As a Santa Barbara-based wedding photographer, I’ve photographed weddings at this gorgeous venue many times. I wanted to put together a quick guide based on my experience of working there, to give you an insight into the space and how some of the features work well from a wedding photography point of view.
Riviera Mansion
The Riviera Mansion is perfectly located in downtown Santa Barbara near Alice Keck Park Gardens. Built-in 1880, it reflects the beautiful and romantic deep wood trims popular in that time. You marry under the historic giant oak tree and can delight your guests with either an outdoor or indoor reception. It’s an all-inclusive location from getting ready until your exit at the end of the night.
Getting Ready Rooms
Bride’s Suite|Park Room
The Riviera Mansion has a beautiful and spacious upstairs Park Suite perfect for the lovely bride and her bridesmaids to get ready in: spacious restroom, large full-length mirror and are if you would like to bring in food and drinks.
Groom’s Suite | Game Room
Downstairs features a spacious billiards room perfect for the groom and his groomsmen to relax pre-ceremony. It comes complete with pool table, flat screen TV, cafe style sitting tables, cocktail tables and an adjoining bar.
Ceremony Site
The secluded ceremony site is located under a gorgeous oak tree providing shade for the couple as they exchange their vows. The garden lawn showcases gorgeous palms, beautiful arbor, optional patio umbrellas, and a flowing Spanish fountain with stunning mountain and American Riviera. It can also quickly be turned into the dinner area and enjoying one of our perfect Santa Barbara days.
Cocktail Hour Site |Sola Patio
Located in the north side of the mansion, this patio is perfect to celebrate cocktail hour. Covered seating with a lush lawn perfect for fun lawn games such as cornhole or giant Jenga.
Reception Area
Dining Room |Dance Floor |Bar
The Dining Room showcases beautiful chandeliers and a grand fireplace, with numerous options for table setup. The high-coved ceiling, centered hardwood dance floor option, surround-sound speaker system are perfect for dinner service. You may choose to have the dance floor revealed in the center of your dining guests, or just have your First Dance here, with guests dancing in the adjoining bar.
This would-trimmed bar has several regional microbrewery beers on tap, a hand selected wine list of local and international varietals and top shelf cocktail ingredients. The classic gilded mahogany and period lighting adds the perfect surroundings for a toast and a bit of good cheer.
Cake Cutting Area | Living Room
The living room is often the staging area to spotlight the wedding cake but also can be utilized for cocktail hour.
Bride + Groom Portraits
The Riviera Mansion is a dream to photograph! We take photographs throughout the grounds: at the oak tree, green archway, the lawns, inside the historic building, and outside by the entrance gates or large wooden door.
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