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Unique Team Building and Group Activities Santa Barbara Offers

Unique Team Building and Group Activities Santa Barbara Offers

Visit Santa Barbara invited Felici Events to have a conversation with local hotel sales teams and share ways to get groups to interact – either on-site at the hotels or out in the community, highlighting what we offer as a unique service and product in order to help work that messaging into their value proposition for holding the meeting in Santa Barbara - BEYOND THE BALLROOM.  

What we are hearing for meeting planning post-pandemic is people need a “Why” to leave home and travel for meetings.  Offsite meetings can’t just be about sitting in a conference room watching a PowerPoint, teams can just as easily sit at home and do that via Zoom.  Team Building events bring value and excitement to meetings while giving attendees the chance to bond with co-workers, interact with senior leaders, and embrace company culture. 

Immersion and experiential is our niche and we, at Felici Events, know that not all groups have time or budget to leave the hotel grounds so it would help to know if you can bring programming on-site.

CLICK HERE to download your 1 sheeter of (just a handful of) #Felicified activities we can coordinate for you in the Santa Barbara area.


CLICK HERE to start planning your Corporate Event Today!

CAMA Centennial Community Celebration at The Sunken Gardens

CAMA Centennial Community Celebration at The Sunken Gardens

 

We love community events (after all, aren’t they synonymous), and this one in particular is very close to our hearts as it brought in FOUR of our favorite things:

  1. Community

  2. Food

  3. Wine

  4. Gorgeous Iconic Location

Felici Events was hired to produce a festive afternoon of collaboration with local cultural arts partners to gather for music, delicious food, and beverages, and the community to honor CAMA for this historic occasion: to celebrate the first 100 years of Community Arts Music Association.

The client wanted ‘something sweet and memorable’ to gift the community so we placed an order for 2500+ mini cupcakes with Lele patisserie (none were left over)

Created with a food and wine music festival in mind, the committee approached local favorites to be a part of the event, and Felici Events orchestrated over 20 local restaurants and 20 wineries to successfully participate and show off the best of the best in town within the day’s events. Over 2500 community members arrived to enjoy the afternoon celebration, delicious eats, special sips, and fantastic music in Santa Barbara’s most iconic wedding and event venue, the Sunken Gardens of the Santa Barbara Courthouse.

This event was free and open to the public, and included:

Musical presentations by:
Opera Santa Barbara
Music Academy of the West’s Sing! Program
Faculty of Westmont College
Department of Music, UC Santa Barbara
Members of Santa Barbara Symphony

FOOD:
Bibi Ji
Black Sheep Restaurant
Ca’ Dario Ristorante
Finch & Fork
Le Sorelle
Michael’s Catering
Pete Clements Catering
Olio e Limone
Opal Restaurant & Bar
Via Maestra 42

WINE:
Alma Rosa Winery
Babcock Winery
Brander Vineyard Cebada Wine
Grassini Family Vineyards
Grimm’s Bluff
Lumen Wines
Pali Wine Co.
Presqu’ile Winery
Santa Barbara Winery

CAMA is Santa Barbara’s oldest arts organization, and is presenting its 100th concert season in 2018-19. CAMA’s mission is to enrich the city’s cultural life by bringing live performances by world-renowned classical artists and orchestras of the highest artistic excellence to our community and by providing creative, focused music education programs for individuals of all ages.

Photographer: Bycherry Photography | Location: Santa Barbara County Courthouse Gardens | Planner: Felici Events | Restrooms: Marborg Industries | Cupcakes: Lele Patisserie | Audio: SPARK Creative Events | Rentals: BRIGHT Event Rentals | Musicians: CAMA | Staffing: Top Shelf | Popcorn Machines: Just 4 Fun Party Rentals | Valet: Bluestar Parking

 

Cannabis at Events - an Educational Panel for Wedding and Event Professionals

Cannabis at Events - an Educational Panel for Wedding and Event Professionals

My wedding blog hosted an informative workshop for wedding professionals and the ever-curious question of how will our industry be able to safely, ethically and successfully maneuver our client requests of having cannabis or marijuana served at the event?

The afternoon consisted of a panel discussion about cannabis’ impact on the private and wedding event industry and education on what is permitted, required and expected so we can balance client and wedding couples’ requests as well as government mandates.

As legalization of recreational marijuana maneuvers thru California., cannabis-infused weddings (from bud bouquets to cannabis cakes) are gaining popularity and creating a buzz within the wedding industry. Respectively, due to the increase in planning cannabis infused weddings, new businesses are being established because of the emergence of the two things legal marijuana and celebrations / events.

