Mar Monte Hotel Beach Wedding Photos in Santa Barbara, California

COASTAL CALM, SPANISH CHARM - A MAR MONTE HOTEL WEDDING IN SANTA BARBARA

Dane adjusts his pink tie in the Mar Monte Hotel suite.

Coastal breeze, Spanish architecture, and a ceremony on the sand—Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara set the tone for a wedding that felt relaxed but deeply personal. From donuts and target practice in the morning to vows under Pacific skies, Lauren and Dane’s day was full of character and quiet beauty. As an Irvine-based wedding photographer, I love documenting couples who bring their own story to iconic California settings. If you're planning a beach wedding with natural light and honest moments, this gallery shows what that can look like—start to finish. If you're planning a beach wedding with natural light and honest moments, check out my wedding photography packages to see what that could look like for you.

Lauren and Dane share a joyful hug after their first look at Mar Monte Hotel.

Why Mar Monte Is a Dream Beach Venue in Southern California

EFFORTLESS FLOW

Mar Monte’s layout took the guesswork out of the day. The morning started quietly in the suites with natural light and no rush. The ceremony followed just steps away on Cabrillo Beach. No back-and-forth. No coordinating rides. Everything moved smoothly and stayed grounded—exactly how Lauren and Dane wanted it.

Mar Monte Hotel entrance sign framed by wedding decor in Santa Barbara.

TRUE TO YOU

While Lauren got ready with her girls upstairs, Dane was out at a nearby Winchester Canyon Gun Club with his guys. Donuts, shotgun shells, and clay targets—no pageantry, just something that actually felt like him. The day didn’t start with formality, it started with personality. That tone carried all the way through.

Wide shot of East Cabrillo Boulevard showing the coastal Mar Monte Hotel.

MOUNTAINS & OCEAN

It’s rare to get both in one spot. Their first look happened with the Santa Ynez Mountains as the backdrop. Then they crossed the street, walked barefoot on sand, and said their vows with the Pacific behind them. No location change, no loss of time—just two stunning settings that made every photo look effortless.

""
Groomsmen assemble at Winchester Canyon Gun Club for pre-wedding target practice.
Instructor at Winchester Canyon Gun Club demonstrates safety techniques to the wedding party.
Groomsmen receive shotgun handling instructions on the range.
Groomsman holding shotgun.
Santa Barbara gun range, groomsmen with instructor.
Loaded shotgun with open breach.
Clay pigeon shooting pre-wedding in Santa Barbara, CA.
Shotgun shells at Winchester Canyon Gun Club shooting range.
Box of donuts on a table at a shooting range.
Relaxed groom in sunglasses and trucker hat at a shooting range pre-wedding.
Mar Monte Hotel wedding: Father of the bride anticipates his daughter's big moment.
Wedding beauty prep: Bride with curlers gets eyebrow shaping.
Wedding bridesmaid getting bridal makeup applied.
Bridesmaid prepares for wedding at Mar Monte Hotel, Santa Barbara.
Bridesmaid getting ready for wedding at Mar Monte Hotel.
Bridesmaid with Labradoodle, wedding day preparations at Mar Monte Hotel.
Happy flower girl getting her hair curled for wedding.
Wedding makeup, bridal lipstick, getting ready.
Bridal bouquet detail shot, Mar Monte Hotel, Santa Barbara wedding.
Close-up of stylish Moda shoes showcasing intricate details.
Elegant white wedding gown with train, hanging on a decorative hanger.
Poodle at Santa Barbara wedding.
Santa Barbara Wedding, Bride with Dog.
Bride and bridesmaid smiling in wedding day portrait.
Santa Barbara wedding party with bride and bridesmaids.
Groom Dane adjusts pink tie in Mar Monte suite – candid getting-ready photo.
Father helping groom with jacket at Santa Barbara wedding.
Best man pinning boutonniere on groom's lapel.
Aged Don Julio 1942 tequila in elegant bottle, close-up.
Pre-wedding excitement: Groom and groomsmen with beers.
Santa Barbara wedding: Bride and bridesmaids at Mar Monte Hotel ceremony.
Anticipation builds as the bride awaits the first look with her groom.
California wedding: Groom's first look at his bride.
Joyful bride and groom embrace after romantic first look.
California beach wedding: Bride and groom's first look.
Happy couple hugs during wedding day first look.
Santa Barbara wedding groom enjoys tequila.
Santa Barbara wedding: Father and bride portrait at the Mar Monte Hotel.
California wedding with bride, groom, and poodle sharing a sweet moment.
Bride with hair and makeup team on wedding day.
Bride Lauren admires her tropical bouquet before Mar Monte beach ceremony, Santa Barbara wedding photos.
A beach wedding setup with a sign that says 'shoes here, vows there, love everywhere' and a collection of various shoes on the sand.
Santa Barbara beach wedding ceremony with groom escorting mothers down the aisle.
Groom lovingly escorts both mothers down the aisle at an oceanfront wedding ceremony.
Bride and father walk down the aisle at a beach wedding ceremony.
Santa Barbara beach wedding ceremony with bride and groom at the altar.
Loving couple exchanges vows at a beautiful Santa Barbara beach wedding.
Close-up of groom's hand holding bride's hand with new diamond engagement ring.
Santa Barbara wedding vows at Mar Monte Hotel ceremony.
Santa Barbara wedding ceremony at Mar Monte Hotel. Bride and groom exit.
Bride and groom holding hands, walking on a sandy beach.
Santa Barbara beach wedding ceremony with bride and groom kissing.
Playful bride and groom on beach, bride sticking out tongue.

Session Details & Pricing

Collections begin at $3K and include high-resolution, hand-edited images delivered in a clean online gallery. What you see here—natural edits, honest light, and real moments—is exactly what’s delivered. No filters. No watermark traps. Just your day, documented clearly from start to finish.

I. COLLECTIONS FROM $3K

Whether you’re planning a quick ceremony or something like Lauren and Dane’s full-day celebration, coverage is built around your schedule—not stuffed into a one-size-fits-all package. You’ll get space to breathe, and every important moment will be covered without feeling staged.

II. COVERAGE THAT FITS

Santa Barbara beach weddings require a simple permit, and I’ll walk you through that process. I also help shape your photo timeline—when to shoot, where the light lands best, and how to keep things moving without ever rushing you.

III. PLANNING & PERMITS

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Absolutely. While I’m based in Irvine, I regularly photograph weddings throughout Santa Barbara, San Diego, and the rest of Southern California. If it’s drivable, I’m in—no extra travel fees for anything within 2 hours.

  • 100%. I love when couples bring their personality into the day. Whether it’s a morning at the gun club, a first look with your dog, or a low-key lunch instead of a bridal party frenzy, I’ll work with you to photograph it in a way that feels true to you—not posed or over-directed.

  • You’ll get sneak peeks within the first week and the full gallery within 4–6 weeks. Everything’s edited by me—no outsourcing—so you’re getting consistency start to finish.