• They are significantly less expensive than most of their competitors
• They are family-owned and operated and service is paramount
• They rent linens exclusively- and nothing else.  This is their specialty.
• They make, alter and clean all of their linens “in-house”. 
• Every linen is micro-chipped, helping to ensure minimal loss and therefore minimizing mistakes in returned linens (for which the client could pay for unnecessarily. Their inventory-taking process is state of the art)
• All of their sensational napkins are lined – not only providing the classiest of looks and feels of truly upscale linen, but helping guests know what side of their napkin to use.
• No order is too small.  They even will rent one napkin, if necessary.
• Their nominal $35 Local Delivery Fee also includes Pick Up.

I had an incredible time visiting and going through the hundreds of linen samples.  But when you go, make sure you have them actually pull out the full linen of the sample you want – seeing it on an 8 inch patch vs. seeing it brought and spread out with other complementary linens in different textures, patterns and fabrics makes all the difference in the world in helping implement your vision. 

Here’s to the elegance of “art” at every event – including life!

What I did not expect, however, were the hundreds of entries that came into the station – all with equally amazing and deserving love stories.  I had no idea that it would be so hard of a decision to make.  And that’s why I’m glad it was up to the KRAZ FM  listeners to decide the final winners.

After countless hours in the radio studio on-air talking to morning show host “Carp”, audience listeners on their preferred choices and co-hosting a show or two with Celebrity Chef  Bradley Ogden himself (designer of the couple’s rehearsal dinner menu and founder of the rehearsal dinner venue Root 246), the moment of truth arrived.  It was time for listeners to speak with their winning votes.  And they did.

Enter Paul and Dominique.  You need to read their winning entry for yourself- submitted by Groom-to-be Paul - to understand what melted the hearts of the radio’s listeners.  I am still moved by the fact that this groom loved his bride so much, he did this – all for her.

This couple was without a doubt one of the sweetest couples I’d ever met.  And their journey and story from their entry made producing their special day all that more sacred.  They were incredible as individuals and it was evident their love for each other only made them stronger as a couple.

On the day of their wedding, the weather was threatening sprinkles off and on and some light winds.  But due to their guest size and the fact Lincourt Winery has a few options for indoor portions of an event, we were “covered”.  The ceremony was able to be held outside on the lawn overlooking the vineyards, the reception was held under the giant gazebo and the dinner and dancing was moved indoors to the cozy, intimate and romantic barrel room.  The best of all worlds.  Everything ran like clock-work.  We are so grateful to the event supply partners who produced this incredible wedding for this incredible couple.  From the guest arrival and gracious hospitality of award-winning caterer Pure Joy to the final moments as the bride and groom escaped for their honeymoon in their gorgeous vintage car provided by Classic Motoring Car Rentals.  And to document the story as it unfolded, Linda Chaja (photography) and Lola Video, worked stealthly behind the scenes to make sure all the special moments were memorialized on film.  Congratulations, Paul and Dominique!

Venue/Wedding Location:  Lincourt Winery

Full Service Catering/Rental Coordination:  Pure Joy Catering with Discount Party Rentals

Florals:  Passion Flowers

Ceremony, Reception, Dinner/Dancing Music & MC: Gavin Roy of SBDJ’s

Photography: Linda Chaja

Videography: Lola Video

Rehearsal Dinner/Venue: Root 246 - Celebrity Chef Bradley Ogden

Wedding Cake: Decadence Wedding Cakes

Vintage Transportation:  Classic Motoring Car Rentals

Officiant: Riki Berlin

Honeymoon/Wedding Night Stay: Hadsten House

Contest Co-Coordinator and Event Coordinator: Kerry Lee Dickey, Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings  & Events.

One of the many fabulous backdrops at Lincourt Winery - the red barn/barrel room

Santa Barbara Wine Country.  An incredible wedding location set in the midst of  lush green vineyards.  Good ol’ southern hospitality and charm gracing every turn of this wedding.  But wait, did I mention the full moon?  There are few moments in life that could ever be scripted and timed as beautifully as this was.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so we will let the photos speak for themselves.

The event supply partner team for this event was yet another all-star “cast”.  Lincourt Winery, Pure Joy Catering, AMS Entertainment, Effloresce Floral, Classic Motoring Car Rentals and all photography by Chris Rady.

