A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of touring a brand new estate, Las Montanas, which is avaliable for weddings and vacation rentals.

The property features stuning ocean, mountain and island views and sleeps 6 to 8 guests for overnight stays.

The property has a tiered backyard, so a smaller more intinmate celebration would work best here (under 80). However, there is a large flat lawn just down the driveway that could be used for receptions and ceremonies for up to 150.

This is the lowest tier, the view is amazing!

Some notes:

• all rentals need to be brought in- tables/chairs/etc
• catering kitchen needs to be brought in
• guests need to be shuttled to the property
• additional lighting and power is needed
• there is a getting ready area for the bride and groom
• bathrooms need to be brought in
• music must be off at 10pm

For more information visit Santa Barbara Exclusive Rentals.

Last week I had the chance to visit a brand new vacation rental and wedding estate called Bates Ranch House.

A historic home from the 20′s, the property sits on top of a knoll and has an amazing ocean and mountain views.

At the front of the house, is a large grassy lawn with stunning ocean views. It would make the perfect spot for a wedding ceremony and reception.

At the back of the house is a large lawn with mountain views and would be the perfect spot for cocktail hour.

The back lawn also has a lovely outdoor fireplace which would be the perfect relaxing spot after the party.

Some notes:

• all rentals need to be brought in- tables/chairs/etc
• catering kitchen needs to be brought in
• guests need to be shuttled to the property
• there is power at the site, you may need more depending on what you’re doing
• additional lighting is needed
• there is a getting ready area for the bride and groom
• bathrooms need to be brought in
• music must be off at 10pm

For more information visit Santa Barbara Exclusive Rentals.

Villa Sevillano is a gorgeous private estate avaliable for weddings and vacation rentals. Located in Carpinteria, the property sleeps 14 and can host up to 300 guests for a wedding.

To one side of the property is a pool area with formal garden beyond, this one make a lovely spot for ceremony and cocktail hour.

The most impressive part of this property, is the polo field that makes up the majority of the grounds of the house.

A large reception here is no problem!

In the house, there is a large basement area with pool table and built in bar. This would make a great casual after party spot. There’s also a gourmet kitchen, home theater (and I do mean theater) and music speakers setup in every room.

Some notes:

• there are two garages on either side of the property that catering kitchen could be created in.
• tenting is allowed, but it must use water barrels, not stakes
• candles are allowed in glass
• Music must be off at 10pm.
• additional lighting is a must
• You must bring in  a generator
• Valet parking is required
• A dumpster must be rented for all event garbage.
• No large trucks are allowed on the field, golf carts maybe used to ferry guests.
• A wedding planner is required.

For more information on pricing and availability contact Leia at Santa Barbara Luxury Rentals.

Last week, I had the pleasure of touring a brand new estate for weddings and events in Santa Barbara. The Abbey Estate, a large classical style mansion, features sweeping views of the ocean, islands, and mountains.

The property features immaculate landscaping that surrounds several large grassy areas where receptions or ceremonies can be held.

The ceremony area features spectacular views of the ocean and mountains.

Synthetic turf is used in place of grass, guaranteeing a green lawn all year long.

Some notes:

• Amplified music must be off at 10:00pm.
• The maximum guest count is 200.
• All guests need to be shuttled to the property.
• There is a getting-ready suite for the bride.
• A catering kitchen, all rentals (tables/chairs/linen/china)  need to be brought in.
• Additional lighting is also required.
• There is power, but you may need to bring in a generator depending on your needs.
• Bathroom trailers need to be rented.
• Trash must be removed by the caterer.
• Rentals can be delivered the day before the event, but must be removed the Sunday after.

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of touring a quaint new estate location in the Santa Ynez Valley called Goodgame Ranch. The home is the oldest dutch house in the area and was recently renovated. It is now open for weddings and over night accommodations (sleeps six).

The front yard features rose bushes, two trees and would be lovely for an intimate ceremony.

In the backyard there is a pool which would be a perfect area for cocktails.

There is a large grassy area that would work for dinner. There is also a barn on the property that makes a lovely rustic backdrop for photos. I think putting the dance floor down below and creating a lounge area would be fun for after dinner festivities.

