REAL WEDDING: MONTECITO ESTATE I

This wedding was a gift I never expected. It was mid June when I got a call from my friend Kristin at Pure Joy Catering ... one of their clients needed a wedding coordinator. For June 25th! I had the day open and love any excuse to work with Kristin and Pure Joy, so I rolled up my sleeves and jumped in.

I wish I could take credit for any of the loveliness involved, but the client (a former interior designer herself) had planned everything with impeccable taste. And she had put together an amazing team to execute the details with perfection. Just look at these gorgeous photos by Allyson Magda!

The seat cards for the ceremony are the one detail I do take credit for.
I stayed up for hours crafting these the night before!

Don't get me wrong, it's a whole lot of work walking into a wedding with less than two weeks to pull it together. But what a gift. And what a wonderful couple and family. Congratulations!!

More tomorrow from the A-team!
Wedding Coordination by Donna Romani Events
Allyson Magda Photography
Pure Joy Catering
Nico Designs SB
Discount Party Rentals
LBPS Events
Signature Valet & Shuttles
Andromeda String Quartet
Red Shoe LA DJ

SANTA BARBARA MAGAZINE

LOVE to see one of my all-time favorite couples in this month's Santa Barbara Magazine!

Check out photos from their wedding here. And kudos to the fabulous Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie for the lovely magazine-worthy images. xo!

Vendor Spotlight: Main Course Catering

Rachel Main is a culinary genius. I recently had the pleasure of visiting with the Executive Chef and Owner of Main Course California at her bistro in Ventura. She treated me to a simple lunch that tasted anything but. A roasted veggie sandwich that melted in your mouth and could have been chocolate cake it was SO good, and a roasted tomato basil soup that must have been fresh from the garden. I mean, who craves a roasted veggie sandwich and tomato basil soup the way they crave chocolate cake? I do. Now, I do.


Rachel has cooked side by side with some of the biggest chefs in the country (ever heard of Thomas Keller and The French Laundry?), but she is completely down-to-earth. Very sweet and helpful, she wants her guests to enjoy every bite of her food. Menus are customized and everything is excellent. Contact Main Course to cater your next wedding or event, and if you're in Ventura, stop by her unassuming little Bistro for lunch or dinner. Totally worth it!

OMNI FRESCO CATERING

One word: YUM. I recently worked with Sarah Dandona of Omni Fresco Catering and was blown away by her professionalism and enthusiasm. And that was even before I tasted the food!!

Everything about this company is fabulous. The food - fabulous. The service - fabulous. The presentation - Faaaaabulooous. Just check out some of their stuff:

Individual Paella samplers - SO good!

Roasted Veggies exciting - oh yeah!

And you should have seen the display for the Bananas Foster station - the table was almost as pretty as the Bananas Foster was good ... almost (That Bananas Foster was outrageous).

Available for weddings, private parties and corporate events. Contact Sarah at Omni for more information at info@omnicateringsb.com.

Thank you Linda Chaja for the gorgeous photos!

SANTA BARBARA WEDDING COUTURE: THE PICS

Table Design by Donna Romani Events and Blue Magnolia Floral & Event Design. Kerstin at Blue Magnolia is WONDERFUL. More on her later this week.

Materials provided by Town & Country Event Rentals and La Tavola Fine Linens.

And finally, a huge thank you, kiss and a hug to Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie for the gorgeous pics. Love!

SBWC: SNEAK PEEK

I apologize for being absent on the blog last week. I'm gearing up for a busy and fun wedding season in Santa Barbara, and have also been preparing for the Santa Barbara Wedding Couture showcase this past Saturday. All good things that will generate loads of eye candy for you readers!

To begin with, the showcase on Saturday was gorgeous! The vendors all brought it out and put on a fabulous show. I had a wonderful time reconnecting with many friends and making lots of new ones. For my part in the showcase, I worked with Kerstin Olson Horneman from Blue Magnolia Floral & Event Design to create a tablescape using pieces from Town & Country Event Rentals that would make a statement!

I cannot wait for the photos of the table to share with you, and will hopefully have them early next week. In the meantime, here's a peek at the set-up stages:

I know Laird, from Town & Country, may not look helpful in this photo (love you, Laird!), but what rock stars their team was!