View From Lincourt Winery Looking Out

But what few know is that Hotel Corque and its restaurant, Root 246- founded by celebrity chef Bradley Ogden, offer a fantastic special event venue options as well.  While the hotel does have a ballroom for larger scale receptions that is fantastic, Root 246 offers up a great opportunity for wedding-related events.  All wine country venues have a mandated end time of 10:00pm.  Some 11:00pm.  One of the biggest questions I get asked by my brides is “but where can we go if we want to continue our celebration late into the night?”  Perfect answer: Hotel Corque’s Root 246.  Most wine country weddings are rustically elegant and involve being outdoors all day.  Adjourning guests into a swanky “club” feel for late night snacks and drinks into the wee hours of the morning is a fantastic option.  Rehearsal Dinners, Farewell (Post-Nuptial) Brunches , Bridesmaids luncheons are other wedding-related fabulous event options for this wine country location.  Or conversely, many choose to host their rehearsal dinner or brunch at a winery for the vineyard experience and book their wedding reception with Hotel Corque. 

I could go on and on about the food and wine experience at this location.  From the freshest organic ingredients, Chef Ogden’s cuisine is art with heart and soul.

At Hotel Corque, your event manager will meet with you and see your event through from planning stages until the end.  They will also coordinate room blocks for you and your guests.  Rarely do you see this in today’s hospitality industry – having one person to handle all your needs.  And the event planner at Hotel Corque has 20 years experience in event planning – and in particular our wine country.  She has been known to act as concierge to all her clients, providing them with invaluable tips on how to maximize their visit to wine country. 

For more information on hosting your event at Hotel Corque or Root 246, contact Bobbie Rosenstrauch at:

(805)686-8637

bobbie.rosenstrauch@hotelcorque.com

When Shannon and Jeff came to me for their big day, I was smitten.  Both of them were among the kindest people I had ever met.  Shannon had a clear idea of her color and theme and we carried this throughout the entire event.  Her vision was clear:  sea mist cool greens and blues, table names that were popular beach names, sand dollars for escort cards, and instead of favors for guests, they hired caricature artists to do portraits of guests during cockail hour and after dinner.  After the moving toasts by their friends and families, sweet tooths were satisfied with the decadent cake provided by Bacara with to-go boxes for guests to take home little slices for a midnight snack post-celebration.

A Bacara Bride means more than just having your wedding at a world-class resort.  It means your day is as unique as you are and no detail is left untended to.  And what stands out to me most is that not only are my clients taken care of, but the Bacara skillfully tends to each of wedding couple’s guests so everyone has the Bacara Experience.  I suppose this is what makes them stand out:  a wedding at Bacara means you are ensuring your guests will have a memorable experience of a lifetime as well.  This wedding featured an all – star event supplier cast:  Bacara Resort and Spa providing the ceremony and reception venue, catering and staffing; Reverend Miriam Lindbeck officiating a gorgeous and gracious ceremony; AMS Entertainment providing ceremony, reception and caricature artists; Bella Vista Designs providing uplighting ambiance for dinner, dancing and decor; Alegria by Design providing Ceremonial Decor; Videography by Russ Fowler; All Photography by Michael and Anna Costa and the incredible Mar from TEAM Hair and Makeup doing an exquisite job to make an already beautiful bride even more exquisite.

Photo by Ziva Agel

I admit it.  I am a vintage girl at heart who should have been born in another era wearing gardenias in her hair, visiting supper clubs by night and dancing until the wee hours of the morning with the love of my life in a pinstripe suit under a full moon to a live swing band in the 1940′s.   So it may come as no surprise that I have always wanted to produce a 1940′s themed event.

When The Howard School in Carpinteria asked me to plan their 2011 Annual Fundraiser Event, I wanted to come up with something fresh.   In this economy and with so many organizations in need and demanding money from the masses, my vision was to create an “escape” for the guests and provide an “experience”.  I wanted to break the tradition of simply having guests pay a ticket price, eat dinner, bid on auction items , and if they were lucky, maybe have a little dancing at the end.  Of course, we needed to raise money, but I felt that if the “fun” was returned to “fundraiser”, the money would follow.  And it did.  We not only met the financial goal of the school - we exceeded it.  It also proved to be the single most successful fundraiser in years for The Howard School.  This is the moment when all things come together personally and professionally and I truly love what I do.  And with the teamwork of two dynamic chairs in charge of the “money” component – tirelessly raising money, and my contribution for the event /fun element, it is no wonder this fundraiser was uniquely successful.

The Vision: to create a vibe that would take guests back to the 1940′s to participate in a guest-interactive murder mystery, incredible dinner, swing dance lessons for guests and dancing.

