Venues for a Destination Wedding in Italy

April 7, 2015

Tuscany is an ideal location for the perfect destination wedding.

Choosing a unique and stunning location for your wedding is not an easy task. There are so many options that it’s very easy to get confused. Tuscany offers an abundance of history, which is why there are numerable villas, monasteries and castles, all beautiful and each with it’s unique design and elegance!

Asking a Tuscany-based wedding planner for suggestions, will help find the perfect venue for you. Below are our tips to find the ideal location to make your dreams to come true!

Venue Felici Events and Super Tuscan Wedding Planners Wedding-in-Tuscany

The typical Tuscan "casale",an old Tuscan home, is a familiar place where you and your family can feel at home during your stay. A casale is usually small and intimate, ideal to accommodate your bridal party and share with a few select members that will take part in the wedding preparations!

Farmhouses are similar to the typical tuscan casale. As wedding venues, farmhouses not only will host your bridal party, but are an amazing starting point for a one-of-a-kind walk among vineyards as the wind gently caresses you, or to savor a taste of the local wines and products. It doesn’t get more authentic than a farmhouse to experience Tuscany to the fullest.

Tuscany Wedding Location Felici Events and Super Tuscan Wedding Planners

Another luxury-medieval alternative you can easily find in Tuscany, are castles! With their magic charm, castles will let your guests feel like they’re living a part of history but with a modern look.

If you are planning on having a large number of guests, and you want them all by your side during the days before and after the wedding, the best solution is an ancient medieval burg transformed into a cozy lodging. Besides the traditional aspect of the outside areas, they are indeed very cozy and you will have all comforts at your fingertips. Nearby you will find day spas and elegant restaurants that the burg put at its guests’ disposal.

Castle Wedding Location Felici Events and Super Tuscan Wedding Planners

Elegance is not unusual in Tuscany! Other than its rustic side and infinite fields around these houses, Tuscany offers plenty of elegant Italian styled villas. The luxury interiors will amaze your guests and the beautiful Italian gardens are ideal to host elegant outdoor receptions. Your guests will appreciate such a sophisticated choice!

Tuscany, however, is not only countryside and vineyards…right around the bend the stunning Tuscan sea is waiting for you!

That’s just a short list of the possibilities, but don’t worry… other stunning venues are over the next hilltop as you make your way throughout the Tuscan countryside. Now that you know a bit about Tuscany...what will you choose?

Ask Felici Events and Super Tuscan Wedding planners for more suggestions!

Felici Events Table Design at the Luxe Linen Showcase

March 23, 2015

Felici Events displayed our wedding and event design skills recently, at Sherwood Country Club. Luxe Linens invited us to produce a table-top design of our choice, to showcase the 2015 line of new linens and napkins. Here is a video clip showing you the finished product as well as the wonderful team who helped us fulfill a little creative magic!

https://youtu.be/4_mxxRxN1Rg

We were tickled pink to be invited, which carried into our theme of a pink table top inspired by the 2011 movie

Marie Antoinette

(directed by Sofia Coppola, a fellow Italian-ite and Felici-favorite).

We chose to showcase our table of eight using Luxe Linens' Sherbert Vogue.

Once we decided on the linens, Felici Events called on the the talents of a newer vintage rental company Otis and Pearl, to supply the silverware, china and glassware.

Nina of Coco Rose Designs and the Felici Events Team could have spent hours in her storage unit looking at all the fun table top pieces. In face, we may have. Low and behold, it was easy for us to fall in love with the pink glassware you see at each table. Perfectly fitting for such a girly table top setting.

Next, we asked for help from our friend and fellow

ISES-VSB

member, Joost Bongaerts, owner of Florabundance, if he would like to contribute, and graciously he supplied all the floral.

The final touches, envisioned by Nina of Coco Rose Designs included the sweet fresh berries and delectable

macarons

embellishing the table top.

Finally, we chose the

Florence dining chairs

(both with arms and without) to complete the look of the dining table. They were definitely the talk of our table amongst attendees and fellow showcasing peers.

It was absolute perfection. The location, setting, details, event and evening. Thank you Luxe Linens for including us in this project!

Grazie Mille to our contributors:

DESIGNER and VISIONARY: Felici Events

FLORIST: Coco Rose Design

VINTAGE RENTALS: Otis and Pearl

CHAIR RENTAL: Revelry Event Designers

FLORAL PURVEYOR: Florabundance

Felici Events Wishes You A Happy St. Patrick's Day!

March 14, 2015

Felici Events Presents: St. Patty's Day Party Lookbook

The Felici Events team loves a great themed-party - who doesn't? With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, we thought that it would be the perfect time to share with you all a #Felicified guide to planning your very own St. Patrick's Day Party.

Let's start off with the food! Because how amazing can a party be without delicious food? Our team searched high and low for the following themed-out, mouth-watering dishes. We also included the links to the recipes for you, enjoy!

Finger Food/Starters

- Shamrock Nachos - Taking any opportunity to bring out the green clovers.

- Spinach Pesto Mashed Potatoes - A new way to wear green!

The Main Course

- Lucky Spinach Quiche - Lucky you!

- Corned Beef Brisket Pita - We can already taste all the flavors!

- Irish Bread Braid - Feeling lucky yet?

Sweets

- Muddy Buddies - They are essentially blinged out puppy chow.

