Festive's Favorites ~ Chef's Table Catering

Happy Weekend all! 

Today we have another fabulous addition to the Festive's Favorites lineup! Becky & Mike with Chef's Table Catering are a class act! They have all of the qualities we look for in a great wedding caterer: polite, hardworking staff, beautiful presentation, ability to go with the flow, and excellent food! Without all of those pieces in place, you're just not going to get the kind of final product your big day deserves! We have full confidence that Chef's Table can provide that for you! Learn some more about them.....

FD: How did Chef's Table get started and how long have you been in business?

CTC:  We operated as GCR Catering for over 12 years at a local golf course. When we went on our own in 2012 we wanted a name that reflected our style and Chef's Table Catering was a natural fit. Since Mike is a Certified Executive Chef, it reflects his abilities as well as our approach to our customers. It is a special treat for a guest to be seated at a Chef's Table and experience the unique menu created by the chef.

FD:  What is your personal approach/philosophy to catering?

CTC: Our approach is to buy the best ingredients available, with many products sourced locally, and let them speak for themselves. We treat every event with the same level of care, professionalism and passion.

FD: What is your signature style or dishes that you're best known for? Your niche if you will.

CTC:  Our style is to elevate the ordinary to it's best. We strive to create the vision each client has in mind for their individual event.

FD: What is your favorite moment on the wedding day?

CTC:  Weddings are such a special event in a person's life and it is an honor to be a part of such a special day. We have many favorite moments but we especially like hearing people say how much they love their food!

FD: What would be your best advice to brides and grooms planning their wedding-in relation to food or not?

CTC: We believe that the meal is the bride and groom's gift to their guests. We encourage them to create a menu that is delicious and approachable. One of the most memorable aspects of a wedding is the meal and we want it to be a meal to remember.

FD: What are your favorite venues on the central coast to work at? 

CTC: We have many favorite venues, each one being unique and special in it's own way. We are blessed and thankful to live and work in such an amazing place with such amazing wedding professionals!

Here are a few photos from a recent wedding Chef's Table did with Festive Designs: 

And here are a few more shots from other Chef's Table events: 

Festive's Favorites ~ Bluephoto Wedding Photography

Hey all! So I know many of our lovely brides are in the midst of their planning....researching vendors, following blogs, and pinning until they can't  see straight! So we're here to help with that daunting process! We love to give vendor recommendations to our clients- and not just a name, but some insight into who that person/company is- so you can make the best judgement for yourself if they would fit well in your wedding dream team! Today we're chatting with Jonathan Roberts of Bluephoto Wedding Photography! He's one cool cat. Always calm, always creative, and always down for an adventure! 

FD: How would you describe yourself in 5 words?

JR: Fun, Energetic, Artistic, Thoughtful, Tall (just kidding)

FD: How did Bluephoto get started? How long have you been in business?

JR: I formally started Bluephoto 8 years ago as I was finishing up my degree at Cal Poly. After a couple of years the business took off and I have been booking solid (40 weddings a year) for the last three years straight.

FD: What would you say is your personal 'philosophy' or approach to wedding photography?

JR: A lot of the time I try be a fly on the wall but, there are moments during the day where I have to take control to get the shots I need (family portraits, sunset or end of day shots, etc). So, my approach is really dependent on the time of day and the pictures I'm trying to capture.

FD: What are your favorite moments of a wedding day to capture?

JR: My favorite moments to capture are the unexpected candids. There are so many parts of a wedding day that the couple can't see and I try to capture as many of these hidden moments as possible. Weddings are full of laughter, crying, joy, pride and fun! Being sensitive to the day and all the different feelings everyone will experience is an integral part of capturing unexpected moments.   

FD: What would be your best advice to brides and grooms in order to get the best wedding photos possible?

JR: Do a lot of research on different photographers. Read reviews and see what couples have to say about them. Trusting your photographer's experience and ability to capture the day in a way you love is the ultimate goal. You want to have a good experience with someone who is fun, kind, caring and working really hard. I have always tried to be as honest and straight forward about myself and what I can offer through my website. Being as transparent as possible give couples the tools to research and see if I'm the right fit for them. I have no way of knowing if my clients are the right clients before they hire me but, I can put as much information out there about myself in hopes that they will be able to determine if the fit is a good one. So, read reviews, look at pictures, read websites, ask questions!  

