It's no secret that Santa Barbara is one of the world's premier wedding destinations. But did you know that it is also one of the premier wedding destinations for celebrities?
Some of Hollywood's top stars have been married here. While some choose private homes or historical venues, many elect to be wed at one of Santa Barbara's lavish resorts. Let's take a look at three top Santa Barbara hotels and the celebrities who have gotten married there.
San Ysidro Ranch has provided a stunning background to many weddings, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's 2003 nuptials. — Photo courtesy of San Ysidro Ranch
San Ysidro Ranch
Gwyneth Paltrow surprised everyone when she married Coldplay frontman Chris Martin at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara in 2003. Although this marriage may be in a state of "conscious uncoupling" now, at the time it was an intensely close and private affair.
The pair got hitched in the hotel's Willow Tree Suite, which actually has a living branch from a giant oak tree growing through a hole cut in the deck.
San Ysidro Ranch is an extremely luxurious, very tucked-away hotel with only 41 rooms. It's not uncommon, in fact, for wedding parties to reserve the entire resort. Now that's what we call celeb treatment!
Bacara Resort and Spa
Bacara Resort and Spa is a gorgeous beachfront resort just north of Santa Barbara that has been home to many celebrity weddings. In 2009, Fergie and Josh Duhamel renewed their vows here, in an intimate ceremony out on the gorgeous bluffs that overlook an uninterrupted view of the Pacific Ocean.
Bacara Resort and Spa has both indoor and outdoor venues fit for a fairytale wedding. — Photo courtesy of Bacara Resort and Spa
A reception followed at Miró, the hotel's waterfront restaurant led by Chef de Cuisine Johan Denizot. The Bacara has five ceremony locations and 11 reception venues to choose from, including over 78 oceanfront acres for that perfect beach wedding.
Wedding packages include catering and other professional assistance.
Four Seasons Resort - The Biltmore Santa Barbara
Four Seasons Resort - The Biltmore Santa Barbara hosted one of the most recent celebrity weddings in late January 2014 when Sean Lowe, star of season 17 of ABC's The Bachelor, married Catherine Giudici, the beautiful bride he selected on the finale of the show.
Bachelor Sean Lowe married his bride Catherine Giudici at Fours Seasons Resort - The Biltmore Santa Barbara in January 2014. — Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort - The Biltmore Santa Barbara
You may have seen this wedding because it was broadcast on live TV, but in case you missed it, here are the sugar-sweet details: The bride wore a strapless, lace Monique Lhuillier gown as she exchanged handwritten vows in front of an audience of family and friends (and television cameras) on the white sand beach in front of the hotel, surrounded by white roses.
"Well, Santa Barbara may be the prettiest place on earth. It's gorgeous. The weather is perfect year round. We have the beautiful ocean right outside and the Four Seasons Biltmore is just absolutely incredible, so we couldn't ask for a better venue or prettier place to get married," said Lowe, when discussing the couple's choice of venue with local news channel KEYT.
What's your dream wedding site in Santa Barbara?
