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!

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 

Today is our anniversary! I usually write blogs about other people's weddings and today I realized I never wrote a blog about my own wedding so here it is! My husband and I were married on October 10, 2015. As a bride, I can say that my wedding day was everything I wanted it to be. Beautiful, elegant, fun, romantic and memorable. It was all of those things from the location, the decor, the fashion, the food, the entertainment and of course the people who came to celebrate with us. 

Our wedding was not without challenges. As the wedding day was getting closer, I remember being so frustrated and tired that at one point I threatened to cancel everything, It was so overwhelming at times that I didn't think I could it it anymore. 

I was doing most of the planning and design on my own as my husband was away for work quite a bit during that time. Every day I spent hours online looking at photos on Pinterest, collecting ideas and buying decorations from Amazon and Etsy and making countless trips to the local Michael's store trying to piece everything together down to the very last detail. ​​What started out being fun and exciting ended up feeling more like a heavy burden to carry and I just wanted it to be over already!  ​

I decided early on that I wasn't going to discuss any of the details about the wedding with family or friends for two reasons. 1. I didn't want to hear everyone's opinions and have to explain any of my decisions and 2. I wanted everyone who came to the wedding to be surprised when they walked in not knowing what to expect. I had an image in my mind of our guests walking into the room and saying "wow, this is amazing!" Or "wow, this is so beautiful!"

I am not saying to ignore your guests needs and only think about yourself. I am simply saying don't let other people's opinions get in the way of having the wedding you always wanted. I tried very hard to be accommodating to our guests and to make them feel welcome. I tried to make sure they were taken care of while still planning the wedding the way I wanted to from the design, the colors, the attire, the food choices, the hotel accommodations and their overall experience, especially those who came from out of town (or out of the country in our case).

Ok, back to our wedding!  We chose the beautiful and historic Santa Barbara Club located in downtown Santa Barbara. My husband and I both knew this was the right venue for us after we went to see it. It had the look and feel we wanted, it was just the right size for our guest count which was around 100 people, it had both indoor and outdoor space, it was private and exclusive just to our wedding guests. 

We chose to have our wedding ceremony outside on the lawn with a reception inside the main dining room. We chose classic and timeless colors which included navy blue, white, gold, silver and a hint of blush pink. The bridesmaids wore a navy blue dresses with lace detail and the groomsmen wore light grey suits with matching bow ties. The same colors were represented throughout the wedding in our decor and wedding details from the color of our table linens, napkins, flowers, and even the smallest details of our wedding favors. 

Since my husband is from England I wanted to incorporate some British inspired details into the wedding without it feeling like a "British" theme wedding. We decided to have the groomsmen and father of the groom who are also from England wear British flag suspenders and socks which was a simple and fun detail that complemented the grey suits very well.  

A small red telephone booth and a few personal photos were placed on the bar to complement our ongoing British theme. I also found some really cute toothpicks with the British flag on them which we used for our assortment of mini desserts. The British flag custom cocktail napkins from Zazzle were perfect for the wait staff to pass out during cocktail hour and to display on the bar.

Aside from the decor and beautiful design of the wedding details, what people are still talking about years later is the food and how much fun the wedding was. That was something that was very important to both my husband and I. We really wanted our guests to have a great time and be well fed and we accomplished both! The chef did an amazing job from our appetizers to our entrees to the dessert station. It was beyond what we expected and surpassed our expectations by far! 

These cute meal choice stickers from Etsy were placed on each guests's escort card and worked great. They let the wait staff know what entree to serve them as we had choices of beef, chicken or a vegetarian dish. 

For entertainment, local DJ Danny Vasquez of Elite Disc Jockeys got everyone dancing and helped us keep everything on schedule as our Emcee. He did an amazing job playing music and kept the party going late into the night. 

Our photo booth was a huge hit and was busy all night long. There was never a dull moment and always something fun to do! What I loved most about the wedding was all the people who came together to celebrate with us from places near and far.  ​

The question many people have asked me is, "did you have a wedding Coordinator?"  The answer: YES!  Of course I did! There is no way I was going to do everything myself on my wedding day or have my friends or family do anything except come to the wedding and have fun. I hired Alegria By Design for Wedding Day Coordination only. Armando is amazing and I have known him for many years. I trusted him to take care of all the wedding day details and he did help me with questions during the planning stages along the way. It was great having his support and guidance throughout the process and to lean on when things started to get overwhelming. 

