Hey everyone,

Wedding season is in full swing! We are up to our ears in flowers, emails, timelines and walkthroughs...I love my job! One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to collaborate with a bride and groom to create beauty. It is so much fun to take a space and completely transform it--to give it the "wow factor," and to create an event that the bride, groom and guests won't forget.

But I have to tell you...my love for weddings goes way beyond the creative design aspect. One of the best parts of being a wedding designer and coordinator is getting to witness some of the most raw and genuine moments between people in love.

So, while I hope you get as excited as I do over creating beautiful details on your wedding day, here are some of my favorite moments that you can consider incorporating into your wedding day. I guarantee that you will not forget these moments!

Step away from your reception for a few moments and be together as husband and wife. Take it all in -- let your photographer follow along and capture your first moments as newlyweds. 

So much of what is created on a wedding day is temporary. Set aside time before your big day to write your bride or groom a heartfelt note. This will let them know that you are thinking about them, and create a treasured keepsake.

Whether it's in your vows, your toasts, or whispered words as you have your first dance together -- be open. Allow yourself to feel the deep joy and excitement of getting married, whether that brings roars of laughter or causes you to shed a tear. 

Honor the people that have helped you get to this place in your life. Take a moment with your mom and dad, take that picture with grandma, share that dance with your sibling, honor the person that's passed away. 


While all the fun details are so fun (and contribute to the overall event experience), taking in everything as a couple, honoring the people you love, personalizing little keepsakes, and being genuine/open will make your day so much more meaningful.  It's so important to remember WHY we celebrate weddings in the first place - to celebrate love, family, a new chapter, and being together.  

Image Credits:
1. Molly Magee Photography
2 & 3. Jodee Debes Photography
4. Willa Kveta Photography

Coco and Brandon were married at the iconic San Ysidro Ranch.  As wedding season is now in full swing, so many of us in the industry are missing the incredible presence of this beautiful venue (which is still closed due to the tragic mudslides that hit our community back in January).

I loved Coco + Brandon's beautiful, intimate celebration.  Guests were greeted with beautiful welcome beverages as the harpist quietly played in the rose gardens.  Everyone was enamored by Coco and her beautiful gown as her father escorted her down the aisle.  After a beautiful ceremony (by the pastor who married Coco's parents!), guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the gardens followed by a sumptuous vegetarian dinner in the Hydrangea Cottage. Instead of traditional dancing, Coco and Brandon opted to have a less-traditional lounge setting created in the courtyard with fun desserts, an old-fashioned black-and-white film playing on a big screen, scented candles, and a Photo Booth.  I loved being a part of their beautiful day!

The Team That Made This Happen:
Coordinator + Florist: Tyler Speier + Team
Venue/Catering: San Ysidro Ranch
​Photographer: Elate Photo
Rentals: The Tent Merchant
Sound: Sound Advice Productions
Harpist: Laurie Rasmussen
Photo Booth: My Social Booth
Officiate: Dr. Brad Walker
Hair/Make-up: Melina Ruiz
Calligrapher: Calligraphy Nerd
Bridal Gown: Kenneth Winston (from Panache)
Wedding Gown: Panache - Kenneth Winston - Private Label

Chris & Danielle were married at the beautiful Gainey Vineyard in Santa Ynez, CA. Our favorite design elements from this wedding were the bright, cheerful spring florals and the beautiful mustard yellow silk ribbons on the bride's bouquet (Tono & Co).  The vows were so beautiful and full of love, Danielle's father gave such a heartfelt toast, and the guests were all so fun and kind. It was such a joy to create this beautiful wedding for Chris & Danielle! 

The Jam Event is an incredible industry showcase where vendors can be creative, network, and celebrate together.  Wild Heart Events curates and sponsors this amazing event, and Bella Vista Designs was the main sponsor this year.  Loved seeing the event featured on Green Wedding Shoes this week!  

Inspired by John Lennon’s song, “Imagine,” our team created an ethereal, monochromatic/neutral space with dried flowers and grasses, mixed natural textures (linen, velvet, fur, wood, metal), copper/rose gold accents, and iridescent glassware.  I was also inspired by the 1950s elegance of Palm Springs (think Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra). With all of the craziness happening in the world, I wanted to create a space of tranquility and hope for a better future, celebrating the beauty of humanity and what we all have in common.

We had so much fun designing and styling Sarah + Darren's wedding last fall at this beautiful private greenhouse on the Gaviota Coast.  So honored seeing this on the front page of Style Me Pretty today!  Loved using protea, neutral blooms, bright pops of greenery, mixed metals and woods, and mismatched place settings to create a textured but cohesive, neutral, Al Fresco design.  

The Team That Made This Happen
Event Design/Floral Arrangements: Tyler Speier Events
Photography: Jodee Debes 
​Venue: Private Greenhouse on the Gaviota Coast
Rentals: The Tent Merchant
Coordinator: Brides and Bouquets
Catering: Savior Fair
Hair: Style Me Kristi
​Makeup: Lisa Bassler

Hey Guys,

[Tay Here]. A few months ago Ty and I went out for date night and ended up wandering into Hotel Californian for a nightcap. This hotel is new to downtown Santa Barbara and has the greatest vibe! We got to talking with the bartender there, and after learning that Ty's favorite drink was a negroni, she recommended that we try her personal favorite drink: The Last Word. We were immediately intrigued by the name and when we asked her what it was like, she responded with "herbaceous."
You guys, we order this drink all of the time now when we go out - it's our fav - but I now have to listen to Ty say the word "herbaceous" in public. Face. Palm. Call me weird, it just sends shivers down my spine. Shhh, husband. Enough with the word.

