Yesterday’s wedding at The Thursday Club was nothing short of magical, and we’re still floating from the joy of it all. Nestled in the heart of Point Loma with sweeping views of the ocean and lush gardens in full bloom, this venue set the stage for a truly unforgettable celebration of love. From the moment we arrived, the energy was vibrant and full of anticipation. The couple curated a playlist that felt like a love letter to their personalities — a fun, heartfelt mix of pop classics that had us smiling from the very first note. From The Beatles to Beyoncé, Elvis to Coldplay, each song choice told a piece of their story and had guests swaying, humming along, and even wiping away a few happy tears. The ceremony itself was deeply personal and filled with laughter. The vows were touching and sincere, with just the right amount of humor that had everyone chuckling through misty eyes. There’s something incredibly special about being part of a moment like that — where music meets meaning and memories are made. We were also lucky to work with the ever-fantastic Courtney from Breezy Day Weddings, who kept the day flowing seamlessly. It’s always a treat to collaborate with professionals who care deeply about the couple and every little detail. To the newlyweds — thank you for including us in your beautiful day. It was a joy and an honor to provide the soundtrack to such a heartfelt celebration. We wish you a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and spontaneous kitchen dance parties. With love, The Left Coast Quintet
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Today’s performance took us to one of San Diego’s most iconic waterfront spots: Bali Hai Restaurant, where we had the honor of serenading a gorgeous wedding reception with sunshine, sea breezes, and a whole lot of musical charm (plus one very determined seagull). First things first—if you’ve never been to Bali Hai, it’s a little slice of tiki paradise with unbeatable views of the bay and downtown skyline. It’s the kind of place where you half expect Elvis to walk in wearing a floral shirt. We didn’t get The King, but we did get a crowd of stylishly dressed guests, an elegant couple, and a ceremony with just the right amount of breeze to flirt with everyone's hair. The Setup: We only performed for two hours of the reception today, while the groom's brother performed live guitar for the ceremony. So, the quintet arrived early with instruments, music stands, and our usual mix of excitement! Setting up in the South Pacific Room, surrounded by waterfront views? Not a bad office for the day. While the guests mingled and sipped mai tais, we warmed up with a few notes—accompanied by a curious waiter and a very loud plane overhead (thanks, North Island). The Music: We leaned into the romantic jazz vibes the couple requested—think ragtime, Broadway, and pop covers. The room was buzzing with people talking and enjoying company, but we could hear each other and they could hear us, so it was successful! Our bassoonist (that’s me!) even got a compliment from a guest who called the instrument “a fancy wooden saxophone,” which we are definitely putting on our business cards. And yes—we totally forgot to get photos of ourselves playing (classic us), but we did get some beautiful shots of the ceremony, the venue, and the killer view. If anyone reading this was there and happened to grab a photo of our very attractive, extremely talented ensemble doing our thing… please send it our way! We’ll trade you for a dad joke from RB. Or two. You’ve been warned.
In the End: It was an absolutely lovely day filled with joy, laughter, and music that floated on the breeze. We’re so grateful to have been part of such a memorable celebration, and we wish the happy couple a lifetime of love, laughter, and good playlists. Until the next gig—stay classy, San Diego (and please tie down your napkins when there’s a quintet nearby). 🎶 — The Left Coast Quintet What do you get when you mix world-class education professionals, ocean views, and a live wind quintet? A perfect San Diego evening! Earlier this week, the Left Coast Quintet had the absolute pleasure of performing at the stunning Scripps Seaside Forum as part of a special reception during the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference. Let’s just say – we’re still basking in the afterglow (and not just from the setting sun over the Pacific). As guests strolled onto the patio, greeted by gentle sea breezes and the sound of waves crashing in the distance, we welcomed them with our signature blend of classical favorites, jazz standards, and some surprise movie music gems. An International Vibe The NAFSA conference celebrates global collaboration in education, so we made sure to include musical selections from around the world. French tangos, English waltzes, even a touch of Klezmer—each piece was chosen to reflect the international flavor of the evening. We loved watching heads turn and toes tap with recognition and delight. A Venue That Plays Its Own Part If you've never been to the Scripps Seaside Forum, picture this: glass walls that disappear into the background, letting the ocean steal the spotlight. The acoustics? Surprisingly wonderful. The breeze? It would be just enough to keep our pages flipping (but thankfully, we're modern and we use tablets!). The sunset? Right on cue. Gratitude All Around