Pre-panel discussion, guests mingled and nibbled at an innovative munchies bar created by Creative Services Catering. Goodies included maple glazed bacon, ginormous chocolate chip cookies, mac n’ cheese, popcorn, candy, chips and Twizzlers.

The Panel consisted of:

  • GrassFed - event "budbar" producers of cannabis themed pop up events and facilitators

  • Tina Fanucchi-Frontado, owner of KopSun - a cannabis education, information and health resource company for women

  • Liz Rogan of Liz Rogan and Associates - cannabis liaison, educator and advocate

Topics of discussion included:

  • What is happening in California vs the rest of the country

  • How we are seeing marijuana represented culturally now vs ten years ago…5 years ago

  • How is cannabis impacting events?

  • Tools for those who are unaware of state legalities and restrictions

  • Navigating the legalities and logistic of cannabis at special events

  • Ways to integrate cannabis into a couple’s special day

  • Incorporating marijuana and leaves into wedding florals, bouquets, decor and centerpieces

  • Infusing food with weed, how to legally serve it and the permitting needed

The number one take-away and piece of advice we received from our panel is:

GET EDUCATED!

There are a multitude of resources available and many people aren’t aware of how to maneuver and responsibly incorporate using herbs in their celebrations.

Thank you to the Team that Helped make this day special:

Ultimate Gray + Illuminating Wedding Colors - Pantone Color of the Year 2021

Ultimate Gray + Illuminating Wedding Colors - Pantone Color of the Year 2021

At Felici Events we set trends (that is a fact!), and showcasing this wedding (featured on Santa Barbara Wedding Style) from 2016 proves it.

Pantone announced its 2021 Colors of the Year - Ultimate Gray and Illuminating last week.

We could not wait to re-share this wedding that took place at the historic Casa de la Guerra that use this exact color combination and give you some trending tips for weddings that we used to make this local wedding couple’s casual and purposeful fun wedding come to life!

First, let us share with you a bit about “PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR” - For over 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design.

The Pantone Color of the Year selection process requires thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. To arrive at the selection each year, Pantone’s color experts at Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences.

This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, playstyles, and socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms, and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.”

Needless to say this all filters down into wedding and event design and trends. For us, we use all of the above-mentioned industries to help inspire us and create trendy touches for our non-profit Santa Barbara Events and Fundraisers as well as for our private social gatherings such as weddings, birthday parties, and bar or bat mitzvahs.

This year’s chosen colors are not a novelty by any means, but the meaning and story behind these colors is something we hold near and dear to our hearts based on the crazy Pandemic year and its effects on the world and in the event industry this past year.

“We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter – this is essential to the human spirit.”

PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray combined with PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating provides a message of happiness supported by fortitude, aspirational, which gives us hope.

I could not think of a better description than this color combination exemplifies for Eric and Nick’s ceremonious occasion! While these two gentlemen tied the knot, there was not a dry eye in the house. The support from their 150 guests, composed of close friends, family, was palpable during the couple’s nuptials. Once the festivities for the evening began happiness spread like a New York Minute.

For the color scheme, the couple picked the joyful combination of yellow and gray. On the tables, this translated to gray chevron runners from La Tavola paired with bright lemons incorporated into the centerpieces. The loose citrus added pops of yellow and aged wrought-iron lanterns added texture to the look. 

Hanging from above, Bella Vista Designs hung romantic string lights and a cluster of bright-yellow paper installations to mark the dance floor area.

See more details of this wedding HERE


Photographer: Clarissa Koenig Photography | Wedding Location: Casa de la Guerra | Wedding Planner: Felici Events | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Lighting: Bella Vista Designs | Catering: Soho Tacos | Cake: Your Cake Baker | Churro's: Fernando's Churros | Music: DJ Patrick Swayzak | Photobooth: Thoughtbox | Floral Design: NLC Productions



Community Memorial with 2000+ Attendees for Mr. Santa Barbara

Community Memorial with 2000+ Attendees for Mr. Santa Barbara

 

It was an incredible honor to create an event commemorating the late Michale Towbes, Santa Barbara’s most influential and respected entrepreneur and philanthropist. The community event consisted of an afternoon at the Granada Theatre. Over 2000 spectators and community members gathered as Michael Towbes’ closest friends, family, work confidants and even Governor Jerry Brown took the stage to individually honor and shared in songs, stories, photo collages and favorite memories of the beloved guest of honor. The touching tribute ended with Mr. Towbes friends and family on stage to sing the guest of honor’s favorite song and getting every single spectator of the filled theater on their feet to .

