About Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm

About ten miles west of Santa Barbara in Goleta, Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm is a wedding venue built on land with several centuries of history behind it. Native American tribes lived here long before Spanish settlers arrived. The area was named Dos Pueblos, meaning "two villages," after finding evidence of those communities on the bluffs. Mexican ranchers followed, running cattle across the coastal property. In 1943, an oil and gas businessman named Samuel Mosher bought a portion of the 45,000-acre ranch and converted it into one of the largest orchid farms in the world. He grew exotic blooms for celebrity dinner parties and political events throughout the Santa Barbara area.

Couples are drawn to Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm for its location on the coast, the character of a farm, and the one of a kind experience the setting offers. Not many venues give guests an ocean view ceremony and a greenhouse reception on the same property. It makes for a guest experience that is hard to replicate anywhere else.

Ceremony and Reception Spaces

Ocean Bluff Ceremony Site

Ceremonies take place on the Ocean Bluff Deck, a clifftop above the Pacific with views of the coastline in both directions. It is where the day begins for guests, and the setting makes an immediate impression.

Greenhouse Reception

The Greenhouse is a large space with a glass roof and exposed structural framing. Couples can configure it in many different ways, and it serves as the setting for both cocktail hour and the reception.

What's Special About This Venue

Diverse Backgrounds

Within one venue, we move between cliffs, open fields, a greenhouse interior, cactus gardens, and mature trees. The backgrounds are genuinely different from each other, which means we are not repeating the same images throughout the day.

Ocean View Ceremony

Ceremonies take place on Ocean Bluff Deck, a clifftop space above the Pacific with views of the coastline in both directions. It is an experience highlighting the natural beauty of coastal California.

Rustic Greenhouse Reception

The glass structure gives the space an open, outdoor feel while keeping guests inside and comfortable. Once the string lights are on, the greenhouse glows from the outside against the night sky. With no city lights nearby, the stars outside are easy to see, and the view of the glowing greenhouse from outside is one guests will not forget.

Who Is the Right Couple for This Venue

Couples who choose Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm for their wedding tend to want something unique. They are usually not drawn to formal or polished settings. They want to be outside and want a reception space with character. If that sounds like you, the range and variety of this venue will work well for your day.

Insider Tips

The getting-ready cottage sits away from the main property, which makes for a calmer morning. It is a good space to use as a home base throughout the day between events.

After the ceremony, we take the couple to the bluffs for portraits while guests make their way to cocktail hour. The coastal light at that time of day is some of the best on the property.

The walk between the ceremony site and the greenhouse is long enough that we recommend arranging transportation for guests. A getaway car works well for the couple, it is practical and gives us a great moment to photograph.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm brings together several centuries of coastal history, a ceremony site on the bluffs above the Pacific, and a greenhouse reception that feels unlike anything else in the Santa Barbara area. For guests it is a full experience, moving through genuinely different spaces from the moment they arrive to the end of the night. And for couples who want a setting with real character and a day that does not look like every other wedding, the orchid farm offers an experience that is hard to find anywhere else on the California coast.

Inspiration

The best way to get a feel for what your day could look like at Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm is to see real weddings we have photographed at this property. Take a look at the celebrations of Jordan & Brandon and Karlen & Chris to see how different couples have brought their vision to life here. To learn more about Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm, you can also take a look at their Venue Report.

Considering a Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm Wedding?

Whether you are still exploring venues or have already chosen Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm, 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.