I love me a good barn, and the one at Rancho Dos Pueblos is a favorite. Orginally built in 1917, it features open sides (so you can see the surround ranch) and can seat 250 comfortably.

Ceremonies can take place just accross from the barn at this 300 year sequoia tree. I have a wedding taking place here next year and I cannot wait!

To see photos of a wedding at the barn check out these via Oncewed. You can contact the ranch here.

Some notes:

• All rentals- tables/chairs/linen need to be brought in
• Bathroom units need to be brought in
• A catering kitchen would need to be brought in
• There is some power to the barn, but a generator is required for most weddings
• Parking is available, though a shuttle is recommended.
• Music must be off at 10pm.

Since  I’m playing mad catch up today and prepping for a week of meetings. I thought I’d share an inspiration board that some of my new readers may have missed.This board was inspired by berries, but it could easily be translated to a Fourth of July Wedding. And now onto the post:

I love summer berries and I think the deep reds and blues are the perfect inspiration for a late summer wedding. I picture this wedding taking place at a family farm, the bride would wear a bold red dress, and guests would be treated to refreshing berry drinks.

Description: Berries, Barn, Fashion-forward, red & blue

Images from left to right, top to bottom: {Row 1} 1. via Tartelette 2. La Vie Photography 3. Helen Norman 4. Gemma Comas {Row 2 } 1. Anna Kern 2. via small stump + studio choo 3. Lisa Lefkowitz {Row 3} 1. Daniel Farmer 2. Anna Kern 3. Lisa Lefkowitz

I love the idea of using strawberries to anchor the event design for a wedding. I mean who doesn’t like strawberries? I picture this wedding taking place at a charming B & B. The wedding would be small and intimate and there would be loads of bubbly and delicious strawberries to snack on. Local, organic food would make up the rest of the menu and be served picnic style, all on a warm spring day.

Description: Strawberry decor, red & white stripes & checks, wedding picnic

Images, from left to right, top to bottom: {Row 1} 1. Lacey Style 2. Alexandra Grablewski 3. Kristi Blunt for Martha Stewart Weddings { Row 2} 1. Thayer Allyson Gowdy 2. Polly Wreford 3. Miki Duisterhof {Row 3} 1. Dasha Wright 2. Open Air Photography 3. Anna Skoog

I love vintage suitcases and I thought holding fans would be so cute.

I tied grosgrain ribbons in two colors to the base of the fans to add some color.

For the flower girls I found these copper candles holders that were the perfect scale for their baskets.

I tied each side with grosgrain ribbon and filled them with baby’s breath.

The flower girls were too cute!

For favors, Santa Barbara Preserves made rose jelly and put these in adorable mini canning jars.

We used the same dashed pattern on the napkin as a border for the label. Santa Barbara Preserves custom made rose jelly, but she can make any flavor (her habanero raspberry jam is so good!)

Photos: Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie

Favors: Santa Barbara Preserves

Design: Kelly Oshiro Events

There was this great rusted fence at Stow House and I thought it was the perfect place for the seating cards. Betsy Dunlap did the calligraphy and I clipped the little cards to the fence with mini clothespins.

Instead of making up faux guest names, I used some of my favorite authors as “guests” for at my Anthropologie wedding. I love George Eliot and Betsy’s calligraphy makes her name so pretty (and its an awesome keepsake for my office!).

For the invitation design I gave Megan of Nutmeg Press, three sources of inspiration: I wanted an aqua  fade with the couples names in white and to use the pattern and color of the napkin fabric for the design inspiration. And this what this what she created:

The blue fade is so pretty and subtle and the copper dashes tie in perfectly with the napkin pattern.

The menu cards were little booklets the size of a business card with all the courses on each page. It was bound with copper thread. I was so in love with the invitations and Betsy calligraphy they are definitely getting framed and hung somewhere in my office!

Photos: Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photography

Invitations: Nutmeg Press

Calligraphy: Betsy Dunlap

Design: Kelly Oshiro Events

Location: Stow House

I’m so happy to announce the Santa Barbara Wedding Guide now has its very own blog! I’ll be contributing to this blog periodically and today my post about Rockwood and my wedding is up here. Be sure to check back for Santa Barbara real wedding features, vendor spotlights, inspiration and so much more.

Dos Pueblos Ranch is a beautiful 3000 acre ranch that can host Santa Barbara weddings on its own private beach. For the ceremony, there are two options: one is on the beach itself, and the other is high on the bluffs overlooking the beach.

The jagged cliff side makes a stunning backdrop, and the white beach is the ideal location for a couple looking to get married with their toes in the sand. The bluff location is equally as beautiful, but requires a bit of a walk to get to (a staircase followed by a short uphill walk). For the elderly, renting a golf cart would be ideal.