The Location: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

The Event Supply Partner All-Star “Cast”: Catering Connection,    Ventura Party Rentals,    LBPS Events (lighting design & audio),     Stecker Entertainment (DJ/Music/Auctioneer),     PMaxwell Productions (professional acting troop & swing dancers/instructors),  Farmer’s West Florals,    Effloresce ,    Classic Motoring Car Rentals, and capturing the story as it unfolded this incredibly quintessential Santa Barbara day:  Ms. Ziva Agel, Photographer Extraordinaire to whom we owe every bit of credit for every image you see here on this page.

Photo by KLD

The Evening – Stepping Back in Time

As guests arrived in costume, they passed the gorgeous 1941 Cadillac provided by Classic Motoring Car Rentals on down across the rushing creek to the Silent Auction where they were greeted by characters from the murder mystery setting the “stage” with clues and getting guests guessing who the murderer was.  Tray-passed appetizers of Artichoke Fritters with Bearnaise Sauce, Ahi Tuna Tartar on Wonton Crisps with Wasabi Cream, Grilled Chicken Quesadilla with Queso Fresco & Cilantro greeted guests while they bid on Silent Auction items and tried to decipher which people were “real” guests and who may be the “guilty” party who would later commit the “murder”.

Photo by Ziva Agel

As the doors to Fleichmann Auditorium swung open to welcome guests to their dinner tables, each named after a popular 1940′s song (In the Mood, Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar, Stardust), guests heard the first few notes to “In the Mood” and professional swing dancers were on the dance floor to “strike up the mood”.  The Howard School logo was projected on the red theater curtains. Deluxe VIP’s had special “Boxed Seats” at the “supper club” with satin chair covers, red water goblets, complimentary wine and special service.  LBPS Events created a soft textured “wash” of light over the room, uplit the stage area, highlighted the buffet and bar areas and provided perfect audio for our actors, MC and auctioneer.  The succulent dinner buffet provided by Catering Connection and their incredible team included: Rosemary Chicken Breast, Roasted Red Pepper Suace, Grilled Tri Tip, Mexican Salsa, Fresh Seasonal Vegetable Medley, Tri Color Fusilli Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce, Shepard Salad with Vegetable Toppings and Champagne Dressing, Freshly Baked Breads and Artisan Rolls, Mini Dessert Buffet and Coffee.

During dinner, the plot thickened and a “murder” was committed.  Guests were then accused of being guilty or asked their opinion on “whodunit”.  After dinner, the evening was masterfully orchestrated by local celebrity talent Gabe Saglie as the MC, skillfully guiding the Live Auction and rest of the evening’s festivities with grace.  Skip Stecker (aka “Glenn Miller”) put on a lively performance as the Auctioneer and the energy continued to heighten.  At the end of the evening, guests were treated to swing dance lessons and open dancing on the dance floor while a slide show played on the stage showing 1940′s images of popular movies, movie stars and themes.

	DJ & Auctioneer Skip Stecker (aka Glenn Miller)
	MC & Talent Mr. Gabe Saglie

Photo by Amber Medley

One of the questions I am frequently asked when I am interviewed for publications is how I decribe this incredible region we call Santa Barbara’s wine country, the Santa Ynez Valley.  I am proud to say my response description has been quoted and is now associated with this area:  “rustic elegance” and “rustic sophistication”.   A Santa Barbara wine country wedding includes winery weddings, ranch weddings, private estate weddings and so much more.  But not every venue is created equal.  Just because a venue says it does weddings or is pretty doesn’t mean that they are truly capable of handling everything an event brings with it.  And further, does not mean the staff is proficient on the incredible details and customer service involved in making sure the wedding goes off seamlessly. Today, however, I would like to highlight one of my most popular wedding venues in Santa Barbara’s wine country:  The Foley Family Wine group of special event venues.   I have been fortunate enough to have been sold-out for a couple of years almost singlehandedly because of the weddings I have produced at Foley’s venues incredible wine country wedding locations.  From the Firestone Winery to the Foley Winery itself and to the upcoming wedding I will be producing at Lincourt for the Great Wedding Stimulus Package $35K Giveaway Contest taking place February 8-12, I am intimately involved with the Foley Family wine wedding locations and cannot recommend them enough.  For a quick view of two of my favorite weddings at these locations, scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Many of my favorite Foley Family Wine group weddings are featured in my Gallery and several here on this page.  But since this is a Guest Column feature spot for a couple of months, I thought I’d invite Ms. Jill Remy, Director of Events for Foley Family Wines, to comment on her favorite things about her work as well as give you a little insight and tour of Foley wedding locations from her inside and expert perspective.  Welcome, Ms. Remy!

