About this vendor
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.
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
On-Site Accommodations
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
Settings
- Historic Venue
- Religious Setting
- Church
Venue Service Offerings
- Rentals & Equipment
Awards and Affiliations
2025 'Best of Weddings'
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Reviews
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5
out of 5.014 reviews
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, c...
oming 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.
The joy-filled site is quite private, offering a gorgeous and versatile variety of spaces for special events, uninterrupted by quotidian life.
The warmth of the Sanctuary transfor...
ms into an elegant dining area, concert venue or dance floor.
Melanie, Danny and staff work behind the scenes to ensure a seamless event and are a joy to work with. Together with the staff, the site is a hidden gem in Santa Barbara and Goleta. It is a superb place for important milestone events!
JeanieC Charcuterie | Featured at Santa Barbara Weddings' Whimsical Spring Showcase
We had a wonderful experience hosting our grazing table display at Live Oak Unitarian Universal...
ist Church for Santa Barbara Weddings' Whimsical Spring showcase. The event staff were incredibly helpful and attentive to our needs from start to finish.
The kitchen facility exceeded our expectations—beautifully maintained, well-stocked, and spotlessly clean. Creating our Whimsical Spring forward grazing table in such a well-designed space was a true pleasure.
If you're planning a wedding or social celebration, we highly recommend Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church. The venue, facilities, and warm, supportive team make it an ideal choice for your special event.
We recently hosted a showcase event for our sound baths at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation and had such a wonderful experience. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, frie...
ndly, and genuinely easy to work with from start to finish.
The event space itself is absolutely beautiful and very versatile. It’s perfect for weddings, community events, retreats, and gatherings of all kinds. The property has stunning views, a peaceful atmosphere, and so many different rooms and spaces that can be used creatively for both large and intimate events.
We truly appreciated how supportive and accommodating the team was throughout the process. We would gladly host another event here and highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a warm, scenic, and flexible space.
Having attended a spectacular event at Live Oak UU Congregation in Goleta, I am struck by the charming appeal of this unique and historic site. A variety of vendors displayed their...
many talents, making for an evening of sheer magic, both inside the spacious sanctuary (The Lotus Boutique), Fellowship Hall (Artistry by adonna), and outside, with a wedding under the full moon. An evening to remember!
We had our wedding at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and it was a wonderful experience from start to finish. The venue itself is beautiful the indoor hall is spaciou...
s and elegant, while the outdoor area offers a serene, natural setting that made for a perfect ceremony backdrop.
The staff was exceptional throughout the process. They were organized, punctual, and always quick to respond with clear communication. On the day of the event, everything ran smoothly thanks to their attention to detail and calm coordination. Their patience, kindness, and genuine humility stood out they went above and beyond to make sure we felt supported every step of the way.
We’re truly grateful for their professionalism and care. Live Oak is a gem of a venue in Goleta, and we couldn’t have asked for a better place or team to help make our day so special.
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 Congr...
egation. 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!
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, whic...
h allowed flexibility and were protected from the elements with unexpected weather. There was plenty of parking and the staff was more than helpful.
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!
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!
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 confid...
ently 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!
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.
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.
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 w...
edding 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
Contact
820 North Fairview Avenue, Goleta, CA | Santa Barbara, CA & Goleta, CA
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation