Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer
Are you in need of a Santa Barbara wedding photographer to capture your beautiful wedding day?!
Good news – I am a Santa Barbara wedding photographer! :)
I absolutely love Santa Barbara weddings and elopements mainly because I feel that Santa Barbara has such romantic landscapes. In general, it's home to a lot of variety, ranging from wineries with lush greens to the calming seaside to the charm of nearby smaller towns, like Solvang or Los Olivos.
I am located in Los Angeles, but Santa Barbara is somewhere I visit often. It's truly the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Santa Barbara Wedding Venues
Klentner Ranch | Santa Barbara Wedding Venue
Klentner ranch is a Santa Barbara wedding venue that is rustic, natural, and elegant. It has ocean and mountain views along with 40 acres of gardens and natural environment.
2. Santa Barbara Historical Museum
This is an open, airy museum with a really romantic backdrop!
3. Sunstone Vineyards and Winery
This is a 29 acre vineyard in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. If you’d like to have a Santa Barbara wedding that makes you feel like you are tucked away in the French countryside, this is it. This is probably one of my top 3 Santa Barbara wedding venues.
Technically this in San Luis Obispo, but it’s worth mentioning since it’s near Santa Barbara. San Luis Obispo is an idyllic location with gorgeous views. This venue has a barnyard, cottage, and lot’s of nature. A great choice if you are going for an upscale rustic vibe.
This Santa Barbara wedding venue is SO stunning. It includes a 120 year old cottage covered in roses, as well a beautiful barn. If there is one word I’d use to describe this venue, it would be “romantic.” It makes you feel like you’re in the English countryside, surrounded by large trees, roses, stone, and at night – an exquisite starry sky.
This venue is just outside Santa Barbara. It includes Spanish architecture, breathtaking views, a gorgeous courtyard, and more! It also includes plenty of room accommodations for your desk, which adds a major element of convenience!
6. Kestrel Park
A favorite among Santa Barbara wedding photographers, this is a hidden gem in Santa Ynez Valley, which is only a 30 minute drive from Santa Barbara. It only holds a very limited amount of weddings per year, so for this particular venue, one has to book well in advance. What’s it like?
It reminds me of an enchanted, storybook castle in the countryside somewhere in France. I am not exaggerating. It even comes with lavender fields. This truly is an exquisite Santa Barbara wedding location.
Tip - ask your Santa Barbara wedding photographer to make sure to get photos of you by "the castle" and lavender fields. Both are such beautiful backdrops!
7. La Arboleda
In the. middle of wine country, this gorgeous Santa Barbara wedding venue offers a countryside feel with picturesque gardens. It includes wandering paths
I think people love Santa Barbara mainly because it offers a relaxed atmosphere with a romantic quality and natural beauty. This is also what San Ysidro Ranch offers. It’s luxurious and includes over 500 acres of landscape.
This Santa Barbara wedding venue is truly one of a kind with it’s 360 degree views of the Santa Ynez mountains and the ocean. Along with gorgeous views, it has Eucalyptus, magnolia, and orange blossom treas. Personally, this is one of my absolute favorites out of this list of Santa Barbara wedding venues.
Overall, this venue has an idyllic atmosphere, representative of Santa Barbara as a whole.
More Santa Barbara Wedding Venues
Surrounded by oak trees and wisterias, this Santa Barbara wedding venue is located in the heart of wine country.
10. Mattei’s Tavern
I am drawn to this Santa Barbara wedding location because it has a quirky element that sets it apart from the others. As the name discloses, this venue. is an actual tavern. With that comes exquisite craftsman structures and an old west experience.
This is a private ranch filled with canyons, oak trees, views of the ocean and mountains. It has an elegant rustic quality.
More Santa Barbara Wedding Venues
Wha a fun option for a Santa Barbara wedding, especially if you both love animals. The Santa Barbara zoo is on the smaller side, which makes it less overwhelming and perfect for a Santa Barbara wedding.
13. Zaca Creek Ranch
This Santa Barbara wedding venue has a wild west charm. It has a natural environment and is especially perfect for more adventurous couples. This is a venue where you can have dinner underneath the stars, go horseback riding, etc.
The Santa Barbara Biltmore is a Santa Barbara wedding venue with an ocean view, luxurious ballrooms, and a pristine atmosphere.
15. Canary Hotel
I love this venue because it makes you feel like you’re in Santa Barbara, as well as abroad – perhaps in Greece or Spain. It has a Mediterranean style and panoramic views of both the ocean & mountains.
The ceremony and reception could take place on their amazing rooftop. Since this is a hotel, guests could stay there after the event, offering ease and convenience. This is a Santa Barbara wedding venue with an ocean view.
16. Sogno Del Fiore
This is an Italian style venue with twinkling lights. It’s in the middle of beautiful wine country.