The afternoon memoriam was followed by a champagne toast and mini cupcake reception at the iconic Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens. A quartet performed Mr. Towbes favorite songs while guests mingled and celebrated the life of our community’s beloved philanthropist, and all-around mensch. The garden party included orchids, his favorite flowers as well as personalized cocktail napkins printed with his favorite quotes or “Towbe-isms including:

“Onward and upward…”
“Some of the best deals I ever made were  the ones I didn’t make”
”The only thing I like better than a ground breaking is a ribbon cutting”
”I always try to do my best, even when no one is watching”

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Mr. Towbes on several party planner projects, including his 80th Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser for the Granada Theatre Capital Campaign, his 85th birthday brunch and a show at Bacara Resort and Spa, as well as one of his company’s 60th Anniversary Celebration and Roast of MT. Each event was carefully planned to exemplify things Mr. Towbes loved and supported, the arts, fundraising and success in business. Creating this garden party to reflect and combine the personality, passion and entrepreneurial psyche of our local tycoon was the hardest story to tell, and the most rewarding to produce.

Undoubtedly, Mr. Towbes has been a huge influence on our community and the people in it. Everybody wanted to celebrate the life of this extraordinary man, Michael Towbes.

Santa Barbara will not be the same without him.

GRAZIE MILLE to the Event Production Team who made this all happen!

Photography: Kelsey Crews Photo

Music at the Granada: Scott Hiltzik, Aurora Ensemble

Garden Party Venue: The Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens

Memorial Venue: The Granada Theatre

Rentals: Elan Event Rentals and The Tent Merchant

Audio at the Sunken Gardens: SPARK Creative Events

Quartet Music at the Sunken Gardens: Idiomatiques

Mini Cupcakes: Léle Patisserie

Flowers: Louloudi Boutique Floral Design

Bartenders: Liquid Cult

Servers: Top Shelf

Transportation: SB Trolley

Valet: BlueStar Parking

Also, a special thanks to MarBorg Industries and Triumph Protection Group

 

A Dramatic Oceanfront Wedding Ceremony with a Greenhouse Reception

A Dramatic Oceanfront Wedding Ceremony with a Greenhouse Reception

 

Owners of a new local organic restaurant, it was important to the bride and groom that the location resonated with their plant-based and sustainability mantra, therefore what better than a greenhouse wedding reception location? That is why we produced this organic wedding for a sweet couple at the Orchid Estate along the Gaviota Coast.

Something that I find NUMBER ONE IMPORTANT when seeking an event venue, is to find a location that ties in with the theme, purpose, personality or intended vibe. In this case, the greenhouse brings so much interest and uniqueness to the guest experience, not only is it a WOW factor to be forever remembered, it was a day-journey.

Guests were shuttled to the end of the property, walked a short path, crossed the train tracks to find themselves along a breathtaking oceanfront cliff lined with wooden benches. After the teary eyes wedding ceremony, and swoop kiss, guests enjoyed cocktails and delicious hors d’ouvres inside a living plant portion of the greenhouse.

For dinner, live music entertained guests inside the event greenhouse, which was decorated with mismatched chairs, runners, wooden tables and interesting furnitures. The eclectic decor complimented the industrial and symmetrical greenhouse, softening the look and feel of the unique venue.

Thank you to the amazing team of vendors who helped make this another flawless #FeliciWedding.

Catering: Season Catering | Flowers: Secret garden | Lighting: Bellavista Designs | Music ~ BandThe Class Band | Photography: Clarissa Koenig photography | Planner Felici Events | Rentals: Ventura Party Rentals

 

Lavender & Purple Wedding at Alice Keck Park & El Paseo Restaurant

Lavender & Purple Wedding at Alice Keck Park & El Paseo Restaurant

Featured on Santa Barbara Wedding Style Blog, this bride and groom are very special to Zohe because the groom is one of Zohe's best friends, and Zohe was honored when they asked her to plan their Santa Barbara wedding.

The couple chose to hold their ceremony at the beautiful Alice Keck Park in Santa Barbara, since that is where they had part of their first date. 

The bride knew her colors from the start of the wedding planning, that is why the bridesmaids wore purple, knee length gowns and carried varied shades of purple floral bouquets crafted by the ever talented Margaret Joan Florals.  

