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.