Let’s be honest, the holidays are more romantic with snow. But in Santa Barbara, where palm trees sway and the average winter temperature is 65 degrees by day and 45 by night, snow doesn’t really happen. So sometimes you have to create your own magic. And that’s exactly what Bella Vista Designs did for our corporate client Logic Monitor for their holiday party with their snow machine and specialty lighting. Throw in some fabulous music for a celebratory vibe, fun photobooth and a cookie decorating station, all held at one of Santa Barbara’s most iconic event venues tucked under a magic canopy, and that’s a recipe for a successful party employees will remember for years to come.
We love the menu with which Logic Monitor chose to delight their guests – check out the yummy dessert items, including our famous S’mores Tarts!
Studies have proven and experts agree: making the work environment fun is necessary for top-notch production from staff. That, and the most important meal of the day is breakfast, so put those two together and voila! Successful and happy employees! Logic Monitor knows this and as you can see from the photo to the right here, they are a very happy working group (and we’re betting by that high jump, it was because they were fueled with an exceptionally fabulous breakfast). What better way to start your work morning than with the menu featured below ( hello, bacon!) and a Champagne Bar with delicious fruit juices and fresh berries? 
You know what makes a distinct wedding experience (besides unforgettable cuisine, of course)? Suspended guest assignment table charts magically swaying overhead, a sweetly decorated bicycle, explosive pops of color everywhere, a beautiful wine blessing, edible centerpieces, and a couple in love celebrating their nuptials with family and friends… all in a greenhouse.
Caitlin and Boyan brought some unique touches to their wedding at the lovely and incredibly versatile downtown Santa Barbara Historical Museum. This beautiful wedding venue has several outdoor event spaces that allow many options for one’s event, all while offering the historical Spanish vibe that makes Santa Barbara so inviting. Offering some European-styled elements to their wedding celebration, Caitlin and Boyan opted for one long feasting table to bring guests together and incorporated an old Bulgarian wedding custom of breaking bread over the groom’s mother’s head. The tradition is based on another Bulgarian tradition of whomever steps on the other’s foot first after being married is said to be the one who will dominate in the marriage. With the bread, the tradition includes the mother of the groom holding the bread over her head and asking the couple to each pull a side. Whomever gets the larger piece of bread from the tear is said to be the dominating partner. After the bread break, the festivities of dancing and celebration begin! 
While we have produced many weddings at one of Santa Barbara’s favorite wedding location jewels Rockwood Woman’s Club, no two are alike and we have traditionally focused on the uniqueness of this special venue in our write-ups. We could continue to do so here in this BLOG for Stacy and Danny’s special day by reminding readers of the perfect shady setting for saying vows and ease of being able to segue into the gorgeous Spanish-architectured building for the reception celebration, which is just steps away; or we could remind readers of the convenient on-site complimentary parking and a site that allows for many layout options. But because Stacy and Danny hired one of the best photography teams around, we thought we’d let the photos speak for themselves (make sure you check out their fabulous “Record Shop” photobooth) as well as what brings everyone together at any memorable event: the food and beverage experience featuring one of our most popular entrées: our Citrus Salmon with Orange Relish (details below). 
Intimate weddings held at charming B&B’s have always been en vogue, but at no time have they had more popularity than right now. Luckily, we live in a destination vacation hot spot with many charming inns and bed and breakfasts. But not all of them handle weddings, so if you are searching for the ideal intimate inn for your wedding, reach out to us and we can help guide you with some suggestions.
You know it’s going to be a gorgeous wedding when the soft hues the bride has chosen for her maids and decor mirror that of the surrounding mountains.
Chris and Victoria’s theater wedding in Santa Barbara’s wine country at the legendary outdoor Solvang Theaterfest was nearly all DIY and also one of the most charming (and dramatic) weddings we have seen in a long time. This is a great reminder that it is all about the unique venue one chooses, delicious food and beverage experience bringing friends and family together, and a fabulous photographer to capture the memories. Sometimes simplicity can be the most memorable, if you focus on the key ingredients (pun intended) that are most important to you and do them right. 
Not all weddings are over-the top in decor and design- and some of the best focus on the perfection of the setting that already exists, embellish it with a few lovely personal touches and then make the moment a day filled with love and family, and bring it all together with delicious cuisine for all to savor. With a location such as Rockwood nestled in the foothills of the American Riviera, and a great event partner team, Kat and Cole celebrated their nuptials in perfect style.
Because Katie and Faris grew up in Santa Barbara and lived in New York, they wanted their wedding to be a true reflection of both states, according to their wedding and wedding weekend event planner Jessica Kuipers of Onyx and Redwood. “Having the guests enjoy a sunset cruise on our West Coast shore for their Welcome Reception was a no brainer,” she said.