The couple hung different shades of purple ribbons behind them at the existing lush ceremony altar, creating a fun backdrop as Rich Tobin led the couple through their vows. Guitar Witt duo softly played Spanish style music throughout the ceremony which incorporated the bride's Cuban background and added romance to the park’s ambiance. 

Felici Events worked with this couple to plan a wonderful day for them as they moved from the ceremony to the iconic El Paseo Restaurant for their reception.

Kelsey Crews Photo captured the day so perfectly and that she even got a few shots in of the couple’s beloved pooch, Kirby, who made his appearance at the ceremony. The day ended on a sweet note with a full dance floor of dancers, and nonstop dancing to music provided by Gavin Roy Presents as well as a delicious cake by Christine Dahl Pastries.

Cake - Christine Dahl Pastries

Ceremony Venue - Alice Keck Park

Flowers - Margaret Jordan Floral

Lighting - SPARK Creative Events

Music ~ Ceremony & Cocktails - Guitar Witt

Music ~ Reception - DJ Gavin Roy

Officiate - Rich Tobin

Photography - Kelsey Crews Photo

Planner - Felici Events

Reception Venue - El Paseo Restaurant

Rentals - Just 4 Fun Party Rentals

Private Estate Silver + Blue Santa Barbara Wedding

Private Estate Silver + Blue Santa Barbara Wedding

Villa Verano February Santa Barbara Wedding

This very special private estate wedding was full of delight, elegance and a class act couple to go along with it!  When Jill + Jason sought me out, they did not have a location picked out yet, but knew they wanted to get married 2.15.15 because of Jason's work schedule (Hight School teacher in NYC).  They were really leaning toward a luxury hotel wedding, but wedding planning is my thing and reading people my talent.

Because their friends, families and selves were coming to California from the East Coast, I suggested they look at private venues.  This would allow them to enjoy the weather and stunning views Santa Barbara offers for longer than a 2 hour stint (with daylight savings, they would have most of the reception in the dark).   Soooo, off to see venues we went, and Villa Verano is what they fell in love with.  It allowed for their close family to stay w/ them (just as if they were in a hotel) and enjoy the property and privacy for their entire stay.

I The colors the client chose were silver and blue for this February affair.  Below the gorgeous invitations created by the über talented Lazaro Press and Designs.

Jill and Jason Invitation Wedding Blue and Silver Felici Events
Jill and Jason Invitation Wedding Blue and Silver Felici Events

The wedding ceremony took place at the quaint and intimate setting of the lower garden on the property. Their officiate, a close friend, did a phenomenal job with the ceremony.  I would hire her for all of my nuptials if she lived closer, not New York City.

Jill and Jason Wedding Ceremony Villa Verano Felici Events
Jill and Jason Wedding Ceremony Villa Verano Felici Events

The colors worked so well with the venue, flirty flowers, elegant linens and silver rimmed glassware

Jill and Jason Table Set Up Felici Events Villa Verano
Jill and Jason Table Set Up Felici Events Villa Verano
Jill and Jason Excort Card display on hydrangea Felici Events
Jill and Jason Excort Card display on hydrangea Felici Events

The escort cards are displayed on a bed of hydrangeas which eventually became a focal point.  

The couple's sweetheart table full of lush white floral with the themed colors.

sweetheart table felici events villa verano
sweetheart table felici events villa verano
villa verano view
villa verano view

Here is a full view of the gorgeous reception terrace, with string lights and heaters provided by the venue. 

Felici Events Blue and Silver table top birds eye view
Felici Events Blue and Silver table top birds eye view

And a birds eye view of the gorge white floral with lily's hydrangeas, paler roses, white roses and more.

We don't know what was prettier, the backdrop of the American Riviera or the simple and delicious wedding cake.

room for cake felici events blue and silver
room for cake felici events blue and silver
sweetheart table felici events chandelier
sweetheart table felici events chandelier

Listening to the toasts, the chandelier above the sweetheart table brought romance to the decor.

First Dance Jill and Jason
First Dance Jill and Jason

And their first dance!

thank you bride and groom felici events
thank you bride and groom felici events

We love this moment captured by the photographer of the bride laughing at her new hubby.  He is a funny guy, and she has a great laugh, so we are partial to this image.  Thank YOU Jill + Jason for hiring Felici Events as your planner for your perfect winter Southern California Wedding!

