This week on Real Wedding Wednesday, we will be featuring a Magnolia Event Design wedding weekend in Santa Barbara. This will be a three-part series including the Welcome Party, Ceremony and Brunch, and the Wedding Reception and Party.

Welcome Party

Written by Lindsey Hartsough of Magnolia Event Design:

"I first met Sharon and Howard in the backyard of their Santa Barbara home.  Relaxed, both in jeans and white tee shirts and their two pups, Cocoa and Bella happily running around the yard.  In typical Lindsey fashion I am over dressed, it is a million degrees and I am feeling like I am going to melt through my silk dress - who wears silk when it is that hot out?  Sharon and Howard are as kind and welcoming as the approach to their home.  It is like a fairy tale garden cottage with a beach vibe.  The floors are covered in sisal and there are orchids everywhere.  The colors are neutrals mixed with Wedgwood blue, sky and toasted mocha.  The gardens are a deep rich green, lush and over grown, but not in the forgotten about way, in the way that looks like the planters have long sat and been allowed to grow over time.  There are antiques mixed with fresh whites, there is a shadow box with a heart rock that was found on the beach in the guest bathroom… I start to feel like I know them.  I take it all in and as I meet with them I begin to understand their lives, careers and most importantly how they want their guests to feel during their wedding weekend- loved and taken care of.  

I spend a couple hours with them and go back to the office to come up with a plan.  Their style is laid back and approachable, but they like nice things.  They aren’t stuffy or too glam, so we need to find a great balance and a fun way to entertained all of their guests during their four wedding related events.  

We begin our plan - For our Open House style Welcome Party to kick off the weekend guests will come to their home.  The house will be filled with florals vignettes ranging from apothecary jars filled with ferns and orchids to floating gardenias and lantern-lined paths.  Greeted by valet, guests will first be welcomed with a blackberry margarita and a duck confit taco.  Next stop on the path is a high heel check in, the event took place mostly on lawn, so we wanted to offer guests a chance to get comfy and not ruin their gorgeous heels.  The approach of this event was to feature Santa Barbara and give the guests an opportunity to get to know each other and relax before the weekend of festivities.  The Grand Bevy mixed cocktails under a wicker lit lantern and Ybrarra Music played all of Sharon and Howard’s favorite rock tunes.  Guests dined on both an assortment of passed appetizers created by Feast and Fest formerly known as SBB Gourmet as well as a bountiful Santa Barbara Farmers Market display and a cheese display that would make an Parisian proud.  For a sweet finale guests nibbled on Enjoy Cupcakes and McConnell’s Ice Cream for dessert.  As they were leaving the valet secretly placed personalized gift bags in each guest’s car taking into account the kiddos, we made sure they had beach toys and lots of other fun items to enjoy their Santa Barbara weekend."

Photography by Jose Villa

Welcome Party Venue: Private Estate | Event Planner and Coordinator: Magnolia Event Design | Event Photographer: Jose Villa | Florals/Decorations: NLC Productions | Bakery: Enjoy Cupcakes | Caterer: Feast and Fest formerly SBB Gourmet and The Grand Bevy | Entertainment: Anthony Ybarra | Hair & Makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup | Lighting: Bella Vista Designs | Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen | Event Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Valet Parking: Signature Parking | Gifts: Santa Barbara Company