A huge thank-you to the NAFSA planning team for inviting us to be part of such a meaningful event. We’re always honored to enhance moments of connection and celebration with live music, and this one was truly special. The global energy, the conversations in dozens of languages, the laughter, and the shared mission of building bridges through education—it all harmonized beautifully with our tunes. Until Next Time To everyone who came up to chat with us between pieces or asked for a business card (or took a selfie with our French horn), thank you! We hope the music made your evening just a little more magical. If you're planning an event that could use a musical lift—indoors, outdoors, oceanside or otherwise—you know where to find us. 🎶 With warm winds and warm wishes, – The Left Coast Quintet There’s something extra magical about a first-time venue—especially when it’s a lush garden overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We recently had the joy of performing at a wedding ceremony at Cape Rey Carlsbad, and we’re already hoping it won’t be our last! A Garden Ceremony to Remember Nestled just steps from the beach, Cape Rey’s garden space set the perfect stage for a romantic and serene celebration. Framed by manicured greenery and kissed by coastal breezes, the ceremony felt like something out of a dream. We were honored to provide the musical backdrop for such an unforgettable moment, and let’s just say… the setting sang right along with us. A Soundtrack for “I Do” From elegant classical selections to meaningful modern pieces, the couple curated a beautiful playlist that truly reflected their personalities and love story. Walking down the aisle to live music adds something special, and seeing teary-eyed guests and big smiles made every note even more meaningful. A Hidden Gem for Live Music This was our first time playing at Cape Rey, and we were genuinely impressed by how welcoming and well-organized the venue team was. The garden had great acoustics, and the intimate setup allowed the music to gently wrap around guests without ever feeling too loud or distant. Whether you’re planning a coastal wedding or a garden party, this spot is a hidden gem—and now officially one of our favorites! Cheers to the Newlyweds
To the wonderful couple: thank you for including us in your day! We loved being part of your ceremony and helping set the tone for your walk down the aisle, your vows, and that magical first kiss as newlyweds. Planning Your Big Day? If you’re looking for elegant, live music for your ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception, the Left Coast Quintet brings sophistication, warmth, and a whole lot of heart to every performance. Especially if it’s in a garden by the sea. 🎶 With love and music, – The Left Coast Quintet San Diego is home to stunning venues, a thriving business community, and a vibrant social scene, making it an ideal place for corporate events. Whether you're planning a networking mixer, a gala, a product launch, or an executive retreat, every detail matters in creating a memorable experience. One of the most impactful—and often overlooked—elements? Live music. 1. First Impressions Matter The moment guests step into your event, they begin forming impressions. A live ensemble playing sophisticated jazz, upbeat contemporary music, or even elegant classical pieces sets a tone that recorded playlists simply can't match. The presence of live musicians immediately signals exclusivity, refinement, and attention to detail—exactly the kind of ambiance you want for a high-end corporate gathering. 2. Enhancing Networking & Social Engagement Corporate events thrive on conversation and relationship-building. Live music creates an atmosphere that fosters natural interactions without overpowering discussions. Unlike DJs or pre-recorded tracks that can sometimes feel impersonal, our ensemble can tailor volume and style to complement the event’s energy, ensuring the music enhances—rather than disrupts—the networking flow. 3. Customization for Your Brand & Event Theme San Diego businesses are diverse, and no two corporate events are the same. Live musicians can curate a playlist that aligns with your brand’s identity, event theme, or company culture. Whether it’s a tech firm looking for modern elegance, a financial company preferring traditional sophistication, or a startup aiming for a fresh and energetic vibe, a live ensemble adapts seamlessly to your needs. 4. Creating a Sense of Luxury & Exclusivity Live music is often associated with high-end experiences—think luxury hotels, fine dining, and VIP events. By incorporating live musicians into your corporate gathering, you instantly elevate its status. In San Diego’s competitive business landscape, impressing clients, partners, and employees with a premium experience can make all the difference. 5. Supporting Local Talent & Strengthening Community Ties
San Diego is home to an incredible pool of talented musicians. Hiring a local ensemble not only enhances your event but also supports the arts community, creating a win-win for businesses that prioritize corporate social responsibility. Plus, showcasing homegrown talent adds an authentic, regional touch to your event. 6. Versatility Across Event Types & Spaces From rooftop receptions in the Gaslamp Quarter to beachfront retreats in La Jolla, live music works across a variety of settings. Whether you need an intimate trio for a small executive dinner or a full quintet for a grand awards ceremony, live musicians can scale their performance to fit the venue and crowd size perfectly. 7. Making Your Event Truly Unforgettable People remember how an event made them feel. A thoughtfully selected live music ensemble creates a lasting impression, turning an ordinary gathering into a standout experience. Guests are more likely to talk about—and remember—your event if it has a unique, engaging element like live music. Elevate Your Next San Diego Corporate Event with LCQ. At Left Coast Quintet, we specialize in providing dynamic, sophisticated, and customized live music for corporate events across San Diego. Whether you want background music for a cocktail hour, a lively performance for a product launch, or elegant sounds for an awards gala, our ensemble is here to bring your vision to life. Let’s make your next corporate event extraordinary--contact us today to discuss how live music can elevate your gathering! LCQ had the pleasure of returning to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido to perform for a beautiful wedding this past Saturday. There is something so fun and magical about this location - with all of the animals roaming behind you during your ceremony - it feels like you've been transported to a completely different place. For the quintet, our arrival at the Beckman gate is quickly getting loaded on one of the Safari Park golf carts, and being transported through all the of the backstage