We had the good fortune of connecting with Araceli Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Araceli, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Be Proud of Where You Are ; And Have Faith in How Far You’ll Go”. – This is something that I’ve been telling myself for over 10 years and it has played a major role in my overall worth ethic and lifestyle philosophy. Being your own boss, means having to deal with the losses and also celebrating the wins whenever you overcome an obstacle. I truly admire this quote because, it’s a constant reminder to not give up my dream even when it feels like nothing is working out … because in the end, it always magically does! 

What should our readers know about your business?
Café au Love is a floral design and wedding planning service based in the heart of San Diego, and serving all of Southern California. We are the modern romantics and our brand was brewed specifically for those who appreciate the magic that both life and love have to offer. Whether it’s reciting intimate vows to your soul mate or exchanging a few laughs with your dearest friends during an intimate dinner; know that Café au Love will be the extra shot of espresso which gets you through the planning + design process for your celebration. Having fallen in love with weddings at such a young age, I aspired to be a wedding planner and florist. I began interning as a wedding planner’s assistant when I was 17-years-old and overtime became more invested in the tricks of the trade. By the time I was 24 , my heart transitioned into florals. To be honest, working under someone else’s leadership wasn’t always pleasant because I would often find myself having creative differences. Two years later, I started my own business ; it was time to grow and begin my own venture. Over the past 12 years of working within the wedding industry , I’ve learned that being your own boss and creating your own brand means having to be true to yourself and constantly challenging yourself creatively. Something I would want the world to recognize about our brand is that we pride ourselves on honesty , and we love all things romance.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being a San Diego native , you come across some hidden gems. Although things look a little differently in California ( and the rest of the country ) right now , there are still ways to love and enjoy exploring San Diego. Here are a few of my spots: – Taking a stroll in the Rose Garden + Cactus Garden in Balboa Park . – Grabbing a Coffee from Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in Bird Rock , La Jolla. – Having brunch at the Piazza in Little Italy, hello Frost Me Gourmet. – A romantic dinner at La Valencia overlooking the La Jolla Shores. – And ending the evening with Hammond’s Ice Cream.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this Shoutout to my dear friend Jeffery “J” Murray of J.Soul Productions. He is a dear old friend, who believed in me every step of the way on this journey and encouraged me to start my own business.

Website: https://www.cafeaulove.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeaulove

Image Credits
Captured by Martina Photography Christina Cho Photography KDN Photography

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