- Shamrock Shake - Who needs McDonalds when you can do it yourself?

Cocktails

- Honeydew Martini - the simply perfect green drink

- The Irish Flag - how patriotic!

Now that we have gotten all the drooling out of the way, check out the festive decor ideas the Felici Team has for you!

- Wreaths - we have a more casual option as well as a more classy version for you!

- Floral Displays - chic and classy

OR opt for a more fun and do it yourself versions!

- Banners

- Party Favors - simple yet thoughtful.

- Decor Embellishments - for that extra wow factor.

- Special Touches - it's the small things that matter.

Your options are endless when planning a party. We hope you enjoyed the ones we gave you. Put them to good use and let us know how everything turned out. Don't forget to keep checking back for more felicified party ideas! In the meantime, we wish you a very lucky St. Patrick's Day!

Picturesque Santa Barbara Historical Museum Wedding

March 11, 2015

It's Wedding Wednesday and the Felici Events team wants to celebrate this beautiful picturesque Santa Barbara Wedding! This #Felicified couple got married in the summer and were a wonder to work with! If you want to have a true Santa Barbara Wedding, follow these tips from a previous Felici Events wedding in honor of Scott and Sarah.

First off, this couple used not 1, not 2, but 3 different venues the day of! Talk about really using Santa Barbara to its fullest. The wedding party got ready at the Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara which worked out perfectly since the rehearsal dinner the night before took place on the rooftop of the Canary Hotel. It is a really a unique and elegant venue; I mean, just look at this staircase!

The ceremony took place at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel which is a grandiose church at the foot of some of Santa Barbara's impressive mountains. The reception took place at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum which is filled of Old-Spanish decor and ambiance. Of course when you have more than one venue, the transportation plays a big role on this special day. The Felici Events team decided to work with EOS shuttles for guests and Santa Barbara Trolley for the wedding party. It is really important that if your wedding takes place in multiple locations you provide transportation, if possible. Your guests will truly be thankful and overall will allow more guests to be on time since they are all together. It saves you and your wedding coordinator headaches later on! Besides, having transportation can allow all your guests to get to know each other a little better. Not to mention, it provides another source of fun for your wedding party!

When it comes to Santa Barbara, old-Spanish and adobe architecture is all around! It really gives it that picturesque feel. As for the reception decor, the Felici Events team and the bride and groom worked together to choose the color palette that really compliments that, specifically the Historical Museum adobe tile and wooden structure. Great job and a special thanks to Stems Floral for making it happen! Just look at the beautiful centerpieces and bouquet with the hints of peach and pink that really compliments the Historical Museum (and even the church as well)!

And of course to keep that theme going, the Felici Events team designed the rest of the decor to match! The Felici Events team believes that wedding signage is really important, but more so it adds special touches that help tie the theme together! In this case, the reception sign was made from an old piece of wood that the bride and groom got. If you don't have a crafty friend or the resources or even time to make it there are ways to get signs like this made on Etsy or other companies. We recently got Dana Decals to make a few decals for some signs at a different wedding and they came out spectacular!

Now, although this picturesque Santa Barbara Wedding looks amazing as is, you can always incorporate your own personal touches! For example, this Felici bride and groom had a big thing for cognac, so a cognac and cigar bar was made at the reception and it was a big hit! Something like this makes your wedding more personalized and is made for all guests to enjoy and share with you! (P.S. Notice the orange and peach accents continue onto the pillows!)

To make this wedding possible we needed all the help we could get so the Felici Events team wants to thank everyone involved and especially Chris Schmitt Photography for these amazing pictures!

Dreaming of your wedding in Tuscany

February 26, 2015

08Real Weddings by Super tuscan Wedding Planners

Engaged couples dream of having an unforgettable wedding, and a wedding worth-the-name must be, well, one you have always imagined. Tuscany, an ideal location for a dream wedding, is a postcard come to life which carries sentiments to be shared with your other half.....of course your family and friends are also invited!

Those who think that the love at first sight is all encompassing are right! One cannot help but fall in love with the picturesque Tuscan backdrops, where rolling hills of blue and pink blend to create the most romantic moments of ones lives.

01Real Weddings by Super tuscan Wedding Planners

This region of Italy will add magic and induce a careless spirit that allows couples to live each moment of their wedding as the perfect one... a promise from both Felici Events & Super Tuscan Wedding Planners!

Felici Events and Super tuscan Wedding Planners

Once you fall in love with it, there is no other option than to plan your Tuscan wedding!Tuscany, guaranteed with stunning panoramas, is at your fingertips. We want to dream it (and plan it!) alongside you, so that you may enjoy yourselves and book your first flight to Italy. This will be the first of many visit, guaranteed!

Whether you are envisioning a traditional Tuscan religious ceremony in an ancient church, romantic personalized nuptials in a medieval castle, or a civil ceremonyin Tuscany in a a historic palace, or even a Tuscan symbolic wedding in front of a stunning panorama, we will facilitate and guide you to discover enchanted places and find the right fit for you.

Felici Events and Weddings by Super tuscan Wedding Planners

Once we have found the perfect location for your once-in-a-lifetime occasion, we will produce every detail. Imagine a rose petal aisle, a glamorous wedding gown and a colourful and blossoming wedding altar, ready to bless your union on your wedding day!!