areas up to our wedding site, which today was the Kijami Overlook. This venue offers panoramic views of the African Plains section, with giraffes, rhinos, goats, and so many other types of animals roaming around, just 20 feet away. We set up on the lawn overlooking the best view in the park, and get started warming up (usually with quite a few of the animals coming over to see what all the noise is about!) Once guests start arriving, we get into our prelude music to fill the air with music and cheer. Our clients for this wedding wanted a really traditional classical set of music, so we played music from Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, and many others. All guests seated and given the cue from our wedding coordinator, we start with the wedding party music to welcome parents of the groom, the officiant, and all of the groomsmen and bridesmaids. They were followed by the cutest little ring bearer and flower girl, and then the bride herself accompanied with mom and dad. Again sticking with a very traditional theme, we performed Pachelbel, Wagner, and Mendelssohn for the selected wedding ceremony music. Of course we aren't working in a bubble - it takes a team of dedicated professionals to bring together the magic of a wedding. Leaf it to Lexi provided all of the beautiful and luscious floral arrangements. Heritage Desserts made that decadent cake (we didn't get to try any, but it smelled amazing), and our coordinator was Korie from Bliss Events who is an absolute gem of a person! The staff from the Safari Park are awesome as well - and they do the brunt of the work! All of the behind the scenes coordination, all of the prep, the food, the other little things that you may not think about, it all seamlessly taken care of by the professional staff employed by the zoo who work all of their events. It has been a pleasure getting to know them at each wedding or event we perform at! The stars of the show are, of course, all of the amazing animals that are so fun to watch. Yeah, we got some rhino butt - they don't really seem to care too much about interacting with people, until we bring the French horn out - then they get interested. The giraffes were all coming up to the fence though and it was fun to watch them watching us. Overall, another beautiful afternoon serenading guests and bringing a soundtrack to a special celebration. We can't wait to get back and enjoy these views and the people again soon!
Have you ever walked into a room, taken an initial look around, and knew you were in a place where magic was about to happen? That's what it felt like for us, stepping into LUCE on Kettner for a beatitul, late June 2024 wedding that was all about vibrant colors, gorgeous flowers, and soaring music. Our bride and groom decided to go all out with amazing decor that lightened up everything about the space. LUCE on Kettner is already a cool spot, just due to it's location and history. But it is a blank slate, and our couple here went all out ensuring that their guests and their celebrations would be surrounded by amazing colors of all hues. Is that not the most beautiful and colorful chuppah you've ever seen? We love performing at Jewish weddings because the music is incredibly fun, but when we saw this chuppah, wow we were floored! On top of that, all of the kippot were different pastel colors, and as you'll see from many of the pictures, the florals throughout were just amazing! While we provided the ambiance through live performance, a huge team was involved in making this an extra special day for our couple: Venue: LUCE on Kettner @luceloft Cantor: @pabloduek Coordination & Planning: @sweetblossomweddings Florals: @bestbudfloral Rentals: @adorefolklore & @catalogatelier Transportation: @masterpiece_limousine Catering: @toastcateringsd Live Music: @leftcoastquintet 🎶🎵 DJ: @socaldjent Photography: Artistic Pro Photography Makeup: @thatgoddessglow All of the photos from this post are via LCQ Operations Manager - Michelle Enjoy some videos of the celebrations!
When it comes to weddings, couples often strive to infuse their special day with unique touches that reflect their personalities and passions. From personalized vows to carefully curated playlists, every detail contributes to crafting a memorable experience. In recent years, there has been a delightful trend emerging in wedding ceremonies – the incorporation of live Disney music performed by talented, professional musicians - live at the wedding ceremony. Picture this: the bride glides down the aisle as she hears the familiar strains of "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin, played by a live quintet. The groom's heart swells with emotion as he takes in the magical ambiance created by the enchanting melodies. This is just a glimpse of the transformative power of live Disney music in a wedding ceremony. Our ensemble has perfected the art of incorporating Disney music into wedding celebrations. With a lineup featuring a clarinet, flute French horn, bassoon, and oboe, our custom arrangements breathe new life into beloved Disney classics, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy to the celebrations. One of the most enchanting aspects of incorporating live Disney music into a wedding ceremony is its ability to evoke fond memories. For many couples, Disney movies have played a significant role in their lives, serving as the backdrop to cherished moments shared together. Visits to Disneyland Parks and the music of yesteryear performed on Main Street by live ensembles is nostalgic. By choosing to include Disney melodies in their nuptials, couples pay homage to the joy, love, and magic that Disney has brought into their relationship. But it's not just about nostalgia – live Disney music infuses weddings with a sense of wonder and fantasy, transporting guests to a world where fairy tales come true and happily ever afters are within reach. Whether it's the timeless romance of "Beauty and the Beast," the adventurous spirit of "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story, or the empowering anthem of "Let It Go" from Frozen, each song adds its own special charm to the ceremony.