FD: What are your favorite Central Coast venues to work at?

JR: There are many fantastic venues on the Central Coast. I tend to really enjoy the country barn settings but, I really am a fan of anything that shows off our gorgeous natural landscape.

Thanks Jonathan! 

Here are some images from one of our recent weddings we did with Bluephoto! The fabulous Dan & Megan!

Enjoy!

Festive's Favorites: Joe LaBarbera Sound

Hola! So we've got another one of Festive's Favorites for you! We love to put some of our most favorite Central Coast wedding vendors under the spotlight- 1. Because they're awesome and deserve it! 2. Because we hope that it may cause you to consider using them for your next special event! 

Meet Joe of LaBarbera Sound! Joe is one of the best for SURE. I think one of my favorite things about Joe is  his calm presence. He's not laid-back in a "Oh whatever goes" kind of way, but in a "I'm confident that I know what I'm doing, so you can relax" kind of way. In the past, I've run up to him at a wedding with a mini crisis on my hands, and in seconds he's found a solution, rolled with the punches, and somehow managed to ease my stress. Who wouldn't want to have that kind of a guy at your wedding (for your sake, and your vendors')! Oh, plus all the other good stuff....he knows how to read a crowd, he's professional, experienced, and friendly! Voila! The whole package! 

FD: How long have you been in business?  

JL: More then 20 years. After watching my expansion and growth in the craft of MC / DJ I must say that experience  matters. There a little things I know and use today, that I had no idea about even after 10 years into my role as a DJ.

FD: What would say is your personal DJ style?  

JL: In a few words- Clean, Tasteful, Fun, Sophisticated, Appropriate, Intuitive, and on the mark. That said, I think we can not separate who we are as people, from what we bring to the craft of being a remarkable MC/ DJ for a wedding. So here are a few bullets about me: I love, love, love my wife. We are both into yoga- she more than me. We love to travel. In addition to the wedding business, I have worked internationally for 26 years with world class winter sport athletes and the media for a European company. My roots are in Italy. I grew up in a well-known  Italian Restaurant family -  my father and his two brothers owned  a restaurant called LaBarberas in West LA for 45 years!  I love people. I love family. I love celebrations.  I have been into sports all my life and still surf, ski, bike, hike and swim... My wife and I are going back to Bali for our 5th anniversary. I try to live life to the fullest and set my own rules!

FD: What is your favorite moment during the wedding day? 

JL: There are a few... watching the groom's face as the bride comes down the aisle,  a parent's sweet and sentimental toast, and hearing a comment from a guest  that notices the sometimes subtle and positive impact I have made on the event. Music and timing can change the mood of a room, group and party, I love that!

FD: What advice do you give your brides & grooms in order to have the best reception possible?  

JL: Do not stress- it can be contagious and spread around your event. Let go. After hiring real wedding professionals  just let go and enjoy. Wedding professionals like myself are passionate about what we do, and we enjoy making your wedding the biggest success.  I have done hundreds of weddings and I treat my clients as if the were close family or one of my best friends and I have their best interest in mind. 

FD: What are your favorite venues to work at?   

JL: The Central Coast is filled with great venues. Really,  from the picturesque  winery to the coastal & city center hotels  and many rural country barns - we have so many unique and fabulous venues. I would say find one that you think will work for you. In the end, of course the venue, flowers, the lighting & food etc. enhance your wedding and are important but IT IS REALLY ABOUT FRIENDS AND FAMILY GETTING TOGETHER TO CELELEBRATE THE PEOPLE THEY LOVE. Your choices of venues and wedding professionals should reflect this,  as I have always said "Fun people have fun parties."  No matter what!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Joe- at a Winter Wonderland wedding we did- he let us just COVER his booth with Christmas cheer! Isn't it a riot?!

Photo by Colleen Rosenthal

Some great shots by Cameron Ingalls

On one of his many winter sport adventures....

Joe with Olympian Miss Vonn

Festive's Favorites: Edna Valley Vineyard

Hey all! 

So you've probably heard of Edna Valley Wine- and maybe you've even stopped by for a wine tasting- but have you considered Edna Valley Vineyard for a wedding or special event?! Tina Hoppe and her crew are a well-oiled machine that will make your day flawless! We do weddings there all the time and it's such a pleasure! Here's our interview with Special Event Manager Tina Hoppe! Enjoy!