And a sneak peek at the table itself :-D


Happy Monday! xo!

INSPIRATION BOARD: SANTA BARBARA WEDDING COUTURE

Here is a sneak peek at what you'll see next Saturday at Santa Barbara Wedding Couture. Outside the University Club, on the patio and lawn areas, Donna Romani Events has teamed up with Town and Country Event Rentals, Blue Magnolia Floral & Event Design, Omni Catering and Linda Chaja Photography to create a feast for your eyes and imagination.

And check out these FABULOUS hand blown glass candlesticks in amethyst that I found scavenging through antique stores last week!
I look forward to seeing you there!! Visit Santa Barbara Wedding Couture for more information and tickets. xo!

SANTA BARBARA WEDDING COUTURE

If you happen to be engaged and in the Santa Barbara area next Saturday, March 27th, you won't want to miss this! And if you're not planning to be in the area, change your plans! Seriously, the show will even hook you up with some awesome deals at local hotels for the weekend.

This event will be an intimate and fabulous showcase for the area best wedding vendors. Everything will be there - from clothes and jewelry to rentals, an outstanding fashion show, florists, photographers and venues (including some killer estates!). And of course, I will be there, as one of three wedding planners, offering advice and meeting with brides to answer questions. You don't want to miss it!

SANTA BARBARA WEDDING COUTURE

Saturday, March 27, 2010

2:00p.m. – 6:00p.m

University Club
1332 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

For more information and tickets, visit Santa Barbara Wedding Couture, or contact me at donna@donnaromanievents.com or (805) 286-6505.

And if you come, please stop by and say hello! I'll be outside on the patio and lawn enjoying the sunshine and sipping or nibbling on something yummy from my neighbor, Omni Catering ;-D

xo!

NEW MONTECITO ESTATE VENUE: ISLAND OASIS

Another new Estate emerges in the Montecito market available for weddings and events. A totally unique oasis, this gorgeous home exudes a sublime sense of peaceful luxury and zen-like tranquility that immerses guests in a sea of sensory pleasures, creature comforts and natural beauty the minute the gates sweep open to welcome them. The custom-designed pool is just one of the many beautifully crafted elements highlighting this property. The location--just a few blocks from the beach-- takes full advantage of the Pacific’s soft ocean breezes.








The Details:
- Available for events up to 75 guests
- The interior of the home is included in the fee; including bathrooms for guest use and bedrooms for the wedding party to get ready
- Full gourmet kitchen available for caterer's use
- Amplified music would need to be shut off by 10pm
- Fee includes Friday set-up and Sunday removal of rentals
- Shuttles are required for guests
- Power is available, but a generator may need to be brought in
- Event insurance and an approved wedding coordinator are required

Contact me at (805) 286-6505 or donna@donnaromanievents.com for more information on the Montecito Island Oasis, or about Estate weddings in Santa Barbara.

ESTATE VENUE: MISSION CANYON CHATEAU

Mission Canyon Chateau is nestled in the gardens behind the historic Santa Barbara Mission. It is secluded and private and perfect for intimate garden weddings, rehearsal dinners, brunches, holiday parties, corporate dinners, baby and bridal showers.


Gorgeous green lawns in the back are filled with Redwoods and

Gourmet kitchen available for use by Caterer

There are three beautiful stone fireplaces in the home for use

Fifty food wood-beamed Great Room with flanking stone fireplaces. All furniture and carpeting may be removed and stored to make this room available for dining and dancing

Five sets of leaded French doors open onto the patio and gardens outside

The Details:
- Available for events >50-150
- Full gourmet kitchen available for use
- There are two bathrooms available for guest use; additional may be needed
- A Bridal suite is available for getting ready
- Power is available, but might need a generator
- Extra lighting may be necessary
- Venue fee includes a Friday set-up and Sunday removal for rentals
- Parking is available at the house for the wedding party; street parking for guests behind the house or in Rocky Nook Park (one block away)
- Event Insurance and a professional, approved Wedding Coordinator is required

Contact me at (805) 286-6505 or donna@donnaromanievents.com for more information on Mission Canyon Chateau, or about Estate weddings in Santa Barbara.