I instantly adored Amy and Jeff, who were fun-loving individuals and knew exactly what they wanted. They were a wedding planner’s dream client, always in a great mood, gave timely responses that were indicative of a clear self-knowledge, which of course, makes my job easier. Amy and Jeff chose to have their charming wine country wedding at Alisal River Terrace, a satellite location associated with the main legendary & historic Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort.
Jeff and Amy exchanged their vows in front of the intimate lake at Alisal River Terrace and afterwards guests adjourned up to the terrace for a delightful cocktail hour with sweeping views of the wine country hillside and as the sun set, and the stars came out, enjoyed the glow of fire bowls, italian fire heaters, dancing under the stars and making s’mores! You can check out video highlights of their day here.
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Example of Satellite Bar from Martha Stewart Weddings
“Trends” are always an interesting phenomenon. One has to ask the question if they are created strictly for marketing purposes with an agenda, or if there is a science of a pattern or if perhaps a hybrid of “all of the above”. Regardless, we find them fascinating, in most cases true and in all cases, entertaining and always, always creative!
Below are the top 2016 trends that are sweeping the wedding industry:
Colors:
With Pantone’s Color of the year being Rose Quartz and Serenity, the palettes will be very soft.
Themes:
Such as “woodland” and “rustic” are still in and are being blended with glam elements such as beads and some crystals and chandeliers, with the heavier focus being on the woodland and just a smidge of glam.
Bride’s and Bridesmaids Wear:
Read More >>What Your Wedding Planner’s Social Media Can Reveal About Them
Blog, Event Planning Advice, Rants / 01.17.20160 comments
Photo Credit: Michael Costa | Location: Bacara Resort & Spa
I’m tired of click bait personally, so decided not to title this article “The One Thing Every Bride Should Check Out Before Hiring Their Wedding Planner“. Although, if I could, this title would be more accurate.
Here’s the thing about social media professionally: it is intended to share and convey a brand. To engage with current customers as well as potential customers. And yes, it is supposed to get personal from time to time. Again, the operative phrase being “from time to time” . All business social media gurus and international marketing leaders agree that allowing potential customers to catch a glimpse into your personal life – sparingly- fosters trust and can build common ground and this trust leads to sales/bookings.
But besides the personal element of social media in business, I wish to bring up another topic rarely addressed, but one that is equally -if not more- important. It is a thorough review of how your prospective professional event planner handles themselves on social media, as it will tell you more about their work style and personality and
Read More >>Debunking Popular Assumptions on Event Meal Service & Budget
Blog, Event Planning Advice / 01.12.20160 comments
“Expert in the Field” Guest Blogger Rachel Main of Main Course Ca Catering
As a wedding and event planner, one of the biggest discussions with our clients is their spending plan (budget). And since the majority of any event’s budget is dedicated to food and beverage, the menu one chooses can either keep one within their spending plan or blow it out of the water. There are many assumptions that certain meal style services cost more or less (our personal favorite is the myth that Family Style must be less expensive automatically- see why it’s often the most expensive choice and why below). Professional, full-service caterer Main Course California’s Rachel Main recently addressed the top assumptions about meal style and price and we are delighted to feature her as an Expert in the Field Guest Blogger today on Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events.
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MYTHS AND REALITIES OF SAVING MONEY ON YOUR SPECIAL EVENT MENU
Debunking Popular Assumptions
By Rachel Main (Holst)
Wine With a Wedding Planner Announces 2016 Winter Appearance Dates
Blog, Event Industry Businesses & Professionals, Event Planning Advice, Industry Shenanigans, Innovations / 01.09.20162 comments
#WineWithAWeddingPlanner | Kerry Lee Dickey
“Wine With a Wedding Planner” offers an innovative, community-based approach to wedding planning in complete relaxation. It combines the expertise of Certified Wedding Professional and CEO/Founder of Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events Kerry Lee Dickey and the beautiful wedding locations Santa Barbara and its wine country have to offer with a fresh approach to a “meet and greet” complimentary communal consultation.
