Santa Margarita Ranch

ream) that the ranch was way out of our budget (listed around $10,000), she told me that they offer off-season pricing and that their leniency in the vendors and catering that we use allows for us to make a lot of wiggle room to make it work. I am SO THANKFUL for her persistence. We brought in and set up everything ourselves (except the rented tent heaters). The ranch and the staff are beyond perfect. We were married January 10th, 2015 and were blessed with nearly 70 degree weather (praise God!). I do recommend the forced-air "tent" heaters in the barn if the night time looks a little chilly just because there are a few openings and the barn isnt completely closed off from outside. We used 4 from Got You Covr'd Rentals for 140 people and it was more than enough. Everyone was comfortable throughout the night, and when the dancing started, it even got too warm for a few people. The ranch provides and sets up all tables and chairs (up to about 300 I believe), and the twinkle lights in the garden area and barn are always up. The venue is so rustic, unique and beautiful that you do not need much decorating. We were married under the Oak tree and did petals down the aisle and hung some lace ribbon down off the twinkle lights at the entrance to the aisle. A wine-barrel gift table (the ranch provides up to five of these) and a sign or two and that was that. It was STUNNING. Our friends and family are still mesmerized by the venue. We hung up long white sheer curtains at the barn entrance, some lace embroidery hoops between and decorated the essentials (tables, dessert and coffee tables, bar, guest book, etc.) and thats all it needed. When I toured the ranch, another wedding (very extravagent with crystals and chandeliers etc) was being set up-and that's the beauty of this venue. It is a blank canvas. You can have a more boho/rustic feel like mine, or a froofroo Disney princess wedding like theirs. You will fall nothing short of amazing with your wedding at Santa Margarita Ranch! Here is the video of ours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEuQmw9ghVo

enty of room to dance, celebrate and enjoy our special day.

as very organized and the grounds were beautiful. They have a beautiful grass area for the ceremony and cocktail hour and the huge barn for the reception. There are tiny lights string both inside and outside, and many great locations to take photos.

you figure out your work-arounds, your photos will be epic and your friends and family will talk about the venue for a long time.

ur I hesitantly fell in love. It seems a little pricey for what you get. Yes it is beautiful, but there are some dirty things around, or unsightly views in a few spots that you think they would clean up for the price you are paying. However if you have a wedding on a Friday or Sunday you can save a couple grand and that will help. One plus is that they have all the tables and chairs you could need, however we did have to move 80 chairs in between the ceremony on reception ourselves, again you would think they would provide that service for the money you are paying. My biggest complaints are that sometimes the staff was difficult to get a hold of or somewhat flaky, some of the security gaurds onsite the day of were downright rude, I know they were trying to do a job, but they could have been more professional about it. Overall I give it a 3 because it was the wedding of my dreams and stunning, but I believe there are things they should improve if they are going to charge the price they charge.

e of the most beautiful wedding venues they have seen. It is a bit pricey and there can sometimes be an issue with having the gate open for vendors. Otherwise...we are so happy we used it for our wedding!

different managers call within the year of planning.

re sometimes difficult to get into contact with. Responses take a while, which was stressful close to the wedding. But!! the staff was amazing, and it looked beautiful!