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…”
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Bacara Resort Wedding| Photo Credit: Michael Costa
I admit it. I have had some of the world’s best service training and have integrated many of these practices into my business and brand. And yet, I still always consider the nature of the event, the circumstance and have a keen appreciation for humanity in all its facets, styles, and also fully acknowledge everyone has a different style of “getting it done” at the end of the day. And yet. And yet…..
Read More >>The Number One Possible Hidden Element in Some Catering Bids That Every Bride Should Know
Event Planning Advice, News, Rants / 08.18.20150 comments
Photo Credit: MiBelle Photography
At Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events, we have a required “Full Service Caterer” list from which our clients must hire. These professionals already adhere to service basics in producing weddings and events. They know that the caterer’s job is more than just to provide good food. They are the backbone of a successful event: from coordinating rentals to set up, breakdown, proper clean-up, timing, and so much more. Plus, they provide one of the most essential elements of any good caterer, and that is the element of pre – event day planning and communication with a dedicated representative that will be with you in the planning stages of your event. The latter is not always reflected on a catering proposal, and not paying attention to this can cost one dearly “day of”, or in unexpected charges from the sub-standard caterer (or other service providers who have to do extra work to accommodate what the caterer should have been doing to begin with).
Read More >>Behind-the-Scenes Services Your Coordinator Performs That You May Never Know About
Blog, Rants / 07.19.20150 comments
Photo by Tim Halberg
An experienced, professional wedding consultant is worth their weight in gold. And then some. Predicting and preventing crises before they happen has always been a part of our “legendary event planning expertise” we offer clients. But perhaps just as important, is our trademark that includes how we make people feel at the end of the event day. This includes our clients, every guest interaction and vendors, too.
We receive inquiries on our services and many are simply looking at price alone. And while we feel we offer significant value for our highly unique professional background and experience, our clients are also paying for our attention to detail in those moments and for those details in which we are not technically contracted. Here are just a few examples of what we (and many professional coordinators) are doing behind the scenes to make your wedding and event a seamless and stress-free affair:
Read More >>Marissa & Curt’s Nuptials: The Four Seasons Biltmore Experience
Blog, Real Weddings / 07.19.20150 comments
As a Santa Barbara Wedding Planner, I’m frequently asked which Santa Barbara wedding locations exude 
quintessential Santa Barbara timeless elegance , incredible views, luxury hospitality and offer value for their spending plan, as well. It may sound like a tall order to fill, but the reality is The Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara has been fulfilling this for decades, all in a legendary ocean-view setting. From celebrity clientele to those with more limited wedding spending plans, the Catering Sales and Event Professionals at Four Seasons have options for almost every style and budget. The pricing at Four Seasons offers value for what is received. You won’t have to think about a thing being taken care of, how to time your food and beverage courses, if the set up is as you intended, etc. Every detail is tended to with care and love and each sumptuous course arrives fresh and as it was intended to be experienced. The Four Seasons offers something very unique that many catered events for large groups simply cannot offer for those who desire it: “Tableside Choice” for dinner. This means that
When East Coast Meets the West Coast at Heartstone Ranch | Shannon & Mark
Blog, Real Weddings / 05.12.20150 comments
With this couple’s dynamic background combining the West Coast television industry with East Coast elegance, refinement and
tradition, Shannon and Mark’s wedding was a beautiful blend of “upscale fun”, all in the relaxed ocean-view setting of private estate Heartstone Ranch. Catered by Tagine Beverly Hills, the cuisine was a beautiful hybrid of California -meets-Moroccan and all the special touches throughout the event made this a memorable one for all the guests, who came from both East and West Coast to celebrate with this dynamic couple and their families.
Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort has been hosting memorable weddings for generations. In fact, it has been the locale of celebrity nuptials starting with Clark Gable and Lady Sylvia many years ago. Besides offering picture-perfect backdrops for the nature and woodland-inspired wedding, the main ranch offers exclusivity for wedding couples, their families and guests, with a ranch buy-out (or in some cases, a “partial” buy-out). Alisal is not a typical hotel and because it focuses on a dedicated daily “program” for guests that is part of the Alisal legendary guest experience, all weddings require a “buy-out” of some kind, so Alisal can deliver the experience and service for which it is known. There are several options for Alisal Guest Ranch weddings and receptions and one of our absolute favorites is
Catering Connection Private Tasting Room | Photo by Matt Roberts of Rewind Photography
Many wedding clients feel that a mass-produced meal event could not have the quality and caliber of an intimate more private dinner for two at one of the area’s leading restaurants. Santa Barbara has several leading full-service caterers that prove otherwise and one of them – who just celebrated 20 years in business as one of the area’s finest- Catering Connection– confirmed just that. Using only the freshest produce and ingredients, Catering Connection clients are always
Read More >>The Appetizer Wedding Reception : What Doesn’t Work & Two Solutions
Blog, Event Planning Advice / 04.08.20150 comments
Photo Credit: Chelsea Elizabeth
Every wedding and special event has a spending plan. Whether you have $2,000 or $2million, at some point, one has to make choices. One of the ways many couples decide to save money on their wedding reception food and beverage (the largest “slice” of the wedding budget) is by nixing a formal meal plan altogether. This is fine in theory, but if not done properly, guests end up paying the price and all that will be remembered was a miserable wedding.
Read More >>When a Workshop Is Held In a Wedding Chapel | Weddings at The Grand Sierra
Blog, Event Industry Businesses & Professionals, Industry Shenanigans, Special Events / 01.28.20150 comments
When NACE Reno/Tahoe asked me to do a workshop on generating immediate revenue for wedding businesses for my other company division, Engaging Inspiration, I was delighted. When I found out that my presentation was going to be in the newly-renovated wedding chapel of The Grand Sierra Resort, I was absolutely tickled. I love originality and creative locations and how could a presenter ask for a more elegant setting for a wedding industry presentation than in a wedding chapel?
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I am an Innovator. Inspirer. Story-teller. Believer in the magic of life and humanity.
