I just got an email from the oh-so-talent Laura Hooper about her new totes featuring her signature wedding maps. The tote comes in two styles:

Perfect for welcome bags, how stoked would your guests be to find this cute personalized bag stuffed with snacks and goodies waiting for them in their hotel rooms?

Photos by Mi Belle Photography.

As the last Shoesday of the year, I thought some extra glamour might be appropriate. Photo by Nato Welton.

Hey everyone, I just got some more photos of Hunt Drive furnished (so you can get an idea) and of the view on a sunny day. Enjoy! Photos by John Nathan.

This estate is located in Summerland (one exit south of Montecito) and is very serene with an outrageous view. Unfortunately the day I came by with Tim Halberg of Halberg Photographers (who shot these photos for me– big THANKS Tim!) it was a little gray outside. But as you can see above you do have a view of the islands and of the mountains. There is a pretty steep grade on the main lawn but a good rental company could level the space so you could take full advantage of the view. For a smaller group, say less than a 100 there is adequate space to setup a reception on the flat area.

The location is incredibly private and very serene. The house has an Asian influenced design and stunning wood work.

It’s currently unfurnished, but can be furnished and used for overnight accommodations if desired.

There is a firepit outside and it could be used for after dinner smores or as a lounge area.

The house’s grounds are landscaped with lush plants and bamboo.

There is also a hot tub off the master bedroom.

This is the entry to the house, very asian inspired and would be the perfect place for a pre-ceremony welcome drinks.

Above photo taken from the a wedding that was held here two years ago (above photo and bottom two by Mary Jane Photography).

But as you can see the view is completely uninterrupted and spectacular.

Here is a picture of the setup for this particular wedding.

Some notes: All rentals, tables/chairs/linens/china would need to be brought in. There is parking on site, but a shuttle would work well since there is an entrance and an exit gate on the property. There is plenty of power and some additional lighting is recommended. The kitchen is available to use, but some additional equipment would need to be brought in depending on your count. There is one bathroom on the second tier available for guest use, larger groups would need to bring in additional bathrooms. Site fee starts at $10,000 but is negotiable depending on the time of year. Since this is a brand new estate, all dates are currently available. Please call or email me at kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com for the owner’s contact info.

Last week I had the pleasure of letterpressing these holiday cards myself with the help of Megan at Nutmeg Press.

I love the little tree– so cute!

I opted to do two colors for this card. Each color means a separate run of the press and the clean up in the between is quite a smelly and toxic process.

Also I’m excited to announce that we have been added to the Santa Barbara Wedding Guide! Anyway, I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

On Tuesday, Sidney of SBB Catering hosted a lovely little Holiday party for Santa Barbara wedding vendors. The food was delicious (lobster canioli- yum!) and the service was impeccable. Stop on over to their website for more information.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting with the owner and chef of Seasons Catering Gabrielle Moes. The food at the tasting was delicious and Gabrielle was clearly passionate about serving catering food that is restaurant quality.

For more information check out their website here. (Photo by Melissa Musgrove)

A brand new Santa Barbara wedding estate has just become available for 2009. Located near the Santa Barbara Mission, “Las Tapias” is a lovely garden location.

It can accommodate up to 125 guests and a two nights stay in the location’s apartment is included in the site fee.

Ceremonies take place in front of the lovely fountain. Once the ceremony is over, the lawn is flipped for the reception.

Cocktails can be held on the patio and there is an outdoor fire place.

Some notes:

For catering a kitchen can be built in the garage. One bathroom is included in the rental, with additional units needing to be brought in. There is ample street parking. Candles are allowed in glass and additional lighting will need to be brought in. A dance floor cannot be put on the grass (there is a lower patio that would work well as a dance floor). As with all of Santa Barbara, music must be off by 10pm. The estate would like to hold only a handful of weddings per year. For more than a hundred guests, the site fee is $6000. Please contact Marilynn for more information at marilynnhelene@cox.net.

I have recently visited two new locations avaliable for weddings and private events. The first is Sycamore Estate, a vacation rental that allows wedding for up to 150 guests. The home has a very rustic, shabby chic kind of feel to it. Receptions take place in the backyard.

The home has three bedrooms and is avaliable for overnight accomodations (with kids it can sleep up to 11). Some notes: guests would need to be shuttled in, a kitchen would need to be setup in the garage, all tables/chairs/lighting would need to be brought in.

Vasquez Ranch is located in Gaviota and is very rustic, beautiful and private. The ceremony area is an oak grove (above) and the reception site is huge grassy lawn nestled in between two hills. The location can hold up to 300 guests and is $7450 to rent. This location is 100% raw, power, bathrooms, the catering kitchen, and all rentals will need to be brought in. Valet and a shuttle are also required since the ceremony and reception sites are at two different locations.

These shoes are so adorable, I the love the bow on the toe of the shoe. Shoes by Valentino, photo by Katie Moos.

I love dance shots from weddings. They’re always my favorite candid shoots of the day.

Plus, when the bride and groom dance, everyone dances.

And after all the work of wedding planning who doesn’t need to cut loose?

Images: 1. Halberg Photographers 2. Cameron Ingalls 3. Jeff Newsom

I love the idea of the couple including their dog as party of their wedding celebration.

Whether acting as ring bearer or just apart of photos, it can be an easy personalizing touch to any wedding.

When planning to include your dog in your wedding day make sure somebody is in charge of taking care of your dog and you have an exit plan for when they’ll need to go home or to the kennel. And keep in mind, if you’re dog doesn’t do well around crowds, then including them in your day may not be such a good idea.

In which case, an m&m portrait might be a good solution (I was a little weirded out when the face m&ms came out, but here it is used in a cute, non-creepy way).

Images: 1. Katie Moos 2. Jose Villa 3. Jeff Newsom

I love when a bride and groom have fun posing with their getaway transporation. Here again, is another place to add a personal touch to your wedding day…

Hot vintage sportscar and a hot couple, need I say more?

Baby blue bike and a just married sign, such a lovely detail.

Fun couple + Vespa = one of a kind photo

A tandem bike? Even better!

1. Halberg Photographers 2. Elizabeth Messina 3. Red Photo Co. via Snippet & Ink 4. Jose Villa

What’s better than one pair of hot shoes? How about 5 pairs?

Photo by Melissa Musgrove.

Today’s photo comes from Halberg Photographers. I love the contrast in color and texture between the black patent leather pumps and the yellow/orange calla lillies.