Chris and Julia were a charming and delightful couple to work with so it was no surprise that their destination wedding was the same. This family oriented couple wanted to celebrate with a close group of family and friends, many of who flew across the country to be by their side. The intimate ceremony and heartfelt vows filled the Mural Room of the Santa Barbara Courthouse with pure love and joy felt by all.

After the couple said "I Do" guests gathered outside for photos and later were whisked away by the city's iconic red trolleys leading them to the ever popular French Bistro, Stella Mares where they enjoyed cocktails on the patio followed by a fabulous dinner in a very intimate and romantic setting. Singer and Guitarist Matt Commerce kept everyone entertained with many soulful and catchy tunes through the evening's festivies.

Thank you to the amazing team of event professionals who helped create this unforgettable day!

Planning & Coordination: Gatherings for Good
Ceremony Venue: Santa Barbara Courthouse
Reception Venue: Stella Mares Bistro
​Flowers: Ella & Louie
Photography: Head and Heart Photography
Music: Matt Commerce Guitar
Cake: Crushcakes
Bride's Hair and Makeup: Chateau Belle
Bride's Transportation: Santa Barbara Rides
Guest Transportation: Santa Barbara Trolley

We were so excited to work with Lisa and Jeff on their wedding day and as you can see in these photos, it was absolutely stunning! The bride and groom chose a traditional and timeless color palette that suited their taste and the venue perfectly. The men wore dark suits which were the perfect contrast to the light dusty blue bridesmaid gowns. The soft white and pink flower arrangements by The Twisted Twig complimented their attire and tied everything together. Can you say classic romance?

The starry eyed couple's decor included string lighting, gold star lanterns hanging from the trees and a festive sparkler send off.  You could say the love this couple has for each other is defintely out of this world! The guests were treated to a fabulous dinner at the Riviera Mansion and danced the night away with music from local DJ Scott Topper Productions.

We were so thrilled to be part of this love story. Thank you to the amazing team who helped make this magical day possible.

We were so happy for Gisselle and Danny when their wedding day arrived! They had their share of ups and downs and there were definitely stressful times during the wedding planning process. A few months before they said " I Do," they went through an unexpected venue change for their reception which ended up being a blessing in disguise! Even though it wasn't how they imagined their wedding day in the beginning, everything worked out exactly how they wanted in the end!

The couple's ceremony was at Santa Barbara City College Maxwell Overlook high above the Santa Barbara Harbor with a picturesque backdrop of palm trees and sailboats. This sunny September day could not have been more perfect for this adorable couple who were surrounded by friends, family and spectacular ocean and mountain views. 

The reception was held at Saint Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church which was decorated with beautiful flowers, shells and ocean insipired decor. Guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers on the outdoor patio. Once everyone came inside for the main event, the bride and groom were treated to a surprise flamenco dance performance followed by dinner, heartfelt speeches, a stunning cake and dessert display and lots more dancing through the night!

This beautiful wedding took place on a warm Saturday in August in downtown Santa Barbara. The picturesque mountain and ocean views from the roof of the MOXI Museum was the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable day. An amazing time was had by all! Special thanks to everyone involved, see list of event pros at the end of this post. Enjoy these lovely photos from Ryanne Bee Photography who captured their day, and their love perfectly!

From walking down the aisle to the first kiss, we are breaking down the various parts of a traditional wedding ceremony. If you are planning a ceremony on your own and want to learn the basics, this is a great place to begin. This example can be used as is or you can incorporate your own religious elements or add some personal touches to make it more personal to you.

The Processional. This is the start of the ceremony where immediate family and wedding party walk down the aisle and proceed to the altar. They will either stand next to the couple or take a seat in front depending on their role. 

There are many variations of how to line up the wedding party for the Processional. Some couples are choosing to forgo a wedding party altogether or simply have a Best Man and Maid of Honor. This is a very personal choice and there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Often times the Officiant or Wedding Planner can help you determine the best scenario for you.

Welcome and Introduction. The Officiant takes a moment to welcome everyone to the venue, introduces him or herself, and thanks everyone for coming together to celebrate and witness your marriage. He or she may share thoughts about love and marriage, your relationship and some background information about the two of you. 

