Tonya Szele Events

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. To say I fell in love with this place is an understatement. 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 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.