Moreover, the versatility of our quintet allows couples to personalize their musical selections to suit their tastes and preferences. Whether they dream of a grand processional to the tune of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" or a joyful recessional accompanied by "Under the Sea," the possibilities are as endless as the magic of Disney itself. Incorporating live Disney music into a wedding ceremony is not just about entertainment – it's about creating an immersive experience that touches the hearts of all who attend. It's about celebrating love, joy, and the belief that dreams really do come true. With live music, couples can turn their wedding day into a fairy tale come to life, where every moment is infused with the enchantment of Disney magic. After all, as Walt Disney himself once said, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." So - what is your favorite Disney music (from a film, from the parks, or anywhere else)? How would you incorporate it into your wedding or event? You Are Engaged - Now What? A Guide to Some Wedding Planning in San DiegoCongratulations are in order, and trust me, you'll be hearing "congratulations" a lot in the coming weeks and months. You've just gotten engaged to the love of your life, and everyone is going to be thrilled!
(sidenote - if they aren't thrilled, screw them and be happy anyway! They probably suck or are jealous). I think the best thing to do after you get engaged is to just enjoy being engaged. It's your time to get to awkwardly call your significant other your "fiancée" or "fiancé" however you want to pronounce or spell it. The little apostrophe's are ridiculous, but don't mind me. You'll fumble around for a few weeks, still calling them your "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" and then, when it starts to hit that you've really passed a milestone in your relationship and you're starting to plan your life together, bam! Your terminology will magically correct itself and you'll be golden. No - that won't actually happen, you'll still mess it up all the time and be totally awkward with it, because French terms for describing the person who you're committed to but not yet married to but planning to marry are weird. I digress. Once you've come to the conclusion that it's time to start planning your wedding, there are three big decisions that need to happen first before really anything else can happen. The Three Big Decisions: #1 - how many people do we want to invite to this shindig? #2 - how much money do we want to/have to/need to spend on this? #5 (no - #3 sir!) - where do we want to host our celebration, and is there a certain time of year we are shooting for? If you didn't get the Monty Python reference above, you need to go watch the Holy Grail, then you can come back to reading this. While the rest of this blog post has nothing to do with Monty Python, it's a great movie, and you should watch it. Back to the planning! Those three main decisions will determine the trajectory of your wedding planning. Knowing how many people need to be there will determine if you are going to have an all-out knock down crazy huge wedding, or an elopement at the courthouse, or something perfect in between. Do you need to invite your mother's neighbors gardeners nieces dog-sitters step brother? Well, maybe, if that person happens to be your fiancé, then probably...otherwise, no you probably don't. In reality, outside forces such as parents, especially if they are paying for all or a good portion of the celebration, will determine how many people are coming. If parents are paying, it is really hard to say no to certain people coming that they want to be there, even if you don't. Ensuring you have really open communication about what you want will hopefully help, but family dynamics are a pain in the ass and I'm a musician, not a family psychotherapist. We already talked a bit about the money, but you need to figure out who or how you are paying, and what you want to spend. Weddings ARE NOT CHEAP! There is no such thing as a cheap wedding. But also, events in general are not cheap. There are many factors to consider when looking at prices, and it isn't just the money going to the professionals you hire, the food you eat, the venue you party at. In reality, the prices for these services are high because everything else that we as professionals pay, costs money too. We have to pay for business licenses, insurance, equipment (and replacement equipment sometimes), costs for raw materials like your flowers if you're a florist or your basic food if you're a chef, etc etc. Many pros don't have a different charge for weddings as we do for any other event, it's just that getting 50-150 people together and having a full day event is not going to be cheap. That being said, there are ways to make your wedding absolutely amazing without spending a down payment on a house (which in San Diego is around $20-30k btw). I have performed at some amazingly lovely ceremonies that were in the $7-$15k range, and everything was beautiful. It all just depends on flexibility, finding the right venue, and bringing on the right people. Finally - location location location. San Diego has more wedding venues than you'll ever be able to tour. If you even stretch your search out to Temecula wine country, or the beautiful hill country of Ramona and Julian, you'll find even more amazing places. These venues range from beautiful hotels and resorts, to wineries, castles, parks overlooking the ocean, community club rooms, equestrian centers, golf courses...I can keep typing. Actually, I already did - I put together this great list of some amazing venues we've performed at in the past, and you're welcome to browse them here. This list is by no means comprehensive, but when we have an opportunity to check out and perform at new venues, I try to make a new page with info that will hopefully be helpful to you. Your location will also determine what time of year will be best to host your wedding, for a number of reasons. San Diego is beautiful year round, but the summers in East County can get toasty, so if your crowd overheats easily, that might not be best. Spring time along the coast is amazing, but it gets cold at night and is usually