08Real Weddings by Super Tuscan Wedding Planners civil ceremony

Have we woken you up yet?? Ask us to lead you thru Florence, Siena, Cortona or amidst the vineyards of Montepulciano and Montalcino! Immerse yourselves in order to create a personalized and unique experience.

23Real Weddings by Super tuscan Wedding Planners

19Real Weddings by Super tuscan Wedding Planners

A wedding in Tuscany..it’s not only about dreams.. Dream, and ask! Tell us about yourselves and how we can create your dream into a reality.

With love, Zohe Felici for Felici Events and Elia Moretti for Super Tuscan Wedding Planners

Photography Credit:

Amy Turner:

http://www.imag1ne.

com/

Lisa Poggi (foto town hall Cortona):

http://www.lisapoggi.com/

Andrea Bartolozzi:

http://www.

weddingmovie.it

Happy Valentine's Day!!

February 14, 2015

What is LOVE?

As a wedding planner, I get to experience first-hand what love is.

Whether it be between the engaged couple, a bride and her parents, the groom and his parents or the extended family and friends:

Love is an expected guest attending every wedding ceremony and reception.

Love does not get an invite, does not RSVP and does not receive a Thank You Card.

Zohe Felici wedding planner loves her job

For me:

I love my parents, friends and family.

I love my dog.

I love my profession (the pic above speaks for itself, a candid taken during a Felici Event).

I love my work friends.

I love where I live.

I have so much to be overwhelmed with love about, I am extremely fortunate.

Sharing the Felici-Love on this very special day, thank you for partaking in my journey (of life) with me.

XOXO!

Zohe Felici

Colorful Gainey Vineyard Wedding

January 31, 2015

Santa Barbara Wine Country

Rustic and Fuchsia Romance

How cute is this #FeliciFied couple?

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events first dance

The minute Santa Barbara based destination wedding planner, Zohe Felici of Felici Events, met the lovebirds, she knew that the wedding (and planning) would be fun. She was right!

A lot of thought and details came together including some handy crafting by the groom.

Below are creative ideas you can incorporate into the cocktail reception, in order to meld guests who may not know each other.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events Polaroi Photo Line

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events Polaroid Photo Idea

TAKE TWO!

A selfie Polaroid station is creates an area where guests may ask each other to take pictures and start conversations. Bigger bonus, look at this dramatic backdrop of beautiful Wine Country.

#FeliciFrill: on our coordination team, we provide a team member to oversee cocktail hour to engage with and help direct guests, as well as ensure the guest book is signed and questions answered. In this case they reminded guests to take two: one for the photo book (with a love note for the happy couple) and one for themselves to keep.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felic Events Guest Book

This personalized guest book, designed by the groom, allowed for guests to adhere their polaroids into and write a note to the happy couple. The wood, a masculine element, incorporated the rustic wine country decor wedding theme. The little floral insignia on the corner, brings out some girly touches, continuing the dahlia flower theme.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events boccee ball cocktail hour

Felici Events, specifically Zohe, is a #FeliciFied bocce ball player. She likes to play at the beach, but really anywhere outdoor is great. This cocktail hour wedding activity is also an effective way for guests to meet and get to know each other.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events Succulent Escort Cards

THREE-FER: Escort cards with succulents is what we call a triple-whammy!

1) They create a design piece on the escort card table

2) They enhance dinner table centerpieces

3) They provide a keepsake guest wedding favor

#FeliciFrill: Our wedding coordination team will assist guests to pick up their escort card and direct them to their table, as well as remind guests to grab their favors on their way out at the end of the night.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events rock table numbers

The outdoor wedding reception contained a number of masculine decor elements, such as the stone table number positioned on the wooden table. The decor emulated a balanced mix of masculine (wood, green, rocks, succulents) with the feminine (bright fuchsia florals, bursts of dahlias, glitter and vivid colors), just like the happy couple's personalities.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events winery and purple wildflower centerpiece by Nina Kinkaid

The centerpieces, overflowing from a wooden box. added bright colors and textures including greens, purples and fuchsia, which look rich and interesting. It welcomes wonderful, soft and feminine elements.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events centerpiece Nina Kinkaid

Mmmm, there is mint and the tuber roses, which infused the air with amazing aromas. (can you see how the succulents expand and add interest to the centerpieces?)

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events Dinner Menu Fun and unique

#FeliciFrill: We believe signage and print is a MUST DO for any event (CLICK HERE for more ideas and Felici tips).

Above is a creative example of design of a smartly worded menu which helps engage dinner guests as well as lets guests know "What's Up?" in a playful and decorative manner.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events Cake Topper

The glam gold sparkly cake topper says it all! It was the best day ever!

- - - - -

SAY CHEESE!

Below are wonderful wedding party photos.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events groomsmen pastel bowtie with blue shirt and grey suit

Character, character character. How dapper is the above groomsman in gingham material blue shirt and the pastel pink tie?

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events Ring Barer blue gangam and yellow bowtie outfit

This ring barer stole the show both down the aisle and at the reception. His dark blue gingham material and pastel yellow bowtie are adorable, his hat precious, the bride's shoes he is holding, swoon!

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events bride with veil, bouquet wildflower pink and purples

The bride was smart to collaborate with Nina Kinkaid of Coco Rose Design. The plethora of purple and fuchsia hued flowers in her bouquet produce a unique, interesting and textured focal piece.

