Hosting a Santa Barbara Bacara Wedding

A Wedding Photographer’s Guide

Santa Barbara Bacara, a Ritz-Carlton property, is a world-renowned resort located in the coastal town of Goleta, just a short drive from Santa Barbara. With stunning views of both the Pacific Ocean and The Santa Ynez Mountains, a wedding at Santa Barbara Bacara is a perfect venue for discerning couples with an eye for luxury and impeccable details.

As a mecca for destination weddings, the resort offers a romantic and elegant feel, complete with Spanish-inspired architecture and luxurious amenities. A wedding at Santa Barbara Bacara is special, refined, and, above all, personal.

As a local photographer, I have the privilege of photographing at many beautiful venues — and I have to say, the Bacara is just special. Every wedding I photograph there is just so beautiful.

The Resort

Bordered by the pristine and wild coastline, The Bacara is nestled on 78 Mediterranean-inspired grounds. The resort offers 358 guest rooms, suites, or villas — all of which offer breathtaking ocean or garden views. There is also a full-service spa, six restaurants and bars, three swimming pools, and, of course, access to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state.

The resort exudes a luxury unrivaled at most hotels.

Planning Your Wedding Weekend

With its understated luxury and relaxing atmosphere, you can easily plan an entire wedding weekend just at Bacara. You and your guests can easily spend the extra time by the pool or beach and feel fully satisfied.

If you are wanting to plan some activities outside of the group, you have plenty of options — Santa Barbara County is called the American Riviera, after all. Full of culture, events, and stunning scenery, there really are so many options.

A wine-tasting tour is a classic Santa Barbara activity. It is easy to coordinate (there are many companies that will do this for you) and it is a great pre-wedding get-together. Some tour companies specialize in smaller, lesser-known wineries (like Rooted Vine Tours). Others, like Destination Vine, take a highly personalized approach and can create a tour that is just for you and your wedding guests

But Santa Barbara is so much more than wine (although we all know that is a crowd favorite).

If your crowd is more adventurous and active, a bike or paddleboard excursion may be in the cards. Or you can take a ferry ride out to the Channel Island National Marine Sanctuary to see one of the most special national parks in the world. Consider hosting a sunset cruise around the Channel Islands instead of a welcome dinner to give your guests an experience they won’t soon forget.

And don’t forget the golfing. Santa Barbara is world-famous for its 3 championship golf courses and no wedding weekend is complete without the option to spend a few hours on the green.

As you already know, Santa Barbara Bacara is gorgeous, making it an easy place to envision your ideal wedding. But what really sets the venue apart is the impeccable service and attention to detail that it offers. The staff and event planners at the venue go above and beyond when working with you and your team of chosen professionals to make sure you have the perfect day.

Bacara is a high-touch, high-class resort, making the weddings held there personal and distinctive.

Getting Ready

As expected, the suites at the Riz Carlton are the perfect place for your getting ready. Light-filled and open, these rooms will inspire you to relax and enjoy the moments leading up to your ceremony.

All rooms have a fabulous view of either the ocean or the gardens and some even boast hot tubs, fireplaces, and lovely terraces. Graced with ornate tiles and meticulous decor, you will feel right at home.

The Ceremony Spaces

The resort offers several unforgettable locations for wedding ceremonies, each with its own unique character and charm.

The bluff offers panoramic views of the Pacific and is a great choice for couples who want to exchange vows in a picture-perfect setting. This space can accommodate up to 300 guests and is surrounded by palm trees and tropical landscaping.

The Sunken Garden is one of many garden locations with lush landscaping and a tranquil fountain. Choose from this location or one of the many terraces surrounding the property for your smaller, more intimate wedding.

And for those who prefer an indoor ceremony, or if Mother Nature isn’t cooperating, the Rotunda is a welcomed backup with a doomed ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, and elegant chandeliers. This stunning circular space creates a sense of grandeur and sophistication while keeping you safe from the elements.

The Reception

Reception Venues

If an indoor reception is preferred, there are several options.

Bacara Ballroom is the largest event space at the resort. With high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and six balconies, it is easy to customize this area to your exact specifications. It can fit up to 1250 people but can also be partitioned into smaller sections to feel more intimate.

For outdoor spaces, a popular reception location is the Seaside Garden. This lush garden is stunning with a Mediterranean-style fountain as its centerpiece and can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Catering

As expected, Santa Barbara Bacara also provides delicious catering for you and your guests.

With six different restaurants, you have many options when it comes to your wedding dinner.

The Bacara’s signature restaurant is Angel Oak. Angel Oak is a steakhouse that specializes in locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also has a private dining room that can hold up to 36 guests — perfect for a micro-wedding or a small welcome dinner.

For a more casual option, the Bistro offers California–inspired cuisine in a laid-back atmosphere that overlooks the ocean. You can also hold smaller receptions (up to 80 people) in this restaurant.

And Bacara makes it easy to incorporate some local culture with their Bacara Wine Cellar. With over 12,000 bottles of wine, including many local wines from the area, this makes a unique and memorable experience for a pre-wedding wine tasting.

Photography at a Santa Babara Bacara Wedding

As a local photographer, I’ll be the first to tell you — a Santa Barbara Bacara wedding is nothing short of a dream.

The exquisite, Mediterranean-inspired architecture and the tropical, lush gardens coupled with the romantic California light give every wedding gallery a glamorous and enchanting look that is hard-pressed to be replicated elsewhere.

I am a firm believer in documenting your day organically but my couples and I always find time to wander the Ritz-Carlton to capture some moments in a natural and unassuming way. A few of my favorite areas on the property are the fence-lined pathways meandering along the cliffs of the coast, the terraces with their epic backgrounds, and the many light-speckled arched doorways that populate the property.

There are a few considerations when it comes to photography at your Santa Barbara Bacara wedding.

*Make sure you leave time for sunset images, even if it is just for 10 or 15 minutes. This time of day is so magical and always offers the most stunning of images.

* Consider having a first look so we can focus the majority of the day on capturing the candid moments of your special day.

*Relax and enjoy your day. You have hired professionals to take care of the details - so you can enjoy the festivities.

I’d love to hear about your plans for a wedding at Santa Barbara Bacara. Please contact me to set up a time to talk about your photography.