foggy in the morning, so you want to consider that for pictures or for what your guests are wearing. Ultimately, talking to the venue, your planner, or your friendly neighborhood musician who knows San Diego County really well will help with determining what time of year is best at different venues. Also, keep in mind that San Diego does not have a traditional "wedding season" - we host weddings all year here in beautiful Southern California, but there may be some dates or days of the week that might save some money. The Next Steps: Once you've checked your budget, figured out your date, and secured your venue, now it's time to start checking in with the wedding professionals you want to bring on to make your day amazing. Here is a list of the wedding pros that are usually hired towards the beginning of the planning process, because they book out long in advance and sometimes you want to find a specific person to fit your style and budget:
Those are the two big ones, so lets move on to the other wedding professionals you might start reaching out to. You'll need to ensure you have a date, time, location to secure these services, because all of these pros work off their calendar and would need to check to ensure the date is available:
Some other things to consider that don't deal specifically with wedding pros, but that you'll need to add in your timeline:
I will keep adding to this as time permits - are there things I'm missing? Feel free to put it in the comments. I hope this helps for some of your wedding planning and that reading this gave you a chuckle and put you somewhat at ease for your planning. This engagement is meant to be joyful and celebratory, but yes there are inherent stressors in there too. Don't let the stress ruin the mood, work with your partner to plan out what makes you happy, don't listen to negative people, and you'll be fine - YOU GOT THIS! ![]() The San Diego Style Weddings Magazine had an amazingly well attended launch party this week at Venue808 in downtown San Diego. Bringing together professionals from the wedding industry including planners, photographers, designers, craft drinks, catering & desserts, musicians, and many more awesome people. It was my first time getting to visit Venue808, which I was so looking forward to after seeing the amazing pictures of the space all over social media - it did not disappoint! Here are all of the wedding professionals that were there - we got pictures of/with many of them, but others provided amazing contributions behind the scenes that made the event epic: Venue | @venue808 Host | @sdstyleweddings Catering | @socialtapcatering Event Design | @tbdsandiego Photo Booth | @selfiestationco Live Music | @bonniefosterproductions Live Illustration | @isjcreative Candles | @socalcandlerentals Visuals | @rhodes.audiovisual Rentals | @bbjlatavola @annettelbravo Cake | @connorscraftcakes Party Favors | @bygrace.decor @refinedbysuher Cabetos | @cabetospops Champagne Skirt | @melschampagneskirts Event Design | @conceptseventdesign Signage | @fastsigns_encinitas Coffee | @intuicioncafe Live Music at the Safari Park makes for an awesome afternoon wedding!Getting to perform at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is always a treat for the Left Coast Quintet. Providing live wedding music as such a special and magical venue allows us to bring out some beautiful musical arrangements that help to tie the entire celebration together. When you've got the savanna behind you, the beautiful hills, the awesome animals, and all of your family and guests, bringing them into the ambiance with live music helps to create the place and set the tone of the day. LCQ arrived early and got to golf cart up with Safari Park staff, what a way to ride! Say hi to the LCQ selfie!! Once we got to Kijami Overlook, we took some time checking out the space, and set up our instruments over by the front of the ceremony site. They just installed some new artificial turf, which was incredibly comfortable to walk on! It takes a lot to set up this group:
After that, we get to start warming up, running through a few passages, and meeting with the wedding coordinator and site staff to make sure everything in the timeline is good to go! Our prelude music consisted of a mix of light classical and a few movie themes. Our clients requested music like La Rejouissance, Water Music, and other classical favorites, alongside movie themes from Forrest Gump, the Lion King, and the Magnificent Seven! Rarely do weddings start right on time, and it is really easy for us to roll with changes in scheduling - we just play more music for people to enjoy. While the ceremony itself was still getting set up, we entertained guests who had arrived and sat down with a bunch of fun music. For the ceremony processional, we performed classical music by our couples request, which included Ode to Joy, Canon in D, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring; and then Mendelssohn's Wedding March for the recessional. After the ceremony, it was time for us to get into our cocktail hour set, which was a blast. With more movie and jazz numbers, we were able to connect with the guests while the wedding party was taking pictures. It was so much fun to have some of the younger kids dancing to music that they knew, and we had many of the wedding family members come up to chat about how great everything was. Right before leaving and turning everything over to the DJ for the afternoon, we had to get a picture of the cakes which were just spectacular, and take a selfie with the group in front of the savannah. We also have some videos of the rhinos and giraffes running around through the plains - check our our Instagram as we upload some things there. We can't wait for our next return to the Safari Park for another wedding or event, we already have one scheduled later this year. For those considering a beautiful, wild, and unique wedding venue in San Diego, definitely check out the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!
We are hired to perform often in Balboa Park, and created this blog post to go over some of our favorite venues that provide a unique, charming backdrop to celebrations of weddings, corporate events, holiday parties, and so much more!
