Themed Bat Mitzvah Event Plan Featured in Mazelmoments

We are pleased to share with you the recent article by Lyndi Halpern published on the event-planning site, Mazelmoments. The article, “Neon Graffiti Grunge Bat Mitzvah Party,” is a detailed account of the Bat Mitzvah Felici Events planned for Ava. Special thanks are in order to all the vendors who participated in the Graffiti Grunge theme.

Vendors:

• Photographer: Kelsey Crews Photo
• Equipment Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
• Event Planner: Felici Events
• DJ: H2H The Perfect Element
• Linens and Coverings: La Tavola Linen
• 
Invitation Designer: Lazaro Press
• 
Lighting: LBPS Events
• ReceptionVenue: SOHO

“Neon Graffiti Grunge Bat Mitzvah Party” is one of 70 Bar and Bat Mitzvah party themes featured on the Mazelmoments website. The top 15 themes include: Alice in Wonderland, Baking, Baseball, Candy, Carnival, Chocolate, Diamonds & Bling, Fashion, Hollywood, iPhone / iPad iParty, Music, Morocco / Middle East, New York, Sports Cars, and Winter Wonderland.

Mazelmoments is the leading online resource for planning Jewish events. The website makes it easier than ever to access resources for Jewish cultural traditions. Mazelmoments makes it fun and easy to plan meaningful events - whether it be a wedding, bat or bar mitzvah, bris, baby naming, personal celebration, or corporate event.

Lyndi Halpern is a Mazelmoments contributing writer and has written many articles, such as:

• Fun Sports & Activity Venues | Bar & Bat Mitzvah Party Locations
• 6 Ideas for Your Outdoor Wedding, Mitzvah or Party
• A Summer Jewish Wedding in Chi-Town
• 10 Ideas for a Beach Theme Mitzvah, Wedding or Party

Felici Events is a first-class event design and production company based in Santa Barbara, California and produces events internationally. Contact us if you are looking for a company that listens to its clients and expertly translates their visions into reality. For more information on Jewish cultural events planned by Felici Events, see:

• Event Planner Zohe Felici and Crew Celebrate Another Successful Santa Barbara Jewish Festival
• Pink Bat Mitzvah in Honor of Arin
• 5th Annual Vodka Latke Party

Event Planner Coordinates Custom Invitations for 90th Birthday Party

Example inspiration board from Event Planner Zohe Felici.

Custom invitations can be designed for any upcoming wedding, anniversary, or birthday party. Unique invitations are a nice addition to photos and other special keepsakes. Our event planner can help you find the perfect solution for your specific invitation needs. In this article, a 90th birthday party is our example to help illustrate the process and to give suggestions for how you might choose to design your special invitations.

Time will never stand still, and those moments that bring us such joy become memories in an instant. To capture such a moment and record it forever is truly monumental. – Joshua Atticks, Wedding Photographer

Tips from an Event Planner on Custom Invitations

Collect example images of what you want. Pinterest is a great starting point. If you are not comfortable on the computer, you can simply pick up a few of your favorite magazines and cut out images that inspire you.

In our example, the designer suggested four different photos for the invitation, and the best one was chosen by the event planner, Zohe Felici.

Once the tone and vision have been set, the next step is to work with the design itself. A designer will combine the information about the event with the graphics. Event invitations include basic information such as the event’s name, date, time, location, and RSVP. In our example, the designer suggested four different photos for the invitation, and the best one was chosen by the event planner, Zohe Felici.

The final step is to review and adjust until it’s perfect. This might include changing the font, removing or adding a few words, and playing with the color choices. It is not uncommon to go back and forth two or three times to get everything right.

When you are working with an event planner, it’s possible for them to coordinate your special invitations because they will cohesively brand a full theme for your event, including all of its important information, such as the venue and guest list.  If you have any questions, or are interested in having Felici Events design custom invitations for your upcoming celebration, please contact us.

Events planner, Zohe Felici, and crew celebrate another successful Santa Barbara Jewish Festival

Every year in the spring, the Jewish Federation of Santa Barbara produces a community Jewish Festival in Oak Park. This year's event was a success and brought together all types of people from the local community in celebration of Jewish culture and the 66th year of Israel's Independence. The event planner, Zohe, has been involved in the organization of the festival for the last three years.