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Thanks, Kerry Lee! Settling down from the chaos of a busy day, my complaint is that I have so many extraordinary venues to offer clients that it keeps me on my toes! I just opened a fabulous bottle of wine, couldn’t decide between the Foley Pinot Noir and the Firestone Syrah, two of my favorites. 

I love what I do, as do the people that work alongside me at Foley Family Wines.  We are fortunate enough to offer a variety of venues to fabulous couples that match their personalities and dreams specifically.  All winery based, take your pick of location of ours matches your dream day.

We are lucky to be able to work with the best of the best in the industry, including among many Kerry Lee Dickey of Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events.  In all of our years of experience in producing the most remarkable events in Santa Barbara County’s Wine Country, the cohesiveness of the vendors that we have had the opportunity to work with has been parallel to none.  No matter if you have a small group or large, we will surely have a property to fit your every need and assist in bringing your dreams to reality… all in my favorite part of the central coast, Santa  Barbara’s wine country. 

Firestone Winery truly offers couples the luxury of creating an event flow  that is unique to their individual style. 

The Vineyard Mesa

Ceremonies can be held on the Vineyard Mesa with a beautiful oak tree as a back drop and surrounded by vineyard or on the Terrace with an intimate setting on a bluff overlooking vineyards with hills in the background.   For the wine reception following the ceremony, guests can remain outdoors in the sunny garden, go into the tasting room for a complete private winery experience, or head back into the barrel room.  The barrel room is also a stunning setting for a feasting table for your reception, or back out to the courtyard under the stars for dinner and to dance the night away.  Firestone can accommodate up to 180 guests and is set up perfectly to create the event of your dreams.

Lincourt Winery is a charming property that relays the feeling to your guests Foley Winery is a breathtaking property that you enter through a tree lined drive as you approach an expansive lawn area sitting just above vineyards with majestic hills in every direction.  Ceremonies are held with the vineyards on all sides of your guest’s vantage points, wine reception surrounding our brand new tasting room and the reception of your dreams can be created in a canopy behind the ceremony area.  Foley can accommodate up to 250 guests.

Lincourt Vineyards

At Lincourt, one feels that they are throwing a soiree in the backyard of their childhood home.  Your ceremony would be held on a large lawn area overlooking the vineyard, guests walking over the front porch of a former farmhouse to the wine reception on the verandah and adjacent lawn area and the reception is held in a transformed barrel staging area, specific to your concept ideas. A barn frames the barrel staging area, and houses a small barrel room that can be used for a bar, cake table or even a lounge.  Lincourt can accommodate up to 200 people.

Rachel Korrey is the magnificent event manager for all of our Central Coast properties, including The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2010 for Reception Venues at Firestone Vineyards, as well as Lincourt Winery, coveted location of the upcoming Great Wedding Stimulus Package Giveaway, as well as the stunning Foley Estates, home of the former Seasmoke winemaker, Kris Curran. 

Beyond the breathtaking beauty of our locations is the pride in what we do.  We truly understand what a special day this is, not to just the couple, but to your friends and family celebrating with you.  We want to share the best of the best of the wine country with you all and ensure the best day possible.

If you would like to personally see our wedding locations for your upcoming Santa Barbara wine country winery wedding, please contact Rachel at:  rkorrey@firestonewine.com    805.688.3940 x2230.   If your wedding plans call for something in Northern California’s beautiful Napa /Sonoma wine country, please contact me, Jill Remy at:  jremy@foleyfamilywines.com .

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A huge thank you to Ms. Remy for sharing Foley in her own words.  Since some of my own personal favorite weddings were at Firestone and Foley Winery, I thought I’d share some of my favorite memories of my own weddings at both locations:

Firestone Terrace for Ceremony with Dinner in the Barrel Room is one of my favorite choices.  An incredibly dramatic backdrop, it offers guests an experience unlike any other.  For the bride who wants something truly different and romantic, this is an incredible option.  All floral design below by the sensational Camilla Flowers , Lighting Design by LBPS Events and catering by the award-winning Pure Joy.  Capturing this wedding story on film was Amber Medley.

And at the Foley Winery, catered by wine county-based elegant New West Catering and designed by Camilla Flowers, Lighting Design by LBPS Events the day was photographed by Dia Rao.  Truly a stellar team:

Photo by Sun-Dance Photography

And we’re off!  As I mentioned on my last BLOG entry, we are featuring several Guest Bloggers of Santa Barbara’s leading wedding locations.  I have hand chosen the Creme de La Creme of Santa Barbara’s elite wedding professionals to present to you in the coming months. Rather than just create a list of Santa Barbara wedding locations, which anyone can do without much thought by simply looking at a Visitor’s Bureau Website (and is ulitmately of no true use in the long run since it is not customized), I decided to go deeper and give you the inside scoop from the venue’s perspective itself. I am proud to introduce my first Guest Blogger, Ms. Chrissy Deferville, Events Director for the historical and lovely University Club.  Welcome, Ms. Deferville.

