On A Mission: A Perfect California Venue

The Mission at San Juan Capistrano features an open garden courtyard, stone ruins, fountains, arched brick pathways and a lovely church all set on 10 acres of land. As a bit of California history set in present day, the mission's restored distinctive Spanish architecture gives out-of-town groups a glimpse at the serenity and beauty of what life was like 200 years ago. As an event designer, our job at AOO Events is to simply enhance what is already there as we did for this al fresco dinner and silent auction event during a multiple-day corporate event.

The setting. Long communal tables are set in an open courtyard against the backdrop of the mission walls.

 

  The details. Shawls for the women are draped over the chairs. An earthy color palette of brown, red, cream and amber blends with the setting.

The drama. As the sun went down, the curtain went up on this magical setting. A silent auction came to a close just before dinner.

The history. Well-placed lighting emphasizes what is already there.

To me, a venue like this is instrumental in helping transport the guests into a world that evokes timeless beauty. As the evening lengthened, guests lingered under archways and strolled down paths once walked by Franciscan monks.

After the event, as with the other two evenings in this multiple-day event, guests returned to the hotel to continue their experience in a hospitalty room that had been redesigned to reflect elements of that day and evening. On Thursday, I'll share those with you in a new post.