The impetus for creating Events of Santa Barbara was owner Melissa Lee’s own wedding in 1999.  Melissa Lee tells us, “I decided that this career would allow me all the flexibility and creativity I desire while still having a rich family life—allowing me to be home with my four kids as much as possible.”

Husband, family, kids — all relationships are important to Melissa Lee, and she explains that she finds, “It is the people and relationships that inspire my work the most. I love working with amazing people that have wonderful love stories.”  She also loves creativity.  “I love to be creative and really infuse the couple’s personality into the entire event as a whole.”

Events of Santa Barbara not only specialize in weddings and events for the Santa Barbara County, with partner Zohe Felici, this dynamite duo’s combined 20 year experience, and bi-lingual abilities, provides service worldwide. “We offer services throughout California and beyond. With Zohe’s fluency in Spanish and Italian, the company is actively expanding into areas such as Mexico and Europe,” states Melissa Lee.

Sweet Spots of Santa Barbara 

Tea Parties

Style Tips #1 - #5

Style Tips #6 - #10

Style Tips #16 - #20

Most of Events of Santa Barbara’s weddings and events are in Santa Barbara County and surrounding areas, and with 8 years of being in business specializing in the Santa Barbara region, their reputation as wedding planners is stellar. “We have wonderful relationships with our vendors, and the investment that our couples make in our services ultimately saves them money in the end.”

These Events of Santa Barbara clients may choose from several custom-designed wedding packages, including the Le Jour Package, “day-of” services designed for the couple who has created their own wedding, but wants help on the wedding day. The Le Jour Plus Package, is for couples who would like “day-of” service and help with some other aspect of their special day. The next level is the Le Petit Package, whereby Melissa Lee and Zohe assume many of the time consuming and stressful duties, including budgeting.

The Le Grande Package is most popular, and very comprehensive, designed for the couple who would like Events of Santa Barbara to handle their entire local or destination wedding event, from the initial consultation through the post-wedding day Sunday brunch. With this package, Melissa Lee and Zohe assists with venue and vendor searches, wedding theme design, catering menu selections, coordinating rehearsal and rehearsal dinner planning, monitoring and finalizing all details, complete day-of direction, and even securing out-of-town guest accommodations and weekend entertainment.

When we asked Melissa Lee and Zohe what noteworthy accomplishments they have achieved, their response returned to their initial concept, the reason they entered into the event planning business: A love for creativity and people and their love stories requiring all types of needs. “We are members of various worthwhile organizations that we are really proud of,” Melissa Lee explains. “We have also worked with some wonderful non-profit organizations which are really fulfilling. Most recently we produced a large non-profit event for the Andre Sobel River of Life Organization that provides financial assistance to families whose children are diagnosed with life-threatening illness.” That one event raised $500,000 and assisted many children in need.

In interviewing Melissa Lee and Zohe, we found that in addition to their undeniable talent, it’s their own love stories surrounding their relationships with countless couples that makes their company a success at whatever they chooses to do. And it’s their love story surrounding the relationship with you that will make your Events of Santa Barbara wedding event an overwhelming success. 

By Susan Hart Hellman, Executive Editor