I just get so excited when I have the opportunity to tour venues for possible and future weddings. I have a plethora of special locations that could accommodate a couple’s every possible vision and budget for the their wedding day. I can’t list them all, however I am going to highlight just a few of my favorites.
Santa Barbara – Terra Bella
Perched on top of a majestic bluff overlooking the beautiful Pacific in the tony residential area of Hope Ranch, Santa Barbara, this amazing gated 10 room 14,00 sq. ft Tuscany designed villa is perfect for the couple who thinks elegance and Italy!
With its vegetable garden, small vineyard, train and children’s play area, this magnificent destination venue is perfect to host wedding events from your rehearsal dinner to a stunning ceremony and celebration around the azure blue tiled pool, to it’s many cozy hide a ways, perfect for that romantic time alone-just the two of you! This is by far my favorite place for a couple to Tie the Knot.
Word of caution: be prepared to be amazed and breathless with this amazing Italian beauty along the Santa Barbara Riviera Coast.
Georis Winery – Carmel Valley
What a quaint and fun venue! After touring one of my favorite wedding sites, in the Carmel Valley, my husband and I stopped in at the Corkscrew restaurant to grab a bite to eat. Although it was our first time there, there was something very familiar about it. Of course, it was the sister restaurant to the romantic Cassonova in Carmel by the Sea! I knew at once we were going to have a great lunch.
While we waited for our pizza, the venue’s whimsical décor lured me down the brick-lined path where I encountered a cute adobe tasting room Georis Winery. As I looked around and explored more, I thought: this location has it all -perfect for a romantic Carmel wedding:
a wonderful restaurant, a winery that offers excellent wines, a spacious garden with exotic plants and flowers, a bubbling fountain and eclectic sculptured gates-that welcome your guests with flair.
My favorites? The old weathered doors. These shabby antiqued chic doors are a photographer’s dream backdrop for picture perfect wedding portraits.
What’s so special about Georis? It’s fun, whimsical peaceful and very romantic.
Does your wedding vision include elegance at an Italian Villa on the Santa Barbara Rivera or is it fun, whimsical and romantic in the Carmel Valley?
Bride at the Georis Art Center
Art Center Wedding Reception
I went to a wedding at the Terra Bella about six months ago and it was absolutely gorgeous. So classy and elegant, it was a beautiful wedding. All the friends and family decided to stay around the local Santa Barbara area and we found some great budget-friendly hotels. There are many great little inns around the pier but if you want to escape the touristy area I suggest the Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com) on upper State. Either way you truly can’t go wrong with a Santa Barbara wedding…it’s such a romantic setting and great for the guests as well as the bride and groom.
Hi Courtney,
I love planning weddings at Terra Bella. And yes, Santa Barbara is very romantic. There are so many wonderful hotels and quaint B&B’s. When I’m planning a client’s wedding in Santa Barbara, I always book a week at the Montecito Inn in the Montecito Village. The area has an abundance of unique boutiques, restaurants and spas.You can walk from the Inn down to the Four Seasons- Biltmore for breakfast-brunch. Or try Jeanne’s Bakery, where all the locals gather for their morning lattes and freshly baked muffins and scones!