For receptions there are again two options, each adjacent to one of the ceremony locations. By the beach is a parking lot that could be used for the reception as is or tented (I would recommend a clear tent), and carpeted for a more finished appearance. Alternatively, the bluff reception location has a large grassy field that would be ideal for a daytime event. Once night falls, the bluffs and hillside can be quite dangerous for guests (especially for those who have enjoyed too much wine).

You can contact the ranch here.

Some notes:

• All items need to be brought in, including bathroom/tables/chairs/kitchen/lighting/power.
• Small & large events are welcome.
• Music can go until 10pm.
• Candles in glass are allowed as long as they are set on tables.
• There is guest parking on site.
• Valet is not required but suggested due to length of walk to beach.
• No dressing area for bride available.
• Please call for the site fee.

The house on the Rancho Dos Pueblos has a relaxed elegance and old world charm that is entirely one of a kind. The drive up to the house is something out of an old movie, there is a long circular drive, a large magnolia tree greets guests, and then you proceed down and around the palm tree lined drive. The home itself has lovely chandeliers and a relaxed (not fussy) elegance to it. Truly the jewel of this location is the stunning backyard lawn. Surrounded by a grove of Morton Bay Fig trees (the facility manager believes them to the be oldest in the states) the lawn is just like taking a step back in time.

The front lawn is another option for Santa Barbara weddings, and could be a great place for the ceremony or reception (that magnolia tree would be so gorgeous in photos!)

The house can be rented for the weekend and can sleep from 8 to 10 people. So you could have your rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch at the the house– truly the ideal location for a Santa Barbara destination wedding! The rooms are furnished in a relaxed and elegant style as featured in the rest of the house, and there’s a lovely room for the bride to get ready in.

The elegant dining room.

The master bedroom and getting ready area for the bride.

One of the guest bedrooms with a very nice view! You can contact the ranch here.

Some notes:

• A kitchen would need to be rented.
• Guests would need to be shuttled from the guest parking area.
• Power for the DJ & lighting will need to be brought in.
• Bathrooms must be brought in to accommodate for the older plumbing in the house.
• All rentals including tables/chairs will need to be brought in.
• Valet is recommended, but not required.
• Music can go until 12am.
• Site capacity is 300.

First up the lovely couple. I love the light in this photo.

The bride wore a lovely Carolina Herrera dress.

And the bridesmaids, all 12 of them, yes 12, wore adorable JCrew dresses that featured pockets!

This was by far the largest bridal party I’ve worked with. When I lined them up for the ceremony I had serious Madeline flashbacks (you know that kid’s book?)

The ring bearer, Pepper. This was seriously the best behaved dog I’ve met.

The bride’s bouquet by Curly Willow featured parrot tulips, oncidium orchids, blueperum and maidenhair fern.

Since there were so many of bridesmaids, I suggest they carry a simple poesy of mango calla lilies tied with a burnt orange ribbon.

Pepper didn’t join the processional, but instead delivered the rings when called by the maid of honor at the right moment. Seriously, the best behaved dog ever.

All photos by Harper Smith Photography.

I’m really digging dark these purple-gray shoes. So modern and fabulous. Photo by Natalie Moser.

Last week I had the privilege of touring the newly renovated Villa de la Guerra. A historic estate, it feels like a miniature version of the Getty Villa and its proximity to the Mission can’t be beat.

Since its a historic property the owners would love to host rehearsal dinners and a handful of weddings a year.

The backyard features a beautiful pool and the surrounding lawn could accommodate up to 125 guests.The outdoor patio would make a lovely setting for a rehearsal dinner (one long table would be fun) or as the backdrop for a ceremony.

The indoor courtyard may be used for cocktail hour, though the rest of the house is off limits.

Guests could enter through the back gate, which would be a nice option if the ceremony was at the Mission (its literally across the street).

Some notes:

• Smoking is strictly prohibited on property.
• Bathrooms, catering kitchen and all rentals would need to be brought in.
• Additional lighting would need to be brought in.
• There is ample street parking, but valet is highly recommended.
• Candles are allowed in glass.
• Music must be off at 10pm.
• All trash needs to removed from the property at the end of the night.

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

Manolos? Umm, yeah!!! Photo by Cooper Carras.

These gold sparkly shoes by Jean-Michel Cazabat are too fabulous. Avaliable here.

Sapphires? Yes, please! Photo by Vallentyne Photography.

I’m been very much in need of color lately, and I when I found this colorful star burst photo (second row, center) by Karen Wise, I just had to do an inspiration board based on it. I picture all the bridesmaids wearing whichever color they prefer in that palette, deep pink peonies, and lots of sweets.

Description: Shades of Pink, Aqua, candy, peonies, colorful

Images from left to right, top to bottom: {Row 1} 1. Trine Horsen 2. Gentl & Hyers 3. Kelli Jo Flikr 4. Amy Atlas photo by Gemma Comas {Row 2} 1. Kate French 2. Karen Wise 3. Gertrude & Mabel {Row 3} 1. Leo Patrone 2. Gemma Comas 3. Adrienne Page