There is an electric energy that fills the air when the luxury wedding industry’s finest descend upon a single location. This past December, that energy landed on the rugged, sun-drenched coast of the Ritz-Carlton Bacara for Engage! Santa Barbara: The Luxury Event Summit.

As a designer deeply rooted in this community, my goal for Engage! was to ensure every single touchpoint felt intentional. We didn’t just want to host a summit; we wanted to tell the story of Santa Barbara—its textures, its scents, and its natural wonders. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be taking you behind the scenes of each event we designed.

We begin where every great journey starts: Registration and Gifting.

The Vision: A Serene Tribute to the Monarch Migration

Engage! is world-renowned for its legendary gifting suites, so we knew the “first impression” had to set an impossibly high bar. We took over the Rotunda at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, transforming the circular space into a serene sanctuary inspired by one of Santa Barbara’s most magical seasonal phenomenons: the Monarch Butterfly Migration.

Every year, thousands of Monarchs cluster in our local eucalyptus groves. We wanted to capture that delicate, fluttering movement and bring it indoors to greet our attendees.

The Design Details

To ground the space in “Old California” elegance while maintaining a high-fashion edge, we focused on organic textures and ethereal layers:

• The Monarch Chandelier: The focal point was a massive, custom-built installation hanging from the center of the Rotunda. We used sprawling eucalyptus branches—a nod to the butterflies’ natural habitat—and meticulously covered them in hundreds of Monarch butterflies crafted from delicate feathers.
• Romantic Drapery: To soften the architecture of the Rotunda, we hung sweeping swags of olive green chiffon. The fabric caught the ocean breeze, making the entire room feel like it was breathing.
• Custom Textiles: No detail was too small. We designed custom linens for the cocktail tables, each embroidered with intricate butterfly motifs to carry the theme from the ceiling to the tabletop.
• The Statement Bar: We partnered with Elan Event Rentals to feature a stunning custom bar piece that anchored the room, serving as the hub for our first official “cheers” of the summit.

The Gifting Experience 

The Engage Santa Barbara gifting suite featured local companies and artists, channeling the sun-drenched charm of a Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market into a curated experience. Guests walked away with premium essentials like rugged Parker Clay leather bags, iconic Ugg boots, and versatile Patagonia layers, ensuring they were outfitted for any coastal adventure. The local flair didn’t stop at the big names; the suite featured a bounty of artisanal treasures, from custom-engraved Stolpman Vineyards wine and fragrant lavender products to hand-poured candles and small-batch chocolates. With personalized water bottles, soothing bath bombs, and a selection of local snacks, the collection served as a thoughtful, high-end tribute to the vibrant spirit of the American Riviera.

The Team who made it all happen…

Hospitality Host: Ritz Carlton Bacara 

Event: Engage Summits

Photos by: Anna Gianfrate, Liz Banfield, Paul Morse, Phillip Van Nostrand, Cat Galletti, Ryan Greenleaf 

Creative Director, Planning, and Floral Design: Tyler Speier 

Art Direction, Branding, Paper, Design Support: TPD Design House

Entertainment & Music: Elan Artists 

Rentals: Elan Event Rentals, Found Rental Co., Bright Event Rentals, Revelry Event Designers

Linens: Nuage Designs 

AV: Five Star AV

Calligraphy Activation: Cat Lauren Calligraphy 

Wholesale Floral Supplier: Florabundance Inc. 

Plant Rentals: Jackson Shrub 

Acrylic Sticks: XO Acrylics

Gifting:

Parker Clay

Golden Arrow Goods

Riviera Towel

The Santa Barbara Company

Stolpman Vineyards

Lavande Farm