Balboa Park is the jewel in the center of San Diego! This spacious and historic spot was developed early in San Diego's history, and is officially the largest urban park in the United States. While the vast majority of the park is open space and trails (and a large golf course), the center of the park is what is most familiar to tourists and locals alike. The Panama-California Exposition of 1915-1916 brought about the beautiful buildings you see today that comprise museums, shops, performing arts centers, and plazas. The park is home to so many amazing spaces that are able to be transformed into beautiful and unique wedding and event venues. Left Coast Quintet has had the pleasure of performing throughout Balboa Park for many occasions, including weddings, corporate events, fundraising galas, and civic events like December Nights. LCQ has performed in the majority of venues available for private events in Balboa Park, and we'll provide you below some links to our preferred venues within the park where we have performed. Keep reading to learn more! We have been named the top wedding musician in San Diego on both WeddingWire and The Knot for the second year in a row. We love providing a beautiful soundtrack to our client's wedding celebrations, and are looking forward to another great year of working with fellow wedding professionals and our couples to create music magic at their festivities!
In December, the Left Coast Quintet had the pleasure of providing music to a really beautiful wedding that took place in San Clemente, which is in south Orange County, CA. It was held at La Ventura, a really nice events center with a great outdoor patio and a nice indoor ballroom. We were hired to provide prelude, ceremony, and cocktail hour music, and our clients were some absolutely wonderful people who, like us, are big Disney fans! Prelude music consisted of all Disney tunes, including music from Beauty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, and much more! The signage welcoming guests and used all around the wedding celebrations was decked out in Disney fonts and appeal, including "Fast Pass" tickets for guests to find their seats for the reception! Ceremony music was custom designed by our couple to reflect the participants. Our officiant walked down to Bruno Mars "Marry You", the groom and his parents strolled down to "Soul Bossanova" which is commonly referred to as the Austin Powers theme song, the wedding party entered to Luke Combs "Better Together", and our bride requested Elton John's "Your Song" which timed perfectly to end right when she got up to the front. The ceremony was rounded out by Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" which had everyone in a great mood heading into cocktail hour, where there were....LLAMAS! So we got to play music for llamas...and humans too! Cocktail hour was filled with a bunch more Disney themes, some Broadway, pop covers, jazz standards, and more. Guests came up with huge smiles on their faces between songs to talk about their musical instruments, how much they loved a rendition of a song we performed, or request a few pieces of music - and while it wasn't planned, we were able to pull up many of the requests and perform right there! Overall, a wonderful evening of playing music, and a huge thank you to our couple, and to Tatum and Andrew (not pictured, he had to take off before we got the llama pic) for subbing in with the group! We got some amazing reviews from our couple and Melissa from Novelty Events: The other professionals that made this wedding happen:
Venue : La Ventura Event Center Wedding Planner & Designer: Novelty Events Catering: La Ventura Event Center Photographer: Peterson Design & Photography Live Musicians: Left Coast Quintet DJ: Pacific Entertainment Florist: The Nature of Things @thenatureofthings Hair: Hair by B @babehairbyb Makeup: Stevens and Cross Cosmetics Custom signage: The Kimi Collective Tabletop & Rentals: Signature Party Rentals Photo Booth: Desert Luna Photobooths Dessert: Handel's Ice Cream & Elizabethan Desserts @elizabethan_desserts Coffee: Rugged Coffee Transportation: Streamline Valet & Shooting Star Livery Llamas: SUGAR SWEET FARMS We had an absolute blast performing a final concert of 2023 at the Pacific Beach Library! It was nice to see a full house full of all ages enjoying the music, swaying along to the beat, and listening to their favorite holiday tunes. LCQ was joined by the JAMB! Bass Clarinet Ensemble, which our clarinetist April is also a member of. We had the opportunity to each perform separately, and RB Anthony (French Horn/arranger) put together a few tunes for our octet to perform together! We are looking forward to a great 2024 full of concerts, public events, weddings, and holiday parties as well. We can't wait to see you all after the break and announce our 10th year anniversary season!
Until then, follow along on Facebook and Instagram to see some of the recordings from the concert: https://www.facebook.com/leftcoastquintet https://www.instagram.com/leftcoastquintet/ Have a great New Year!! This past weekend, we were hired to play for a wedding at one of the iconic San Diego restaurants, the Bali Hai on Shelter Island. This Polynesian styled property is right on the water overlooking San Diego Bay and downtown, with a stunning outdoor ceremony location and a really nice flow between ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Our bride contacted us back in May 2023, and as a former clarinetist she definitely wanted a wind ensemble. She was excited to see how much music we had from different genres, and gave us a list that included Lord of the Rings and Sleeping Beauty for the wedding ceremony, and we added other prelude music from movies like The Princess Bride & Indiana Jones, some Broadway flare with Phantom of the Opera, a bit of classical, and some pops covers from the Beatles and Elvis. Cocktail hour saw us move over to the patio closer to the building, where we got to entertain guests and also were entertaining some of the Bali Hai customers who were sitting above us on their deck enjoying dinner and clapping between songs. We kept up a really fun and varied mix of music from the brides requests including Star Wars, Game of Thrones, some Celtic music in honor of her Irish mom, and pops covers including more from the Beatles, some oldies and some jazz. That moon rising up over Bankers Hill was just gorgeous - can't wait to see the professional photographers photos of that!
