Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation offers a warm welcome and a banquet hall wedding venue for your special day in Goleta, CA. This inclusive and open community can provide you with versatile options to mark your life passage occasions. You can wed in surroundings where love and diversity are cherished and where modern elegance meets rustic charm.
The Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation's properties were originally built in 1915. These buildings have the feel of historic Goleta farmhouses, with contemporary interiors filled with abundant light. They are located in a residential neighborhood nestled in the Goleta foothills on over an acre of land. Outdoor and indoor facilities enable a variety of small- and medium-sized celebrations. The outdoor sanctuary is a 1,700-square-foot space with a seven-turn labyrinth, an archway, solar string lights, and a historic water tower, complete with room for an intimate gathering. A portable fire pit, charcoal Weber grill, and picnic area add to the versatility of this inviting space. The indoor sanctuary is 2,996 square feet in size and can host up to 120 dining guests, 200 seated guests, or 428 standing guests. A beautiful modern interior is complemented by danceable hardwood floors. The Fellowship Hall, Terrace, Farmhouse, and Cottage add even more options for your festivities.
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation will host single-faith, multi-faith, and non-religious wedding ceremonies. Additionally, these premises accommodate elopements, civil unions, commitment ceremonies, second weddings, and vow renewal ceremonies. The staff can provide you with the use of rental items, such tables and chairs.
Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees.
Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices. Peak season for this venue is Feb-Sept.
Are you interested?
Reach out and share your wedding details.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 200
Settings
Historic Venue
Religious Setting
Church
Venue Service Offerings
Rentals & Equipment
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Melanie Jacobson
Administrator
Melanie serves as Administrator at Live Oak. She's the one who will answer your wedding inquiries and give you a tour of our beautiful venue. It is her great pleasure to help you imagine how Live Oak can make your wedding special and memorable. Melanie has long been rooted in this loving community, which has seen so many through their life passage events, including the joy of being wed.
Availability
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0
9 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Goleta, California, receives rave reviews for its stunning natural elegance and versatile event spaces, including the spacious Indoor Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, and charming outdoor patio. The staff is highly praised for their responsiveness, helpfulness, and positive interactions, making event planning seamless and enjoyable. Reviewers also highlight the clean and well-maintained facilities, ample parking, and accommodations like the Cottage for prepping. Live Oak stands out as a top-notch choice for weddings and gatherings with its beautiful surroundings, accommodating team, and diverse event possibilities.
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Alexandra W
Highlighted review.
5.0
11/14/2024
Everyone at Live Oak made it easy for us to achieve the wedding setup we envisioned. From showing us photos of the space with others' decor, to sending us links with suggestions, coming to the venue to help us plan at times that worked for us, working with us to create a checklist and timeline, and showing up early/ staying late to clean up, we felt that the people at Live Oak really wanted to help us achieve the wedding that worked for us.
On the day of the wedding, it was nice to have the Cottage as a room to prep and primp, and I was able to see the arriving guests while staying unseen. We also stored flowers in the kitchen fridge, which helped keep them fresh.
Overall, we were consulted as to our wishes prior to the event, then during the actual wedding, things that needed to be done "behind the scenes" were taken care of, which left us able to focus on our guests and each other.
response11/14/2024
Thank you so much, Alexandra. Your wedding was so memorable and meaningful for us. It was ...
a joy working with you and Jim.
Arlene R
5.0
12/18/2024
For over seven years, my folk-dance group has had the pleasure of regularly using both the Indoor Sanctuary as well as the Fellowship Hall, at Live Oak Unitarian-Universalist Congregation. Located in a quiet, serene setting of Goleta, the inner and outdoor venue spaces have a “natural elegance” and are very well-maintained. The Indoor Sanctuary is spacious, aesthetically-decorated, accessible to fresh air and natural light, and has an excellent surface for dancing. Although smaller than the Sanctuary, the Fellowship Hall is sizable, bright, well-ventilated and, also, has an excellent wooden floor that is exceptional for dancing. The outdoor patio spaces are well-positioned to allow for an easy flow of guests on the campus and to capture some of the beauty of the surrounding natural environment. The bathrooms are updated and clean, parking is abundant, and all indoor and outdoor spaces are handicapped-accessible.
What has been most significant during these past seven years of using the beautiful spaces at Live Oak Unitarian-Universalist Congregation, is my regular connections with the staff and some board members who oversee the facility. All who I have connected with have been very responsive to communications, tremendously positive and helpful in their interactions, and overall, a delight to work with!
response12/19/2024
Thank you so much, Arlene! We love having your dance troupe on our campus each week, and w...
e're glad you see the value of our spaces!
Any questions?
Janice G
5.0
12/11/2024
I hosted a nonprofit fundraising event at Live Oak UU Congregation on May 4, 2024, and it was the perfect location for this event. We used both the patio and one of the halls, which allowed flexibility and were protected from the elements with unexpected weather. There was plenty of parking and the staff was more than helpful.
response12/11/2024
What a fun and meaningful event! We were honored that you chose Live Oak as venue. Thank y...
ou!
