Location Love - Canary Hotel, Santa Barbara

Yesterday I took a client to see potential venue spaces in Santa Barbara for a quaint wedding of 75 people. Our last stop was the Canary Hotel, a boutique hotel that is located in the heart of Santa Barbara. After checking out the banquet rooms, the largest capable of seating a party for 160 people, we took the elevator up to the Rooftop Perch, thanks to the staff who let us up. The bride gasped as we exited the elevator to this little haven above Santa Barbara.

She thought she wanted to have a reception near the beach until she saw this place. She was overcome by the mountain and red tile roof views that the Canary Hotel provided...it truly is the quintessential Santa Barbara location. It was like putting on the perfect wedding gown. She immediately thought that this was the space for her and I have to agree, this location would be perfect for this bride. I have been to that perch many times and even planned a wedding there when it was known as Hotel Andalucia. At any rate, I fell in love with the space again.

Everything about the Canary Hotel...the architecture, decor, tile work, outdoor fireplace, views, location, and the hotel staff...may just make this little hotel the perfect location for your wedding. It's a lot more affordable than most people will speculate and it can accommodate a good number of folks. The only negative is...I was not listed as one of their preferred Wedding Planners and Coordinators. Regardless of that little detail, if you are looking for the ultimate location in Santa Barbara to wed, check out the Canary Hotel. You may never want to leave its nest.

To check out their floor plan, capacity charts and catering menus, please visit their Special Events Webpage. The Canary Hotel is located at 31 West Cabrillo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or you can reach their Sales and Catering department by contacting them at 805-884-0300.

-Percy

Photos from the Canary Hotel

Location Location Location - Casa Barranca in Ojai, CA

I'm giving props to a local estate and vacation rental in my hometown of Ojai, California. This 54 acre craftsman home nestled in the hills of the Ojai Valley is probably one of my favorite rental homes ever! It's called Casa Barranca.

Casa Barranca is surrounded with lush landscaping, incredible views and is the perfect backdrop for a wedding or event. It offers so many options for your event and guests. Additionally, the jaw dropping architecture and furnishings are sure to amaze. If you are staying in the home, you will be pampered not only by the staff but by the location. Talk about a time to relax!

The main house is called the Pratt House and "Architectural Digest notes that in the grace of the Pratt House "...the sun translates the Greenes' structural poetry into ever-shifting patterns of light against polished wood. At night... the silhouette of live oaks is framed against the Milky Way. A closer approximation to Shangri-La is hard to imagine."

Additionally, Casa Barranca also has their own organic vineyard and their wines are fabulous! Accoridng to the Casa Barranca Organic Wine Website, "Our boutique wines are handcrafted in our century old underground stone winery where we use gravity to rack our wines. We are committed to employing winemaking practices without the use of toxic solvents and cleaners. Our winery is powered by solar electricity and we grow and purchase grapes that are farmed without the use of any pesticides or herbicides. This is in keeping with the most time honored traditions of old world winemaking."

Visit the Casa Barranca Website for a virtual tour of the house. If you are interested in checking out this home and other retreat homes in the Ojai Valley, contact Judy Gabriel with Retreats of Ojai and she will be happy to show you what great estates and retreats Ojai has to offer.

-Percy

Photo from Casa Barranca

Bridal Show of All Bridal Shows this Monday 9/22 in Los Angeles

If there is one bridal show you must attend this year, it's The Wedding Salon Wedding Showcase. It's being held this Monday, September 22, 2008 from 4pm - 9pm at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.

The cost of the is $50/for two people, a drop in the bucket for everything you get and the people you will meet. I'm sure that their goody bags alone will be worth the price! For a list of vendors for the LA show, please visit The Wedding Salon site.

Hope to see you Southern California Brides there!

-Percy

The Wedding Salon Event - 9/22/08 Los Angeles

Hey, you Southern California Brides and Grooms...the best of the best wedding shows is just around the corner and it is coming to Los Angeles!

The Wedding Salon, put on by 4Pm Events, is going to be the must attend luxury wedding showcase of the year. You will get to see the latest products and experience the exceptional services that caters to the sophisticated bride and groom, and maybe you will bump into me...yes I will be checking out all the goings on as well! You will be able to meet with finest companies to plan your wedding as well as experience the spectacular displays of wedding fineries including cakes, gowns, and floral arrangements.

The cost of the event is a mere $50/for two people, a drop in the bucket for everything you get and the people you will meet. I'm sure that their goody bags alone will be worth the price! For a list of vendors for the LA show, please visit The Wedding Salon site (the list will continue to grow as the date comes closer). The LA Show will take place on Monday, September 22, 2008 at the Beverly Hills Hotel from 4pm - 9pm. If you are not in the LA area, here is a list of upcoming Wedding Salon shows coming to a city near you.

Wednesday October 22, 2008
New York, NY
Show hours: 4pm - 9pm
Venue: TBD
Address: New York, NY

Monday November 10, 2008
Miami, FL
Show hours: From 4pm -9pm
Venue: The Biltmore Hotel
Address: 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Miami, FL 33134

Have a grand day exploring all the best for your upcoming nuptials. Register today!

-Percy

Logo from The Wedding Salon

For You Honeymooners

For you newlyweds and honeymooners, Condé Nest Traveler has released its 14th Annual Gold List of "The Best Places to Stay in the World."

You will find everything from hotels in the United States to Beijing, China and everywhere, and I mean it literally, in the world. Therefore, if you are looking for a getaway or you're planning your memorable honeymoon, consider looking at the recommendations of the readers of Condé Nest Traveler.

Each hotel on the 14th Annual Gold List will have an overall score from 0-100. Additionally, the listing will give you price points from $ to $$$$, location, photos, and will offer an overview of the property. Also, when you click on a property, it will give you the number of rooms on the property as well as ratings on the rooms, service, food, location, design, and activities at the hotel. It's a pretty overwhelming list, but thoroughly helpful.

Here's to hoping you find a fabulous place to stay. Happy resort hunting!

-Percy

Photo from Condé Nest Traveler