5.0
Praised by couples for:
Amenities
Quality catering
Guests comfort
A Perfect Blend of Rustic Elegance and History
Holds ceremonies and receptions
The Barns was truly such a dream, and we could not recommend it enough. We got married in June and lucked out with the perfect Monterey day.
Food: absolutely delicious, one of the highlights. They hold a tasting event a few months before your wedding with a bunch of couples (no $) and even make room for family and friends ($), so we turned it into a full outing. You get to try a number of options for the passed apps, the mains, and the cocktails. We chose the pacific cod, steak, and cauliflower - but the real star of the show was the potato gratin, melt in your mouth. The bar was top notch. Throughout the process they were extremely considerate of dietary restrictions. They also give a little cheese platter for the wedding party as you wait to walk down the aisle and made sure a dedicated plate of apps came to our way during cocktail hour - always looking out.
Venue: we had 215 people, which we were initially worried about size-wise, but it worked out great. We did the ceremony on the upper terrace and seated dinner on the lower terrace. They flipped over the ceremony to cocktail hour quickly and were such professionals. The barn itself had no issue accommodating us all for dancing.
Logistics: the team was great with coordinating so many elements and bringing our vision to life. Allison, our planner, juggled all her own coordination with our additional elements so well and was an absolute superwoman on the day getting all the food out and even jumping behind the bar to help out. One thing was that we started our planning with one team member who got promoted with three months before our wedding so Allison took us on - that was a bit stressful but once we got our bearings we didn’t look back.
Location: it’s so special to have a barn right downtown. I can’t imagine there are many places like it. All of our guests stayed within walking distance and we held our after party just a 5 minute walk away.
We ended up also doing our rehearsal/welcome party at another venue they own, The Perry House, and it was a great pairing. They have 2-3 other venues with in walking distance of downtown Monterey.
We are reliving all the memories through pictures and couldn’t have asked for a better experience - we love The Barns!
Alissa H.
5.0
Our daughter's wedding at The Barns at Cooper Molera in Monterey was absolutely spectacular from start to finish. We could not have imagined a more beautiful venue or a more seamless experience.
From our very first interaction, J'Nell was incredibly helpful, responsive, organized, and attentive to every detail. Her guidance throughout the planning process gave us confidence and peace of mind, and she was always available to answer questions and offer support.
The venue itself is stunning. The historic charm, beautiful grounds, and warm atmosphere created the perfect setting for a truly memorable celebration. Our guests are still talking about how gorgeous everything was.
The food was outstanding—delicious, beautifully presented, and plentiful. Guests kept coming back for seconds and raved about the quality throughout the evening. The open bar was also a huge hit and contributed to the fun, festive atmosphere.
The Barns at Cooper Molera was incredibly accommodating in helping us incorporate special touches, including our cigar bar, which was enjoyed by many of our guests. We also chose several of their preferred vendors, including the DJ, photographer, videographer, and bakery, and we could not have been happier with our selections. Each vendor was professional, talented, and contributed significantly to making the day unforgettable.
Every aspect of the wedding exceeded our expectations. The combination of exceptional service, breathtaking surroundings, outstanding food, and top-notch vendor partnerships made for a perfect celebration.
We are so grateful to J'Nell and the entire team at The Barns at Cooper Molera!
Sharon C.
5.0
AWARD WINNER
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Nestled in the heart of downtown Monterey, discover a hidden gem—a lush garden bursting with vibrant wildflowers, elegant roses, and fruitful trees. As you stroll through the mature gardens, you’ll be enchanted by the expansive outdoor terraces with warm, romantic string lights and a picturesque barn providing a stunning backdrop for your special day. The Barns at Cooper Molera is an all-inclusive venue, providing catering, bar packages, service staff, equipment: e.g., dinnerware, glassware, tables, wood chairs, linens, heaters, and much more. Our priority is to ensure the entire process is a stress-free and beautiful experience for you and your loved ones. Your dedicated event manager will liaise with your hand-selected vendors, design your floor plan, oversee the setup and breakdown, and orchestrate your timeline. Our team will ensure a seamless planning process and a truly unforgettable celebration!
The Barns at Cooper Molera is a wedding venue located in Monterey, CA.
Woman-owned Business
20+ years in business
Speaks English, Spanish
Large team (21+ members)
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
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
Settings
Backyard
Barn
Farm & Ranch
Garden
Historic Venue
Industrial & Warehouse
Museum
Park
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Food & Catering
Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
2023 '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.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.026 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Barns at Cooper Molera is a stunning, historic downtown Monterey venue with beautiful gardens and flexible spaces that easily accommodate large weddings. Reviewers praised the organized, attentive staff and planners who handled logistics, layout flips, and special requests professionally. The catering and bar were repeatedly called exceptional, making the day seamless and stress-free.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Shannon M
Highlighted review.
5.0
11/24/2025
Choosing The Barns at Cooper Molera was one of the easiest and best decisions we made during our wedding planning process. This venue is not only a stunning canvas for a beautiful ...
event, but it offers a seamless, all-inclusive package that made planning a breeze, covering food, beverage, and equipment rentals in one convenient deal.
The team here was incredible. Our sales rep Amanda was awesome - we immediately had good vibes as she was so responsive via email and phone. She met with us multiple times, including a detailed walkthrough onsite before we signed—which helped us feel confident and informed. We really appreciated how transparent they were about pricing, clearly laying out the packages so there were zero surprises. Our event manager, Makenna, was equally helpful and easy to work once we signed and kicked off the planning process.
The venue itself is stunning and so flexible. We loved having so many layout options for the ceremony and reception, letting us customize everything. The location itself was unbeatable. It's right in the heart of downtown Monterey, with numerous hotels in walking distance. Despite it being so central, he venue still feels tucked away and private, and there was tons of space for everyone to spread out during the reception.
Have to give a HUGE shoutout to the kitchen staff as the food was absolutely insane. We went with the "stations" buffet-style dinner, and our guests are still raving that it was the best wedding food they've ever had (the variety and quality were incredible). The staff was so on top of it. I've never seen a buffet line move so fast. Plus, having multiple bars meant getting a drink was never a hassle. They were also super great about handling all the dietary restrictions, which everyone appreciated.
The staff’s attention to detail was spot-on. They were so calm and professional, you barely noticed they were there, but everything ran perfectly. The Barns gave us everything we wanted and more—a stress-free day, beautiful location, and the best food that left a lasting impression. If you're looking for a venue, stop scrolling and book the Barns!!
Alissa H
5.0
9/29/2026
The Barns was truly such a dream, and we could not recommend it enough. We got married in June and lucked out with the perfect Monterey day.
Food: absolutely delicious, one of th...
e highlights. They hold a tasting event a few months before your wedding with a bunch of couples (no $) and even make room for family and friends ($), so we turned it into a full outing. You get to try a number of options for the passed apps, the mains, and the cocktails. We chose the pacific cod, steak, and cauliflower - but the real star of the show was the potato gratin, melt in your mouth. The bar was top notch. Throughout the process they were extremely considerate of dietary restrictions. They also give a little cheese platter for the wedding party as you wait to walk down the aisle and made sure a dedicated plate of apps came to our way during cocktail hour - always looking out.
Venue: we had 215 people, which we were initially worried about size-wise, but it worked out great. We did the ceremony on the upper terrace and seated dinner on the lower terrace. They flipped over the ceremony to cocktail hour quickly and were such professionals. The barn itself had no issue accommodating us all for dancing.
Logistics: the team was great with coordinating so many elements and bringing our vision to life. Allison, our planner, juggled all her own coordination with our additional elements so well and was an absolute superwoman on the day getting all the food out and even jumping behind the bar to help out. One thing was that we started our planning with one team member who got promoted with three months before our wedding so Allison took us on - that was a bit stressful but once we got our bearings we didn’t look back.
Location: it’s so special to have a barn right downtown. I can’t imagine there are many places like it. All of our guests stayed within walking distance and we held our after party just a 5 minute walk away.
We ended up also doing our rehearsal/welcome party at another venue they own, The Perry House, and it was a great pairing. They have 2-3 other venues with in walking distance of downtown Monterey.
We are reliving all the memories through pictures and couldn’t have asked for a better experience - we love The Barns!
Any questions?
Sharon C
5.0
6/05/2026
Our daughter's wedding at The Barns at Cooper Molera in Monterey was absolutely spectacular from start to finish. We could not have imagined a more beautiful venue or a more seamle...
ss experience.
From our very first interaction, J'Nell was incredibly helpful, responsive, organized, and attentive to every detail. Her guidance throughout the planning process gave us confidence and peace of mind, and she was always available to answer questions and offer support.
The venue itself is stunning. The historic charm, beautiful grounds, and warm atmosphere created the perfect setting for a truly memorable celebration. Our guests are still talking about how gorgeous everything was.
The food was outstanding—delicious, beautifully presented, and plentiful. Guests kept coming back for seconds and raved about the quality throughout the evening. The open bar was also a huge hit and contributed to the fun, festive atmosphere.
The Barns at Cooper Molera was incredibly accommodating in helping us incorporate special touches, including our cigar bar, which was enjoyed by many of our guests. We also chose several of their preferred vendors, including the DJ, photographer, videographer, and bakery, and we could not have been happier with our selections. Each vendor was professional, talented, and contributed significantly to making the day unforgettable.
Every aspect of the wedding exceeded our expectations. The combination of exceptional service, breathtaking surroundings, outstanding food, and top-notch vendor partnerships made for a perfect celebration.
We are so grateful to J'Nell and the entire team at The Barns at Cooper Molera!
Joel C
5.0
2/05/2026
The Barns are both a beautiful place to hold your wedding, and the staff and event planners are absolutely wonderful. I cannot recommend them highly enough (shoutout to Makenna and...
Jillian).