Lorrie D
5.0
10/10/2024
Live Oak is a beautiful, nestled venue with many charming vignettes and opportunities for design and floral. The flexibility of this venue allows for different aesthetics depending on the celebration and couples' preferences. The Live Oak staff is wonderful to work with too!
response10/10/2024
Thank you so much, Lorrie. You were lovely to work with you; we value your good eye and el...
egant decorative touches and creative ideas.
Connie H
5.0
10/10/2024
I recently had the pleasure of working with Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation as an event coordinator with Icon Design Events & Icon Design Floral, and I can confidently say it’s a fantastic venue. The outdoor ceremony area is particularly charming, with its beautifully maintained surroundings and the addition of a labyrinth that truly adds a unique touch. It creates a serene and picturesque backdrop for any special occasion.
Melanie & the staff at Live Oak were incredibly helpful and attentive, demonstrating a genuine desire to ensure that your event is a resounding success. Their professionalism and willingness to accommodate specific needs are truly commendable.
The brick patio is another highlight—it's both beautiful and versatile, making it an ideal space for cocktails or dining. The possibilities for your event are endless here! If you're in need of indoor space, you can choose between the lovely sanctuary or a spacious indoor hall, both of which are well-equipped.
Additionally, Live Oak provides plenty of tables and chairs, along with AV equipment, making setup a breeze. With the right floral arrangements and lighting, the space can transform to fit the ambiance of any event, whether it be a wedding, birthday, shower, or meeting. The full kitchen is a super convenient feature, adding even more flexibility to your event planning.
Overall, the combination of a great team, lovely surroundings, and versatile spaces makes Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation a top-notch choice for any gathering. Highly recommended!
response10/10/2024
Thank you so much, Connie, for your review. You have been wonderful to work - so creative ...
and resourceful in creating a lovely ambience for the events you've staged at Live Oak. We are proud to list Icon Design Events & Floral on our Preferred Vendors List - both for planning and gorgeous floral arrangements - very classy!
Connie H
5.0
10/10/2024
I recently had the pleasure of working with Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation for an event as a coordinator for Icon Design Events & Icon Design Floral, and I can confidently say it’s a fantastic venue. The outdoor ceremony area is particularly charming, with its beautifully maintained surroundings and the addition of a labyrinth that truly adds a unique touch. It creates a serene and picturesque backdrop for any special occasion.
The staff at Live Oak is incredibly helpful and attentive, demonstrating a genuine desire to ensure that your event is a resounding success. Their professionalism and willingness to accommodate specific needs are truly commendable.
The brick patio is another highlight—it's both beautiful and versatile, making it an ideal space for cocktails or dining. The possibilities for your event are endless here! If you're in need of indoor space, you can choose between the lovely sanctuary or a spacious indoor hall, or both! Both of which are well-equipped.
Additionally, Live Oak provides plenty of tables and chairs, along with AV equipment, making setup a breeze. With the right floral arrangements and lighting, the space can transform to fit the ambiance of any event, whether it be a wedding, birthday, shower, or meeting. The full kitchen is a super convenient feature, adding even more flexibility to your event planning.
Overall, the combination of a great team, lovely surroundings, and versatile spaces makes Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation a top-notch choice for any gathering. Highly recommended!
Silvia H
5.0
10/07/2024
My son and his fiancé were looking for a special place to have their wedding. They wanted a beautiful, country-like setting for a small, intimate wedding of about 100 guests. They found it at Live Oak U.U. Church. The sanctuary has a lovely, open feeling with white walls and high ceilings. For the meal, tables and chairs, which were provided, had been placed along the sides of the patio, which left enough room for dancing in the center. The community room was spacious enough for the caterer to set up, as well as space for a party photography area.
It was a beautiful wedding.
response10/07/2024
Thank you so much, Silvia! We love your family, and the wedding was so memorable.
Katie T
5.0
10/06/2024
I was a bridesmaid in a wedding here and it was absolutely stunning. The atmosphere was amazing and the church employees were so eager to help. They definitely made the experience easy.
Very impressed with how beautiful the venue is and how kind everyone was. The reception right outside the sanctuary was perfect.
response10/07/2024
We so appreciate your positive review, Katie. Beautiful wedding indeed!
Nansie D
5.0
10/03/2024
March 2017, my husband John and I exchanged our wedding vows on the lovely Live Oak Congregation grounds in Goleta, California. Surrounded by family and friends, we exchanged our wedding vows in the Sanctuary officiated by Rev Tamara, enjoyed music by John’s adult children, a Mexican catered buffet by Jack’s Bagels from Carpinteria and artistically created cupcakes designed by Samantha Eve. Live Oak offers a lovely cottage next to the Sanctuary for the bride to dress. Both indoor and outdoor areas are available for you and your guest to enjoy your special day. Nansie Douglas
response10/03/2024
Thank you, Nansie, for your review and for sharing your beautiful wedding with the congreg...
ation, family, and friends - a memorable event. You are a dear couple!
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