Last week I had the pleasure of visiting a brand new wedding location in Montecito. It is a private home that rents only the backyard for weddings and events. The backyard is a lush garden setting divided into three zones which makes it ideal for a bride that wants different event designs in each area.
One of my favorite brunch spots in Santa Barbara is Andersen’s, located on State Street. It is both a bakery and a restaurant, and it can accommodate a group of up to 20 in their upstairs room. The decor is very feminine and french country and you just can’t help but feel happy inside.
Finding a rehearsal dinner location can be hard especially when you don’t live in town. To help destination brides avoid tourist traps I will be featuring local restaurants that have good food and service.
To start this series I have to feature one of my favorite restaurants and actually where I held my rehearsal dinner, Arnoldi’s. It’s off the beaten path on Cota & Olive streets and is known for being a locals hang out. For events Arnoldi’s can accommodate 20 to 100 guests easily. The menu for rehearsal dinners ranges from $28 to $35 per person and included appetizers, salad, and two choices for the entree. Wine starts at $27 per bottle.
Parties can be held in the back room which features a large mural of Lake Como or outside on the patio which features two large bocce courts. The ambience is warm, friendly, and very relaxed. If you go, you must try their lasagna its sooo good.
Called the “Jewel of the Gaviota Coast,” Arroyo Hondo is a beautiful nature preserve, with limited events held each year. There are several locations to choose from for the reception and ceremony site, from the rustic barn area to the sweeping meadow which is a short car ride away.
The verdant meadow is on a slight incline and has a breath taking view of the mountains.
Overall, the location is absolutely stunning and shows the visitor what Santa Barbara must have looked like 100 years ago. For the adventurous, out-doorsy couple who loves nature this location would be a great choice.
Some notes:
For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.
On Stearn’s Wharf is a little known venue, the Ty Warner Sea Center. Located at the end of the wharf it has a spectacular 360 degree view of the city, ocean, and islands. The location rental includes the Sea Center building, which can hold about 60 for a plated dinner and a huge private outdoor deck that can hold 300 or so. The outdoor deck is by far the most spectacular feature of this location, the view and the decor possibilities are endless.
The best part is that the rental fee is extremely reasonable, one of the lowest I’ve seen to date.
Some notes:
For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.
Located off the 154 in the hills above Santa Barbara, the Greek Orthodox Center has a stunning view of the ocean and surrounding hills. The church is a crisp white with the reception hall located across the courtyard.
The reception area features a room with beams (these can be draped with fabric if you like) and the adjoining outdoor patio features a gas fireplace. The reception area is pretty raw, but for the creative couple it could easily be transformed with some lighting and draping.
Some notes:
For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.
Located in the hills behind Ventura, Wiggy Ranch is a hidden location that offers rustic charm and no curfew for music. The ceremony area is a verdant lawn with impressive trees and a small pond.
The reception site is a large grassy lawn (it could easily hold up to 300) on top of a hill.
Wiggy Ranch holds only 8-10 events a year, so any event here is truly exclusive. A working avocado ranch most of the year (avocados could be a fun favor for guests), the owners are nice people who love to accommodate couples on their special day
Some notes:
For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.
Twin Peaks Ranch is a gorgeous, relatively new location out in Ojai. To get to the ranch you drive through downtown Ojai and past the Sunkist orchards. The ranch is a private home and hosts only 8 wedding a year.
It has areas for both ceremonies, cocktail hour and the reception. The ceremony area is called “Cathedral Oaks,” because the oak trees bend overhead creating this natural, ceiling that is just magical.
The cocktail area is between the ceremony and reception location and has a stunning view of the Ojai valley.
The reception area has the same view of the Ojai Valley and features a pool and fireplace which make a perfect lounge area.
Some notes:
For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.
On the corner of De la Guerra and Santa Barbara streets is the charming Santa Barbara Historical Museum. An entirely outdoor location it features two lovely courtyards with bubbling fountains surrounded by an adobe cloister. The feel is very Santa Barbara-esque, relaxed, warm and inviting which would be perfect for a destination wedding.
Ceremony usually take place under the veranda.
Some notes:
For more information for pricing and availability please email me at: kelly@kellyoshiroevents.com.
About 15 miles north of Santa Barbara is a private ranch called Orella. It has been owned by the same family for the last 8 generations and it is truly a gorgeous, rustic location. Ceremonies take place at either Sky Island or the Lone Oak.
Sky Island has a breathtaking view of the Channel Islands and 360 degree views of the mountains.
Receptions are held down the hill at The Oaks which has views of the mountains and ocean and features a 300 year old Oak tree.
To the right of the tree is another ocean view.
Some notes:
For more information visit the location’s website.
Stella Mare’s is an acclaimed Montecito restaurant specializing in wine country cuisine (good for rehearsal dinners) that also owns an event location off Las Positas. It has an undeniable French country charm about it and a cute patio with a mountain view.
With dinner menus starting at $39 per person,and bar service for $20 for full unlimited well bar, a $2500 rental fee, it is definitely an affordable option.
As a bonus, parties can go to 1am, unusual in Santa Barbara.
A hidden gem up Mission Canyon Road is the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens. A site that is not used a lot for weddings because there are numerous restrictions for events (it is a collection of rare plants) it is truly a one of kind venue. The main wedding location is the meadow which has an ocean view and in the spring time is a field of California poppies in beautiful gold and orange tones.
For pictures, there is red wood grove, a creek, and a ton of other options. For the couple that loves nature this is the venue for you.
Some notes:
The most popular location in Santa Barbara is the Santa Barbara Zoo. It is also very reasonable priced (though you should book early!). A site for ceremonies of up 250 or for reception of up 200, the Zoo has a variety of fun, wild locations to chose from. The Cabrillo lawn, for ceremonies, has a lovely view of the oceans and palm trees.
The Santa Barbara Natural History Museum is located right down the road for the Santa Barbara Mission and has a charming creek which runs through the property. A grove of Oak trees surrounds the rustic ceremony location that can seat up to 150 guests and is perfect for a woodsy, Santa Barbara Wedding.
Since the Foley Wine Group bought Firestone, several of their wineries have recently opened up for events. Lincourt Vineyards is one of these. A more rustic version of a winery, it has some rough edges, but it does have a gorgeous backdrop for ceremonies and a historic Sears Craftman house on the property.
We are a boutique event design company based in Santa Barbara. We love creating designs that reflect the couple down to the smallest detail.
Kelly is a design fan. She loves event and floral design and is thrilled that she gets to call that her job. She has a pretty serious fabric and container collection and is a self-confessed shoeaholic.