Was our wedding perfect? No. But I wasn't planning for perfection. We set out to have a fun day full of love and laughter and we ended up having the time of our lives! Yes there are things I would change if I could do it again (a future blog post). But overall I couldn't have asked for a better wedding or a better group of people to share it with. We loved every moment!

Marriages are not perfect and you shouldn't expect your wedding to be either. Plan for the unexpected. Accept the challenges and face them head on. Enjoy every moment, even the hard ones. The wedding day goes by so fast and if you aren't careful, you will miss it. ​

THANK YOU to all the OUTSTANDING wedding professionals I had the pleasure of working with and who made our day absolutely beautiful! 

Wedding Day Coordination: Alegria By Design
Wedding Venue: Santa Barbara Club
Rentals: Party Pleasers
​Ceremony Music: Monica Cremona
DJ: Elite Disc Jockeys
Photo Booth: 805 Party Pix
Flowers: Ella and Louie
Photography: James & Jess 
Cake: Your Cake Baker
Transportation: SB Trolley
Vintage Car: Santa Barbara Tours a la Carte
Bride's Hair: MiSalon
Bride's Makeup: Spa Escape
Men's Attire: Mission Tuxedos
Accommodations: Fess Parker Double Tree Hotel

If I had to sum up Taylor and Ryan's wedding day I would have to say that is was definitely not boring! This wedding had A LOT going on including a very brief (yet scary) microburst storm that sent tourists scattering from beaches, umbrellas flying in the air, street lights that lost power and fallen tree branches and debris in the roadways causing major traffic in downtown Santa Barbara. 

Thankfully the storm was brief and the sun came out shortly after. As a Wedding Coordinator it is my job to be prepared for anything! I was fully prepared to move the ceremony indoors if necessary. Luckily we did not have to do that and we were able to still have the ceremony at the beautiful Winslow Maxwell Overlook at Santa Barbara City College overlooking the breathtaking Santa Barbara Harbor with endless ocean and mountain views.

Nothing was going to take away from Taylor and Ryan's day, not even a little rain in the forecast! This young and vibrant couple were able to celebrate their love among family and friends who got to see Santa Barbara in style courtesy of Santa Barbara Trolley. Once they arrived at the ceremony site, guests enjoyed the view and music from a mariachi trio who set the tone for a beautiful and joyous occasion!

Once the bridal party arrived and guests were seated, the ceremony was quickly underway. The officiants who happen to be close friends with the bride and groom got everyone laughing and kept guests fully entertained with the couple of honor taking part in the fun themselves! 

After the ceremony, the fun continued at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center where guests enjoyed a delicious dinner served from LA based food truck, Shrimp vs. Chef. Dessert came in the form of refreshing Hawaiian shave ice in a variety of flavors from ParadICE Shave Ice and Welcome Coffee Cart kept everyone fueled with caffeine and dancing all night serving up coffee to order. 

The most entertaining part of the night (and gets my vote for most creative grand entrance of 2017) was when the entire bridal party entered the reception to their wrestler alter ego and was announced by the bride's uncle, in his best wrestling announcer voice! The bride and groom, who are huge wrestling fans, came up with the idea and even got their parents involved!

This wedding was full of surprises. All jokes aside, I am so happy for these two and was thrilled to be part of their special day! 

Thank you to the following vendors!

Melanie and Tetlo are a fun-loving couple with a unique style all their own! Their wedding day was a celebration of food, family and fun which you can clearly see in these photos by Chelsea Elizabeth Photography who captured it all so perfectly! Melanie and Tetlo chose to have their wedding at Imagine Park at Alpha Resource Center, a private outdoor space which complimented their love and appreciation for natural beauty and rustic elements. The bride's DIY flower arrangements in mix and match vases, along with potted plants and succulents used as centerpieces gave just the right amount of color and style to enhance the already beautiful landscape. 

The intimate ceremony was set in front of the greenhouse which is flanked by an abundance of lush green trees and plants. The decor was minimal in order to preserve the venue's rustic, earthy appeal. Guests were greeted with glasses of champagne as they waited for the bride and groom to arrive. During the ceremony the couple performed a traditional planting ceremony to symbolize how they will nurture each other and the love they share in the years to come. 

After the ceremony the couple along with members of their families joined together to perform a traditional Botswana wedding dance as they made their way into the reception. Their VERY grand entrance was followed by the couple's first dance together as husband and wife. 

