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?
Complimentary Firestone, Foley & Lincourt Wedding Planning Guide Announced
Blog, Event Industry Businesses & Professionals, Event Planning Advice, News / 01.22.20150 comments
Planning a Santa Barbara wine country wedding at the world-renowned locales of the Foley Family Wine Group just got a lot easier. Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings and Events introduces a Wedding Planning Guide customized to each Foley Family Winery : Firestone Winery, Foley Estates Vineyard and Winery and Lincourt Winery. Each beautiful & distinct property has an infinite number of possibilities and this guide walks you through the possibilities of each site, all while maintaining FFW’s policies and unique logistics and considerations in mind, so you are assured of a seamless event.
So You Saved A Few Dollars Hiring a Coordinator for a Few Hours Only. Congratulations. It Shows.
Blog, Rants / 12.04.20140 comments
Photo by Mary Jane Weddings | Location: San Ysidro Guest Ranch
“Oh, I’m really hands on,” the caller says to me during our initial interview. “I will do all my own planning. I just need a few things put out and someone to direct vendors, day-of.” This is generally where our conversation and interview end or, if they are genuinely interested in the expertise of a professional, I can provide some education that helps to re-direct their thought premise. The fatal thinking behind this notion is simply this: the caller is most likely doing wedding planning for the first time and as a seasoned wedding professional, this is my approximate six hundredth. There is no such thing as a “hands on” bride who can flawlessly execute her wedding planning solo and have it turn out seamless. It is because of this:
Read More >>When It’s Time to Get Real About Your Wedding Venue & Budget. Top 3 Mistakes Clients Make
Blog, Event Planning Advice / 10.04.20140 comments
It’s time for a reality check. After hundreds of weddings, I see this almost all the time: couples come to our world-renowned Santa Barbara including its beautiful wine country and see the epic resorts, private estates, ranches, beaches and wineries and they are smitten. This is one of the reasons I’m so proud to call this place home and specialize in weddings in America’s Riviera. The location options afford a unique wedding experience for the wedding couple that they – and their guests- will remember for a lifetime.
That said, with venue rentals ranging $7,000-$10,000+ just for the location (and often locations with incredible restrictions), many newly-engaged wedding-location- seekers are so star struck when they find that “perfect” venue that is “the” one, they will do whatever it takes at any cost to host their wedding at that location. This means that they will
Read More >>Fresh Holiday Party Trends for 2014
Blog, Event Planning Advice, Special Events / 09.25.20140 comments
Photo: Hotel Kings Court
With the corporate economy improving, the company holiday party has returned. However, after having such a hard-hit economy with individuals and companies struggling the last several years, many company parties are returning to a holiday party experience with a conscience. They are also offering an “experience” for guests and not just a meal with a DJ (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
The latest trends include:
Read More >>Wine Country Wedding at the Mission and Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort
Blog, Real Weddings / 09.19.20140 comments
Lauren and Brian chose the Santa Ynez Mission to exchange vows for their wedding ceremony. For their reception, they chose a location that had been a family vacation tradition with Lauren’s family for years: Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort. The Sycamore Room, which is adjacent creekside to lush trees and the main entrance of the ranch, offers tranquility with soft , plentiful lawn space, all with the sound of a soft creek running nearby for cocktail hour. Inside, for dinner, guests enjoyed a cozy roaring fire in the river rock fireplace and sounds of
l-r : Jill Remy of Jill&Co, Cori Lassahn of Avante Events & Kerry Lee Dickey of Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events
There are those moments in life when you truly realize that the pretense of what you are doing on the surface has actually little to nothing to do with the “real” moment you are supposed to be experiencing. Such was last night at Trattoria Grappolo‘s in Santa Ynez, in the heart of Santa Barbara’s wine country.
The invitation said simply to come for
Read More >>About Me
I am an Innovator. Inspirer. Story-teller. Believer in the magic of life and humanity.
