Before leaving the sunny southland my mom, sister and I headed to downtown San Diego for a wedding show. Normally I would not be attracted to a wedding show at all, but this one was similar to Hitched, which I was sad to miss in Palm Springs earlier this year. And it isn't as if a wedding show is something one wants to go to just any ole' time - it is only when you are planning a wedding (or in the industry) that there is interest. I wanted to check out one contemporary wedding show.
This one has promise but I think it is new - I think in a couple of years it could be a rock and roll wedding party. I was put off by a couple of things - at the door I was all ready to shell out $30 for VIP tickets for my sister and I (swag bag and a cocktail included) but they weren't selling the VIP tickets at the door (huh?). Fine, I'll take back that extra $20!
That said, there were some wonderfully talented vendors at the show and we met super friendly floral designers, venue designers, cupcake bakers, paper goods designers.... there was music, there were giveaways and lots of things to take away - I have a stack of magazines and samples to look through when I have time.
And it looked like this:
Cool venue off 6th and J Streets in San Diego - the Culy Warehouse.
Some of the vendors went to quite a bit of effort to set up lovely displays. I just love the modern bouquets with the packed flowers and the ribbon wrapped stems.
There were some totally unique bouquets, too - like the one made of ornamental kale. Who would have thought - but it was so subtle and beautiful. I loved that deep purple and blue sweet pea bouquet there in the middle.
The walls of the Culy were a great backdrop to the funky vintage displays - and there were no shortage of paper and fabric decorations. Pendants were big....
and so were paper flowers of every type....
These were fun and would be easy to make and they were hanging all throughout the venue.
Table set-ups from rustic to formal were scattered throughout the show... with really great, inexpensive ideas for the do-it-yourselfer.
A few ribbons tied to a chair back....
Mismatched china, good silver plated flatware, old silver and pewter containers for flowers. Easy peasy.
These folks were screen-printing bags right on site and I liked the torn-fabric garland they had on the end of the table....
Then there were the cakes and cupcakes:
There were samples and the one I remember swooning over was salted chocolate caramel..... YUM!
This was one of my very favorite things. JC and I are going to try to make something similar and after the wedding use it up at the resort, perhaps in the cafe. I've got to start buying blue mason jars.
I also discovered anenomes.... these are perfect for our wedding if we decide to go with fresh flowers.
Another fabulous variation on a chandelier...
And simple, elegant decorations to try out - not only for weddings but for parties, for the home, for the resort.
It was fun for a couple of hours. We didn't stay for the fashion show since I'm not interested in wedding dresses, and I wonder how it went after we left.... we were early-birds since JC and I still had to drive home that afternoon. I'm glad we went and now I'm over it! We have great ideas of our own and our wedding is going to be completely "us".

Looks like lots of fun!
Posted by: Cosmictechgoddess | April 19, 2011 at 07:36 AM