature only the most chic and style centric wedding related content, continually discovering new and brilliantly talented vendors, brides with an eye for all things gorgeous, and the personal loves of editor, Abby Larson.

LOVE IT!  In the few minutes I've spent on it -- I'm already inspired & finding super amazing ideas for our own wedding!

Back to planning! 365 days to go!

LIVING IN A STATE OF NEPENTHE

I've been spending a lot of time lately working on our wedding website.  And while it's made me realize how much I miss living in San Diego... and how truly ecstatic I am for our wedding day... it has also made me relive some of the moments that brought us to this point... I haven't been able to get this one particular memory out of my head all day, so I figured writing about it might help...

In October 2010, Colby and I took a trip up the California coast for a friend's wedding in Half Moon Bay.  Prior to the wedding, we stopped in Monterey/Carmel to see Colby's family for a day or two...

Although I absolutely LOVED every moment of that trip - my favorite memory was of Nepenthe in Big Sur.  Colby borrowed his dad's convertible and we headed down the coast for lunch in Big Sur.  He had told me of this magical place he and his family would go to when he was growing up... While I knew it was along the coast - I had no idea how insanely beautiful this restaurant was... and I was blown away to learn I was the first girlfriend he had ever shared this special place with....

We shared a bottle of wine and some lunch, overlooking a breath-taking view and just enjoying each others company...Nepenthe is almost indescribable and photos don't even really do it justice - there is just a sense of calm and of peace - positive vibes flowing through the entire space....

Before we headed out we stopped by the gift shop to purchase a book, My Nepenthe about this incredible restaurant.  While flipping through the first few pages - we learned that in Greek, "Nepenthe means "isle of no care," a place to find surcease from sorrow," "banishing pain or sorrow" or "something capable of causing oblivion of grief or suffering" all of which we decided to adopt in our own lives.  It's truly become our life's mantra as a couple - and individually.  Being there was such a gift and I can't wait to go back.

(I should note -- the day after Nepenthe, Colby asked me to move in with him... I guess I should rate that moment truly as my favorite of the weekend... but location wise - Nepenthe should at least tie... LOL) ;-)

ALL I WANT IS YOU

All I Want Is You
(skip to 1:21)

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want your story to remain untold.
All the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you.

You say you'll give me a highway with no-one on it
Treasure, just to look upon it
All the riches in the night.

You say you'll give me eyes in the moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest.
All the promises we make, from the cradle to the grave
When all I need is you.

You say you want your love to work out right
To last with me through the night.

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold.
All the promises we break, from the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you.

You
All I want is...you
All I want is...you
All I want is...you

THE Photographer Of My Dreams Comes True!

About 10 years ago I was a bridesmaid in Adam & Ariel's wedding - 2 very close friends of mine who have an incredible love story.  Their wedding was beautiful at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego.... but aside from their love for each other - the thing that impressed me the most was their 2nd photographer.... I was blown away at her artistic eye while still remaining natural and not "posed...."

She impressed me so much - that all these years later - I still remembered her name....Hoping that one day she would be MY wedding photographer! (can you say stalker much?! LOL)

But I could not be more happy that as of yesterday - Monique Feil is our wedding photographer!!! We both couldn't be more excited!  We met with her yesterday to seal the deal and she couldn't be more lovely....

I especially need to thank my incredible fiance' - for recognizing how important this aspect of our wedding is to me....for allowing me to chase my dream photographer down and get our wedding date put on her calendar this early out. LOL.

Check out her true talent and artistry here:

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN... WE HAVE A DATE & A VENUE!

OMG!  I can barely contain myself! YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!

As if I couldn't be more excited to be engaged to the man of my dreams... to know we actually have a date and venue makes it all the more exciting!  

On Saturday, August 11th, 2012 - I will become MRS. COLBY CORSO at Powerhouse in Del Mar, CA !! My ENTIRE body is tingling and I think I might just burst! LOL.

Mr. & (Future) Mrs.Colby Corso

- SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2012 -

Powerhouse - Del Mar, CA

Now THAT Is The Way To Hunt For Venues!

Seriously -- we had the BEST time on Saturday searching for "THE" venue where we'll celebrate our wedding...

My super close friend and DG Sister, Shannon (Thanks again Shannie!) styled us out with a Hummer Limo for the search!  What a blast!  It was so nice spending time together, going over details, desires and realities throughout the day.  We ended up seeing 6 venues - canceled the 7th & 8th and fell in love with the 2nd venue of the day... Powerhouse Community Center in Del Mar...

We are still waiting on solidifying the actual date -- but it looks like we found "THE ONE" - in both each other and this incredible place where we will take our vows!  Both Colby and I felt something special when we arrived at the property and it promises to deliver everything we could have ever asked for & more for our wedding...

I can't wait to experience this process all the way through to our wedding day and more importantly - our life together -- so far, it's been quite the ride, and if this is foreshadowing of the future - it's a ride I never want to get off! :)

WE HAVE A VENUE!

POWERHOUSE - DEL MAR, CA
DATE TBA... 2012
(click here to see more photos of our discovery...)

VENUES, VENUES, EVERYWHERE!

WOW - even after all of the weddings I have been in - I had no idea how difficult it can be to find the perfect venue!

After hours of searching online for "IT" - and searching all up & down the Southern California coast - we are heading to San Diego this weekend to meet with catering managers and see the potential venues that might be... that could really be - our special place...

I am so excited for this step to be in place - and I have a really good feeling about what this weekend may bring... not that it would surprise me entirely if we ended up in San Diego, especially since it will always have a special place in my heart.

I can't wait to marry my best friend -- and once we have the venue, we'll also finally have the date... and then the countdown will officially begin!

Istanded...
Meg

Some of the venues we're considering:

SAN DIEGO:
The Bahia
Powerhouse Del Mar
Paradise Point
Scripps Seaside Forum
The Catamaran
 - The Catamaran Wedding Album
The Dana
Ocean Villas

LOS ANGELES:
Malibu West Beach Club
The Sunset Restaurant

Have any suggestions we may have missed?  Comments welcome!

Meg & Colby's Gift Registry 360

One stop shopping for our Wedding Registry!

Meg & Colby's Gift Registry 360

Honeymooning...

We are so honored for you to share our special day with us. We are lucky to have a wonderful home with almost everything we need, so we've set up this honeymoon registry in hopes of making our dream of honeymooning in Tahiti a reality.

The honeymoon registry is a fun and alternative way for family and friends to participate in our experience. For those who have never heard of a honeymoon registry, it is like any other bridal registry, except instead of going to a department store and scanning house ware items, you create an online list containing parts of your honeymoon. Guests can give the gift of a memorable honeymoon in lieu of traditional wedding gifts.

We are so excited to begin our life together...and to have you be a part of our special day! We can't wait to see you at the wedding!

Much love,
Meg & Colby

http://www.honeyfund.com/wedding/megandcolby