About Onyx & Redwood

Hi, I’m Jess - owner, founder, and inventive wedding planner based in Santa Barbara, California. 

I specialize in designing high-end luxury weddings that aren’t boring or stuffy, but bold and exciting.

Most of my clients are destination clients. Whether they are coming to the Santa Barbara area, or traveling to the destination of their dreams, I make it all happen.

My Philosophy

Permission to Be Yourself

My whole business motto revolves around this simple concept that your wedding is 100% about you and your partner. You have my absolute support to do things your way and no one else’s. 

If that means forgoing all traditions and having your dog-children walk you down the aisle—then go for it.

If that means hiring a tattoo artist to give tattoos at your reception—then do it (‘cause that actually happened!).

And if that means you want to get married in a château in France, with 300 of your closest friends with the most epic party ever—consider me there.

I promise to not only pull together the wedding of your dreams, but I promise to be your biggest supporter in creating a wedding that exceeds all of your expectations. I’ll bring in all of the little details about your life, from your personalities, to your lifestyle, to your cultures, and weave them throughout the fabric of your wedding in a seamless and natural way.

Meet Jess

Hi, Jess here. I was born to be an event planner—just ask my mom. 

But when you talk to her, maybe don’t mention to her the time I planned and threw my first party for over 200 of my closest friends … when I was 14. (Sorry, mom).

I’m sure she didn’t think it was funny at the time (ok, she definitely didn’t think it was) but I can say with certainty that it was a pretty epic party and it quickly instilled in me my love of planning and hosting events.

I’ve come a long way since my 14-year old self. However, it is safe to say your wedding won’t be Beastie Boys-themed, unless that’s what you really want. What hasn’t changed, is my fundamental desire to bend the rules and push the boundaries within the wedding industry.

When it comes to your wedding, I believe: 

Luxury doesn’t have to be pretentious and boring.
Edgy can still be elegant.
Bold is definitely beautiful.

Luxury doesn’t have to be pretentious and boring.

Edgy can still be elegant.

Bold is definitely beautiful.

And being authentic to yourself within your wedding is the best gift you can give yourself and your partner on your wedding day,

A Bit About Me

Over 20 years in the event planning space

Married with 2 kids, 1 dog, and 3 guinea pigs. They are my heartbeat and humble me daily.

Tropical Country: Mexico

European Destination: Italy

Country girl with an affinity for culture and travel

Met my husband the old-fashioned way—in a bar!

Detail-obsessed and service-oriented

Wild-spirited with impeccable tastes

Growing up in the rural East Bay, I learned the importance of grit and hard work right from the start. My parents were the embodiment of hard work, spending their weekends and after-work hours building our cozy adobe home in the countryside. All this effort? It was so I could have the time of my life as a kid, climbing ancient oak trees and riding horses bareback through the valleys whenever I pleased.

But you know, my childhood wasn't just about mud and hay. My parents had a knack for storytelling, too. They'd weave these incredible tales of their adventures from all corners of the world – the places they explored, the people they met, the flavors they savored.  It was like getting a passport to their past, and I loved every word of it. 

It's in my DNA...

Those stories lit a fire in me, a yearning to create my adventures someday.

My own childhood was a mix of camping adventures, revving it up on gravel roads, and daydreaming about having adventures like they did. And maybe that's why, today, I can't get enough of traveling. Exploring new places, meeting diverse people, and tasting different cuisines feels like living out those stories my parents shared.

Now, here's the twist. Despite this countryside upbringing and the globetrotting tales, my mom also passed down a love for hosting that's hard to miss. She was all about bringing out the fancy china and dazzling crystal whenever she had guests over. Picture-perfect seasonal table arrangements were her jam, and she rocked them every time.

These are the nuances and contrasts that make me who I am: wild and free with a love of fine details and a devotion to hard work. 

Always Loving

Upbeat couples who trust my expertise

Getting to know my couples

Unique and exciting ideas that help create unforgettable events

Interweaving my couple’s love story into the guest experience

Weddings that break the mold 

Your Perfect Planner

Choosing your wedding planner is the biggest decision you’ll make in regards to your wedding. You spend more time with them than anyone else. It’s important that you can trust them, that you can confide in them, and that you enjoy being around them.

Let’s chat to see if we would be a good fit.

Let's talk