Her bouquet cradles a myriad of flowers, including the desert-like thistle, stems of laic, alien-esque protea and a tropical phaleo orchids, all exuding a range of vibrant violet colors.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events bridesmaids purple dresses

The Bridesmaids bouquets were lighter in color and opposing colors of both their dresses as well as the bridal bouquet. This play on colors bring three dimensions and balance which compliment each other.

Lastly let's talk about Gainey Vineyard (click the following link to see rental information about this Wine Country wedding location venue). This vineyard is surrounded by a stunning backdrop ideal for hosting a picturesque outdoor wedding ceremony and reception.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events vineyard backdrop

The majestic trees and vineyard walks are romantic.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felic Events bride and groom in vineyard

#FeliciFrill: We ensure that we have time for a couple's sunset walk with their photographer. Most of the time these end up being the best pictures.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events couple vineyard backdrop

This scene rings a true, untouched West of Santa Ynez.

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events wooden tables at vineyard

The well manicured lawn and vineyard backdrop is ideal for outdoor receptions.

The string lights are a must have!

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events venue at night string lights

You and your guests will definitely need them at night.

Ciao Aline and Brian! They lived Felici Ever after!

J Wiley Photography Gainey Vineyard Wedding Felici Events Grand Exit Idea

The Cherry-On-Top of this Felici Wedding is the A-Team of wedding vendors at a #FeliciFied event venue and wedding location.

Coordinator Felici Events

Flowers Coco Rose Designs

Lighting Ambient Event Design

Music / Cocktails & Reception DJ Patrick

Catering and Cake Lorraine Lim Catering

Rentals Ventura Party Rentals

Photography J Wiley Photography

Felicified Unique Furniture Rentals For Any Event

January 23, 2015

Felici Events Presents: Felicified Unique Furniture Rentals

Looking for new ways to spice up your parties? Here is a Felicified way to do it!

Our team here at Felici Events is always thinking of new and creative ideas that will make our special events stand out from the rest. Luckily, we discovered PBG Imports. They specialize in exclusive and unique Lounge Furniture, Props, Décor, and LED Designed Products for any and all types of events. Their signature items include genuine cork furniture and LED water bubble high top tables and coffee tables. PBG Imports also supply sports stools and sports furniture ideal for sports-themed events. Their company prides itself on having the most distinctive designs that will captivate all guests. Visit them on the web at PBGImports.com and contact them at info@PBGImports.com or 888.354.4523.

Here are some items that caught our eye!

These wine cork inspired items are perfect for wine tastings, cocktail parties, winery weddings, and basically any event looking for a rustic vibe. #WineWednesday

These water bubble products would look great at bar and bat-mitzvahs, cocktail parties, dances, and many other exciting and futuristic events. Guests will be amazed by the glowing water effects these pieces give off. We love how PBG's items are not only furniture but artwork and conversation starters.

PBG's sports inspired products are perfect for all the sports fans out there looking to throw amazing parties. These items will fit perfectly into birthday parties, sporting events, bachelor parties, and so much more. #SuperBowl2015

Trying to get creative with your decor ideas? Don't forget to visit PBG Imports and to keep an eye out for future Felici Events blog posts.

Felici Holidays and New Year From Santa Barbara!

December 23, 2014

Christmas Party Decor, Food + Beverage Felici Events Style

December 15, 2014

Impromptu Felici-Hour Holiday Party

Last night marked the 8th year that Zohe Felici - Event Party Planner Extraordinaire - hosted a pre #paradeoflights gathering at Casa Felici. The only difference, is that this year she had been traveling, and decided at the last minute to continue and host this ongoing tradition. With only a few hours to put the "Felici-Hour" together, before she and her friends would head to see the boat parade and fireworks, Zohe dug into her impromptu skills to make this Felici Event effortless for her and a success for guests.

Decor:

There were four decor elements Zohe focused on to put together a holiday table-scape on her dining table. She chose items (from storage) that accented height and interest to the table without overkill:

1.5 foot tall Pier One Imports wooden snowman she fell in love with a few years back
wooden 3 tier Swedish Christmas Candle Carousel from Ikea - Zohe grew up with one and was always mesmerized by how they work using only candle heat to spin around….
mini Christmas tree gifted to her by the amazing and talented floral designer Kellye Clifford of Precious and Blooming at a recent coffee meeting. This became a double-use item (Zohe loves two-fers, see more below).
red table runner from Cost Plus World Market

Favors and Entertainment:

As mentioned, the tree became a two-fer. See it plain and simple on the image below and to the left. At the foot of the tree are mini ornaments (from Ikea). Zohe had no time to do this task, therefore she created this very fun activity for the kids (adults got involved too). Zohe believes that interactive projects at parties are a great form of entertainment, so this was a no-brainer. Voila, on the right is the finished product created by Zohe's almost-niece Malia. Malia was so proud of her creation and keepsake!

