When Spanish settlers established the Santa Barbara Mission way back in the 18th century, they surely could not have envisaged what the spectacular area would look like around 250 years later. The city offers breathtaking ocean views, easy access to wine country cultural attractions like the Wolf Museum, and a chilled coastal vibe, making it a special location indeed.
So, if you're planning your wedding day, where better to host your wedding ceremony and reception than in this gorgeous setting? And thanks to Giggster's selection of beautiful wedding venues in Santa Barbara—with options to suit a huge range of styles and budgets—finding the perfect location to celebrate your special day is a piece of cake.
Whether you want a romantic wedding venue, a rustic dining pavilion, a space with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean or the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara's best event spaces have got you covered. Here are just some of the beautiful Santa Barbara wedding venues to consider among Giggster's wide range of options.
A historic church with Spanish architecture in downtown Santa Barbara provides a welcoming sanctuary for your big day.
Colorful mosaic tiles and an intimate setting create a lovely atmosphere for your romantic event in a downtown wine bar near State Street.
High ceilings, exposed beams, and a convivial atmosphere—this rustic indoor event space is perfectly suited to laid-back weddings.
A sublime modern art gallery in the downtown area offers the perfect backdrop for real weddings and special event types of all shapes and sizes.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From welcoming bars and sun-drenched outdoor patios to historic churches and versatile event spaces (with plenty of creature comforts), Giggster's selection of 39 gorgeous Santa Barbara wedding venues offers choices aplenty for your big day.
Hassle-Free Booking: Giggster's user-friendly interface means it's easy to book your perfect wedding venue for as little as $50/hour. Narrow your search based on your budget and key requirements to find your dream Santa Barbara wedding venue.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Need to change the date or vary your wedding plans a bit? Our flexible policy ensures that you can do so without having to pay any extra fees. Reserve your reception space knowing there are free cancellations for bookings canceled within 24 hours of confirmation, as long as the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: Plan your Santa Barbara wedding with confidence, knowing that Giggster offers add-on insurance protection packages. We've got your back with damage protection, event liability insurance, and cancellation protection, so you can book special venues like Granada Training Room knowing you're fully covered.
From downtown Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Zoo to the palm trees of nearby Mandalay Beach, Santa Barbara offers an abundance of options for anyone dreaming of a beach wedding. However, there are also a few reasons why the city may not be the ideal destination for your dream wedding, so consider the pros and cons first.
Advantages
There's a huge range of Santa Barbara wedding venues to choose from, so there are spaces to help you create any sort of ambiance you want.
In an area rich in natural beauty like Santa Barbara, there are endless photo opportunities.
You're spoiled for choice when searching for experienced and high-quality Santa Barbara wedding vendors in this part of California.
Disadvantages
The best wedding venues in Santa Barbara are in very high demand, and the most popular among them book out well in advance.
The cost of tying the knot in Santa Barbara can be quite high—you'll need to manage your budget carefully.
The city gets quite crowded in peak tourist season. Traffic congestion and competition for spaces are issues you'll need to consider when choosing an event venue.
Big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco might steal much of the limelight in this part of the world, but there's still a lot to love about Santa Barbara. From the rolling hills and the Santa Ynez Mountains to the breathtaking ocean views and lush gardens, there's a diverse and beautiful range of Santa Barbara wedding venues to choose from. And with Giggster's special selection of 39 excellent locations, it's easy to find your perfect wedding venue.
Churches – Special Sanctuaries. If you're searching for a Santa Barbara wedding venue with a traditional feel, why not tie the knot in a historic church? With high ceilings and interesting architectural features, it's the ideal setting for a romantic wedding ceremony.
Event Spaces – Versatile Santa Barbara Wedding Venues. If you're searching for wedding venues that offer plenty of substance to go with their style, it's hard to go past a dedicated events space. These wedding venues, many of which are easily accessible from the downtown area, offer all the essential amenities and can easily be tailored to suit your theme.
Bars and Breweries – Warm and Welcoming Vibes. Wedding reception venues in Santa Barbara don't get any more inviting than a friendly bar or brewery taproom. They offer plenty of space to work with, plenty of brews on tap (or access to more exotic beverages), and a pleasant party location where you can celebrate with friends and family.
Outdoor Courtyards – SoCal Sophistication and Style. If you're searching for more of a natural setting that embraces the great outdoors, a private courtyard or patio is the perfect setting. This type of venue offers seclusion, makes the most of the region's climate, and if you're lucky, will offer sweeping views of the surrounding terrain.
Live Music Venues – Loud and Proud. With a band pumping out your favorite tunes on stage and encouraging all your guests to hit the dance floor, a live music venue offers a memorable wedding reception venue. Perfect if you want your reception to be the sort of event where everyone can let their hair down.
How can you plan a successful and stress-free wedding in Santa Barbara? These simple tips and steps will help you stick to schedule.
Visualize Your Perfect Wedding – What does your ideal wedding look like? What sort of experience do you want to share with guests at your reception? Which Santa Barbara wedding venues do you love? Once you have a clear idea what you want, you can start moving through the list of key tasks.
Create a Budget – Make a realistic budget so you know exactly how much money you have to work with.
Choose a Wedding Venue – With 39 wonderful Santa Barbara wedding venues on Giggster, there's no shortage of options. Consider what you need in an event space—be it personalized service, an ocean view, olive trees, a resort setting, or anything else—and choose the Santa Barbara wedding venue that meets your needs.
Book a Photographer and Florist – Great wedding photos are a must, so find an experienced photographer you feel comfortable working with. Flowers are another critical component, so search for the best Santa Barbara florists as well.
Book Catering and Entertainment – Delicious food, drinks packages, and custom menus can all help your reception stand out from the crowd. Don't forget to book a band or DJ as well to help create a party atmosphere.
Organize the Finer Details – Finally, take care of all the little things that help make an event extra-special, like hiring any extra furniture or equipment you need and adding creative decorative touches to your Santa Barbara wedding venue.
From the wedding ceremony to the reception and all the costs they entail, planning a wedding can be an expensive exercise. Keep these tips in mind to avoid blowing your budget on an American Riviera wedding.
Create a detailed budget and follow it.
There's a very long list of expenses you'll need to budget for, so create a detailed list of all of them and how much they'll cost. This will help you reach a realistic budget for your big day.
Shop around before you make your decision.
Don't just settle for the first reception space you find. Compare a wide range of Santa Barbara wedding venues to find the most affordable options.
Keep one eye on the future.
Sure, your wedding day is one of the most important occasions in your life, but it's not the be all and end all. You and your partner have the rest of your lives to look forward to, and starting out weighed down by a big wedding debt isn't going to help. Don't get yourself into financial trouble for what is, ultimately, just one day.
If you're searching for a Santa Barbara wedding venue that will knock your guests' socks off, Giggster has got you covered. Start searching for your ideal setting today.