Readings. If you choose to have a friend or family member read a passage from a Bible or a poem, this is the moment to do that. Generally readers are sitting near the front in the first or second row so they can easily walk up to the front when it comes time. The Officiant can introduce the readers or they can come up unannounced. Depending on the venue you may need a microphone and sound system to ensure that guests sitting in the back rows will be able to hear. I suggest you practice the readings at the ceremony rehearsal so the people who are participating understand what to do and when they will be called upon.

Vows. At this time the couple would exchange vows which can be something they personally wrote or something they found online that spoke to them. It can be short or long, funny, heartfelt, spiritual, or traditional. Again, this is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong way to do this. My advice: don't overthink it and speak from the heart.

Rings. After the vows while you are still facing each other, rings are exchanged. You can choose to hold on to the rings yourself, have the Officiant hold the rings and hand them to you, or have members of your wedding party hold them. Traditionally the Maid of Honor and Best Man would take on this role. The Officiant will then have you recite words to each other about what the ring represents and the union you are entering into. 

Kiss. After the vows and rings are exchanged you can finally kiss to seal the deal! 

Pronouncement of Marriage. The Officiant officially pronounces the couple and confirms their union into marriage. You can discuss with your Officiant how you would like to be introduced. At this time the couple faces the guests and everyone cheers.

The Recessional.  After the announcement by the Officiant, the musician or music would start playing a song that the couple then exits to. Typically they would hold hands and walk back down the aisle followed by the Officiant, wedding party and then all the remaining guests exit row by row. 

From there on, all the hard work is done, your nerves begin to calm down and you can go off and enjoy the party! 

As a Wedding Planner I bring most of these items with me on the wedding day but if you are packing your own wedding emergency kit, here are some items you'll want to include! 

What are some other items you would add to this list? Let us know! 

Curtis and Jill's wedding gave us all the feels! From their pretty in pink bridesmaids dresses and floral arrangements to their adorable first look photos and heartfelt prayer circle surrounded by loved ones to the stunning decor and dessert display created by the bride's beautiful and talented mother.  We couldn't have been happier for these two and to have been part of such a wonderful moment in their lives!

Thank you to the team of wedding professionals who worked together to make this day unforgettable for the Bride and Groom:
​
Planning & Coordination: Gatherings for Good
Ceremony Venue: Santa Barbara Courthouse
Reception Venue: The Narrative Loft
Ceremony Rentals: Just 4 Fun Party Rentals
Catering/Rentals/Bar/Event Staffing:  Tamara's Catering
​Ceremony & Reception DJ:  AMS Entertainment
Flowers: Emma Rose Floral
Photography:  Elise Nicole Photography
Cake:  The Bride's Mother
Bride's Hair & Makeup: Carlyle Salon 

To serve our clients the best we can, we need to get to know more about you, your event and how we can be the most beneficial to you. A consultation not only helps us understand what you need but it also allows us to get to know more about each other which will determine if we are good fit to partner together. ​

Image provided by www.pexels.com

Not a fan of baby shower games? Are you planning a baby shower for a friend or relative and need some fresh ideas? Here are 5 fun baby shower games that anyone can do (and enjoy),  without having to leave their dessert!

1.  Baby Books Emoji Pictionary - Guests try to figure out the title of children's books using only the emojis on the card.  Get these cute  Baby Books Emoji Pictionary cards from Zazzle.

2.  Baby Word Scramble - Guests have 5 minutes to unscramble words. The person with the most correct words wins! Get this Sweet Blue & Gray Elephant Word Game Notepad from Zazzle. 

3.  Price is Right - Guests fill in the dollar amount for each item listed. The total of all items is then added up. The guest with the closest number to the actual cost wins! Get these adorable Woodland Fall/Winter Baby Shower Price Game Cards from Zazzle.

4.  Baby Bingo - Guests fill in items they think mommy-to-be will receive. As gifts are opened items are checked off. The first guest who gets 5 in a row wins! Get these beautiful and elegant Cream White Rose Floral Baby Bingo Cards from Zazzle.

5.  Name That Baby Food - Guests use sight, smell and taste to identify a variety of baby foods. The person with the most correct answers wins! Get these Little Man Baby Food Game Cards from Zazzle. 

Did you know Gatherings for Good plans, designs and coordinates baby showers, bridal showers, engagement parties, birthdays and many other social  events? Contact us today to get started planning your next event!