Santa Barbara is a top wedding destination, so it’s no wonder that this year’s wedding trends fuse timeless California elegance with contemporary, ecologically conscious themes showcasing the natural splendor of the local landscapes. From breathtaking beachside sunsets to the rustic Americana-style beauty of rolling ranches and vineyards, those tying the knot in Santa Barbara have no dearth of options for planning the ideal wedding celebration.
Melissa Younce, wedding planner from Engaged To Be Wed ( engaged2bewed.com ), says couples are opting for “funky wedding venues like barns, lofts, and warehouse-style spaces.” These intimate settings offer excellent potential for personalization. Friends and family love the distinctive accents that represent the couple’s personality, such as table names that indicate important places in the couple’s history or charming souvenirs signifying moments from the courtship. These decorative objects can be as simple as mason jars filled with local delicacies, such as luscious strawberries, or ornamental lanterns featuring sand and seashells. Younce further notes that brides have been incorporating décor “props” such as vintage travel books and globes.
Simple floral patterns are in demand (think lace tablecloths with light-colored, prairie-inspired designs). Burlap, popular in past years, has been replaced with suppler fabrics, such as leather and lace. “Table décor is moving towards king’s feasting tables with long, low centerpieces instead of one massive centerpiece,” Younce explains. Including winding vines of bougainvillea or fruiting citrus branches is also eye-catching.