Felici Events Kids Activity for a Holiday or Christmas Party

Food and Beverage:

Once the table was set, Zohe, being the Italian that she is, moved on to feeding her guests. With a time limit, she incorporated both home-made and store-bought items for nibbles. From clockwise we have:

pizzette and arancini (placed in a 350 degree oven for about 14 minutes) from Trader Joe's
gorgonzola cheese dip with crostini (easy as 1-2-3 recipe, ready in less than 5 minutes)*
brussels sprouts with a spicy sweet glaze (easy as 1-2-3 recipe, ready in less than 5 minutes)*
mulled wine (easy as 1-2-3 recipe, ready in less than 5 minutes) for adults*
hot apple cider (from Trader Joe's) for kids or add Rum for an adult beverage

Felici Events Easy Food and Beverage for a Christmas or Holiday Party

Gorgonzola Cheese Dip w/ Crostini

1 x 8 oz. container Gorgonzola Cheese
1/3 c. whole milk
1/8 c. half & half
- microwave for 2 minutes
- stir
- microwave another 2 minutes
- stir
- serve with home-made or pre-made buttered bread crostini

Brussels Sprouts in a Spicy Sweet Glaze

1 x 10 oz. package shaved fresh brussels sprouts (produce section)
2 T. butter, salted
1.5 T. agave nectar (or honey)
1 - 2 t. crushed red pepper
- in large pan melt butter on medium
- once melted increase temperature to high / medium high
- add brussels sprouts and caramelize
- stir occasionally so it does not burn, but let it brown
- turn off burner
- add agave nectar (feel free to add more to taste)
- add crushed red pepper (feel free to add more to taste)

Mulled Wine

2 btls. red wine (preferably Merlot or something with hints of cherry)
1 btl. white wine (preferably Chardonnay)
1.5 c. sweet vermouth
1.5 c. brandy
1 fresh squeezed orange
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
1/4 T. cardamom
1/4 T. fresh graded nutmeg
5-6 whole cloves
- put all ingredients in a large pot bring to a simmer
- lower temperature to medium / low for 30 minutes
- keep on warm until guests arrive or it is all sucked down!
- pour into festive holiday mugs

Finally, she set her Spotify to the Michael Bublé Christmas Music Station, and there you have it. How to prepare for and host a holiday happy-hour party for 8 in less than 1 hour. The most time-consuming part of the preparation was the trip to Trader Joe's to purchase the food…..HA!

Happy Holidays Everyone! We hope you celebrate safely with friends and loved ones in 2014 with these unique, #felicified and festive Christmas decor and food ideas inspired by #anotherfelicievent

Tented Birthday Celebration Dinner Party

December 2, 2014

Felici Events Presents: Event & Wedding Planning 101:

Weather: Plan A, B and C

Today we are relishing a bit of (very welcome) rain at Felici Headquarters. A wet and rainy day like today reminds me of a Felici Event we produced, exactly nine months ago (plus one day), where an uninvited guest showed up - DOWNPOUR!

Last March, I had the honor of working with a Felici Client on her 50th birthday celebration. The guest of honor wanted to host thirty close friends to a special (not your traditional Saturday night potluck) dinner party at her home. The lovely clients' home is amidst Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara. The first time I drove up to her home, I found myself in a gorgeous cul-de-sac type driveway that led to her front door. There is lush landscaping and a working fountain encompassing it. "What a magical spot!" I thought to myself.

The client's vision of design was a blend of romance and Mediterranean. Hanging candle votives, fruits, herbs and vegetables inclusive in the centerpieces, candlelight and an elegantly neutral palate of linens, chairs and table top set up.

Felici Events Wedding Planner place setting

During our meeting, and walk thru of the potential spaces for dinner, I shared with the client that the house was not conducive to accommodate all guests seated together for a plated dinner. I reminded the client that she hired me to make this night special, and it needed to set other (informal) dinner parties apart. I suggested the use of the driveway as the dinner space. Once I proposed to her the vision and schematics of a 'reveal' to the tented dinner area, the client fell in love with the idea!

The planning of the dinner event took place the months of January and February. Santa Barbara provided beautiful weather and sunny skies every day leading up to the March 1st weekend. Regardless of our gorgeous weather (common along the American Riviera) my experience as a seasoned event and wedding planner is to produce three plans. This time it had to do with rain:

Plan A - a tented event, in case of rain (the first week of March usually produces precipitation)

Plan B - great weather with no tent (al fresco)

Plan C - an indoor and less formal dinner in case of a torrential downpour.

Instantly I brought on the talents of Coco Rose Design and The Tent Merchant as the team to help me create Ann's dream into a reality. The Tent Merchant's octagonal tent would fit perfectly in the driveway and easily accommodate 30 guests. We brainstormed a couple of different layout options, and settled on having votives hanging from the center of the tent and the tables parallel to the tent walls, in an octagonal shape (single sided facing in) so all could see each other. PERFECT!

The caterer, Chef Robin Goldstein, was a gem to work with! She created an out of this world menu consisting of farm-to-table fresh foods, with authentic mediterranean preparation. All the key vendors were in place and so the party begins!

Felici Events Birthday mediterranean Centerpieces

You guessed it. The week-end of the birthday party, there is a torrential downpour! We experienced heavy rains all morning (there is even a YouTube video of the Santa Barbara Harbor being overcome by large waves) throughout the Southern California area. I had not seen flash floods since my days in Dallas, Texas

The morning of the party, I drove to the house and found the tent (which was set up the day before) to have rivers running thru it! The client, understandably stressed, expressed disappointment with the turn of events.* I reassured her that the dinner would be perfect, and I would do everything in my power to ensure vision of the event. I urged her to go her hair and make up appointments, and enjoy a day of pampering. It took some time to console and comfort her, but reluctantly on her way she went escorted with a gal pal.

