Hosting a Destination Wedding in Santa Barbara
Considerations and Recommendations From a Local Photographer
If you are planning a destination wedding in Santa Barbara, you know that it’s a stunning location for an unforgettable event. With beautiful beaches and stunning vineyards to the Meditterean flair that encompasses the region, it is the perfect setting for an elegant and timeless event.
I feel so fortunate to call the Santa Barbara area home, and even more lucky that I get to photograph weddings here.
I know that with so many details to consider, it can become overwhelming to plan something, especially if you do not live in the area. Here is my top advice for planning a destination wedding in Santa Barbara.
Figure Out Your Priorities
When planning your wedding in Santa Barbara, the first step is to decide what you and your partner want for the event. Are you looking for a more intimate event or is a large extravagant affair more what you desire? Are you looking for a traditional wedding or a more modern, one?
Santa Barbara is full of amazing venues. Determining what you want before you start looking will help you narrow your options quickly and make planning your wedding much more streamlined.
I have found that my clients who have a clear vision in mind have an easier — and more enjoyable — time planning their wedding.
Hire the Right Wedding Planner for You
You, of course, will want to hire a wedding planner to help you plan your once-in-a-lifetime event.
Every wedding should have a wedding planner — someone who is well-experienced in coordinating and executing large events. But when you are planning a destination wedding it is even more important to hire someone local to help you with your events.
You also want to hire a planner that you really connect with and who is trusted and established in the area. You want someone responsive and someone who really understands your vision and your
When planning a wedding from afar, there are so many more moving parts and so many more unknowns that need to be accounted for. Having someone with “eyes on the ground” is imperative.
Santa Barbara is blessed with a really great network of vendors; I’m happy to give you suggestions for wedding planners that would be the perfect match for you.
Finding a Venue
Santa Barbara is overflowing with gorgeous and elegant venues. And the biggest issue you’ll have when planning your wedding in Santa Barbara is deciding which one of the many outstanding venues to book.
The first thing to decide is what type of venue fits your overall vision.
Are you looking for a chic, European-inspired venue that feels elegant and refined? The Ritz-Carlton at Santa Barbara Bacara fits that description perfectly.
Do you want a vineyard-based wedding? You’ll find no shortage of those in the Santa Barbara area. One of my favorites is Sunstone Vineyards and Winery. Charmingly unique (its buildings are entirely made of salvaged material from a 19th-century French lavender factory), the winery also offers a private villa for rent.
Or maybe a rustic-lux wedding is more your vibe? Kletner Ranch is a 40-acre ranch and polo field just perfect for your quintessential California wedding.
And, finally, if a more intimate wedding is in your plans, consider hosting a wedding at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. The Spanish-inspired building is widely considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the country.
Have any questions about local venues? Feel free to reach out.
Decide on the Season
One of the best things about a wedding in Santa Barbara is that you have your choice of seasons. There really is no bad time of year to host a gorgeous, California wedding.
As you probably know, the climate is temperate throughout the year, with high temperatures between mid-60s and mid-70s and lows between mid-40s and low-60s. Always expect the early mornings and evenings to be slightly chilly and never be surprised to see fog rolling in off the ocean.
That being said, there are a few things to consider.
Santa Barbara gets most of its rain between December and February of each year. That’s not to say it will rain but you’ll want to take that into consideration when picking your venue and deciding what to do in case it does decide to rain.
Shoulder season is always the best time to visit and host a wedding. Summer is exciting and bustling with many local events. But it is super busy and crowded. If you want you and your guests to have a more laid-back, less-touristy experience, then consider visiting during the shoulder season which is from March to May and September to November. The weather is still amazing but there are fewer crowds, making it more relaxed and pleasant.
Explore the Area
One of my biggest pieces of advice to people planning a destination wedding in Santa Barbara is to incorporate local experiences for yourself and your guests.
Between the miles of stunning coastline, the majestic vineyard-covered mountains, and the inviting climate, Santa Barbara is a stunning natural wonder and the ideal place to host your destination wedding. Not only is it a beautiful experience for you and your partner, but your guests will appreciate the opportunity to explore the area as well.
Welcome Dinner and Pre-Wedding Festivities
One of the most appreciated ways to give your guests an exciting and memorable experience is to plan pre-wedding activities that give your guests a taste of the local area. From golf outings to wine tastings, and hikes to kayak excursions, give your guests the opportunity to see the area and socialize together.
You can also choose a local restaurant to host your welcome dinner, giving everyone an opportunity to experience some local cuisine. Or maybe do a food tour or sunset cruise instead of a typical sit-down dinner.
The options are limitless and the whole focus is on designing a weekend that treats your guests to an experience they won’t forget and allows them to really indulge in the beautiful Santa Barbara culture.
Concierge Services
If a weekend of excursions just isn’t possible, make sure you equip your guests with the information so they can plan their own adventures.
Welcome bags are a great way to communicate area attractions that your guests might find interesting. You can go to the local visitor center to get information or you can create your own.
Another option is to reach out to a concierge at your hotel or visitor center and see if you can put your guests in direct contact with them. This gives your guests a personal connection with someone who can help plan a weekend full of unforgettable experiences.
Make Photography a Big Part of Your Weekend
As you plan your wedding (and wedding weekend), it’s so important that you hire a photographer who is familiar with the area and who will help guide you through the process of capturing your entire weekend.
You want to make sure it is someone that you trust and feel comfortable with, as well as someone who understands your vision.
One of the biggest factors when finding a photographer for your wedding in Santa Barbara is to find someone dedicated to creating images that merge the beauty of the area with the unique dynamics of your event.
Find someone who understands it is more than just a pretty backdrop and great lighting, it is an intuition and adept understanding of how to read people and make them feel comfortable in front of the camera. It is experience and technical knowledge merged with connection and intimacy.
I’d love to chat more about your destination wedding in Santa Barbara and see how I can help preserve this vision for a lifetime. Reach out today to schedule a call.