2014Social_Media17

Some of this year’s festivities included entertainment by:

• Moshav Band , an internationally acclaimed American/Israeli rock group
• Kalinka, a popular Santa Barbara-based acoustic folk music group
• The Jewish Federation’s JCC Teen Comedy Club
• Lorraine Klein, a singer of Yiddish folk music
• Flor de Kanela (“Flower of Cinnamon”)

The event took place on May 4th, at Oak Park, in Santa Barbara. This popular park is located near the downtown area and is an ideal venue for medium sized festivals like the Santa Barbara Jewish Festival. It includes a BBQ picnic area, restrooms, kids’ playground, wood stage/dance floor, parking, and plenty of room for vendor booths and other mobile event stages.

"The Jewish Festival is an important and vibrant part of Santa Barbara’s rich history and tradition of ethnic celebrations, and of the Santa Barbara Jewish community itself. It brings to the community a wide variety of entertainment to two stages, food, vendors, and information, and it includes a variety of music: ethnic and local, modern and ancient, instrumental and vocal." – www.jewishsantabarbara.org

From weddings to community festivals, Felici Events provides first-class event design and production services. If you are interested in booking for your upcoming event, please contact Felici Events.

Felici Event featured in 'Be Minked' article, Flawless Hollister Ranch California Wedding

Read the article on Be Minked.

Felici Finds; Santa Barbara Hotels for Weddings and Events

Below please find Felici-fied Santa Barbara hotels you can recommend to your out-of-town guests during their stay. Please click on the name of each hotel to direct you to their website.

$205+ Franciscan Inn

109 Bath Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: 805-963-8845 Fax: 805-564-3295

$237+ Pacifica Suites

5490 Hollister Avenue Santa Barbara, CA 93111 Phone:(800) 338-6722

Hotel Santa Barbara

$289+Hotel Santa Barbara

533 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: 805-957-9300 Fax: 805-962-2412

Villa Rosa

$195+ Villa Rosa 15 Chapala Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: 805.966.0851 Fax: 805.962.7159

Cheshire Cat Inn

$200+ Cheshire Cat Inn

36 W. Valerio Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: (805) 569-1610 Fax: (805) 682-1876

Inn by the Habor

$216+ Inn by the Harbor

433 West Montecito St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: 805-963-7851 Fax: 805-962-9428

The Inn at East Beach

$176+The Inn at East Beach 1029 Orilla Del Mar Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Phone: (805) 965-0546 Fax: (805) 962-7595

Brisas Del Mar Inn by the Beach

$243+ Brisas Del Mar Inn By the Beach 223 Castillo Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: (805) 966-2219 Fax: (805) 962-9428

Harbor_View_Inn_Santa_Barbara_-_Sign_at_night

$338+ The Harbor View Inn

28 W. Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Toll Free: (800)755-0222

The Upham Hotel

$264+ The Upham Hotel 1404 De La Vina Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Toll-Free: 800-727-0786 Phone: (805) 962-0058 Fax: (805) 963-2825

Simpson House Inn

$375+ The Simpson House Inn 121 E. Arrellaga Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: 805.963.7067 Fax: 805.564.4811

Montecito Inn

$205+ Montecito Inn 1295 Coast Village Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93108 Phone: 805-969-7854 Fax: 805-969-0623

Hotel Oceana

$271+ Hotel Oceana 202 West Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Toll-Free: 800-965-9776 Phone: (805) 965-4577 Fax: (805) 965-9937

Spanish Garden Inn

$419+ Inn of the Spanish Garden 915 Garden Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: 805-564-4700 Fax: 805-564-4701

Fess Parker Doubletree Resort

$339+ Fess Parker Doubletree Resort 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: (805) 564-4333 Fax: (805) 962-4275

Canary Hotel

$423+ Canary Hotel 31 West Carrillo St Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: (805) 884-0300 Fax: (805) 884-8153

Bacara Resort and Spa

$550+ Bacara Resort and Spa 8301 Hollister Avenue Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Phone: (877) 422-4245 Fax: (805) 571-3111

El Encanto and Garden Villas

$575+ El Encanto Hotel and Garden Villas

1900 Lausen Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 Phone: 805-687-5000 Alt. Phone: 805-679-5055 Fax: 805-687-3903

$795+ Four Seasons Biltmore

1260 Channel Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93108 Phone: 805-969-2261 Fax: 805-565-8321

Santa Barbara Inn - Currently Closed

901 East Cabrillo Boulevard Santa Barbara, CA 93103 Phone: (800) 231-0431 Fax: 805.966.6584

Zohe Felici on Party Time with Scott Topper

International Event Planner Zohe Felici shares what three things she would bring if stranded on a deserted island with a party to plan.

