EVENT: The Knot Season Preview Party 2008 at Casa Romantica in San Clemente

i returned a few hours ago from the annual get-together sponsored by uber-wedding website The Knot. The party was held at the beautiful Casa Romantica in San Clemente. There was a stunning sunset in the back of the property, but not enough ventilation inside the building, which became a heat-retaining chamber after an hour or so...

Regardless, i met some really great wedding vendors (read: co-advertisers!), and before i forget anything, i wanted to mention them here in alphabetical order:

• A&B PHOTOGRAPHY: Thanks to Lee, the photographer, i actually had a fun-filled and not completely business-focused evening! He's an amazingly cool guy and likes to have fun.
• CARVING ICE: Grace was a great person to meet, who talked about her company's CNC machining of their beautiful ice bars!
• CUBAN CIGAR FACTORY: Cigars are handrolled before your eyes! i can't wait to smoke mine.
• ETHNIC ESSENCE: They plan, design and manage 'couture events'. Thanks to Shawna Yamamoto for being so open to my approaching her!
• HANNA HARTNELL: OMG the dresses this woman designs are freaking gorgeous, hearkening back to the fashions of old Hollywood, and the flapper era! Her dresses have every feature i love in a dress: open back, dropped waist, slinky material, hand beading, etc. etc. You have to see them in real life.
• LA SOIREE PRODUCTION: An all-inclusive group, handling photography, videography, hair/makeup and event specialisation.
• MARTIN GERSCHWITZ: Musician and former Iron Butterfly keyboardist, with a sweet wife named Tricia.
• MISSION VISUAL: Mike McCaleb is super cool, very considerate, and a consummate professional, as his features in Ceremony magazine will attest to, as well as his being brought on as the official videographer of the party.
• OLE HANSON BEACH CLUB: This is the secondary property owned by Mr. Ole Hanson, who was the real estate developer responsible for old day San Clemente. It was great to meet Maile (pronounced MY-lee)!
• PACIFIC PALMS RESORT: In Industry Hills. If you've ever driven north of the 60 freeway and looked up to where Azusa Ave. goes, you've seen the old Sheraton hotel, perched on top of the hill, that has now been transformed into this newly renevated property. Nice to meet you, catering manager Joanne Zhong.
• SEVEN DEGREES: Easily my favourite venue in Laguna Beach. i met Tabatha as she and her crew were leaving the party.

i met a fellow wedding officiant, the legendary Reverend Bruce Danzara, who greeted me with a hug! What a nice guy. And of course, thanks to Shannon Ratcliffe at the Knot for inviting us to another fabulous event!