$55,000 Tuscan winery wedding you wouldn’t believe isn’t in Tuscany
Sheila and Erick met in biology class back in high school—two teenagers who instantly knew they’d be best friends. They grew up sharing inside jokes, spontaneous adventures, and a quiet understanding that felt like home. Their first road trip together was to Santa Barbara, a place they didn’t yet know would become a large part of their story. In 2021, after 17 years of friendship, Sheila moved to Santa Barbara for work. Erick visited one weekend, and over a glass of wine, they realized they were in love. In August 2024, they were married at a vineyard in Los Olivos—a celebration not only of love, but of 20 years of friendship. It turns out the old saying is true: marry your best friend.
Featured venue: Zaca Mesa Winery
Sheila and Erick loved Zaca Mesa Winery in Los Olivos the moment they saw it. It was the perfect location: a stunning vineyard tucked into the hills of wine country that also reflected their love of win. Guests stayed in the nearby Danish-inspired town of Solvang. With many friends and family flying in from the East Coast, the couple wanted to create a full experience. Solvang delivered with its cozy charm, amazing farm-to-table restaurants, and countless local wineries.
Color inspo: white, green, and gold
With an elegant, classic, and romantic theme—featuring a palette of white, green, and a hint of gold—Sheila and Erick envisioned a timeless look for their wedding party. The groom and groomsmen wore sharp tuxedos from The BLK Tux, opting for a style inspired by the classic James Bond look.
Ombre green bridesmaids
For the bridesmaids, it was all about individuality and comfort. Sheila encouraged each of them to choose a shade of green and a dress silhouette that suited their skin tone and body type. The goal was for everyone to feel confident and true to themselves. She also invited them to express their personal style with accessories and makeup, allowing each bridesmaid to bring her own flair.
Customized school bus transportation
To make the celebration even more fun, Sheila and Erick booked a vintage school bus from Jump On The School Bus to transport guests. The side of the bus featured custom wording that read, “It’s about damn time”— a cheeky nod to the phrase their friends and family would always say when they finally started dating after years of friendship.
A nod to Indonesian wedding culture
The ceremony featured a modern twist on Sheila’s Indonesian culture. In traditional Indonesian weddings, the bride and groom walk down the aisle together to symbolize entering a new journey together. Sheila and Erick embraced this meaningful tradition, and at the end of the ceremony, all their guests walked back up the aisle together—a symbol of love and community, showing that everyone was there to support their marriage.
Staying calm through last minute changes
From the very beginning, Sheila and Erick had a vision: a vineyard dinner. It felt romantic, rare, and unforgettable. Just a couple of weeks before the wedding, however, the oldest and most beautiful tree on the property unexpectedly fell. It had been the anchor of their dream dinner location, and with it gone, the vineyard view they had imagined was no longer an option. At first, it was heartbreaking, but instead of letting go of their vision, Sheila and Erick worked closely with the venue and their wedding coordinator, Events By Angela Monique, to reimagine the setting. The couple and their coordinator transformed the ceremony space into a reception area, surrounded by rolling hills and soft golden light and captured on film by Malaya Images. In the end, it turned out even more magical than they had hoped for.
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Reception inspo: Vineyard dinner
The reception was truly the highlight of the day. Their dream of a vineyard dinner came to life with long farm tables arranged family-style, perfectly fitting the intimate celebration. Guests were treated to sweeping vineyard views on both sides, and the tables were styled with a modern Italian countryside feel. Elegant Tuscany-style table runners perfectly complemented gold-rimmed plates, creating a sophisticated tablescape. The look was completed with stunning white and green florals from Lily & Poppy Event Rentals. As the sun set, soft candlelight surrounded the vineyard, creating a romantic glow from dusk into evening.
Indonesian party favors
As a heartfelt final touch, Sheila’s mom brought handwoven basket bags and an assortment of treats from Indonesia—candies, chocolates, and coffee—as party favors. Everything was lovingly displayed for guests to choose from, and each bag was labeled with “Terima Kasih,” which means “Thank you” in Bahasa Indonesia.
After-the-fact advice from the couple
Their advice? Focus on creating a core memory—one that reflects who you are as a couple. Sometimes the unexpected leads to something even more beautiful than you imagined.
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- Wedding Photographers: Malaya Images
- Flowers: Lily & Poppy Event Rentals
- Rentals: Lily & Poppy Event Rentals
- Venues: Zaca Mesa Winery
- Cakes & Catering: La Dolce Vita
- Event Planning & Design: Events By Angela Monique