Romantic Getaway: Cupid's Castle
Interview by Grace Sydney

If you have been struck by the little winged cherub's golden arrow, Cupid's Castle Bed and Breakfast in Pauma Valley, California is the place to go for a romantic getaway or for a fairytale wedding. In the following interview, proprietor Connie Vlasis gives her bridal tips and lets us in on the secret to keeping the spark in your marriage.

What do you feel is the appeal of marrying in an intimate bed and breakfast setting as opposed to a large venue?

Usually you have the whole place to yourselves and the gardens are usually colorful with flowers and gazebos, fountains and ponds, so you don't need as many flowers or decorations. In my case, also we are away from the traffic noise and in nature with big boulders and 400-year-old oak trees and lemon orchards for the sweet fragrance of lemon blossoms.

Also, if you need an iron, bobby pins, curling iron, basket ,etc., or anything you may have forgotten to bring, usually the innkeeper will have the item you need. There is a lot more personal attention to details. You don't have to rush off after the wedding; you can relax, have some leftovers from the wedding because half the time the bride and groom don't have the time to eat much during the reception, with pictures, family, and ceremony. You can have a little time to relax, maybe open presents and sort out and condense packages to make it easier to bring home. Also, anyone else who is staying at the B&B with you can enjoy some down time with you, maybe play some pool or relax with a drink and sit in the outside Jacuzzi, or if you videotaped the day you can all sit and relax and watch it on the big screen TV in the game room.

Cupid's Castle photo courtesy Cupid's Castle

When weddings are too big, you will find you really don't have much time to enjoy your day as it will be spent most of the time, trying to greet each person and spending some time with them and it's an impossible task, so a smaller more intimate wedding will be more meaningful and more fun for all.

Breakfast is ready for you the next morning for all who have stayed over and then you have time to gather your things and either go on your honeymoon and let the other guests or family bring home the presents, return the groom's tux, bring home the wedding cake and leftover food, flowers, gowns, etc. and you are a little rested and can go on your honeymoon more refreshed.

The castle exterior of your venue would provide a dramatic backdrop for a medieval-themed wedding. Have you ever hosted a theme wedding at the castle? What advice would you give brides looking to add medieval elements to their ceremony?

This is the perfect place for a garden wedding setting medieval style. We have had several full on or semi-medieval weddings here. My advice to anyone wishing to have such a wedding is to maybe first go to a Renaissance Faire and get some ideas, from gowns, costumes, hair pieces, jewelry, decorations, music-- either meet the real musicians or buy some rennie music cds to play. There are even friars dressed in costume who can marry you or you may have a Goddess in costume who can do a real authentic ceremony in costume.

Do some research on the computer, you will find a lot of ideas there. Ideas for invitations maybe scrolls with your announcement, goblets for your drinks, pewter plates, which can be plastic and can be purchased for a nominal fee. I do have some items available for you for smaller weddings at no charge.

You can also visit with me and I can show you what has been done in the past through the many pictures and videotapes taken. I would be happy to sit with you and plan a very special day for you and give you many super ideas, from horse driven coaches, decorations, costumes, ceremony, music, flowers, cakes, etc.

Not only can weddings be held in the garden of Cupid's Castle, but the hostess can also perform the ceremony! What inspired you to become a licensed minister, and how does this help to create a special atmosphere for weddings held at your venue?

Well, I did become a minister because I received several calls from couples who didn't want to spend a lot of money on a wedding for various reasons . We live very close to many military bases, Camp Pendleton and San Diego, and we get a lot of military people who want to get married before they get deployed to Iraq so they don't have a lot of money to have the big wedding now, but want to do something quick . I have elopement packages for those quickie weddings for many reasons. All they need is a license which they can get from the County recorders office in one day and I can marry them.

What special touches can a couple expect from a wedding held at Cupid's Castle Bed and Breakfast?

There are fresh flowers in all the rooms, snacks available for the wedding party as they are getting dressed. Fresh flower decorations for the buffet tables, special linens and lace for the cake table, reception table and gift table. Fresh triple berry lemonade for the reception guests, background music, a special gift at wedding ceremony, and a wedding gift for the bride and groom.

As the old saying goes, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach". You are well-known for your culinary abilities, having appeared on the TV Food Channel and in Bon Appetit Magazine, and you offer guests the opportunity to learn some of your skills. What can a guest expect from one of your cooking lessons?

Expect to have fun! I will supply each person with copies of the recipes we will be making. Sometimes if it's a class with guests who are spending the night, we might go to the local farmers markets and wineries and do some wine tasting and gather the items we need to create our feast for later. Then we come back to the castle and everyone will have a assignment to help prepare the meal.

I like everyone to help prepare the meal so everyone feels like they can cook and can have the chance to use their creativity. I believe that a meal doesn't necessarily have to follow the recipe. Some of my best recipes were mistakes or using my creativity with items I had or didn't have on hand. Because I live a half hour to the nearest major market, I have to use my creativity a lot when I don't have the called for items in the recipe. To me that's what makes a good cook.

If you are taking a cooking class from Connie expect a fun time, music playing, wine classes filled and aromas filling the air, with hungry husbands or partners darting in and out of the kitchen wanting a taste. Later we all sit at the king's table and enjoy our feast. Everyone receives a special gift for participating.

continued on page 2 with information on nearby attractions, advice for a long-lasting marriage, contact information, and more...