FD: How long has EVV been hosting weddings?

TH: 15 years

FD: How long have you been managing special events at EVV? 

TH: 15 years

FD: What do you think sets your venue apart from the others that are similar in nature? 

TH: The quality of service, the venues inclusions, the view, and of course our fantastic wines.

FD: What type of bride and groom do you think are best suited to have their wedding at EVV?

TH: Those that love to wow their guests, those that love nature, those that love the outdoors, those that enjoy great fine and food.

FD: What advice do you give engaged couples who are getting married there, in order to ensure they have the best day possible?

TH: Relax, enjoy, and trust us.

FD: What is your favorite moment during the wedding day?
TH:I have two special moments, 1. When the groom first sees his bride and 2. The father daughter dance always makes me cry.

 Here are some photos from recent weddings we've done at Edna Valley Vineyard:

Festive's Favorites: Colleen Rosenthal Photography

We have SO many favorite vendors on the Central Coast...I couldn't wait to share another one with you!

Meet Colleen of Colleen Rosenthal Photography!

Colleen has a style that truly her own. She really does capture *moments*- not just the day. It is clear that Colleen genuinely wants your photos to be the best they can be. Her maternal vibe is so comforting to have around when you're stressed...she tells you you're beautiful, tames that stray hair that's flying straight up, and before you know it, she blends right into your family. Speaking of family, Colleen has taken every Christmas card photo of my family since I can remember. My high school and college graduation photos too! If you see a photo of me on the internet, chances are she took it! Get to know this amazing woman....

FD: How would you describe your photography style?

CR: I love people and connections between people. Those moments are the "holy grail" of my work. It follows that my photography is emotional. I am not impressed by work that is contrived. I will always default to recording as apposed to orchestrating. For me value of the image is directly proportional to its honesty, the "back story" of what was really going on. Our brides and grooms are not models. They are unique beings who have found what everyone seeks, a loving partner.

FD: What is your favorite moment of the day?
CR: There is an abundance of wonderful authentic moments at a wedding. I never know when my favorite moment of a wedding day will be. It is always different, and I love the constant possibllity of that moment surfacing.


FD: What advice to you give your bride and groom to have the best possible day/wedding photos?
CR: I only advise my brides and grooms when moments present themselves. If I can ease a tense moment for example, I might offer a humorous note or make a comment on gratitude. The surest way to have great photos is to be taking photos of people who are genuinely in the moment. That is people who are not posing.

FD: How long have you been in business?
CR: I have been a professional wedding photographer for 15 plus years.


FD: Where are some of your favorite venues, locations, places to shoot?
CR: Anywhere can be my favorite place to shoot if the light is beautiful!

Colleen in action!!

Enjoy some of Colleen's photos from recent weddings we have done together:

Festive's Favorites: Two Little Birds Bakery

We've got another FAVORITE to share with you all!

We love working with Lauren of Two Little Birds Bakery! And it's not just because I've known her since high school....but because she's got the perfect mix of talent, professionalism, and friendliness. She goes with the flow when challenges arise, suggest great ideas when the brides aren't sure what they want, and always greets you with a smile! Plus, (how could I forget) her stuff tastes AMAZING! The texture of her cupcakes will knock your socks off! Get to know her.....

FD: How would you describe your personal pastry style?
TLB: Two Little Birds Bakery focuses mainly on homestyle baking. While the cakes are beautiful, it is more important to me that they taste fantastic. Our cakes are all from scratch, use a lot of butter, and are always made fresh for every event. When an individual takes a bite of our cake, I want it to take them back to the way their Mother's baking used to be, simple and delicious.

FD: What advice do you give your bride and groom to have the best possible day/wedding cake?
TLB: If I had to give advice to the bridal party, it would be to trust your vendors, and enjoy your day. We are all trained in our specific trade, and it is extremely important to us that your day turns out perfect. We will make sure that your day is everything you have ever dreamed of. Oh, and also, make sure you take some cake with you back to your hotel that night. It makes for a great late night treat.



FD: How long have you been in business?
TLB: Two Little Birds Bakery will be open three years this August.

