Mar Monte Hotel Wedding Photographer – Santa Barbara Beach Wedding

MAR MONTE HOTEL WEDDING IN SANTA BARBARA | LAUREN & DANE

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

Located across from East Beach, the Mar Monte Hotel (part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection) is one of Santa Barbara's most iconic Spanish Colonial venues. For Lauren and Dane, it offered the perfect 'all-in-one' destination: getting ready in the historic suites, a first look with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a backdrop, and a barefoot ceremony on the sand just steps from the hotel lobby.

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

Why Mar Monte is the Ultimate Santa Barbara Venue

CEREMONY ON EAST BEACH

The standout feature of the Mar Monte is its location directly across from East Beach. Unlike other venues where you have to drive to the water, here we just cross Cabrillo Boulevard. This allows for a seamless transition from a "toes-in-the-sand" ceremony to a luxury hotel reception without needing transportation for your guests.

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

HISTORIC SPANISH ARCHITECTURE

Santa Barbara is famous for its Spanish Colonial style, and the Mar Monte (part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection) delivers this perfectly. With its white stucco walls, terracotta tiles, and grand archways, the hotel provides that classic "Old Spanish Days" aesthetic that looks timeless in wedding portraits.

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

SANTA YNEZ MOUNTAIN BACKDROP

It is rare to find a venue that offers both ocean and mountain views in one frame. During Lauren and Dane's first look on the hotel terrace, we had the dramatic Santa Ynez Mountains towering in the background. Minutes later, we were shooting with the Pacific Ocean. This geographic diversity gives your gallery incredible variety without leaving the property.

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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.

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Mark and Angie holding hands and exchanging vows during an intimate outdoor ceremony surrounded by trees at The Hidden Stone Palace.

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THE HIDDEN STONE PALACE

Sara and David smiling joyfully as they walk down the aisle together after their garden ceremony at Rio Hondo by Wedgewood in Downey.

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RIO HONDO BY WEDGEWOOD DOWNEY

A wide view of a wedding ceremony at San Clemente Shore by Wedgewood, showing the bride and groom at the altar with guests seated on the lawn overlooking the golf course.

KAREN+JASON

SAN CLEMENTE SHORE BY WEDGEWOOD

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, even though the hotel is right there, the sand (East Beach) belongs to the City of Santa Barbara. You need a simple permit for the ceremony setup, which the hotel coordination team or I can help you navigate.

  • Yes! There is a crosswalk directly in front of the Mar Monte. We time the crossing carefully for photos. In fact, the shot of the couple walking across the boulevard with the palm trees and mountains behind them is one of the signature shots of this venue.

  • Santa Barbara offers great options. Dane took his guys to the Winchester Canyon Gun Club for morning target practice, but there are also breweries in the Funk Zone or golf courses nearby if you want a relaxed pre-wedding activity.