Here is entertainment guru Scott Topper, hosting his show "Party Time with Scott Topper".

Zohe, is owner and founder of Felici Events and co-masterminder (with Scott) of Southern California Mitzvahs. She is also a longtime friend of his and his beautiful wife Angelina. (Felici Events produced their wedding in 2011),  Zohe is honored to be his very first guest (on the début) of the very first show.

There is a three person panel (the talented Kristine, charming Michelle, and myself) whom Scott interviews in order to provide the public with a glimpse inside la creme de la creme of Southern California's vendors' wild world of events.

Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yEHQB0FP-o0

PS - What a great group of gals to have on the panel with!  This is the AAA team!

Party Interactive Entertainment Idea - #Madlibs

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this past week-end, Felici Events has had the honor of experiencing just that! One of our clients hired us to produce her milestone 50th birthday celebration.  She came to Zohe's Godfather themed birthday, which took place in October at the Santa Barbara Club, and absolutely loved the party, especially Zohe's take on Mad Libs.  Zohe is a fan of having something unique and getting guests to interact rather than filling out a boring old guest book.

We made some mob-libs and had guests fill out cards rather than signing a guest book.  We don't know who had more fun that night, Zohe's friends and loved ones who wrote in the mad lib cards, or Zohe hooting and hollering in laugher reading them after the party.  

This idea is perfect for any party, a mitzvah, birthday, baby shower, bridal shower, corporate mixer or event a rehearsal dinner or wedding.

Here is the inspiration for Zohe's Godfather Theme Birthday  - Mad Libs

Madlib for Zohe Felici's birthday party celebration @felicievents

We called them Ann Libs (Ann is the client's name), and asked our graphics guru (Mitra from foreverbird.com) create a cartoon from Ann's picture

@foreverbird

Felici Events Headquarters typed up and edited  the formatting and grammar.

Ann Libs in progress

We found some fancy schmancy paper from our local Paper-Source, and were able to print the Ann Libs at Felici Headquarters.

printing Ann Libs in house

TADA!!!

Here is the end result!

We bundled it up nice and neat at each place setting, and attached a card to it, based on a pinterest inspiration.

Ann Libs packaged nicely

They look great on the tables, each guest got one at their place settings, rolled up nice and neat with pens nearby.  It made for a talking point and incorporated interactive entertainment for the evening.

Ann Libs at each place setting

Ava's Graffiti Grunge Theme Bat Mitzvah Celebration

www.felicievents.com

Want to see how the rest of her party went?

CLICK HERE

Mille Grazie to the Team that made this all possible!

Invitations and Save the Dates: Lazaro Design

Photography: Kelsey Crews Photo

Production and Design: Felici Events

Lighting: LBPS

Floral: Juniper Floral Designs

Linens: La Tavola Linens

Tent and Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Entertainment - DJ: H2H The Perfect Element

Location: Soho Restaurant and Lounge SB

Felici Events + Valentine's Day = AMORE!

image by @kristinrenee.com

Wishing everyone a Happy St. Valentine's Day!  Share the love. Receive the love. Just love!

Thank you to:

images: Kristin Renee Photography

Location: Sogno del Fiore

Hair and Make Up - About Face Hair and Make Up

Floral: Rincon Floral

and a congratulatory MILLE GRAZIE to my dear friends Jen & Sam Picotte who are now expecting their 2nd little nugget!

Among the Monarchs – Wedding of Jessica and Brandt Welborn

Love_story

love_invitation

When Jessica Welborn was in her late teens, her parents purchased property in the exclusive and beautiful Hollister Ranch area. She quickly fell in love with Rancho San Augustine's rustic charm and its picturesque view of the ocean, and she began dreaming about getting married there. When she met Brandt it wasn't long before those dreams started to become a lot more real. Brandt proposed to Jessica while the couple was vacationing in Costa Rica with all of Jessica's immediate family and a few friends. One morning, Brandt and Jessica had planned a stand-up paddle boarding session; while Jessica was still sleeping, Brandt woke up the rest of the family to tell them of his plan to propose, and they managed to capture it on video from the shore while Brandt attempted a proposal in some pretty hectic surf conditions. – By Joshua Brayer

• 2 Love and Cherish, Feb. 7, 2014
• Read the full story on page 47

Un Paseo en Oro – CASA Magazine

Un-Paseo-en-Oro-Casa-Magazinesmall

Felici Event for The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, Un Paseo en Oro, was featured in CASA Magazine.

