About
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I help couples prepare for and honor life’s biggest celebrations. As a full-service event and wedding planner, I’m committed to creating a seamless experience for you and your guests. I view each event as a puzzle; each piece, from the vendors to the logistics to the flower placement, must fit together to create a larger picture that’s both creative and meaningful.
With 20 years of experience in the industry, my team and I know how to balance obsessive attention to detail with a peaceful, calm, and fun wedding planning process. The results? Unforgettable weddings and happy couples.
tonya szele
Your wedding is a once in a lifetime experience. You should spend every second enjoying it, not managing it.
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It’s here that I found my true calling as an event planner while working in restaurants and as a catering manager. I went on to work as director of events at a large winery, where I managed hundreds of events including weddings, corporate events, wine festivals and concerts. Eventually, I decided to start my own event planning company in 2008. I’ve had the honor of crafting hundreds of events over the last two decades. But no matter how many events I’m a part of, I view every client relationship as special, and I’m grateful to get to play even a small part in their stories.
To say I fell in love with this place is an understatement.
I’ve always been drawn to the coast. I grew up on Nantucket, a hardworking little island off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and took a leap of faith when I moved across the country to Santa Barbara, California, for school.
From the island of Nantucket to the sunny shores of Santa Barbara.
my story
Beach walks with my husband, kids and our sweet boxer pup
Long dinners with family and friends while travelling
Reading a good book under our fruit trees
Planting cacti and succulents in our garden
Listening to a favorite podcast while cooking a delicious meal
Favorite Pairings
Timeless • Loving • Joyful • Meaningful • Sophisticated • Organic
Lisa S.
"Oh my gosh, I simply cannot say enough good things about Tonya. Our wedding is approaching on September 28 and already Tonya's help has proved invaluable. I truly don't know what we would be doing without her. She is incredibly well-connected with all the best vendors in Santa Barbara and is able to provide such wonderful advice when you are feeling lost. She is so much more than just a wedding planner - she's like a mentor/guide on your wedding adventure! I don't know how she does it, but she is always available when you need her, whether for just an e-mail or even a phone call - and although she has other weddings and clients, she somehow manages to always make you feel like you are the only one! AMAZING! Her ideas and organization have been absolutely priceless. I agree 100% with the other reviewer who said hiring Tonya was the BEST decision they made. I actually do events for a living and wasn't sure that I really needed the help. In retrospect, I am SOOOOOO happy I hired Tonya. No matter how experienced you are, you simply cannot manage all the details on your own wedding day. The peace of mind that Tonya has given us is honestly worth three times what she charged us. She is the BEST!!"
"...I truly don't know what we would be doing without her. She is incredibly well-connected with all the best vendors in Santa Barbara and is able to provide such wonderful advice when you are feeling lost. She is so much more than just a wedding planner - she's like a mentor/guide on your wedding adventure!”
testimonial
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