Once it was time for dinner guests feasted on a delicious BBQ buffet from Simply Marvelous BBQ followed by as assortment of desserts including a traditional wedding cake, homemade pies and a variety of fresh baked donuts. DJ Kacy Wilson kept the party going late into the night with a fun mix of dance tunes suited perfectly for this family affair!

Thank you to all the talented wedding and event professionals who made this day so special!

Venue:  Imagine Park at Alpha Resource Center
Coordinator:  Gatherings for Good
Catering:  Simply Marvelous BBQ
Rentals: Amigo Party Rentals
​Vintage Rentals: Otis + Pearl 
Photographer: Chelsea Elizabeth Photography
Hair/Makeup:  La Rouge 
Flowers: DIY
​Cake: Enjoy Cupcakes
Donuts: Spudnuts
Pies: Simply Marvelous BBQ
DJ: Kacy Wilson 
​Lighting: SPARK Creative Events

Nikki and Ben were married on a beautiful fall day in October in Santa Barbara, CA. The couple wanted their wedding day to reflect their minimalistic style while also being environmentally conscious, choosing eco-friendly options for their wedding decor as well as reusable and recyclable materials. The clean, uncomplicated design reflected both their personalities while suited perfectly for the venue's natural, rustic appeal. The private, serene setting surrounded by lush greenery and fruit trees was an ideal choice for their friends and family to gather and celebrate the happy couple!

The park-like setting is located at Alpha Resource Center in Santa Barbara, CA.  Imagine Park appeals to many couples who want the experience of an outdoor wedding with rustic, natural elements. Proceeds from the cost of renting this space help ensure the Alpha Resource Center can continue the work they do to support children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Santa Barbara community. 

Ceremony music was beautifully performed by local Guitarist Grey Bear Erickson. ​

Guests enjoyed a festive Mexican buffet provided by Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant followed by decadent chocolate truffles by Twenty-Four Blackbirds. 

Thank you to the following team of wedding and event professionals:

Venue:  Imagine Park at Alpha Resource Center
Coordinator:  Gatherings for Good
Officiant:  Ceremonies by Nanette
Catering:  Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant
Rentals: The Tent Merchant
Event Staffing: Top Shelf
Photographer: Willhouse Creative
Flowers: DIY
​Dessert: Twenty Four Blackbirds
Music:  Bear Erickson

I knew the moment I met Blair and Andrew that they were a very special couple - young, happy, in love and excited to plan their big day! It was obvious that this was going to be a fun and memorable wedding and I was very honored to be part of their journey to being husband and wife. 

The couple chose to have their destination wedding the beautiful Shoreline Park overlooking the ocean and not too far from the Pier where their reception would take place at the Santa Barbara Sea Center. As they and most of their guests were coming from out of town they wanted to make sure their guests had the full Santa Barbara experience and planned the wedding around the idea of having a fun, unique and interactive celebration that everyone would remember. 

The bride and groom's first look took place on the steps below Shoreline Park. Photographer Anya Kernes captured the happy couple perfectly as they walked together hand and in hand on the beach sharing a romantic moment before heading down the aisle!

The stunning scenery at Shoreline Park made for the perfect photo backdrop. The bridal party's grey and teal attire and fall-like color palette of the bouquets were the perfect compliment to the outdoor setting of the park's green landscape. The clear blue sky blended perfectly with the blue ocean below. Guests and passersby marvelled at the beauty of the day and the absolute pefection of this romantic union. 

After the ceremony guests were picked up by local transporation company Jump on the School Bus ​and taken to the Santa Barbara Sea Center where they were dropped off on the historic Santa Barbara Pier. Once there, they were greeted with tasty appetizers and beverages from Island View Catering and music from the Los Angeles based band West Coast Edition. Guests were treated to an interactive experience getting up close and personal to Santa Barbara's marine life while enjoying spectacular ocean and mountain views!

After cocktail hour, the bride, groom and their guests enjoyed a delicious buffet and danced under the stars late into the night! 

Congratulations to the happy couple!  Thank you to the following wedding pros who helped make this day so special!

Ceremony Venue:  Shoreline Park
Reception Venue:  Santa Barbara Sea Center
Coordinator:  Gatherings for Good
Catering: Island View Catering
Rentals: The Tent Merchant
Photographer:  Anya Kernes Photography
Flowers: DIY
Makeup: Elena Adorno
Transportation:  Jump on the School Bus
​Dessert:  Edoughable
Reception Music:  West Coast Edition