Unique Central Coast Wedding Venues

California offers some of the most gorgeous wedding venues a bride could ask for. Working in the wedding industry for so many years, I’ve seen more venues than I can even count, and these all stand out as unique, memorable and idyllic settings to tie the knot.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm

Check them out here

A Breathtaking 50 acre farm located just north of Santa Barbara along the Gaviota coast, The Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm has an airy, rustic but chic feel- stunning beach views, but not on the beach. The bright, high ceilinged greenhouse is great for a reception in the cooler weather months, while still giving the feeling that you’re outside. Simple and beautiful for couples who lean towards the no-frills, minimal side of life.

Check em out on IG

from a plane, thanks Chris

1880 Union hotel

There truly is no place like the 1880 union hotel. Your guests will never forget the feeling that they’ve stepped back in time to an 1800’s era western hotel and saloon. My first time inside the hotel had me thinking this place has to be haunted! An ideal space for small weddings, or for parties of up to 300, this hotel and venue all-in-one allows you to rent out the entire hotel (which itself is small) for your wedding party and guests, creating an intimate wedding weekend experience for you and your favorite people! With an on-site coordinator and great catering in house, you can cross off two major items off of your busy bride to-do list.

all 1880 photos courtesy of the hotel

The Madonna Inn

So you want quirk, you want camp, you want unconventional! An over the top venue that definitely does not scream “wedding”. Welcome to the Madonna Inn of San Luis Obispo, where things are weird and awesome. With 110 uniquely styled guest rooms, and multiple banquet rooms to accommodate weddings of different sizes, this place is unforgettable and just plain fun. Did I mention they have GOAT YOGA. And lots of PINK!

photo by Michelle Roller

Courtesy Anna Delores Photo

They have a pool with a waterfall.

Did someone say Christmas wedding?!?!

Don’t forget the goats!

The Belmond El Encanto

If you’re looking for something that’s the polar opposite of the Madonna Inn, The Belmond El Encanto is an understated and super elegant option. Simply put, this hotel evokes the perfect combo of refinement, class and laid-back, Santa Barbara style relaxation. Stunning coastal views, sweet bungalows, and award winning food make this venue a California classic and one in a million.

Now get out there and tour some of the central coast’s best venues! Happy Hunting :)

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

your wedding floral style

With so many floral options and styles for your wedding these days, where does a bride begin?! Here are a few visual inspirations and examples to help you hone in on the feeling you want with your flowers, so you can then choose a florist who will create that vibe and give you the bouquet of your dreams!

Soft colors, earthy blush tones with unexpected accents like these fluffy grasses make for a elegant feel while feeling modern, cool and boho chic:

@theposygarden

@bestdayeverfloraldesign

Bold colors with some exotic blooms in a more traditional round bouquet shape work for a bride who wants to use fun colors and have an element of the unexpected without getting too crazy:

@theposygarden

@ixiabotanicals

@milieuflorals

A bold, elongated composition/ shape and untraditional floral combinations makes for a show-stopping eclectic bouquet:

@flourish.floraldesign

For a classic, fresh and understated feel, mostly whites and greens with a rounded shape- but not perfectly round - feels timeless but not outdated:

@milieuflorals

Or, all white done with smaller blooms and less blooms with an irregular structure is interesting, yet keeps the focus on the bride:

@botaniqueflowersseattle

@botaniqueflowersseattle

Whites and dusty blushes with one bold pop of color adds some fun without being super loud:

@milieuflorals

@botaniqueflowersseattle

Big, fluffy blooms like peonies, dahlias, and garden roses in peaches and pinks feel ultra feminine and glamorous:

@bestdayeverfloraldesign

Hope this helps you brides to-be, and happy Bouquet-ing!

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

Rustic Ranch Wedding Inspiration

This week we bring you some beautiful photography to help you envision your dream California rustic wedding. This style of wedding has a natural, laid-back, comfortable vibe, yet is still refined and absolutely gorgeous. Set on a quiet ranch in San Luis Obispo, the palette of creams, cool blues, dusty pinks, and fresh greens pop against a neutral background.  Feast your eyes on this simple and elegant summer ceremony and reception!

All photos by Wild Whim Photography

Xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

Wild Whim Photography

Wild Whim Photography

Wild Whim Photogaphy

14 Tips for a Stress-free Wedding Day

After being a part of hundreds of weddings, plus getting married myself, I have truly seen it all! Every bride envisions a flawless big day, but the truth is it takes a good amount of pre-planning to minimize stress and prepare yourself and your crew for a near perfect day. Here are my top tips and tricks, from a makeup artist’s perspective, to ensure a smooth, almost stress free day where you look and feel your most gorgeous!