Mid afternoon, when the florist arrived, we looked at the weather radar which showed patterns of the rain dissipating around 4 p.m. Guests would not be invited into the dinner tent until 6:30 p.m. Could we pull it off? The florist and caterer both confirmed that if by 5:45 p.m. there was no chance of holding the dinner outside, we would be able to move to plan C - placing design items and set a buffet in the living and dining areas for an indoor affair.

I was in the pouring rain for hours, successfully producing make-shift gutters (my alter ego is MacGyver) to deter rain around rain and not thru the tent. Once complete I swept, mopped and dry vacuumed the inside of the tent. The threatening red marks on the weather radar, eventually turned to light green specs. The rain turned to sprinkles, and by 5:15 p.m. all was dry inside the canopy. With all hands on deck and teamwork, we were ready to go by 6:00 p.m. The heaters in the tent warmed up the space, and combined with the candle light, gorgeous table decor and background music created the most romantic and cozy dinner setting I have produced outdoors after a downpour.

My favorite part is this unique and personalized touch of a play of MadLibs. We called it "AnnLib" and it substituted a guest book. The Felici Events graphics team created a cartoon of the client using her picture and added it to a customized MadLib for guests to fill out.

Felici Events creative guest book Mad Libs Cartoon

Felici Events unique party idea madlibs at each place setting

Felici Events wedding planning outside tent looking in

The birthday gal came to take a sneak peek before we invited guests to the 'grand reveal' of dinner, and tears of joy came to her eyes. She was beyond ecstatic! This party was not only #anotherfelicievent but one of the most rewarding moments in my career. We really do turn dreams into a reality (thank you mother nature for keeping me on my toes). Needles to say hostess and guests had a wonderful time and we created memories for all. #anotherfelicievent

Felici Events decor table setting details Collage

*Felici Fact: tenting will keep rain from falling on your head, but not water from coming up below.

Santa Barbara Wedding Miguel + Matt

November 28, 2014

Same Sex Elopement by Felici Events

Santa Barbara Courthouse & Sunken Gardens

When I wear my wedding planning hat, I have to say that I LOVE love…..I mean it! Hearing stories of how couples meet, seeing their vision come to fruition, and then ogling the moments in time that the wedding photographer has captured.

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding cute grooms

Matt and Miguel are no exception. We had about two weeks to plan their elopement without meeting the happy-couple and get all their wedding details into play. When I met with them the night before their wedding, I fell in love with these two, and their story.

Miguel and Matt met at Miguel's place of work, a hair salon in Phoenix. Matt had been a loyal customer for years, and Miguel had just moved to town, and recently started working at the salon. Matt says his regular stylist was handling his appointment as usual, but he could not keep his eyes off Miguel. It was love at first sight. On his next appointment, Matt requested Miguel as his hair dresser. Needless to say, Matt is now loyal to his stylist and getting the best haircuts ever.

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding dog ring barer

The couple was on the fence about having their dog be in the wedding or at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Sunken Gardens, and I confidently told them that they should have a ring bearer, and that the pup would be fine inside the courthouse and around the grounds. I had not event met the pooch, but I am glad they took me up on my advice, who doesn't love that cute boxer mug! The nice thing about Santa Barbara is that it is extremely dog friendly, so that makes it perfect for dog-lovers and owners like myself.

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding elopement

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding elpoement posed shots with dog

In retrospect, I think the pup stole the show.

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding groom ceremony

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding grooms and dog

In these picture I love the boutonnières and ties that oppose each other. Matt sent me images of the ties beforehand so that I could match the ribbon with the florist. Thank you to Kaleidoscope Flowers for doing a great job!

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding grooms exchanging rings

Seriously, the image below looks as if there is a fake backdrop, but NOPE, Santa Barbara and the American Riviera is that gorgeous! I live it every day and appreciate the beauty and backdrops this town offers.

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding grooms view from the top

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding kiss on the cheek

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding ring exchange

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding showing off rings

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding steps and sunken garden dog ring barer

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding tower top

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding walking down the hallway

In this image, I get a kick out of the wedding bands. I had no idea the formed a heart until I saw them take this picture. What a great personalization and detail to come full circle about LOVING love! Congratulations Miguel and Matt!

santa barbara courthouse gay wedding wedding rings

A huge thank you to Amy at Vita-Bella Photography for these amazing images.

Grazie Mille!

November 21, 2014

The Happy Couple look into their reception from the window on their very special day.

Mr. Towbes Birthday Celebration at Bacara Resort and Spa

November 18, 2014

Felici Events Produces an Entertaining Brunch Celebration

Felici Events was honored to have been part of another grand celebration for the accomplishments, love and birthday celebration of Mr. Towbes, Santa Barbara's own "It's a Wonderful Life" (Zohe produced Mr. Towbes 80th at Fess Parker Doubletree)

This time, we had a double whammy with putting this event together at Bacara Resort and Spa. Everything is grand at Bacara, event the entrance, impressive!

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th Bacara Entry

The gracious and gorgeous Anne, Mr. Towbes wife, was instrumental in creating this event and guiding Felici Events to a personalized affair! Here is the happy couple just minutes before guests arrived.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th Anne and Michael

We created life-size cutouts of the guest of honor and placed them around the resort for guests to take pictures with.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th standing with lifesize

Being Mr. Santa Barbara created a receiving line which showed exactly that! Everyone who is everyone came to wish him a happy birthday!

