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.

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.