Santa Barbara is known for its perfect weather, amazing restaurants, and beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture. Likewise, the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the stunning ocean views make it a romantic destination any time of year. All this makes Santa Barbara an ideal place for a Southern California Wedding, and there are tons of great wedding locations around the area. To help you get started, here are our favorite Santa Barbara wedding venues!
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
For a waterfront venue with gorgeous ocean views and everything you need in one place, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is the way to go. The museum’s interior, with its delightful exhibits, is great for ceremonies, as is the outdoor patio. Both of these locations can also serve as the site of your reception, while small receptions can take place in the second-story Crow’s Nest room that overlooks the harbor. The venue also features excellent catering, including a delicious dessert buffet.
Capacity: 75 (patio) – 220 (full museum)
Typical cost: $1,200-$3,600
Bonus: The museum’s Ranger yacht is also available in the harbor for photo opportunities.
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Santa Barbara County Courthouse
With its beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a historical landmark that’s well worth the visit. It’s also an amazing backdrop for your Santa Barbara wedding, featuring multiple locations available to rent for your ceremony. If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, you can reserve the grounds of the courthouse and tie the knot in the charming Sunken Garden. For an indoor event, the Mural Room provides a beautiful setting with its beautifully painted walls and ornate ceiling. Best of all, renting a venue at the courthouse is simple and affordable—you can check the availability of a venue here and call to make a reservation up to a year before the date of your wedding.
Capacity: 100 (indoor)–200 (outdoor)
Typical cost: $600–$1,100
Bonus: The nearby Carrillo Ballroom is an excellent place for your reception.
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Riviera Mansion
Built in 1880, the magnificent Riviera Mansion is a luxurious venue at a surprisingly affordable price. The venue provides several remarkable indoor and outdoor venues for your wedding. The expansive garden lawn is ideal for ceremonies, while there are also patios for outdoor receptions. If you opt for an indoor event, there’s more than enough space in the elegant interior of the mansion for dinner and dancing. As if that weren’t enough, the mansion also has spacious bride and groom’s suites and a bar stocked with the best beer, wine, and spirits.
Capacity: 230
Typical cost: $2,000–$4,000 rental fee, $90–$183 per person reception
Bonus: The Groom’s Suite is also a billiards room and features pool tables, a bar, and a TV.
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Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara
The Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara is a church venue open to couples of any faith. Its sanctuary features light from beautiful stained-glass windows, a 1,500-pipe organ, and excellent acoustics. They also have a gorgeous courtyard for ceremonies and receptions, as well as a banquet room for indoor dinner and dancing. Couples rave about the excellent service provided by the venue’s coordinator and staff!
Capacity: 200
Typical cost: $1,350–$2,690 for ceremony only, $2,690–$3,990 for ceremony and reception
Bonus: The Unitarian Society is just across the street from the beautiful Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, which provides a great location for photos.
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Canary Hotel
The Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara is a superb venue for a rooftop event. Here you can have an intimate wedding with stellar panoramic views of the ocean and mountains that make Santa Barbara such a popular location in the first place. The hotel also features modern Mediterranean-style architecture gives it a uniquely Santa Barbara feel. Meanwhile, the in-house catering is known for serving excellent food and providing great bar service!
Capacity: 130
Typical cost: $4,000 site fee for ceremony
Bonus: The hotel’s wedding weekend packages with great deals on accommodation for you and your guests!
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More California Wedding Venues:
5 Surprisingly Affordable Los Angeles Wedding Venues
The Top 5 Wedding Venues in Monterey
The Best Santa Cruz Wedding Venues