LEADING UP TO THE DAY

• 2 months out- try Rapid lash or another lash growth serum to maximize the length and fullness of your lashes! (unless you’ll have lash extensions.)

• 1 month out- stop trying any new facial products! You don’t want to give your skin any excuses to freak out.

• Drink a ton of water the week prior to your wedding, I’m talking at least a half gallon to a gallon daily. This will help the appearance of your skin to be plump, hydrated and clear.  And it will help you feel really good!

• Moisturize your face nightly, and no matter what, wash your face and moisturize after your rehearsal dinner! If you can limit your drinking the night before, your skin and body will thank you on your wedding morning. Spend an hour before bed (or morning of) in a sheet mask that you’ve used before for supple silky smooth skin! This is my all-time favorite sheet mask, a little pricey but worth every penny.

• Do designate a bridesmaid to be in charge of your touch-ups during the evening! Tell them to find you for touch-ups after the ceremony & after dinner, or whenever they see you might need some lipstick or a bobby pin. Let them know - and don’t feel bad about this - that they shouldn’t wait for you to ask for a touch up. Choose a detail oriented BM who will take initiative and come to you so that you have one less thing to worry about!

• Try on your exact undergarments and shape wear with the dress after the final alteration to make sure everything looks the way you want it to and that nothing is showing that shouldn’t be showing!

• Share the entire day-of schedule with bridesmaids a week or two before so they are in the know. Make sure this schedule includes Hair, makeup, photos, ceremony time, and where you need them to be for each part of the day.

THE BIG DAY

• Do go to the bathroom directly before putting on your dress.

• Do ask bridesmaids to pop champagne far away from your dress and shoes. Don’t have dark colored beverages in the room, or snacks that can make a big mess like chips and salsa.

• Do NOT touch your face once makeup is done. If you do, it will make it’s way from your hands to your dress!  Your makeup artist should set everything with powder and setting spray, but the dress is still white :) Also, not touching your face helps the makeup to last as long as possible!

• Have a BM bring a hotel towel for you to sit on if you are getting into a car to get to your ceremony location. You don’t want to take any chances of sitting in something on a seat!

DAY-OF SCHEDULING

• Delegate (the day before) to have someone figure out lunch delivery for you and whoever is getting ready with you so you aren’t scrambling to find something to eat while trying to get ready. You’ve heard it a MILLION times- but make sure you eat something before heading out!

• Can’t stress this enough: leave extra time! Time FLIES like crazy on the wedding day. Encourage bridesmaids to be early for their hair and makeup appointments, (or just ask them all to arrive at the same time in the AM) so hair and makeup can start early on the next person whenever they can. In the schedule, leave at least a half hour at the end where everyone is finished and can help you with whatever you need.

• For bridal makeup, I’ve found the sweet spot to be the second to last time slot. This way, your makeup is fresh, but you still have another hour or so for a hair touch-up, putting on your dress, jewelry, shoes, veil, any body makeup/shimmer that you might want, and get out the door un-rushed.

IG: bezman.us

Once all this planning is done, you will be so happy that you’ve taken the steps to giving yourself a well thought out day so that you can relax, take it all in, and be that easy breezy, calm and happy bride we all hope to be!

Xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

Sunny Beach Elopement

5 months pregnant and so so stunning! This gorgeous woman and her fiancee tied the knot with a small intimate elopement on the beaches of Santa Barbara. Can you say CUTE??

Photography: Anna J Photography

Coordination: Alegria By Design

Bridal Trends For Every Style!

Courtesy of The Zoe Report!

Camp Weddings!

Nothing epitomizes the glory of summer quite like camping, so why not choose the great outdoors as your dream wedding venue? Dress up any outdoor space with the right rustic decor, cozy blankets, natural table settings, and don't forget the marshmallows! Check out some of these great ideas from our friends at The Knot!

Big Day Beauty

After planning all the little details of your dream wedding, now comes the best part -- choosing the makeup and hairstyle that'll make jaws drop and hearts flutter. Here are some of our favorites, and for the complete list head over to Makeup Tutorials!

Berry Stained Lips:

If you’ve got a berry-themed wedding, I highly suggest following suit and wearing a matching hue on your lips. To help balance the loud color of your lipstick, keep the rest of your makeup neutral by only using shades of beige, tan, and taupe.