Some notes:

• Maximum guest count is 100.
• All guests must be shuttled to the property.
• No more than 6 vendor cars can be parked on site.
• Amplified music is allowed but must be off at 10pm.
• For a guest count over 50, additional bathrooms would need to be brought in.
• Tenting and staking is allowed.
• Candles are allowed in glass.
• There is power & water on site.
• Two night minimums are required, & the site fee ranges from $3,500 – $5,000 for the 2010 season.
• A kitchen is on site; additional kitchen rentals may be needed depending on guest count & menu.
• Tables/chairs/linens/glassware/china would all need to be brought it.
• You may bring in your own alcohol.

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

Casa das Palmas is a new estate located just outside the exclusive Hope Ranch area of Santa Barbara and is very close to Hendry’s beach. The property allows weddings and can sleep up to 10 people.

The estate features mature palm trees, pool, tennis court, fireplaces, and gourmet kitchen.

The estate can accommodate up to 200 guests for a wedding.

Ceremony can be held in the front yard which features even more palm trees and a gorgeous, Spanish style arcade.

Some notes:

• Shuttle service for guests is required.
• Music must be off at 10pm.
• A catering kitchen needs to be brought in.
• All rentals including tables/chairs/china/linen would need to be brought in.
• Power is available.
• Additional lighting is recommend.
• The tennis court may be used as long as some type of flooring is put down.
• Candles are allowed in glass.
• Music must be off by 10pm & they prefer DJs only.

For more information email ronit@worldshare.net or visit the website here for more information.

Last week I had the privilege of touring the newly renovated Villa de la Guerra. A historic estate, it feels like a miniature version of the Getty Villa and its proximity to the Mission can’t be beat.

Since its a historic property the owners would love to host rehearsal dinners and a handful of weddings a year.

The backyard features a beautiful pool and the surrounding lawn could accommodate up to 125 guests.The outdoor patio would make a lovely setting for a rehearsal dinner (one long table would be fun) or as the backdrop for a ceremony.

The indoor courtyard may be used for cocktail hour, though the rest of the house is off limits.

Guests could enter through the back gate, which would be a nice option if the ceremony was at the Mission (its literally across the street).

Some notes:

• Smoking is strictly prohibited on property.
• Bathrooms, catering kitchen and all rentals would need to be brought in.
• Additional lighting would need to be brought in.
• There is ample street parking, but valet is highly recommended.
• Candles are allowed in glass.
• Music must be off at 10pm.
• All trash needs to removed from the property at the end of the night.

For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour a brand new private estate in Montecito, La Bella Vita. The property features a formal lawn with a fountain for cocktail hour, and a lush tree lined lawn for the ceremony and reception.

On the upper half of the picture is the area for cocktail hour and welcome drinks.

This is the ceremony/reception area from above. Instead of using the lawn, you can also use the adjacent walkway and setup one long feasting table for dinner.

And this is a close up of the ceremony/reception area. The trees are magnificent.

The property is incredibly, serene, lush, and in a private gated community in Montecito.

Some notes:

• Max guest count is 200.
• For guest counts over 50, additional bathrooms need to be rented.
• Guests would need to be shuttled in and can be dropped off right next to the formal lawn.
• All rentals, catering, kitchen, power & additional lighting need to be brought in.
• Music must be off at 10pm.
• The property only allows 3-4 weddings a year.
• At minimum, a day of wedding coordinator is required by the estate.
• A dressing area for the bride is available at the house (which is above the event area).
• The house is not available for overnight accommodations.

If you’re interested in the property, please visit the website.

A hidden gem up Mission Canyon Road is the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens. A site that is not used a lot for weddings because there are numerous restrictions for events (it is a collection of rare plants) it is truly a one of kind venue. The main wedding location is the meadow which has an ocean view and in the spring time is a field of California poppies in beautiful gold and orange tones.

For pictures, there is red wood grove, a creek, and a ton of other options. For the couple that loves nature this is the venue for you.

Some notes:

• Events must end by 9pm.
• NO SMOKING is allowed anywhere on the property.
• All rentals would need to be brought in, including kitchen.
• Additional lighting is recommended.

Just down the street from where I live is my favorite park in Santa Barbara, Alice Keck Park. Its a small intimate park with tons of greenery, turtles, and koi. Available for as a ceremony only location, it has to be one of the best deals in town (to rent it is under $300 for four hours). There is a built in arbor and the location is the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. Plus you can watch the turtles practice their arabesque.