FD: Where are some of your favorite venues, locations, places to work?
TLB: I love to work in rustic settings, such as Santa Margarita Ranch, Thatcher Winer, or pretty much anywhere with a barn. Maybe thats just because thats how I envision my wedding. My favorite weddings are where we set up dessert bars, and are able to feature everything we do, not just wedding cakes. Cookies make for great goodies to treat your guests to at the end of the night.

 FD: What is your favorite flavor of cake?
TLB: Asking me to pick my favorite type of cake is like asking a mother if they have a favorite child. I guess if I HAD to choose I would probably either pick the chocolate with a white chocolate cream cheese, or the strawberry champagne with a cream cheese filling.

FD: What other services does TLB offer?
TLB: Like I mentioned before, Two Little Birds Bakery does not just offer wedding cakes, but we also offer cupcakes, pies of any flavor, brownies, lemon bars, berry cobbler bars, a variety of fresh cookies, and any other dessert you may want for your special day. I will not say no to your ideas, so even if it is your great grandmother's special recipe that you want made, I will do it. What is most important is that the bride has the day that she has always envisioned, and the yummiest desserts that anybody has ever tasted at a wedding.

Lauren surrounded by her delcious creations!

Wedding cake by Two Little Birds Bakery - Flowers by Festive Designs

More of Lauren's creations:

Festive's Favorites: Ashley Blake Photography

Here at Festive Designs, we LOVE to give vendor recommendations! We've decided to begin integrating these amazing vendors into our blog via a series of entries called Festive's Favorites! We hope you enjoy them and consider these fantastic people for your next special event!!

Meet one of Festive's Favorites: Ashley Blake of A.Blake Photography! After spending just a few moments with Ashley, that little voice in your head will pop up and say, "Hey, I like this girl. I think we could be friends. I hope she wants to be my friend!" She's just so cool. We love a tall blonde who is smart, talented, caring, and down-to-earth! We think you'll love her too....

FD: How would you describe your photography style?

AB: Simply Creative... I like to keep things simple with how I approach a shoot or wedding because it allows me to truly have a more enjoyable time and maximize my creativity. I always strive to utilize the natural lighting available as well as whatever scenery "props" are around because my goal is to let my work speak for itself. I truly love what I do and I want to make sure that I stay true to who I am as a person when I step out with my camera...I am simple and I am creative.

FD: What is your favorite moment of the day?

AB: I have such a soft heart for the father-daughter dance after having a beautiful little girl myself. There is something so emotional about this dance because I often sense the struggle of a father's love letting go of a daughter who is growing up and marrying the perfect man for her. All too often I have tears streaming down my face while I snap this moment because I know it will be here before I know it for my own daughter.


FD: What advice to you give your bride and groom to have the best possible day/wedding photos?

AB: I always ask my clients what their hopes are for the day. After all, you only get married once, and I want to make sure they get exactly what they want. With that said, I encourage my couples to ensure they mesh perfectly with their photographer and DJ since so much of their time on the day of is spent with both. The photographer in a sense kind of runs the show (with the help of all the amazing wedding planners) from the start of pictures to the reception and from the reception on is the DJ. It's so important that couples enjoy their photographer's and DJ's personalities since the majority of the day is spent with either one. Also, I encourage my couples to take engagement pictures because this shoot helps eliminate the nerves and slight awkwardness we all have in front of the camera, especially before the wedding. I get a great sense of their personalities as well as what makes them laugh while they get a feel for how I work/interact with them. All in all, it's a great time full of laughter and it helps build a friendship between the couple and myself before the wedding.



FD: How long have you been in business?

AB: I have owned my business for almost 7 years now. I was blessed to study/train under 2 other photographers before I took the leap out on my own and it's been an amazing journey since!



FD: Where are some of your favorite venues, locations, places to shoot?

AB: As I mentioned earlier, I am a sucker for natural light. I find that I tend to gravitate towards textures, colors, old buildings, barns and trees since the options are endless with them all. With that said, I have always loved the Santa Margarita Ranch. Over the last few years, I have shot there a ton and I always seem to find new and fun places to shoot. I like when places keep me on my toes and challenge me to find new, creative venues to shoot. I also love Bishop's Peaks or this overgrown field in north county- but I am always on the look-out for new and exciting places to use for a shoot.

Ashley, her husband, and her baby belly

Ashley & her beautiful family!

Here are a few shots of a recent wedding we did with Ashley!