With the trance of a letter from the Price of Asturias, the depth of centuries of history, and celebrating the romantic history of a cowboy artist, The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation hosted Un Paseo en Oro commemorating their 50 year journey to preserve, restore and explore Santa Barbara's cultural heritage. – By Kerry Methner, PhD / CASA

Article published on June 7th 2013, Page 3

Pink Polo Party – Santa Barbara Magazine

BCRC-article-in-SB-magazine---Jan-17,-2014,-12-49._small

Felici Event for the Breast Cancer Resource Center was featured in the January issue of Santa Barbara Magazine:

The BREAST CANCER RESOURCE CENTER held its 15th annual Pink Polo Party, where guests gathered at a private estate overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean to enjoy fruity cocktails, elegant appetizers, and a private polo exhibition. Most notably, a silent auction slap took place and items included handmade Corinna Gordon jewelry, and English countryside vacation, and a two-night getaway for two couples at Swanson Vineyard in Napa Valley. Guests then danced the night away in support of breast cancer research and recover. PHOTOS CLARISSA KOENIG – SBMAG

January 2014 Issue, Page 53

Danielle and Matt - Wedding Video

Ceremony-160

This sweet Santa Barbara Wine Country wedding video captures it all...

…watch as the wedding  day unfolds….and how Harlow steals the show!

Danielle and Matt's Fall 2013 Wedding at Fess Parker Winery was sweet and significant for Zohe.  Danielle was Zohe's very first intern back in 2006.  To watch her plan her BIG day and interact with her on a client / consultant basis was special.  Getting to know the family (Danielle's mom is the best, and dad a barrel of laughs) on an intimate level the icing on the cake.

A Special Mille Grazie to: Robert Schwieger for this www.reellifepictures.com  clip

Planner - Felici Events

Flowers - NLC Productions

Venue - Fess Parker Winery

Lighting - Bella Vista Designs

Rentals - Ventura Party Rentals

Linens - La Tavola Linens

Cake / Dessert Bar - Enjoy Cupcakes

Catering - Omni Catering

Music (ceremony and cocktails) - Chris Wooley

Music (reception and dancing) - DJ Akorn

Caricaturist - James Malia

Transportation - Jump on the Schoolbus

A Santa Barbara Merry Christmas from Felici Events

Merry Christmas

Felici Events is a Santa Barbara, California based event production and design company with international experience.  We do weddings, parties, holiday celebrations, corporate and cultural events worldwide.  Zohe Felici speaks the above languages fluently, and has lived around the world - in three continents and seven countries - while growing up.

The Luck of the Italians!

Happy Friday the 13th everyone.  In the spirit of today, Friday the 13th's ill-omened notion, I thought I'd share some Italian superstitions that have been passed down from my family:  

Rather than Friday the 13th, Italians have Friday the 17th as a day of bad luck

Friday the 17th is unlucky in Italy

________

Rain on your wedding day brings good luck!

Love under umbrella

_________

If a bird poops on you is the best of luck!

Bird Poop

________

Someone who is wanting to find a significant other burns incense  of rosemary & laurel right before midnight

Rosemary Incense

________

To find a spouse, turn statues of St. Anthony upside down

St. Francis Upside Down

________

When someone opens a champagne bottle, if the cork falls on you, you will be married within the year

________

If you're wanting to find a new lover the upcoming year, wear red undies to bed on New Year's Eve

Red Undies

______

BUONA FORTUNA A TUTTI!

Good Luck Everyone!

The Diana Basehart Foundation - for the love of animals

A Real Felici Events Fundraising Afternoon

If you know one thing about Zohe, it is her passion and advocacy for animals.

Felici Events was honored to be part of a committed and wonderful group of ladies, as we produced their second annual fundraising event.  Here is a sneak peek at this gorgeous afternoon full of animal lovers, video by by Brian Peddicord.

 Event Co-Chairs David Krieger and Tipper Gore, pictured with Diana Basehart,

little Nell and Salud Carbajal (Photo by Valori Fussell)

The Diana Basehart Foundation helps elders and those on limited incomes care for and keep their beloved companion animals by providing support for veterinary behavioral and nutritional needs; while also minimizing the number of animals being turned over to shelters.  CLICK ON THIS LINK to view more pictures of the event, as well as finding out more about the organization and how you can help.

Breast Cancer Awareness Mitzvah Pink Celebration Theme

Pink Bat Mitzvah in Honor of Arin

Montecito Country Club - photos by Jay Farbman

If you know Zohe Felici, you know she is a kid at heart!  One of her favourite events this past year, was Arin's Bat Mitzvah.  The theme of the event was pink, honoring breast cancer survivors including Arin's grandmother.  The Mitzvah was dedicated to another one of Felici Events' clients, The Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara.

