Thanksgiving 2025 — A Love Letter to Our Community
“We may have faced headwinds, but we kept moving forward — powered by community, creativity, and heart.”
This year... wow.
As I sit down (in between inbox pings and last-minute submissions 😅), I’m reflecting on what I’ve heard over and over from so many of you:
It’s been a tough year.
A little quieter than usual… but also somehow busier?
A longer season… but more last-minute bookings.
A recalibration after the Boom.
An economic landscape that feels like a rollercoaster — from groceries to florals, labor, gas, and rent.
And yes, a politically curious year that’s left many small businesses feeling uncertain.
And yet — here we are. Still standing. Still creating. Still showing up for each other.
What fills me with the deepest gratitude this Thanksgiving is you — our Santa Barbara wedding community.
Despite all the curveballs, I’ve watched vendors lift one another up, share referrals, lend chairs, florals, equipment, advice, hugs.
I’ve seen teams come together to pull off magic with less time, tighter budgets, and more heart than ever before.
I’ve witnessed true resilience — not just in how you work, but in how you care.
That’s what keeps me inspired.
That’s what makes Santa Barbara not just a destination, but a community.
And it’s what makes this blog more than a blog — it’s a celebration of you.
To our vendors and venues — thank you for your perseverance, your talent, and your generosity.
To our couples — thank you for trusting these incredible pros with your most special moments.
To our SBWS team — thank you for helping me keep this dream alive, one post, one story, one celebration at a time.
And to Santa Barbara itself — thank you for continuing to be the breathtaking, soul-nourishing backdrop for so much love.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you peace, joy, abundance, and the time to truly enjoy it all.
With gratitude and love,
~ Zohe Felici
Santa Barbara Wedding Style
photo @gracekathryn
