When my phone rang and the sweet voice on the other end said, “Hi Kerry Lee, this is Mira – I was a bridesmaid in one of your client’s weddings last year and I would love to talk to you about being my wedding coordinator for my own wedding at Heartstone Ranch,”  I was elated and didn’t have to think twice.

This incredibly talented young woman, also working on her Master’s Degree while planning her wedding,  hailed from the South.  Her exotic gorgeousness is a blend of her Eastern Indian heritage and intelligent, kind, gentle ways.  When I met her fiance, I could see why he was so smitten and dedicated to her. And Steven was pretty special too.

Mira and Steven chose Heartstone Ranch because of her love of horses.  And this love shone throughout all the touches she did:  from her horseshoe logo on cocktail napkins to the favors for guests:  custom pilsner glasses engraved with their names and horseshoe logo for guests to use at the bar that night and take home with them, horseshoe “escort cards” to custom horseshoe cookies brought out for guests to enjoy after dinner.

Heartstone Ranch is one of the area’s leading hidden jewels.  Let me tell you why I love this venue so much:  it is privately owned and operated and they are dialed for events.  What does that mean?  They have the place designed for events.   From parking, ample place for valet, traffic control, helping their clients with planning the logistics of what will maximize their event and their guests’ experience,  to having a gorgeous suite with panoramic views of the ranch and ocean for the bride to get ready  and on the opposite side of the property, an area for the gentlemen to get ready and hang out.  There is charming rustic signage that comes with your rental  that directs guests where to go and the owner has a whole additional line of rental accessories (antiques, props, etc)  that are rustic/shabby chic if you wish to add some charming elements to your wedding.  Plus, did I mention that this charming home and ranch (and the actual spot where events are held at the ranch)overlooks the ocean as well as the beautiful grounds it is on?  It’s a dream Santa Barbara outdoor wedding location on all counts.

Santa Barbara’s leading elite full service caterer Pure Joy Catering provided an incredible meal experience for guests: from maintaining touches of Mira and Steven’s southern roots throughout the menu to vegetarian options for their vegetarian and Hindu guests.  Guests were greeted with a refreshing display of Southern Sweet Tea, Freshly-Squeezed Lemonade with Lemon Slices and Cherry Garnish and  savory passed appetizers during cocktail hour including Demitasse Mugs of Warm, Creamy Tomato Soup with Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches;  Grilled Skewered Prawns and Scallops Wrapped in Maple-Cured Bacon and more.  The Bountiful Dinner Buffet included several farm-fresh salads including Caesar, Roasted Local Beets on Arugula with Goat Cheese , Candied Pecans with Blood Orange Vinaigrette;  Entrees included Portabello Mushroom Raviolis with Browned Sage Butter and Homemade Gourmet Pizzas such as BBQ, Pesto Primavera and Quattro Formaggi.  Pure Joy Operations Manager Patrick personally oversaw and tended to every detail of service for Mira and Steven, making the entire core base of this event flow seamlessly.

Our event supply partner team was an all-star cast.  From the fabulous team at Heartstone Ranch, Pure Joy Catering to Nina Kincaid Designs (Florist),AMS Entertainment(band), Blue Star Valet, Road Runner Shuttle for guest transportation, LBPS Events casting special ambient light to make the whole setting magical, Siblings Bakery providing the cake to one of my favorite ministers of all time from Ocean Hills Church: Jono, bringing Mira and Steven together in matrimony on this gorgeous day.  Capturing every nuance of this special day as it unfolded to tell their story were the incredible photojournalists and professionals from Halberg Photographers – whose images grace this BLOG and to whom we are deeply grateful.

My absolute favorite memories from this wedding?  Holding the rehearsal in the barn because it was raining cats and dogs and watching a blended ethnically diverse guest list arrive- many in gorgeous Indian saris – and an incredibly special family on both sides who were all there to celebrate this special couple; working with an all-star event supplier cast who loves this industry and so much more .  This wedding was a joy on so many levels.  Enough of the chatter. On with the images which tell a much better story of this couple, their unique design elements, the venue and the special touches that made up the day!