The party starts from the entrance.  We laid out a pink carpet and hung paper puff balls to greet guests as they arrived, they knew they were at the right place even before stepping foot into the party.

The client wanted to incorporate the Western Wall as a 'leave wishes for Arin' welcome / guest book.  We found this replica from a local rabbi and doctored it up a little bit with foliage and hung baskets to leave notes for Arin.

The pink frames we found were a nice added touch throughout the event.

Maintaining a whimsical feel, we used pliable wire strands to hang the escort cards and paper puff balls from the main chandelier.

The first things guests did once inside was walk into cocktail and hors d'oeurve hour, we made the first part of the celebration KID friendly by having their own bar.  After all, it is a kids party - Mock-tinis all around, cheers!

These girls must-ache you a question......

The kids dining area was whimsical and fun.  Playing with the height of the ceiling of the club's main dining area, we used large round balloons as part of the centerpieces, tied to basic daisy floral with rock candy incorporated into the piece.

Inspired by slinky's over a dance floor, we re-created the concept using less heavy, more conducive material.

La Tavola Linen combined with flowers by Modern Day Design were the instrumental design elements to incorporate the pink theme.  This was the adult side of the banquet room, which still suited the theme, however, became more classic with the addition of shantung linens and combined mono-chramatic floral pieces.  The glass vases wrapped in fun paper maintained the joviality of the celebration while exuding class.

We also sought out lighting experts LBPS Events to warm up the gorgeous, yet cavernous room, Fucshia toned up-lighting did the trick. They also helped us infuse some design inspirations the client presented us with, such as the elegant white tufted couches and adhering the slinkies hanging above the dance floor, which definitely created a festive ambiance.  Guests loved dancing underneath it, event the guest of honor and her family did the hora underneath it.

One of our client's must have was a candy bar.  Here Felici Events created a similar design concepts as the Mock-tail Station we had at cocktail hour, but incorporated more silver with the linens, and candy itself.

We included a dessert and cupcakes by Wayne Kjar Cakes as the sweet endings to the night.

Held at the Montecito Country Club, a quintessential Santa Barbara venue conducive for weddings and social events, this celebration not only wowed the guests, but also the guest of honor, her friends and most importantly her mom, our client.

Incorporating the pink theme into the event was not only girly, fun and right up Felici Events' alley, it also created a challenge to produce a celebration which did not feel like a baby shower, but instead, reflected the coming of age of a very smart and shy young lady who just happened to love pink. Mazel Arin!

GREAT night to all!  Here is a sneak peek from outside the Montecito Country Club looking into the celebration.

TA-DA! Felici Events Team who helped orchestrate Arin's Bat Mitzvah into a very special Kid + Adult Pink Party.

Ciao Everyone!

Intimate Santa Barbara Beach Wedding with Gold and Ocean Decor

"Goldie but Goodie".

This intimate destination wedding Felici Events produced with a team of amazing wedding vendors, was a classic, elegant, beach-flaired and bonafide celebration.

The couple met on a set in Hollywood.  Both movie buffs, their save the dates were re-creations of their favourite movies, including Sixteen Candles and The Rear Window.

The absolutely talented Jessica Lewis got to know the couple so well during their engagement shoot and planning process, that they all had fun playing with the pre ceremony photos. They got to relax and incorporate the decor and  design of the ocean front rental home, to re-create more movie scenes, and have some fun with the textures and breath-taking views.

The soft and tropical light blue, gold and ivory decor was the mastermind of Nico from NLC Productions.  The ceremony location sits on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean which is landscaped with sand, perfect for a 'toes in the sand nuptial experience'. The bride wanted to incorporate ocean-themed decor with gold and light blue.  Nico created a royal feasting table with gold accents, soft hydrangea centerpieces, gold shells and place card holders with orchid touches.

Location: The Santa Barbara Beach Club

Cake: Jana's Creative Cakes

Catering: Seasons's Catering

Decor: NLC Productions

Lighting: LBPS Events

Photography: Jessica Lewis

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Chairs: Town and Country Event Rentals

Linens: La Tavola Linens

#FeliciEvents #Engaged Couples Doggone #Photography #SantaBarbara #Wedding

This weekend marks a very special wedding for Felici Events, as we are producing the wedding of Danielle and Matt.  Danielle first met Zohe back in 2007, when she applied for an internship with her. Five years later, when Danielle called me to let me know she was getting married, and wanted me as her wedding planner, I was thrilled, touched and honored to be a part of Danielle and Matt's future and BIG day!  We're celebrating their nuptials this week-end in Wine Country, and boy do we have some treats in store.