Grazie Mille to the Team of Vendors who made this magical week-end happen!

Cake - Room For Cake

Catering - Omni Catering & Events

Flowers - Coco Rose Design

Hair/Make Up - Chateau Belle

Invitation - Lazaro Press & Design

Lighting - Bella Vista Designs

Music ~ Ceremony & Cocktails - The Aurora Ensemble

Music ~ Reception - DJScott Topper Productions

Photography - Andrejka Photography

Planner - Felici Events

Rentals - The Tent Merchant

Seafoam Blue Wedding at an Oceanside Private Estate

Seafoam Blue Wedding at an Oceanside Private Estate

This oceanside beach themed wedding was a perfect location for the Southern California bride and groom.  The location, Santa Barbara Beach Club, is located on a cliff offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The outdoor area is a toes in the sand experience, where guests enjoyed both the ceremony and reception.  Flipflops were available as guests arrive for them to trade out for their shoes if they wished.

After the ceremony guests enjoyed a cocktail reception in the front yard. The catwalk deck is a perfect setting for the wedding ceremony which we then re-purposed to place the wedding cake under the altar canopy, and the deck became the dance floor for the wedding reception.

When planning the wedding we thoughtfully incorporate the seafoam blue colors into the crinkle linen, which reflected beautifully in the sunshine.  The bamboo folding chairs enhanced the beach vibe decor. We wanted to create some playfulness into the seafoam and white wedding, so the florals created by NLC Productions incorporated pops of color incorporating coral, yellow and orange flowers.

Guests enjoyed a delicious plated dinner by Catering Connection and a seafoam ombre wedding cake.  After dinner, guests danced the night away under string lights provided by Bellavista Designs, who also adhered fabric along the entry deck, to soften the design of the area.

Catering - Catering Connection

Coordinator - Felici Events

Flowers - NLC Productions

Hair/Make Up - Dreamcatcher Artisrty

Lighting - Bella Vista Designs

Music- Vox DJ's

Photo Booth - America's Party Company

Photography - Logan Cole Photography

Rentals - Town and Country Event Rentals

Shuttles - Pipeline Transportation

Venue Contact - Premier Rental Group

Voodoo Lounge Halloween Dance Party

Voodoo Lounge Halloween Dance Party

Ghoulish Decor + Creative Costumes = A Ghostly Good Time!

If you know Zohe, you know that Halloween is one of her favorite holidays.  Born December 29th, Zohe has participated in or hosted a Halloween Party for as long as she can remember.  The best part of this holiday is the unique Halloween costumes and the creative haunting decor.

October 31st 2015 we produced the 4th annual Voodoo Lounge Halloween Party at Montecito Country Club.  What a perfect venue to host such an event!  Santa Barbara's Voodoo Lounge Halloween Dance Part is an event that is open to the public, in which Scott Topper Productions + Felici Events manifested in 2012 for the Santa Barbara community.

A huge Grazie Mille to Kelsey Crews for these amazing images!

We LOVED this group costume, those are usually some of our favorites.  The entire Addams Family is pictured below.

These girls won best costume as the twins from The Shining. Gory and gruesome, we were afraid to talk to them.

These two won 2nd place in the costume contest as the Voodoo Duo.  It's all in the details, look at the foliage on the guy's flip-flops.

This group of friends were striking a pose, what a great mix with a punk rocker, hercules, money, dia de los muertos and air force pilot costumes.

Things got a little wild on the dance floor.

Here is a surprise performance by Borgia Bloom

The event producers, Zohe Felici of Felici Events and Scott Topper of Scott Topper Productions did it again!

Aaaand, the Felici Events Team w/ Zohe Felici posing  in front of the grand fireplace. 

Grazie Mille to the event professionals and vendors who helped Felici Events make this night possible:

Grim Reaper Grilled Cheese by The Blue Owl

Shot Ghouls Cannon Blast + Cannon Blast Cauldron Potion Jello Shots

Haunted

Action Photo Booth

Scott Topper Productions

DJ'ing and Boogy-manning the night away

THRILLER Flash Mob performance by

La Boheme Professional Dancers

Social Media Savvyness by

Search Engine Pros

Social Media Assistance by

Social Status Media

Spooktacular Location at

Montecito Country Club

Creepy Cages donated by

Bella Vista Designs

Complete with Spine Chilling Sparkling Lounge, the party was a huge success!

We were honored to be able to donate Partial Proceeds to the Pacific Pride Foundation