Want a kick-ass venue for your wedding in one of the most beautiful settings in California? Umm, yeah. If you are looking for something that hasn’t been done a thousand times before, than consider this location in Santa Barbara: Montecito Farmhouse. Montecito is an amazing place–one of our fave*places*ever. There is something so mellow and breath-taking about Montecito. We love heading up the 101 and driving along the coast to reach this quaint town nestled between the Pacific and the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Anyway, here’s some info about this location in their own words (and of course photos!)…
Immaculate white gates swing open, welcoming you in to be swept away by the intoxicating allure of this romantic garden estate. In the glow of the Santa Barbara sun, the breathtaking beauty of this picture perfect garden takes hold and you begin to feel as if you could celebrate not just your wedding day, but an entire lifetime in this magical setting.
Nestled at the end of a quiet lane in one of the most exclusive enclaves in America, the gardens of the Montecito Farmhouse look like pages torn from a storybook. The mild Santa Barbara climate makes this garden a year round venue for a fairy tale wedding in any season. Giant trees canopy the entrance to the romantic estate and give way to a tapestry of sweeping lawns, intimate theme gardens, and a babbling brook that runs year round.
Near the entrance sits the charming Dower Cottage, which is the perfect place for the bride and her maids to dress for the ceremony. Recently used for a magazine photo shoot, its elegant country interiors are ideal for pre-ceremony photos. Lofty ceilings, antique chandeliers, a natural stone fireplace, a country kitchen and stunning bath could tempt the newly weds to spend the first night of their honeymoon here.
Slowly and seductively, the gardens of the Montecito Farmhouse are revealed in one delicious layer after another. The first theme garden that unfolds near the entrance is the Tuscan Garden. A perfect place to receive guests, this garden reads like a huge outdoor living and dining room. Glistening chandeliers hang from a stately oak that canopies the outdoor room, which is beautifully appointed with elegant yet casual furnishings. Adding to its charm, most of the year this garden is ringed with a wall of enormous pots brimming with hydrangeas.
Leaving the Tuscan Garden via stone lined paths that cross lush lawns punctuated with sparkling fountains and whimsical swings, the most expansive vista of the estate comes into view. Pristine mountains against a cerulean sky create a breathtaking silhouette. There is an abundance of space here to erect pavilions, tents, dance floors or whatever else you envision for your special day. The magnificent gardens of the Montecito Farmhouse can easily accommodate a ceremony or reception of 300 or more guests, yet it is intimate enough to wrap a warm welcome around a much smaller gathering. There is ample room for catering logistics, and the property has been designed to supply power for additional lighting and equipment.
