Built in 1929, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is considered one of the most beautiful public buildings in the country and exemplifies the Spanish Colonial Revival style synonymous with Santa Barbara architecture. A one-stop-shop, the courthouse offers several locations for ceremonies, including the popular sunken gardens and mural room. Marriage licenses can also be obtained in the Hall of Records.

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Tying the courthouse for being the most photographed building in Santa Barbara, Old Mission Santa Barbara is the 10th of California’s 21 missions. It was built in 1786 by the Spanish and is the only mission to have been continuously occupied by Franciscan friars. Catholic weddings are permitted exclusively in the meticulously maintained church adorned with colonial era art and sculptures.

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Another historic chapel, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park is open to all types of ceremonies. Sparsely furnished in 18th-century style, the whitewashed walls are lined with simple candles and sconces while vibrant tapestries are painted around the altar. Many couples hold their ceremony at the Presidio and their reception at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum across the street. The museum offers two interconnecting courtyards with bubbling fountains for lovely alfresco soirees.

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Casa De La Guerra is another Spanish Colonial gem and gathering place in downtown Santa Barbara. The open courtyard, located just steps from State Street, is always fiesta ready with twinkling lights strung above its decomposed granite floors which are surrounded by red tile roofs and crisp white adobes. Before the ceremony starts, guests can browse through exhibits to learn more about early 19th-century life in The American Riviera®.

In nearby Goleta, Rancho La Patera & Stow House will transport you and your guests to California in the late 1960s. Managed by the Goleta Valley Historical Society and the City of Goleta, this coastal ranch provides a unique wedding-day backdrop. Say “yes” under the redwood trees, next to Lake Los Carneros or on the property’s gorgeous gardens.

Set among 30 acres of lush gardens with oceanfront views, plan a wedding on the wild side, complete with animal encounters, at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Couples can choose between two venues — the Hilltop & Palm Garden, a gorgeous lawn offering 360 degree views of the Santa Ynez Mountains that can accommodate up to 1,200 guests; and the Discovery Pavilion, the zoo’s colorful indoor venue with floor-to-ceiling windows that can hold up to 100 guests.

Say “I do” at the Moxi, The Wolf Museum of Science and Innovation in downtown Santa Barbara. The museum’s dazzling Levinson Family Sky Garden offers picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and downtown area as well as access to all rooftop exhibits. Or, couples can rent the entire museum for their big day, which allows guests to wander freely through all of the museum’s immersive, hands-on exhibits.

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Inspired by the whimsical works of Antoni Guadi and Dr. Seuss, El Zapato is a colorful, shoe-shaped venue that’s perfect for quirky couples. The entire house, which includes a private courtyard and three fully furnished rooftop patios, is available for rent and can hold up to 60 guests. El Zapato also offers rooms, like the Turquoise Penthouse on the top floor, that provide plenty of space to get ready and pre-game with your wedding party.

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A raw urban space in downtown Santa Barbara, Narrative Loft offers couples the opportunity to completely transform their venue into the atmosphere of their choosing. Consider it your blank canvas for creating the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Equal parts contemporary and charming, the venue can seat up to 180 guests and can host all of your wedding weekend events, from welcome cocktails and the rehearsal dinner to the ceremony and reception.

Secluded and rustic, Circle Bar B Guest Ranch and Stables is nestled in the foothills of Refugio Canyon, a few miles north of downtown Santa Barbara. Circle Bar features several stunning ceremony and reception sites, each of which offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. Have friends and family traveling in from across the country? The venue rental also includes full use of the property’s 18 guest rooms and cabins, allowing couples to spend their entire wedding weekend surrounded by loved ones.

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For couples who love the great outdoors, there’s no better wedding venue in Santa Barbara than El Capitan Canyon. Host a magical evening under the stars set against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains with an outdoor ceremony, or hold your ceremony and reception at one of their indoor event venues. Want to keep the fun going ‘til the sun comes up? El Capitan also offers glamping-style cabins, yurts and tents as well as neighboring campsites that can accommodate your guests for a summer-camp-style sleepover after everyone retires from the dancefloor.

Built in 1972, the Carriage and Western Art Museum of Santa Barbara is situated in Pershing Park, a short drive from the coastline. Say your vows under twinkling lights and palm trees in the outdoor courtyard. Then, saddle-up at the Old West-style saloon for a seated dinner before the courtyard transforms into the ultimate line-dancing party.

From large boats and yachts to catamarans, there are several local companies that will take couples and guests out into the Pacific for a ceremony they’ll never forget. Celebration Cruises offers the Azure Seas, a 70-foot, multi-level yacht complete with a full-service bar and ample indoor cabin space for catering. Or take a cruise on the Kelpie with SunSwept Sailing, where you and your partner can wed as the sun sets over the coastline with four of your closest friends by your sides. Double Dolphin, a popular option with the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, serves up fresh air fun aboard the 50-foot catamaran. Find more boat rentals in Santa Barbara.

Photo credit: RG Photography