Mazel Tov! Teresa & Rick! 

Written by David Bolton

Montecito was abuzz for the Valentine’s Day wedding of Teresa Kuskey and Rick Oshay at the sprawling Music Academy of the West. The well-manicured gardens and historic setting provided the perfect backdrop for a spectacular and memorable night of dance, celebration, friends, family and love.

A throng of 175 community members enjoyed the fun and well-orchestrated festivities. 

Guests joined groom Rick Oshay in elegant black tie or followed bride Teresa’s theme of red, pink and burgundy. 

The families of the bride and groom were proudly in attendance. Rick’s three children – Kathryn, Rachel, and Samuel – and extended family members from as far away as Israel and Europe joined Teresa’s five children – Ray, Mikey, Luke, Ben and Lucia – her mother, Mariana Kuskey, brother Eric Kuskey, and many cousins for a memorable evening.

Following a garden reception, guests were invited to witness the wedding nuptials and see the elegant and glamorous bride for the first time. In a very touching moment, the groom’s son Samuel played his guitar and sang “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran for Teresa’s much-anticipated bridal procession.

A special part of the wedding ceremony was the blending of religions as both Rabbi Daniel Brenner from Temple B’nai B’rith, and Father Larry Gosselin of Old Mission Santa Barbara presided. 

Father Larry offered a message of ‘love and friendship, peace and pleasure.’ At one point saying, “May the voices of this celebration be raised up and heard throughout the streets of Santa Barbara, California, the world, and the hills of all countrysides.”

Indeed they were!

The night included a wedding feast, several eloquent toasts, ballet dancers and opera singers, and ended with the cutting of the cake by bride and groom. What a night!

To pull off Teresa and Rick’s wedding vision – regal, loving, holy, romantic, and formal – an excellent team came together including Islay Events, Simply Cocktails!, Seasons Catering, Hogue Flowers, Ventura Rentals, The Brides Side, A&J Limos, BlueStar Parking, DJ Darla Bea, and La Boheme Dancers.

“I was raised in the Arts, especially ballet, and wanted to showcase that influence in my life!” said the new Mrs. Oshay. “Rick and I wanted this to be a gift to our friends and family on Saint Valentine’s Day!”

And indeed it was.