An Italian-themed bridal shower dovetails with the Palladian architecture of Pelican Grill’s private dining room and ocean-view terrace. Photography by Taylor Kinzie.
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Vision Statement
Breathtaking alfresco spaces have been purposefully integrated into the event planning process at Pelican Hill.® The Andrea Bar enclosed terrace overlooking the Pacific, for example, offered an idyllic setting for an intimate 80th birthday dinner and afforded the guests privacy without walling them off from the convivial buzz of other diners.
“Much of our initial process is aimed at getting a feel for what’s bringing a guest to us and understanding their vision,” said Carly Curtis, the Resort’s private-dining manager. “Through that conversation, we uncover their true desires and motivation and can make those dreams a reality.”
Alejandra Berliner found inspiration in Pelican Hill itself. Last October, she welcomed 23 guests to a one-of-a-kind bridal shower for her daughter.
“Lindsay loves Italy, so it made all the sense to gravitate to the theme of Pelican Hill,” said Berliner, who makes the Resort her home when visiting Orange County. The shower featured their favorite elements of this home away from home: an olive oil tasting, a gelato station and harvest-inspired florals.
At Coliseum Pool & Grill, cabanas become secluded enclaves for sharing sunset cocktails or intimate dinners. Expansive views of the infinity-edged pool, golf course, Rotunda and Pacific Ocean can make it difficult to focus on the cabanas. But with their distinctive Palladian design, lolling ceiling fans and resort-style privacy draping, they exude sophistication and comfort.
“I’ve seen the cabanas configured in so many creative ways,” said Amanda Reeve, the Resort’s director of meetings and special events, “and each time it feels like I’m walking into a picture postcard.”
Strung together to accommodate several couples or families, cabanas offer flexibility and room to mingle. Their proximity to the spacious Coliseum Terrace also means that they can be used in concert with the terrace as food and beverage stations or breakout spaces.
Incorporating sentiment-rich details—be it pouring the same vintage wine that a couple sipped on their wedding day, or printing birthday party menus featuring baby photos of the honoree—infuses events with personal meaning and goes a long way toward exceeding the expectations of Resort guests.