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).

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.

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

Paulette, a macaroon bakery based in Beverly Hills has tons of fun colors and flavors that would make for the perfect, tasty, wedding favor. Their mini-box, comes with 2 cookies for $4 (minimum 10 boxes) are super chic and affordable. Orders can be placed online and picked up at their Beverly Hills Store (hopefully they’ll start shipping nationwide soon).

Raspberry rose… how pretty are these?

Sicilian pistachio, yum!

Today’s photo comes from Susan Bordelon, a photographer based in LA. I love the intense aqua blue behind these simple and chic Jimmy Choos.

The lovely Katie Moos sent me these shoes photos from a recent wedding. They’re Prada baby! I love the silk rose, its so feminine and so modern.

They even look, dare I say it— comfortable?

I love creating little memorable details at weddings that are both beautiful and practical. Maps are a good example of this meeting of pretty and functional. If you’re planning a wedding, whether a destination wedding or a barbecue at your parent’s home– include a map, your guests will thank you!

From Sugarplum Invitations are these gorgeous letterpress maps. Your guests will get to your wedding with ease and have great keepsakes of your day.

From Laura Hooper Calligraphy, these hand drawn maps are whimiscal and feminine. I love the detail of the cows in love!

For those of you on a budget, Moments of Color, can create custom map designs for around $60.00

Because I think everyone needs a regular shoe fix, every Tuesday will be Shoesday here at Santa Barbara Wedding Chic. This week our photo comes from Ryan Phillips Photography. How fabulous are these sparkly pink shoes?

I thought I’d end the week with some truly delicious eye candy. I love antique engagement rings, the craftsmanship, the plethora of designs. These rings are truly portable works of art. I am biased to art deco rings, my wedding ring is vintage deco. But, I think we can all agree that these art deco engagement rings from Fay Cullen are to die for.

(more…)

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of recording a show for the “Meet the Bloggers” section on The Wedding Planning Audiocast. The Audiocast is a great resource with tons of interviews with such wedding professionals as Mindy Weiss, Sylvia Weinstock, Michelle Rago and Marcy Blum. Other bloggers featured have been Abby from Style Me Pretty, Kathryn from Snippet & Ink and Janie from The Bride’s Cafe.

It is a great resource for any bride and will definitely help guide you through the planning process.

Check out my interview with Ralph and learn about what goes on behind the scenes here at Santa Barbara Wedding Chic. You can check out my interview here. Enjoy!

Music is a key component to any party, and a good wedding DJ is huge part of making your wedding celebration a success. Finding a DJ who isn’t hokey and who will respect your musical taste while balancing it with what’s appropriate for your guests is no easy task. When meeting with a DJ, if he doesn’t have forms to fill out, doesn’t have some system to get to know your musical taste, or doesn’t show any interest in getting to know what gets you dancing, walk away. You are looking for someone who is trying to figure out what you like and dislike; if the interest level isn’t there at the inital meeting, it won’t magically appear the day of your wedding. Believe me, if you aren’t dancing at your wedding, your guests won’t be either.

(more…)

I love showcasing the best of Santa Barbara and Christine Dahl Pastries is just that. Christine has been in business for the past thirteen years and runs a boutique company focused on fresh ingredients and great taste. And her cakes are beautiful to boot! She has also been featured in In Style, Inside Weddings, just to name a few.

I love this simple white and green cake with the tiny pipped details. Plus, I’m always a sucker for cymbidiums.

(more…)

Catering is probably going to be the most expensive line item in your budget. Many brides will try to save money by cutting down on the number of floor staff/bartenders they have. Having worked in catering and events since I was 19, I know this consistently spells disaster. If you cut down on labor that means your servers will work twice as hard and guests will wait twice as long. I always tell my Brides, if you got to a five star restaurant and get great food, but it takes an hour to arrive and the server never brings your glass of wine, will you go back? Probably not. Likewise, even if your tables are beautiful and the food is delicious if service is bad, that is all your guests will remember.

A wedding should make the guest feel warm and welcome, food and drink should magically appear, water glasses should be refilled without asking and wine should be graciously offered when your glass is low. When service is at this level, there is a sense of ease that permeates your event which means your guests will have a great time and the catering staff themselves will be happy. I always say, if the staff are happy, your guests are happy.

One of my favorite brunch spots in Santa Barbara is Andersen’s, located on State Street. It is both a bakery and a restaurant, and it can accommodate a group of up to 20 in their upstairs room. The decor is very feminine and french country and you just can’t help but feel happy inside.

(more…)

Twin Peaks Ranch is a gorgeous, relatively new location out in Ojai. To get to the ranch you drive through downtown Ojai and past the Sunkist orchards. The ranch is a private home and hosts only 8 wedding a year.

It has areas for both ceremonies, cocktail hour and the reception. The ceremony area is called “Cathedral Oaks,” because the oak trees bend overhead creating this natural, ceiling that is just magical.

The cocktail area is between the ceremony and reception location and has a stunning view of the Ojai valley.

The reception area has the same view of the Ojai Valley and features a pool and fireplace which make a perfect lounge area.

Some notes:

• The reception area can hold up to 200, but 150 is recommended for the site.
• Valet and shuttles are required for guest parking,
• All rentals would need to be brought in, including bathrooms,kitchen and some additional lighting.
• Dressing areas for both the bride & groom are available.

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