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th greeting guests

The guest of honor is an avid tennis player, so the talents of Louloudi Design incorporated this hobby into the centerpieces. They looked lovely on La Tavola Linens with linear definitions.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th table set up floral orange linen

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th Rotunda Room Bacara

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th tennis racket signage

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th floral centerpiece with tennis ball

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th wide lens orange table decor

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th Rotunda Terrace Orange Decor

After brunch, we moved the 275 person event to the ballroom, where we had four performances or acts celebrating Mr. Towbes and his love and support of the arts and music as well as other surprises and personalizations celebrating his interests and accomplishments.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th ladies kissing cheeks lifesize

The Towbes Group Inc. is an award-winning and respected construction, development and asset management company. We had a life-size cutout of the honoree supporting the Cottage Hospital Project.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th Lifesize Architect

The honoree is also known as the owner and Chairman of the Board of Montecito Bank and Trust. Here we produced a 'money tree' with oversized ficus and a Towbes Bucks garland. Did you know people have been known to try to use the Towbes Bucks in town?!

We set the ballroom into dinner theatre style small tables so all guests could see the performances. At each table were programs, popcorn bowls and a low cylinder of floating candles wrapped in blueprints of the Cottage Hospital Project. The red pens, personalized with Mr. Towbes Still Swingin' at 85' were party favors representative of Mr. Towbes use of them for using in his editing and return correspondence.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th ballroom table set up

The State Street Ballet danced while guests arrived into the ballroom. Mr. Towbes is a longtime support and passionate of this local professional ballet company.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th state street ballet

During the brunch and performances, the Felici Events Team gathered all the 'momentos of Mr. Towbes' (the invitation asked guests to bring those in lieu of gifts), and produced two scrap books. Carrie, Mr. Towbes daughter and Anne presented this surprise gift to the man of the hour.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th presenting album

Let there be cake! We replicated the invitation cover picture of the the man of the hour playing tennis onto a sheet cake.

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th birthday cake

Hope you made a wish! Happy Birthday Mr. Towbes. You are truly a genuine, altruistic, generous and kind man, and Santa Barbara is lucky to have you as a leader and philanthropist in our community!

Michael Towbes Birthday 85th blowing out candles

I saw the sign.....

November 13, 2014

Felici Events Tips for Wedding Planning and Event Production - Signage

Signage is not something that clients may think of doing, however, signage can be important for any event. Being a wedding planner I ensure we take the event to the last detail, and signage can be one of the most important dotted i's and crossed t's.

It can direct vendors to their load-in / load-out and designated parking areas, or keep out of town guests from getting lost. The best part is that signage is not only informative, it can be fun, simple, and a cost effective way to pull your theme together.

Here are a few chalkboard signs Felici Events created for a recent Santa Barbara wedding. The client had old windows they had found, and we chalked it up with chalk paint, and custom made signage for their wedding at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

The center pane is a replica of the logo on their invitations and save the dates. Branding a wedding is something Felici Events find to be important and creates a unique element.

This entry sign, welcomed guests and let them know they were at the right location. Guests even used it as a photo op as they arrived at the site and got off the trolley.

entry sign on window chalk board by Felici Events

This sign is the bar menu letting guests know the signature drinks, wines and beers offered at the we ding. Notice their initials on the bottom right square, we copied this from their wedding invitations, save the dates, etc.

The sign below is near and dear to my heart, because the client is now using it as a focal point at their home, and have placed it above their bar. They loved it so much, it has become artwork……

bar menu on window chalk board Felici Events

This sign we made to let everyone know of the instagram handle for the wedding. (Felici advice: I do suggest checking a hashtag first to ensure it is what you want to appear for pictures guests tag……) #andernathy

instagram sign at escort card table by felici events

This chalk board is the program for today's Felici Events wedding of #paigeandtedwed . We used the same font as on the invitations and will have it as guests enter the ceremony.

wedding program on chalk board by felici events

If you are more of a clean line black and white person you can download images online!

or personalize signs to your theme! Whether it is a specific branding or look you are envisioning from playful, rustic or classic, signs are the perfect way to express your personality!

Once in an event, signs help let guests know what is going on and where to find what they are looking for

or a way to share tidbits of trivia, making for personalization....

Whatever the case, have fun with it!

I do. It Differently.

November 8, 2014

Pouffed, wrapped, adorned, or tucked...veils don't always have to be what you'd expect!

There are so many different ways to wear your veil for your special day or to not wear one!

You can wear a traditional white veil and pouf it out to make it large and elegant or you can wear a short white one instead You can always mess around with tule and make a simple bow

You can also opt for the traditional white color but wear it like a headpiece instead Adorn it by using lace or add color with some flowers

Elle.com also offers an insight on veils by offering 9 Gorgeous Alternatives to the traditional veil including wearing a flower crown and scattered jewels

For more extravagant alternative bridal veils BeSpoke Brides has their top 13 list or you can check out Bridal Headpieces on Pinterest!

Felici Events Presents - Santa Barbara's Third Annual Halloween Costume Party

October 24, 2014

Voodoo Lounge

INSANITY under the STARS…

…….Rooftop HALLOWEEN DANCE PARTY!