Can’t decide between Palm Springs or Santa Barbara for your wedding? This venue is your solution. While located in Santa Barbara, it offers a slight Palm Springs feel with it’s panoramic mountain views and spacious stone pool.
If you’re going for a Santa Barbara wedding venue with a modern, urban vibe, my suggestion would be the Narrative Loft. It’s an indoor venue with nice window light and gorgeous wooden, beam cielings.
19. Hartley Farms
Harley farms is a gorgeous Santa Barbara venue located in wine country. It contains a 200 year old oak tree, often used as the backdrop for the ceremony space. Harley farms only hosts around 10 – 12 events a year to truly personalize every wedding experience.
More Santa Barbara Wedding Venues
20. Villa & Vine
A romantic outdoor Santa Barbara wedding venue located on State street.
21. The 1808 Union
This is a victorian venue in Santa Barbara wine county. It includes a beautiful rose garden and old-world, romantic atmosphere.
Rancho Dos Pueblos is a venue that takes advantage of a lot of the beauty Santa Barbara has to offer. It includes multiple backdrops, such a the beach, mountain, garden settings, a barn, etc. This venue is a Santa Barbara wedding venue with an ocean view.
Solvang Wedding Venues
Since Solvang is so close to Santa Barbara and such a charming town, I think it's only right to include some favorite Solvang wedding venues.
Solvang is a quaint town in the Santa Ynez Valley. It is recognized for it’s Danish architecture, wineries, art, and museums.
This Solvang wedding venue is so beautiful. It includes a 120 year old cottage covered in roses, as well as a barn. If there is one word I’d use to describe this venue, it would be “romantic.” It makes you feel like you’re in the English countryside, surrounded by large trees, roses, stone, and at night – an exquisite starry sky.
2. Kestrel Park
This Santa Ynez wedding venue holds a very limited amount of weddings per year, so for this particular venue, one has to book well in advance. What’s it like?
It reminds me of an enchanted, storybook castle in the countryside somewhere in France. I am not exaggerating. It even comes with lavender fields.
This wedding venue is nostalgic, luxurious, romantic, and tranquil. As far as Solvang wedding venues go, it’s certainly one of the prettiest. It sprawls over 17 miles of land, including gardens filled with lavender, jasmine, orange blossoms, and more.
It’s also located in between the mountains and the ocean. Plenty of celebrities have called it home, including Audrey Hepburn, Churchill, and JKF to name a few.
This wedding venue reflects the beauty of Santa Ynez valley – rustic, sophisticated, and romantic. It’s a 40 acre vineyard complete with incredible food, gardens, etc.
This space is another gorgeous option as far as Solvang wedding venues go! This wedding venue has a modern farmhouse atmosphere that caters to outdoor and indoor weddings, perfect for any time of the year.
This is a private ranch filled with canyons, oak trees, views of the ocean and mountains. It has an elegant rustic quality.
This Solvang wedding venue has a wild west charm. This is a venue where you can have dinner underneath the stars, go horseback riding, etc. A great option for more adventurous couples!
More Solvang Wedding Venues
This is an Italian style venue with twinkling lights. It’s in the middle of beautiful wine country.
Solvang wedding venues are known for their charm and this one doesn’t fall short! It has gorgeous views of rolling hills and delicious wine.
This farmhouse is in the middle of the mountains above the Santa Ynez Valley. It offers a fun and relaxing atmosphere.
11. 1880 Union
This venue is from the 1880s, offering history and authenticity.
They also offer a unique culinary experience.
12. Sanford Winery
A gorgeous winery with breathtaking sites. Truly a spectacular location for a Solvang wedding.
13. Mirabelle Inn & Restaurant
This wedding venue is located right in the center of Solvang. It’s a cute hotel with a phenomenal location.
14. Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort
I like this venue a lot! It’s romantic venue and surrounded by nature.
Santa Barbara Wedding Venue Tips
- Look at multiple Santa Barbara wedding venues
Schedule a weekend to go take a look at multiple venues. Santa Barbara really has so much to offer when it comes to wedding locations, so my suggestion would be to take your time with it. Have fun with it and feel free to look at a few different options. Embrace the variety that Santa Barbara offers.
2. Figure out your guest count
Your guest count is going to help determine your wedding venue. Keep in mind that often times, venues have minimums in terms of guest counts. So, if you’d like a smaller guest count, I’d call the Santa Barbara wedding venues in advance to make sure that they can accommodate more intimate weddings. This will help narrow your selections and give you a better idea of what wedding venues will best fit your needs.
3. Look for good light
This can really make all the difference with a space. If you’re opting for an indoor venue, make sure it has a lot of windows and light streaming in. Not only will this make for gorgeous photography, but it will make the space have a brighter, dreamier quality.
I CAN BE CONTACTED HERE.
And remember, if you need a Pasadena wedding photographer, I would be absolutely honored to document your wedding day and engagement session!
Until next time,
Elyana