Similar to “Coffee with a Cop”, Ms. Dickey will be meeting with potential clients at various venues in the area during their business hours in a public area. She invites anyone thinking of having a wedding in this area – or simply anyone planning a wedding with need for planning, etiquette , or venue recommendations – to stop by, say hello and engage with her at no charge. At all locations, Wine With a Wedding Planner visitors are
Read More >>Charming Alisal River Terrace Wine Country Wedding & Private Home Reception
Blog, Real Weddings / 01.06.20160 comments
Caitlin and Tyler chose one of Santa Barbara wine country’s hidden gem locations for their nuptials, followed by a charming reception at their parent’s home in Solvang. Alisal River Terrace, associated with the renowned Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, offers sweeping views of the wine country hillside, and a small intimate lake with plenty of green and serenity. With ample guest parking and space, it is a beautiful option for ceremonies and receptions and one that carries incredible value for the wedding spending plan.
As Caitlin and Tyler’s Ceremony Coordinator, I was particularly touched by
Read More >>The Work that Really Matters | My Top 5 Behind-the-Scenes “Secrets”
Blog, Event Industry Businesses & Professionals / 12.27.20150 comments
The single most important element of my work is one that will never be featured in the news, will never earn me some prestigious industry award and yet, it is more important to my existence and contributes to my 15 year business success and reputation more than anything else: it is the work that really matters: it is investing in humanity and relationships with everyone with whom I come into contact: clients, event partners and more. Even more than this, but quite simply, it is paying attention and being present.
These simple acts of paying attention over time is what I call “investment time”. You may not
see results from it monetarily (or otherwise) immediately (and honestly, monetary gain shouldn’t be your primary goal anyway), but they do spell out long-term business over time. I have developed a faithful and loyal devotion to my brand because of their allegiance to me and my “investment” in them. People “buy” people, not just a product or service.
To invest in people, one has to pay attention and genuinely love the process. Here are some of my secrets that are part of my core value system as an individual
Read More >>How to Help Prevent Wedding Gift Thievery at Your Wedding
Blog, Event Planning Advice / 12.27.20150 comments
As a professional wedding planner, I’ve seen my share of disappointing “ever-afters” in the gift-reception category after being a part of over 600 weddings.
I am often asked who would be so thoughtless to take gifts on such a happy day. Many of my clients say, “we knew every single one of our guests intimately and none of them would do something like this.” The sad reality is that it is not always the guests you invite, but their “plus ones” or children or relatives, perhaps some individuals that you may not know. It is rarely the staff working the event, although in some cases, it can be. At locations such as resorts and hotels where other non-wedding-invited hotel guests or the public have access or can pass through a ceremony or reception area, it can be complete strangers. And finally, for off-site, non-hotel events where the caterer is brought in, I know first hand that many caterers,
Read More >>SBWCWE Consults With Party Time With Scott Topper TV Show For A Sparkling 2016
Event Industry Businesses & Professionals, Industry Shenanigans / 12.08.20150 comments
Event Professionals in a Moroccan Cabana for Episode 1 of Party Time with Scott Topper 2016
Party Time with Scott Topper has become one of the community’s most beloved local television features. Produced at independent studio TV Santa Barbara, the show’s founder, producer and host Scott Topper, is the first to admit that it’s like “community theater”. So, for someone like me whose background includes the theater arts, the local “feel” of folks putting in their heart and soul into an endeavor with a little quirky touch really appealed to me. When Scott asked me to co-produce and come up with a fresh concept for his 2016 shows, I was thrilled. I have worked with Scott for years professionally working weddings & events and having watched Party Time with Scott Topper, thought it would be a great opportunity to do one of the things that I do best: inspire with fresh
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Why Is There No Pricing Listed on your “Month-of” Package?
Blog, Event Planning Advice / 09.24.20150 comments
Photo by Stephanie Hogue
As you are perusing through our planning package suggestions and starting prices, you probably noticed that “Month of” is the only package that does not list a starting price. You may wonder, “Well, how am I supposed to know if you even are close to my budget without a price?” or , “I need some kind of guideline on what to expect, as I’m shopping for Coordinators and need to know roughly what your ‘Month of’ even starts at…”
Read More >>About Me
I am an Innovator. Inspirer. Story-teller. Believer in the magic of life and humanity.