Pearly Polished:

This is my go-to look whenever I have something adorning my hair, whether it’s a small tiara or a flower crown. Since I already have a lot going on up top, I like keeping my makeup low-key by dusting on just a bit of shimmer eyeshadow on the inner corners of the eye. It makes for a more fairytale look, which is perfect for rustic weddings! All I have to do is pair it with a wine-stained lippy, and I’m good to go!

Modern Classic:

A modern bridal makeup is something that brings a bit of old Hollywood glamor into your makeup. If you want to know how to do bridal makeup like this, it boils down to two things: a cat eye and a bright red lipstick that will make everyone go va-va-voom. Don’t forget to swipe on a bit of highlighter on your cheekbones to finish the look!

Greek Goddess:

Channel your inner Aphrodite by pairing your headpiece with falsies, a flawless face, and a coral-tinted lip. Keep your brows natural looking by using a light hand when applying a shade that’s close to your brow color.

Bronzed Beauty:

This is a look that’s perfect for ladies who’ve just gotten back from a holiday and were lucky enough to get a tan at the beach. Now you’ve soaked up a ton of Vitamin D, show off your new color by keeping your makeup simple. Put on some bronzer, get a swipe of mascara, and layer a sheen of gloss on your favorite peach-pink lipstick.

Beautiful Blooms

It's official: spring is in the air, and this upcoming wedding season's most romantic trend is all about those beautiful floral blooms! Add a touch of whimsy with a delicate flower crown, or a bohemian beaded belt to highlight your waistline. We're loving this spring wedding inspo from our friends at The Knot, so head on over to check it more of our favorite flower-power wedding ideas!

Rock Your Wedding Photos!

"Being a bride is a little bit like being famous for a day: There will be hair and makeup, a beautiful dress, and paparazzi (i.e., the wedding photographer) who will follow you everywhere you go. That last part—being photographed all night long—can be daunting. But getting gorgeous wedding pictures that stand the test of time (unlike Dad’s ’70s flares or Mom’s puffy sleeves) can be one less thing to worry about."  Head over to Vogue to check out their expert advice for taking the perfect wedding pictures!

Color Trends: California Dreamin'

Kick up that California desert charm with these gorgeous wedding color palette ideas from the Knot! Incorporate these not only into your decor, but why not try out a peachy, sun-kissed beauty look or themed hair accoutrements? Let those creative juices flow to help you craft the most memorable (and stylish) wedding of the year! And don't forget to discuss your color palette choices with your bridal beauty team, to come up with the perfect look for your big day.

Picture Perfect Weddings with Dreamcatcher Artistry!

In the market for that perfect bridal beauty team to give you that drop dead gorgeous wedding look you've been dreaming of? Get inspired by browsing our Weddings portfolio! From brides to the whole wedding party, we have something special for everyone on your big day!

Honeymoon Adventures!

Why not follow up the best day of your life with the trip of a lifetime? Strike out on an incredible adventure with your best friend, and turn up the romance in one of these breath-taking destinations from Bride's Magazine! From snorkeling under the waves in Fiji, to sleeping in a cave in the Turkish mountains, there's never been a better time to get out there and make some memories to last a lifetime!

Your Dream Beauty Team!

From blushing bride's to birthday girls, we love to help you shine! Check out our full list of professional beauty services, for every special occasion!

That Perfect Party Pout

Eat, drink, and look fabulous this holiday season with a little help from The Zoe Report! There's no better time to try out that bold lip color you've been eyeing at the beauty counter! 

Organic Skincare For Chilly Winter Days

Brrrrrrrrr! Along with the chilly turning of the season comes that not-so-pleasant, persistent dry skin. Luckily, there are some incredibly nourishing lotions out there that skip the chemicals (which can dry your skin out even more) and use only the gentlest organic moisturizers out there. Check out this list from Rodale's Organic Life, and get some ideas on how to keep your skin glowing all year round!

Exquisite Organic Modern Barn Sonoma Wedding

Get ready to fall in love! We're thrilled to share this gorgeous shoot from the romantic nuptuals of one of our recent clients, featured on the blog from White Ivory Photography!

This Just In!

We are soooooo excited to announce that the team at Dreamcatcher Artistry have been named as the 2017 Pick for The Best of Weddings on The Knot!

Check us out on WeddingWire!

On the hunt for that perfect bridal beauty team for your upcoming nuptials? Read what our awesome clients have to say about us on Wedding Wire!

Winter Wedding Romance

Deck the halls with winter romance! We're drooling over some of these dreamy, oh-so-cozy winter wedding ideas, from berry bouquets to nature-inspired decor and velvet trimmings. Pour some hot-buttered rum and bring on the holiday wedding season!