October 31, 2014

One week left until Felici Event’s annual Halloween Costume Dance Party at the Canary Rooftop.

Buy your tickets via Nightout.com using this link to experience “Insanity Under the Stars”!
$45 pre-sale, based on availability.
Pre-purchase your ticket and receive $5 off by typing FIVEOFF in the promo code bar (based on availability, not available at the door)
Like our Voodoo Lounge Facebook Page for a chance to win free tickets!!

DJ Scott Topper is sure to get everyone's booty moving to the rooftop and then the dance floor! Find ideas for your Halloween Costume here, get your dancing shoes on, and come join us in all the fun.

Kelsey Crews Photography will be taking pictures of you and your friends in costumes!

Felici Events Costume Halloween 2013 Voodoo

Felici Events Halloween Voodoo 2013 Costume

OTHER FUN STUFF HAPPENING THAT NIGHT:

Kappa Pisco’s shot ghouls are serving up some witch’s brew, pisco tastings and gifting schwag and promotional items.
$$$$ Costume Contest $$$$ 250 cash prize for the winner and Dinner for 2 at Finch and Fork Restaurant for the second place
Haunted Action Photo Booth
Voodoo Altar
Dancing Zombies Welcome!
Go-go dancers
Surprise Entertainment

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DETAILS

Canary Hotel 31 W Carrillo St. Santa Barbara, CA, 93101 Friday, October 31, 2014 9:00pm to 1:00am PDT

*MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO ATTEND. Any ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 21 years of age will not be admitted to this event and will not be eligible for a refund. Rain or Shine. Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE. No Ins & Outs

Enjoy this video of Felici Events' Halloween Dance Rooftop Party from last year - created by Kelsey Crews Photography

Felici Events Presents Three Holiday Parties

October 16, 2014

Holiday Party Ideas

As we quickly approach the holiday season, Felici Events brings you ideas for your private or corporate party!

Inspired by Biz Bash: The Holiday Issue we share three seasonal holiday themes sure to please your guests!

Classic Holiday

Take out your ornaments and red candles! Make your holiday parties with classic themes like the nutcracker or holiday movies and use traditional decorations to bring the joy of the season! Hang up lights, wreaths, and trees, feel free to add a pine cone or two in there. For food, you can make appetizers based off dinners such as a turkey cranberry crostini, chicken kebabs or pizza bites in traditional holiday shapes. Be sure to decorate your table with a classic gingerbread house!

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland is a modern theme that looks elegant and transforms your venue into an entirely different place! With Disney's "Frozen" and ice being all the rage, having a winter wonderland themed party can be the perfect theme for your holiday party! Decorate with snowflakes, crystals, blue lights, crystals and silver decor. Be sure to have a hot cocoa bar to warm your guests up!

Try something innovative with live ice sculpting!

The Ice Beat Factory is an exciting performance ice show combining ice sculpting with live music.

Offbeat Bash

Many modern holiday parties are saying no to the traditional holiday themed parties and going for a more offbeat theme like a masquerade ball or as Biz Bash demonstrates, a circus theme. Another theme idea could be a Brother's Grimm theme with Once Upon a Time, Grimm, and Disney's upcoming film, Into the Woods serving as inspiration. There's so many possibilities with this theme, guests can come dressed as their favorite fairy tale characters and the ideas for decorations are endless!

Get creative with invitations to inspire guests and decorate with grand chandeliers to create a more spectacular fantasy!

Take inspiration from Brother's Grimm fairy tales for centerpieces such as a single rose or a candelabra!

Feel free to use a specific fairy tale or just combine them all to make an enchanted venue! Have some caramelized apples or Alice in Wonderland cake for dessert! Be sure to checkout Cody's Cocktails inspired by fairy tale creatures that are sure to be remembered at your holiday party! This one below is called "Maleficent" and contains black vodka, grape schnapps, and apple pucker!

Whatever you decide for your theme, holiday parties should create a festive and joyous occasion!

Stress free holiday parties with Felici Events

October 10, 2014

The holidays parties are coming near

Don't stress yourself you need not fear

To the rescue we come to bring good cheer

We got you covered, Felici Events is here!

Felici Events is an upscale full service event planning company specializing in innovative parties from intimate soirees to grand-scale galas.

10% of the proceeds are donated to Teddy Bear Foundation or Unity Shoppe

Relieve your stress today and click here for more information!

For more tips for a less stressful holiday parties click here

(805)895-3402

3rd Annual Voodoo Lounge Halloween Dance Party

October 3, 2014

Felici Events & Scott Topper present:

VOODOO LOUNGE

INSANITY under the STARS...

...Rooftop HALLOWEEN DANCE PARTY!

Friday, October 31, 2014 - 9:00 pm to 1:00 am Featuring DJ Scott Topper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI2R6D13fD4 Canary Hotel, Downtown Santa Barbara 31 West Carrillo Street - $45 pre-sale, based on availability - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $ $ $ Costume Contest $ $ $ 1st place - $250 CASH 2nd place - Brunch for 2 at Finch & Fork - Haunted Action Photo Booth - Voodoo Altar - Dancing Zombies Welcome! - Spirited Drink Specials

Receive $5 off admission October 1st through October 5th at 12:00am (one per person)

Promo code: "5OFF"

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

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