I had the pleasure of touring this glamorous new estate, Villa Esperanza, a few weeks ago. High in the hills of Montecito, it features sweeping views of the ocean, islands and Santa Barbara harbor. Receptions and ceremonies can take place on the helicopter pad which is adjacent to the house.

Its also avaliable for overnight accommodations and sleeps up to 8 guests. Can you imagine waking up here on your wedding day?

The whole back of the house slides open and runs into the gorgeous infinity pool. To one side of the house is palapa which would be a great area for after dinner cigars and scotch. For more information visit Santa Barbara Exclusive Rentals!

Some notes:

• The max guest count is 100.
• Music must be off at 10pm.
• Ceremonies can take place on the lawn and then guests could move to the back patio while that area is reset for reception.
• Additional lighting is required for the helicopter pad area.
• All guests would need to be shuttled.
• All rentals, tables, chairs, linen, china/glassware/flatware would need to be rented.
• At minimum a “day of” coordinator needs to be present on wedding day.
• Rentals can be delivered the Friday before and picked up that Sunday.
• There is a separate service entrance and parking for vendors.
• There is a kitchen on site and can be used for weddings, though there is a garage as well that would work for a kitchen if needed.

Across the street from the main Four Seasons (more information on that site later) is the Coral Casino Club. Originally opened in 1937 it has been under renovation the last two years. After September 1st, 2008 the La Pacifica Ballroom will be available for weddings and events.

The venue is the most modern space I’ve seen in Santa Barbara and the views of the ocean are gorgeous.

Ceremonies can be held on the patio, as well as cocktails. You could even tent out here, and create a cabana if you want (just make sure the tent isn’t higher than the second floor).

Some notes:

• The inside ballroom features large columns & a distinct coral wallpaper.
• Drapery and lighting can be used to transform the decor and theme of the space.
• Four Seasons cater all food and beverage, including the cake.
• Catering menu is charged per person.
• Bar fees are charged on consumption (ie no bar packages).
• There is a food and beverage minimum, which depends on the season.
• A 20% service charge (standard for hotels) & taxes will be applied.

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

[Top photo from the Coral Casino Club website]

Finding a rehearsal dinner location can be hard especially when you don’t live in town. To help destination brides avoid tourist traps I will be featuring local restaurants that have good food and service.

To start this series I have to feature one of my favorite restaurants and actually where I held my rehearsal dinner, Arnoldi’s. It’s off the beaten path on Cota & Olive streets and is known for being a locals hang out. For events Arnoldi’s can accommodate 20 to 100 guests easily. The menu for rehearsal dinners ranges from $28 to $35 per person and included appetizers, salad, and two choices for the entree. Wine starts at $27 per bottle.
Parties can be held in the back room which features a large mural of Lake Como or outside on the patio which features two large bocce courts. The ambience is warm, friendly, and very relaxed. If you go, you must try their lasagna its sooo good.

Called the “Jewel of the Gaviota Coast,” Arroyo Hondo is a beautiful nature preserve, with limited events held each year. There are several locations to choose from for the reception and ceremony site, from the rustic barn area to the sweeping meadow which is a short car ride away.

The verdant meadow is on a slight incline and has a breath taking view of the mountains.

Overall, the location is absolutely stunning and shows the visitor what Santa Barbara must have looked like 100 years ago. For the adventurous, out-doorsy couple who loves nature this location would be a great choice.

Some notes:

• Holds less than 8 weddings a year.
• Music can go until 12am.
• Candles can be used if they are in glass containers & are not placed on the ground.
• Everything would need to be brought in, including a kitchen, lights, tables, chairs, linens, etc.
• Shuttles would need to brought in for transport throughout the location.
• Renting bathrooms is recommended; a few porta potties are available.
• A generator is recommended as electricity is limited.
• Bridal dressing area is available in a historic cabin built in the late 19th century.

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

For the ceremony I knew I wanted to focus on organic elements. I used white marble rocks to line the aisle, with pillar candles tucked in and then I rented simple white square pillars from my florist. Set a top the columns, my lovely florist found the perfect large white bowls to tuck mood moss and large succulents in. My inspiration came from a wedding I saw in Martha Stewart where small bowls of moss were used for tabletop decor.

I also used ribbon to mark off the front row as reserved seating and placed packets of tissue on each seat (I know my family, they’re criers all right!). I also used ribbon to block off the aisle way from guests so my rocks would stay straight. Finally, I draped some simple sheer green fabric over the tree branch to create a modified a-line huppa. The green fabric was held down with 2′ x 4’s and then covered with more rocks which echoed the aisle decor. I originally was going to hang a capiz shell chandelier from the tree, but it was so windy I decided to nix it. In the end, I think it looked better without it. Enjoy!