This drink is easy to make and so delicious. It's the perfect cocktail to serve as we welcome the spring season. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Cheers, friends!
​(Recipe Below)

[Ty here]: When we're making a cocktail, we like it to be:
1) Delicious
2) Easy-to-make
3) Delicious.

So, here's how you make a Last Word!

All you need is equal parts:
Gin (we love Hendrick's, but any Gin will do)
Lime Juice
Chartreuse
Maraschino Liqueur

Add equal parts to a cocktail shaker with some ice, shake it, and pour!  
That's it. And it's HERBACEOUS and DELICIOUS.

Cheers!
​
(Picture of what Chartreuse and Marchino Liquor look like is below...so you don't get lost in your local liquor store!)

​We are so excited to see Phuong + Kevin's beautiful wedding in Bridal Guide Magazine today! We've been holding these stunning pictures for over a year so we are ecstatic that we finally get to share them with you.
Our favorite design element of this wedding was the wisteria and pepper tree branch arrangement we created over the dance floor - the clean, minimalistic arrangement was a focal point of the entire event!

The Team That Made This Happen
Coordinator/Florals: Tyler Speier Events 
Venue: The Orchid - (Private Estate)
Prep Venue/Accommodations: Bacara Resort 
Catering: Omni Catering
Rentals: The Tent Merchant 
Lighting: Bella Vista Designs, Inc 
DJ: Kyle Dineen 
Live Music: Matt Stokke
Officiant: Pastor Kelly
Bakery: Marie Shannon Confections 
Transportation: Jump On The School Bus 
Hair/Make-up: Unveiled Makeup 
Photo Booth: Witty Booth 
Photography: Rewind Photography--Matt Roberts 
Luxury Restroom Rentals: Marborg
Late Night Dining: Woodstocks Pizza
Bridal Gown Designer: Katie May

We worked with Cynthia and Omar, planning their modern, romantic wedding in Santa Barbara for almost a year, only to have the largest wildfire in California history sweep through Santa Barbara, forcing us to relocate their wedding in just 72 hours to LA.  

​Honestly, I can say that this was the most difficult task me and my team have ever encountered in my wedding planning career so far.  But, my friends, we did it.  It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever had the privilege of being a part of.  And I will never forget it.  

These images (by the amazing Natalie Bray) were featured on the front page of Style Me Pretty:

The Team That Made This Happen
Coordinator + Floral Design: Tyler Speier
Venue: Private Members-Only Club in Downtown Los Angeles
Photographer: Natalie Bray
Catering: Omni Catering
Rentals: The Tent Merchant
Lighting: Bella Vista Designs
Graphic Design: Lotus & Ash
Ceremony DJ/MC: Gavin Roy
Reception DJ: Sam Cooper
Transportation: Jump on the Schoolbus
Hair/Makeup: Priv
Restroom Rental: Luxury Flush
​Guest Accommodations: The Freehand Hotel
Bridal Gown: Tara Lauren
​Silk: Tono & Co

Tay & I are so excited to be launching this new blog!  We are going to be sharing real weddings, wedding planning tips, entertaining advice, lifestyle inspiration, and so much more. Our goal is for this blog to give you a little glimpse into our family's life in Santa Barbara, California, as we plan beautiful weddings and navigate the joys and challenges of marriage, raising children, and owning a business.  

I started Tyler Speier Events back in 2009 as a "hobby business."  At the time, Taylor and I were dating, and it was an adventure we worked on together to earn some extra money for our own wedding (and to pay for school).  It was hard work. A few years later, in 2012, we got married ourselves, and got the opportunity to experience wedding planning as the bride and groom, which gave us a new perspective.

​In 2015, as this "just-for-fun" business began to gain popularity, we made one of the scariest decisions of our lives: I was going to quit my full-time job (working in the nonprofit industry) and we would become full-time small business owners.  At that time, we had a 2-year-old daughter, a foster child, and a small home - no office, no formal "floral arranging studio" (yes, I did flowers in my kitchen for the first 7 years).  It was terrifying, but exhilarating.  And it was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

Here we are, at the beginning of the 2018 wedding season.  Our family has grown - Tay and I are continuing to navigate and balance having two kids, (Lucia & Wesley, ages 4 and 8 mo.), running a growing and thriving business, and all of the adventures that marriage, parenting and life bring.  We have the privilege of collaborating with so many talented artists to create incredible weddings.  We work very hard, learn from the challenges we face at home and in the workplace, and are growing every day.

​Looking back at starting this in 2009, we never dreamed that we'd be where we are now.  I have the honor and privilege of doing what I love every day.  I feel alive, inspired, and ready for whatever the next chapter brings.  And for that, I am so thankful.

We are excited to share our ideas, inspiration, and life with you.

Sincerely,
​Tyler S. Speier

The Team That Made This Happen
Photography: Amber Jean Photography
​Venue: Private Greenhouse on Gaviota Coast (Royal Rancho Bookings)
And us...because taking family pictures with two small children is no easy feat.