Laguna’s Red Tape Brings on Wedding Bell Blues

For most people wanting to get married, red tape is limited to a blood test and license.

But for Mary Ewart and Randy Bader of Laguna Beach, the first couple to plan an wedding on the Sawdust Festival grounds in the facility’s off-season, it meant a lesson in the workings of local government.

First there was the business of obtaining a temporary-use permit, of all things, then the city Planning Commission looked it over and finally the Laguna Beach City Council had to add its seal of approval.

And all Bader wanted was to marry his sweetheart under the eucalyptus tree.

“We’re getting ready to inaugurate the Sawdust Festival as a place to get married,” said Bader, 37, an artist and Sawdust exhibitor for the past 10 years. “No one has any idea what they’re doing. They’re making us do all kinds of ridiculous things.”

23-Year-Old Show

The Sawdust Festival is a 23-year-old art show open in July and August just off Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Last summer, more than 240 exhibitors had booths and 250,000 visitors attended.

Bader said he met Ewart, 35, a social worker for the county, under a big eucalyptus tree on closing night of the festival three years ago. Now they plan to hold the wedding for 150 guests near that spot on Oct. 22.

“We’re the experimental case,” Bader said. “I think it’s ridiculous that we have to have a (temporary-use permit). This is private property--we artists own it as a nonprofit corporation.”

Still, rules are rules and the couple learned quickly that their wedding needed city approval or they could find someplace else to exchange vows.

Tina Arana, Sawdust Festival marketing director, said temporary outdoor activities are allowed at the festival only with Planning Commission approval because the festival has traditionally operated only part of the year. To get approval, a letter of request must be written, a $175 fee must be paid and a public hearing must be held.

“We’re in the midst of learning about this,” she said. “I don’t know what the charge for the wedding will be. We don’t want to jeopardize our nonprofit status. If we can work all this out, we hope to have regular off-season use next year.”

Arana said off-season functions couldn’t be held on the grounds in the past because there were no permanent structures such as restrooms, offices and a meeting room, she said.

Prospective groom Bader said there is no official wedding coordinator for the festival, so he and Ewart have to handle all the planning themselves. Those plans include catering by the Royal Thai restaurant, a band, invitations and flower arrangements by artist friends. Alcohol will be provided by the wedding couple.

“There’s a lot of fine-tuning to do,” he said. “But by next year, the Sawdust Festival will hopefully provide a selection of caterers and florists to provide a complete wedding for people.”

Added Bader: “After all, the property sits unused 10 months of the year and nothing comes close to the beauty for a spot to get married. Waterfalls are running, the parking is great and the grounds are sealed.”

In the end, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to allow the wedding on the conditions it take place from 12 to 6 p.m. and that the grounds are cleaned by Oct. 25.

“Well, that’s one things out of the way,” Bader said. “Now it all boils down to waiting for that last week when you find out the million things you forgot to do. I probably won’t have a clue about the rest until the day before the wedding.”