For those who have not been to the University Club, you must go visit it.  It is a quintessential private estate experience without the price tag of many of Santa Barbara’s private wedding sites.  It is truly a hidden gem.  From the incredible bridal suite upstairs equipped with powder room and shower to a wonderful area for the groom and his friends to pass time pre-ceremony.  The photos here and on their Website do not do this elegant and historic venue justice.  I encourage you to go visit the Unversity Club for your Santa Barbara private estate-style wedding , brunch or rehearsal dinner.

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Due to the unique layout of the estate, with multiple large and small adjoining rooms, the Club can easily accommodate groups in size from 30 to 300 people and has hosted many famous guests over its history.Located in the downtown, historic estate district, the University Club is surrounded by beautiful historic homes, and overlooks the “prettiest park in Santa Barbra” – Alice Keck Park.  The venue is also within walking distance of many restaurants, shops and hotels on and around State Street.

The most unique aspect of having a University Club event or wedding, is that you get a private estate feel, that functions like a resort.  The Club is fully staffed, providing all food, beverage, staffing, set up, break down, and includes all needed “rentals.”

Sun Dance Photography

My favorite feature of our Club, is that every guest is able to experience the grandeur of a by-gone era.  Club service, cuisine, and general hospitality is rarely felt on such a level as what the Club offers.

Kerry Lee asked me what I love most about what I do in producing weddings and events at the University Club.  It is really quite simple. I absolutely love to see the creative elements of each wedding client come together to make their individual day such a fun and unique experience for myself and Club Staff.

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To inquire to the University Club for your Santa Barbara wedding or special celebration, please contact Ms. Deferville at:  805-966-0853 ext.13  or email at: chrissy@uclubsb.org.  You may also visit their Website by simply clicking on their name above.

Kristen Grinnel Photography

Vita-Bella Photography

changes in the way we coordinate and manage events and weddings.  The Club is celebrating 90 years of event experience this year, but we still have the same abiding principles: offering the freshest fare, with exceptional service.

Firestone Crossroads Estate

But then again, anytime is a good time to get married in Santa Barbara.  A Santa Barbara wedding means that there is a wide variety of wedding locations for every taste.   From rustic country elegance for a Santa Barbara wine country wedding at a vineyard , quaint inn, ranch or private estate to the continental elegance and internationally-renowned service at the world-class Bacara Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Biltmore, San Ysidro Guest Ranch, The historic University Club, Doubletree Resort, relaxed elegance at dozens of private estates, private beach weddings,  to the hidden wedding location “jewels” that are sometimes only accessible to professional event planners and not advertised.

As a third-generation Santa Barbaran and owner of a boutique wedding planning business dedicated to this lovely area, I can truthfully say I have never seen the variety of locations in one area as I have in Santa Barbara.   The best part about Santa Barbara wedding locations is that one does not need to create any kind of an artificial backdrop to make the event vision work.  There are so many wedding venues with a variety of built-in natural backdrops, planning the perfect setting for a Santa Barbara wedding is effortless.  

For the next two months, I will be dedicating this Santa Barbara wedding BLOG to Santa Barbara’s premiere wedding locations.  I am thrilled to also have several professional event guest bloggers who will share their intimate and unique insights to their favorite Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara wine country wedding locations as well.

Make sure you check back to our BLOG (click on link on the upper right of this page -under “News”) or subscribe to this feed – you are sure to be in for a treat and even perhaps gain some insight to some behind-the-scenes and never-shared-before information on the secrets of planning a Santa Barbara wedding at the ideal wedding location!

Firestone Crossroads

Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events will continue with its wine country branch based in Solvang while Santa Barbara Weddings & Events will focus on Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria with its Montecito-based branch.

“We have always done weddings and events in Santa Barbara proper,” says CEO and Founder Kerry Lee Dickey.  “But now we have a name that says that we do and we are very excited to bring the company forward in expansion, despite a sluggish economy, ” she continued.

Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events continues to produce weddings at the leading wineries and private venues in the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara Weddings & Events will continue the momentum established by the former, focusing on events at Santa Barbara’s premiere venues, as well as some hidden “jewels” not known to anyone else.