Spice of Life Catering has been on our list of approved vendors since 2006 and operating since 2004. Chef and owner, Mike Bomberg, brings to the table years of experience as a chef in some of San Antonio’s top restaurants and hotels. You know that when working with Chef Mike and Spice of Life that you will be getting quality products, a unique and customized menu as well as remarkable service.

While serving as the executive chef at the Dominion Country Club, Chef Mike began to take on side jobs for his clientele, providing them with delectable business lunches and scrumptious private dinners. Pretty soon he knew that working for himself and creating the food he loved to prepare was where he needed to be, and thus Spice of Life Catering was born.    

What we love about Spice of Life is their approach to ensuring that their clients get the best value and service for their money. They create distinctive menus for each of their clients to guarantee that their event will be completely unique. While they do offer set menus, they consult with their clients and connect with their hopes, dreams and history. What a great idea to create a menu that reflects the couple’s first date, or what they ate on their first vacation together. Investing a little bit of time into their couple’s history really makes all the difference.

Some of their most popular choices include ethnic foods, chef stations (where uniformed chefs prepare signature dishes to order in front of guests—it’s quite a show!) and family style service. With dinner service starting at $15 per person, they have something to suit the needs of all their customers. They also have the experience to back it up too, with hundreds of satisfied clients every year. Just call them up for a consultation and they will create an exceptional menu for you and your fiancé as well offer a complimentary tasting to try out their mouth-watering fare! Call Jessica Silvaggio, Spice of Life’s newly married catering manager (she can totally relate to you brides planning for your big day) for a tailored menu at 210.366.1220 or check them out on the web at www.spiceoflifesa.com.

Spice of Life Catering loves working with us too! We are one of their top venue choices because of our prime location and elegant décor. We have a great partnership with Spice of Life as they enter their 5^th year on our list of approved vendors. If you have a chance to venture out tonight, and you’re in the mood for first-rate food, check out their open house at 6:00 p.m. at their 11319 West Avenue location.

Until next time, happy planning!

Getting your groom to help out with your place cards and seating arrangements may not be his cup of tea (or beer), but getting him involved with the registry is one thing he is sure to enjoy. There is just something about that scan gun that attracts the male species and you both get a chance to pick out your dream gifts that you’ll be using for most of your married life!  Registries tell your friends and family what you need and want and takes the work out of searching for that perfect gift.  

What to Register for:

You can register for almost anything!  The main items are kitchen utensils, appliances, bathroom necessities, tools and décor. Many of the main places you might register at have a guide that can help you with the things you need. Here is a great guide from Target.com broken down into different categories: http://bit.ly/9M4qZu. Now-a-days, nothing is off limits as something you can register for.   You just need to remember you are trying to come up with things that are affordable, you want or need, and fit what you want your home to look and feel like. Don’t be surprised if you find a random Snickers bar or even that 60” TV listed on the registry too—the great thing about registering at chain retail stores is that they allow you to edit your registry online as well!

Where to Register:                                    

It is okay to go to more than one place to register; this gives your guests options.  You need to think about your guests when deciding on places to register.  Think of the price range that most of your guests would be able to pay and pick your place accordingly.  If you have a mixture of price ranges, go with somewhere like William Sonoma for your higher end items and then pick somewhere like Bed Bath and Beyond for your more reasonably priced items so that way no one feels left out. If you decide to go with only one place, then make sure you pick items you will use in all price ranges. Note, even if you think there is no way any of your guest would buy something like that for you, you may be surprised so put it on the list anyway. Plus for the brides in a time crunch, completing your registry online gives you the opportunity to figure out what you want to get whenever you are available to do so! It’s unfortunate that Crate & Barrel isn’t open 24 hours when you are planning your wedding—so inconsiderate!  

Here is a list of our fav stores and price points:   

• William and Sonoma: $$$
• Crate and Barrel: $$$
• Pottery Barn: $$$
• Macy’s, Dillard’s, etc: $$+
• Bed, Bath, and Beyond: $$
• Target: $+
• Sears: $+
• Home Depot/Lowes: $$
  • If you are building a new house to move into together this is a great option.  You never know if you will need a ceiling fan or blinds.

There are many places you can register beyond the list we’ve provided so think about your fav retailers! When you get there let them know what you are there to do and the company will have someone to help you get started. Recently, they have started giving you cards to put in the invitations to say where you are registered and many stores give you a completion coupon as well. Check with your retailer about special offers on items that were left on the registry and they often give you 10% off that item!

Until next time, happy planning!

Being that Plaza Lecea is centrally located, we have so many churches to choose from in this area or just a short drive away. There are a couple things to consider when choosing a church for your ceremony:  the cost of using the church if you are a parishioner maybe lower than if you are not one and some churches will only marry parishioners.  Also, remember to ask if there are any pre-marital classes that are required and if they have any restrictions for photography. Here is a list of churches in the area and their phone numbers so that you can call and see what their policies and charges are:

• Grace Point Church 210-447-0032
• Bandera Road Community Church 210-523-5185
• St. Brigid’s Church 210-696-0896
• St. George Maronite Catholic Church 210-696-5937
• Oxford Church 210-696-0192
• Lutheran Churches Missouri Synod: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 210-614-8723
• University Unite Methodist Church 210-696-1033    
• Shavano Baptist Church 210-696-0826
• St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 210-492-4600
• The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints 210-641-4700
• BAPS Hindu Temp/Mandir 210-492-4008
• Fortress Church 210-690-6360
• Baruch Heshem Messianic Congregation 210-593-0113
• Trinity United Methodist 210-684-5214    
• Islamic Center of San Antonio 210-614-0202
• Community Unitarian Universalist Church 210-614-2014
• Oak Hills Presbyterian Church 210-342-0271
• Emmanuel Worship Center 210-684-2687
• St. Matthew’s Catholic Church 210-487-5099
• Colonial Hills United Methodist Church 210-349-2401
• Our Savior Lutheran Church 210-696-2716
• Shenandoah Church of Christ 210-696-5532
• Oak Ridge Baptist Church 210-696-5475
• Destiny Church 210-349-2295
• Saint Andrew Church 210-341-4441

Plaza Lecea also offers brides the opportunity to host their on-site ceremony throughout one of the numerous spaces within our facility. Our grand entrance lobby, with two-story windows and gorgeous lighting, provides a modern backdrop for any wedding ceremony. Our brides also have the opportunity to make a grand entrance down our spiral staircase.

We also have a stunning Boardroom in our penthouse suite with views of the Texas Hill Country as the backdrop to your ceremony. With accommodations for up to 90 guests, you can exchange vows with the sun setting in the background.

We just have to thank Caitin from Caitlin’s Creations for the beautiful montages we now have from a few of our past events. She has shot three weddings her in the past year and each of the montages expresses her incredible talents. We absolutely adore the sunset views she was able to capture, as well as the shots on and from the stairs. Simply stunning work! Check out her website for more info and photos: http://www.ccportraitdesign.com/