About the Belmond El Encanto

The Belmond El Encanto is a wedding venue in the hills above Santa Barbara, sitting on seven acres of gardens since 1918. What started as a retreat for Hollywood actors and socialites seeking a quiet getaway from Los Angeles has become one of the most recognizable properties on the California coast. Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, and Franklin D. Roosevelt all stayed here. A century later, the property still feels like somewhere people came to get away from it all.

Couples are drawn to Belmond El Encanto for the setting and the full experience it creates. It sits in the hills above Santa Barbara with views that reach the harbor, and guests can stay on the property and be taken care of from the moment they arrive. For couples who want their wedding weekend to feel genuinely effortless, in one of California’s most scenic locations, the El Encanto is the perfect choice.

Ceremony and Reception Spaces

Arbor and Lily Pond

A vine-covered arbor frames the ceremony space with the lily pond directly in the center of it. The brick walkways surrounding the area give it a defined, intimate feel, and koi, turtles, and dragonflies often make an appearance depending on the season.

Riviera Ballroom

The Riviera Ballroom is the main indoor reception space, with high ceilings, glass doors that open to a covered heated patio. The patio extends toward the view and works well for cocktail hour when the light over Santa Barbara is at its best.

Channel Islands Room and Terrace

The Channel Islands Room is a mid-size indoor space that works well for seated dinners. The terrace adjacent to it looks out over the ocean, the gardens, and the Santa Barbara skyline and is a good option for cocktail hour or an outdoor dinner.

Fireside Room and Patio

The Fireside Room is a very private indoor space with a fireplace and direct access to a patio with views of the Channel Islands. A good fit for cooler evenings or couples who want a more intimate setting with an indoor-outdoor feel.

What's Special About This Venue

Intimate Property

The property sits high enough above Santa Barbara that it feels like its own world. It is one of the quieter, more private settings we work in, and that comes through in how the day feels for everyone there.

Beautiful Landscaping

The grounds have been maintained since 1918, and you can see it in the brick, the moss, the aged paths, and the mature gardens that have had a century to grow in. That kind of history gives the property a depth and warmth that newer venues do not have.

Hilltop Views

No other venue we work at in Santa Barbara has a view quite like this one. The city below, the harbor, and the Channel Islands on a clear day. And you encounter it from several different spots around the property.

Who Is the Right Couple for This Venue

Couples who choose the El Encanto tend to want something stress free and peaceful rather than loud and production-heavy. The property suits people who are drawn to natural, elegant settings and want the day to feel relaxed from start to finish, surrounded by gardens and open views.

Insider Tips

The bungalow suites are a great location for getting-ready photos. The light is good and the setting feels relaxed. For larger wedding parties, we usually recommend using a large suite, or bungalow, so everyone has space to move.

The property has secluded garden paths that sit away from the main event spaces, which gives us an area for portraits without running into arriving guests. That separation means we can keep photographing the couple until it is time to prepare for the ceremony.

The pool area just before sunset is one of our favorite portrait locations at this property. The color of the sky shifts as the sun sets and the city below starts to glow. If you can build fifteen minutes into your timeline, it will be well worth it.

The Belmond El Encanto has been part of Santa Barbara's landscape for over a century, and that history shows up in everything from the grounds to the spaces couples choose for their day. Between the Arbor and Lily Pond, the Riviera Ballroom, and the smaller rooms with terrace access, there is enough variety here to build a wedding day that flows naturally from one space to the next. Having guests stay on the property changes the feel of the whole weekend. It turns the wedding into a full experience rather than a single evening. That is what sets the El Encanto apart from most venues in Southern California.

For More Inspiration

The best way to get a feel for what your day could look like at Belmond El Encanto is to see real weddings we have photographed at this property. Take a look at the celebrations of Ellen & Ryan and Nikki & Phillip to see how different couples have brought their vision to life here. Read the Venue Report to discover more details about this beautiful location.

Considering a Belmond El Encanto Wedding?

Whether you are still exploring venues or have already chosen Belmond El Encanto, we would love to connect. We have photographed here throughout the year and would love to share what we have seen and learned from working this property.