CAMA Centennial Community Celebration at The Sunken Gardens

July 5, 2022

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:

Community
Food
Wine
Gorgeous Iconic Location

Community Event Celebration at the Sunken Gardens (Copy)

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.

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

December 26, 2020

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.

Felici Events | Marijuana at Events Munchies Idea | Kiel Rucker Photography | Creative Services Catering

Felici Events | Marijuana at Events Lounge and Seating Idea | Kiel Rucker Photography | Ventura Party Rentals

Felici Events | Transportation for Marijuana at Events | Kiel Rucker Photography | Jump on the Schoolbus

Felici Events | Bud Tenders for Cannabis at Events | Kiel Rucker Photography | GrassFed

Felici Events | Bud Tenders for Marijuana at Events | Kiel Rucker Photography | GrassFed

Felici Events | Marijuana at Events | Kiel Rucker Photography | Cannabis Expert Panel

Felici Events | Event Planner Education | Marijuana at Events | Kiel Rucker Photography | Cannabis Expert Panel

Felici Events | Marijuana at Events Food Inspiration | Kiel Rucker Photography | Creative Services Catering

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

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

February 4, 2018

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.