Thank you to our regular subs Andrew and David who filled in on French Horn and Clarinet respectively! We got to enjoy the Fall Open House at the Intercontinental Hotel and had a blast checking out some of their event spaces, meeting events staff, and networking with many other San Diego wedding and events professionals! Here are some photos and info on the property in hopes it helps in your search for a beautiful, modern downtown venue with absolutely amazing views of the harbor and sunsets! While the Intercontinental has great large event spaces as well, the focus of the Open House was on their two restaurant/event spaces, called the Vistal Bar and the Garibaldi. Both of them have outdoor patios with these views, as pictured above and below, that look out right on to the San Diego bay. We saw the Disney Magic of the Seas cruise docked which ended up disembarking while we were there, with their classic "When You Wish Upon a Star" whistle blow! The Garibaldi restaurant not only has a nice dining room, but they also have a private dining/board room pictured below that would be perfect for engagement dinners, wedding parties, or corporate events! We are very much looking forward to many returns at the Intercontinental Hotel to provide some live music for events taking place here!
On Sunday, October 8th, we had the pleasure of serenading guests and future brides/grooms at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club wedding social. It was organized by friend Chelsi Duff who runs events at the venue, and Lindsay Dean who is an amazing event planner in town. Our trio spent a couple of hours out on the patio playing while people mingled, enjoyed some samples, and schmoozed with other wedding and event pros! Got a couple pics below of some of our neighbors at the showcase: Here were the A-list rockstar wedding and events pros who were at the showcase: The Grooms Grotto - awesome selection of fine menswear. @groomsgrotto Archive Bridal - @archive_bridal Robed with Love - @robedwithlove Poured with Love - @pouredwithluv Loop & Swoop Calligraphy @loopandswoopcalligraphy CAKE - The Fabulous Cake Girls! - @cakesandiego_ 1022 Gelato - delicious! - @1022gelato The Groove DJs - Andy is the man - @thegroovedjs Evermore Floral - @evermorefloral Hilton Del Mar - @hiltondelmar Left Coast Quintet - hey it's us! - @leftcoastquintet Calire Alyse Makeup - @clairealysemakeup Pics by Starlight - @pics_by_starlight Joni Bilderback Photography - @jonibilderbackphotography Lindsay Dean Events - the hostess with the most'ess - @lindsaydeanevents Adore Folklore - @adorefolklore Catalogatelier - @catalogatelier Concepts Event Design - @conceptseventdesign Shade Collective - such nice people! - @shade_collective Lomas Santa Fe Events - the incomparable Chelsi Duff! - @lomassantafeccevents Lloyd Film - @lloydfilm Nick Powers Productions - @nickpowersproductions Organic Babes Jewelry - @organic_babes_jewelry_bar Nix & Co Creative - @nixandco.creative Ever After Bouquet - awesome and unique preservation ideas! - @everafterbouquet Aly Rose Beauty - such a sweet person! - @alyrosebeautyteam Helena Holleran - on the guitar - @helenaholleran Sierra Vera Solis Photo - @sierraveraphoto Lomas Santa Fe Country Club is hands down a gorgeous wedding and events venue and I highly recommend you check them out if you are searching for your next celebration space. I didn't get pics of the inside during this trip, but they have a great banquet hall as well, and their food is killer!
The ceremony site is right on one of the putting greens, overlooking a beautiful green golf course, typically with views of either the ocean or the fog in the background - today was a mostly sunny day but still some lingering fog in the distance which was whimsical! While all the above photos were taken by me, the below professional and gorgeous photos come from the event photographer that was on site, Joni Bilderback! Last night, our trio performed for a wonderful evening wedding reception at the historic Mille Fleurs restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe. We enjoyed serenading the family and guests of our couple, who also got a chance to enjoy the atmosphere at this cozy establishment. Our set list consisted mainly of old time jazz, the kind of music you'd expect in a 1920s style bar. We also hit into Broadway numbers, and a few movie themes that were recognizable and enjoyed by the crowd. Guests started arriving just after 5pm, and were greeted by some awesome appetizers, drinks, and a live music show - just how you want the evening to start to set the mood. We had a great time talking to guests between numbers, and a few different attendees came up to talk about how they used to play various instruments and how much they loved the performance. We also had our own little flower girl, so we incorporated some Disney music just for her to dance around to! What a beautiful venue! Mille Fleurs is a historic building right in the heart of the town square of Rancho Santa Fe, in north San Diego County. This restaurant is known for some incredible food and has won numerous awards over the years, but what makes it stand out so much are two things - the beautiful courtyard and historic buildings, and a fabulous and kind staff! We got to meet many of the employees including Matre d' Marko Dedic who was just fantastic, funny, and kind. If you are looking for the perfect intimate and romantic spot for your wedding reception, holiday party, birthday, or other special occasion - definitely check this place out, and bring us along for some live music!
There is a beautiful new hotel in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter - the recently opened Margaritaville Hotel! We got to take a tour of the property with the National Association of Catering & Events (NACE) and experience everything the property has to offer.