For my wedding I knew I wanted a look that was simple, organic, elegant, and modern. My original colors were brown, chartreuse, coral, and white. But as time went by I got more and more sick of brown, so I started to play with the idea of classic black and white. I ended up with several shades of green, a rich, Kelly green (no pun intended), a celadon green and crisp black and white.

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On Stearn’s Wharf is a little known venue, the Ty Warner Sea Center. Located at the end of the wharf it has a spectacular 360 degree view of the city, ocean, and islands. The location rental includes the Sea Center building, which can hold about 60 for a plated dinner and a huge private outdoor deck that can hold 300 or so. The outdoor deck is by far the most spectacular feature of this location, the view and the decor possibilities are endless.

The best part is that the rental fee is extremely reasonable, one of the lowest I’ve seen to date.

Some notes:

• All rentals including a kitchen will need to be brought in.
• Equipment delivery can be done the day before, but setup can’t occur until the day of the event and equipment must be picked up at the end of the event.
• A/V system is available.
• Dressing area for the bride is available.
• Music can go until 11pm.
• For events under 80 guests, parking is $8 per car.
• For events over 80 guests, a shuttle will need to be brought in.

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

Sorry to all my readers for lagging with posts… I was off getting married! I’m eagerly awaiting pictures (above is a picture I took of all the centerpieces on my kitchen floor) and I want to thank all of my amazing vendors:

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Off East Valley Road in Montecito, Deacon Hill features awesome views of the ocean and mountains. The location is a private home and hosts only 14 events a year and is not open during the rainy season. A ranch style California house, it could easily lend itself to a variety of decor looks.

Some notes:

• 125 is maximum guest count.
• The location is outdoor only, with events taking place around the black bottom pool.
• All rentals need to be brought in, including linens, tables, bathrooms etc.
• An outdoor fire place is available for use
• Amplified music can go until 10pm.
• You would need to be bring in catering
• Kitchen can be used for events.
• There are horses in the front yard!

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

On the corner of De la Guerra and Santa Barbara streets is the charming Santa Barbara Historical Museum. An entirely outdoor location it features two lovely courtyards with bubbling fountains surrounded by an adobe cloister. The feel is very Santa Barbara-esque, relaxed, warm and inviting which would be perfect for a destination wedding.

Ceremony usually take place under the veranda.

Some notes:

• The location can accommodate up to 300 guests with a dance floor.
• Amplified music is allowed until 10pm.
• Parking will need to be arranged separately.
• All rentals will need to be brought in.
• There is no kitchen on site
• The grounds are not paved.

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

About 15 miles north of Santa Barbara is a private ranch called Orella. It has been owned by the same family for the last 8 generations and it is truly a gorgeous, rustic location. Ceremonies take place at either Sky Island or the Lone Oak.

Sky Island has a breathtaking view of the Channel Islands and 360 degree views of the mountains.

Receptions are held down the hill at The Oaks which has views of the mountains and ocean and features a 300 year old Oak tree.

To the right of the tree is another ocean view.

Some notes:

• Since this is private property events can go to all hours.
• No candles or open flames allowed.
• High heels are not recommended.
• String lights and bathrooms are included in the rental price.
• All other rentals would need to be brought in.

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

Stella Mare’s is an acclaimed Montecito restaurant specializing in wine country cuisine (good for rehearsal dinners) that also owns an event location off Las Positas. It has an undeniable French country charm about it and a cute patio with a mountain view.

With dinner menus starting at $39 per person,and bar service for $20 for full unlimited well bar, a $2500 rental fee, it is definitely an affordable option.

As a bonus, parties can go to 1am, unusual in Santa Barbara.

A hidden gem up Mission Canyon Road is the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens. A site that is not used a lot for weddings because there are numerous restrictions for events (it is a collection of rare plants) it is truly a one of kind venue. The main wedding location is the meadow which has an ocean view and in the spring time is a field of California poppies in beautiful gold and orange tones.

For pictures, there is red wood grove, a creek, and a ton of other options. For the couple that loves nature this is the venue for you.

Some notes:

• Events must end by 9pm.
• NO SMOKING is allowed anywhere on the property.
• All rentals would need to be brought in, including kitchen.
• Additional lighting is recommended.

The most popular location in Santa Barbara is the Santa Barbara Zoo. It is also very reasonable priced (though you should book early!). A site for ceremonies of up 250 or for reception of up 200, the Zoo has a variety of fun, wild locations to chose from. The Cabrillo lawn, for ceremonies, has a lovely view of the oceans and palm trees.

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The Santa Barbara Natural History Museum is located right down the road for the Santa Barbara Mission and has a charming creek which runs through the property. A grove of Oak trees surrounds the rustic ceremony location that can seat up to 150 guests and is perfect for a woodsy, Santa Barbara Wedding.

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