Even more exciting is working with the creative and talented Dustin Waller of Waller Weddings Photography.  He showcases his talents and creativity below, as he took the happy couple through various of Santa Barbara's backdrops to capture their engagement pictures.

Of course, our favorite, as dog lovers, is the one with Harlow, their puggle and ring barer.

Dustin Waller Engagement Photos Dog Ring Barer

Dustin Waller Engagement Photos Wood

Dustin Waller Engagement Photos Funk Zone

Dustin Waller Engagement Photos Red Brick

Dustin Waller Engagement Photos Pain Drip

Dustin Waller Engagement Photos Backside

Wine Country Wedding - Hollywood Couple

A HOLLYWOOD COUPLE EXCHANGE VOWS FOR BETTER AND FOR BUSINESS

When L.A.-based Taylor Latham and Andrew Major decided to tie the knot, they couldn't imagine a more beautiful place to say "I do" than Santa Barbara's wine country. "We love it there," attests 31-year-old Taylor, vice president of production at Double Feature Films. "It's only two hours away but you feel as if you're transported to a different place, somewhere south of France or Tuscany," she says. "As soon as you pass Santa Barbara," she adds, "your heart rate slows down and you start to smile."

The couple's love affair with local wines began two years before they actually became an item. "We were best friends before we started dating and we'd always go to the wine country together," explains Andrew, a screenwriter, who originally met Taylor in 2001 when she hired him as an assistant. Every few months, the two would rent a van and invite a group of mutual friends to explore the wine country for a couple of days. "It was our favorite thing to do," says Andrew, also 31.

After he proposed to Taylor in October 2006, the couple scheduled a summer wedding at Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery in the Santa Rita Hills. The couple wanted to make their special occasion a weekend event and invited all 185 guests to Friday's rehearsal dinner at Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos. The next morning, the group gathered at nearby Nojoqui Falls to play football and relax before the ceremony. "By the time the wedding started, everyone already knew each other," says Taylor, adding that neither she nor her groom were nervous before taking the plunge. "Everything worked like clockwork, so there was not a moment of stress."

The mother of the bride, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl, agrees. "Taylor is the most organized person alive," she attests. "She and Andrew did everything, and I was happy to let them. It's the reason we didn't fight-I had no say!"

Andrew-and-Taylor-food

Following dreamy afternoon vows against a backdrop of rolling hills and oak-studded grasslands, the reception kicked off with a cheese and wine pairing in the barrel room, where guests kept cool until dinner, served in tents on the lawn. Collaborating with the caterer, the couple had designed a menu of steak, salmon, and fried green tomato salad-Taylor's favorite complemented by a selection of Foley's wines. But it was the wedding band that stole the show. The couple say that the absolute highlight was seeing Taylor's 89-year-old grandma having a great time on the dance floor.

Not surprisingly, their pals proclaimed this was the best wedding they'd ever been to. "We had spent so many weekends together in the wine country, this was a special place for all of us;' says Taylor. Including the longtime friends of her mother also added to the fun atmosphere. "The whole night, our single male friends danced with my mom's single female friends. They all loved it!"

For Leslie and her husband, Aaron, sharing the extraordinary day with their own close circle was icing on the cake. "Getting married is supposed to be something you do in the context of your 'community' it's how your extended family endorses, celebrates, accepts you as a couple," says Stahl. "Taylor's 'community' has included our friends, too, so it was important to have them there."

Andrew-and-Taylor

To thank family and friends for coming to their wedding, Taylor and Andrew wanted to share something that reminded everyone of the wine country event. When the couple couldn't find gifts they liked, they decided to create down vests for their guests. "We also designed our own stationery with a logo of a simple, stylish wine barrel, and then added the logo to the menu and our gifts for the wedding party." Andrew says. "Everyone loved them and asked where we had found the design."

Subsequently the newlyweds set out to create a whole line of vino-inspired apparel, including neckties, headbands, scarf belts, and tote bags. They aptly named their now thriving business Little Barrel. "We had so much fun planning our wedding every night after work that we knew we'd enjoy starting a business together," Taylor. Adds Andre "Little Barrel has become the best excuse to be together, travel the world visiting vineyards, and drink more wine." – Isabelle Gullo