Located in the heart of the Gaslamp, only 2 blocks from Petco Park, the Convention Center, and tons of restaurants and activities, this beautifully renovated hotel boasts awesome spots for events, weddings, and hang outs. The Left Coast Quintet was again honored to perform the National Anthem for the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on August 22nd. This was our second year doing this, and it is such a fun time! We arrived around 3pm and set up in our private green room to warm up the chops. Nothing too fancy, we don't have a rider in our contract for only green M&M's or anything, but it is nice to have a space to put cases, use the restroom, grab some water, etc. We then headed through the belly of Petco Park to get on the field for soundcheck, and got to observe some batting practice from the Padres and then the visiting Marlins teams. Getting to hang out on the field while all the players are warming up was awesome, especially when some came over to chat or ask about the instruments. We did our usual soundcheck run through of the anthem, then back to the green room until game time! We had a chance to walk around, grab some ball park food before the game, and watch all the fans streaming in. Around 6pm, we gathered back in our green room, warmed up again, and go ready to hit the field for show time! Again through all the tunnels, with all of the Petco Park staff looking at us and our instruments, it was pretty funny. We popped up on the field behind 3rd base, then walked out while they were setting up for the first pitch. Once all the pre-game items we taken care of, we surrounded home plate, and got an introduction from the stadium announcer to "please rise as our veterans salute the flag, and join the Left Coast Quintet in the Star Spangled Banner" or something similar to that... We "knocked it out of the park" so to speak, and got a huge ovation from the crowd after a really nice rendition of the SSB. It was incredibly memorable to be asked back for our second year in a row, and we can't wait to make this a tradition for the quintet!
If you'd like to watch a video of the performance, we have it up on our Instagram account here! It's always fun to reminisce about beautiful events we've attended in the past, and this month marks the 5 year anniversary for a special former client of ours who was married at Ethereal Gardens in the summer of 2018. We had a few property pictures (like the one above of their absolutely gorgeous ceremony site) and just today, got a few that she was looking through specifically of our quintet performing for them! As you can see, the wedding was a dreamy, boho inspired rustic outdoor ceremony, and Ethereal was the perfect choice for this couple. Huge thank you to Rachel and Josh number one for bringing us in to provide wedding ceremony and cocktail hour music for you, and for finding these fun pictures of our group performing at Ethereal Gardens! It was such a special day - thankfully not too warm although we had our own shade, and the music of our group filled the air.
Ethereal is a very open location with a large field that can be designed however your imagination will see fit. Bringing in a wind quintet to this location was the perfect choice, since our sound was able to project out and be heard by all of the guests. We had so many family and friends coming up to us between songs and chatting about how much they loved the music and ambiance we were providing for the celebrations. We were delighted to join Samantha and Connor at Seagrove Park in Del Mar, CA at their wedding ceremony this weekend. Seagrove is right in the heart of Del Mar, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and just steps away from the little shops and restaurants that Del Mar is known for. While it's a public park, it is such an amazingly beautiful location and easy to set up for wedding ceremonies of all sizes. For this celebration, Left Coast Quintet performed for prelude as guests arrived, for the wedding ceremony, and for a postlude while everyone took pictures with the happy couple. Our selections took us from Disney classics like Aladdin (A Whole New World), Beauty and the Beast (Be Our Guest), Pinocchino (When you Wish Upon a Star), and Cinderella (A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes), to more pop covers from John Legend (All of Me) and Bruno Mars (Marry You). We also did a lot of jazz standards (Que Sera, Sera, Besame Mucho, Llorendo se Fue, and more). It was a fun and diverse mix of music that helped initially set the mood, then bring all the fun emotions of the couples favorites songs into their wedding mix. A few pics above of the quintet, enjoying the ceremony and preparing to perform for the recessional, which was Marry You by Bruno Mars! We are always eager to return to Del Mar and to perform at these beautiful outdoor wedding venues that the San Diego area has to offer.
For the third year now, we were once again honored to perform for the Mission Hills Garden Walk, put on annually around the neighborhood in various backyards. Our assigned house this year was absolutely phenomenal - a gorgeous modern home with an extensive back yard, fountains, walking paths, and views over the whole city! Our group set up for two hours in the afternoon, and ran through so much incredible music. You can check our YouTube and Instagram accounts to see a few videos that we've put together from the afternoon as well. We look forward to returning and performing more often in the Mission Hills community. Our ensemble fits in perfectly in a backyard setting for providing ambiance, background music, and a focal point while people gather and enjoy the space.
LCQ was honored to attend the spring wedding and event open house at Tom Ham's Lighthouse on Monday April 17th! We met so many couples that were touring the venue and are looking forward to returning with them to perform for their wedding ceremony and cocktail hour reception! I guess spring is just wedding open house time, as we have been to a lot of them lately. They are all fun and valuable in meeting new clients, networking with other professionals, and seeing updates to the venues we enjoy returning to.
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AuthorDan is the bassoonist & one of the founders of the LCQ. Archives
July 2025
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