- The whole process is organized to make sure no balls are dropped
- the food is incredible (several guests said it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding)
- there are a lot of small details the staff does to make you have a good time, including proactively bringing items you may need
- everything ran on time and professionally, so you didn't need to worry
We're joking now that not a single thing went wrong, largely because of their work.
Cannot recommend them enough!
Shaan P
5.0
1/05/2026
We are incredibly happy that we chose to do our wedding at the Barns at Cooper Molera, and we relive our beautiful memories every day. We truly got to enjoy every minute of our wed...
ding day with no stress, because we knew that Makenna, Chef David, Amanda, and the whole team were on top of every detail.
Our wedding was 240 people with a morning ceremony/lunch, a full space flip, and an evening cocktail/reception. The Barns team seamlessly pulled off two layouts in the same space in one day, with different meals, bar offerings, decor, and rentals for each.
Beyond the amazing team - the venue itself is truly stunning; it’s so beautiful that we only had to minimally decorate to create a warm and elegant atmosphere. The space is the perfect balance of rustic and modern, and the barn is deceptively large; we were able to fit everyone on the dance floor! The attached garden is perfect for photographs and a quieter space for guests. We were even able to do an Indian Baraat, due to the unique downtown layout with street access. The Barns are walkable to multiple downtown hotels, so if you do a hotel block or ancillary events, guests can easily move between the spaces without worrying about late-night transportation.
From the start, working with our sales manager Amanda was a joy. She coordinated a pre-booking tasting for us and showed us many different layouts for the space, to help us feel confident that the Barns would be the right fit for our wedding. Amanda helped us with flexibility throughout our planning process - helping us contract reasonable spend minimums well ahead of having a firm guest count.
Our event manager Makenna went above and beyond to enable our vision. She accommodated a remarkable number of requests, questions, and add-ons with grace and professionalism. Makenna kept us organized, and her meticulous notes ensured no detail was forgotten. She liaised with our photographer, DJ, florist, and rental contact to ensure everyone was working off of the same schedule. She took the time to understand the context behind each of the cultural aspects of our wedding ceremony and event flow, and ensured that the spirit and the intent was carried through. Finally - Makenna was a constant source of creative ideas; she knows every detail of the Barns in and out, and has thought through every possible configuration, down to the height of plants that might block views and where the sun might fall at different times of the day. We were so lucky to have had Makenna’s expertise, dedication, and creativity throughout the process.
Chef David and the culinary team at the Barns were truly exceptional. The team learned how to make multiple Indian dishes for our wedding, and managed two large multi-cuisine meals in one day. We’re still hearing rave reviews of the food 6 months later. Throughout the whole process, the team was open to feedback and refining flavors and sizing to match our vision. Finally, we appreciated the level of attention given to dietary restrictions, including willingness to label tray-passed items, which we had never seen before.
We highly recommend getting married at the Barns at Cooper Molera. The team at the Barns worked with us for 18 months to bring our vision to reality, answering countless calls, texts, and emails to ensure every detail was perfect. Thank you to the Barns team for making our dream wedding come to life!
Edd
5.0
4/17/2025
This spot was absolutely amazing for a wedding. It had historic charm, gorgeous gardens, and all the nature you could want. Even better, the staff was wonderful to work with. Maken...
na was a charm from the begining of the process to the end. The staff on site were pleasant and quick. And you know how people always say that you don't have time to eat at your own wedding? This staff couldn't stop putting food in our hands, especially my favorite app (the artichoke hearts). They also dealt quickly, and with compassion, when we had a medical need in the middle of the evening. It was dealt with before I even realized what was going on. The fact that so much is included in the service (catering, bar, linens, tables, chairs, VIP loft) really made planning a breeze. Of course, they always have rentals and upcharges, but we found everything at their included level classy and perfect for our needs.
Stephanie C
5.0
7/10/2024
It is so difficult to make this a short review because there are so many great things to say! The moment we stepped foot onto The Barns at Cooper Molera property, we fell in love. ...
This is a gorgeous venue with so much natural beauty and special history.
Frankie was originally assigned to us as our event coordinator for our wedding. She was amazing to work with, and it was clear from the start that she knew her stuff. Unexpectedly, just a little over 2 months before our wedding day we were informed our wedding was being reassigned to Jen due to restructuring of the company. If I’m being honest, the communication started off a little rocky, and it was a lot of back and forth to get a call set up, which initially made me nervous. However, with patience on both ends, we made it through. We felt confident after meeting with both Jen and Frankie at our rehearsal to discuss potential layout changes due to the weather. My husband and I were pushing to stick to our planned outdoor ceremony, and Jen pulled through and made the buzzer-beater call. It felt so magical, with rain dripping from the trees and the sun coming out during our vows. I’m unsure what we would have done without Jen, the staff, and the rest of our vendor team. There’s no doubt that Jen and her team worked their butts off to make the vision for our special day come to life.
I have to add that the food and drinks were AMAZING. We are still getting compliments from our guests that this was some of the best food they’ve ever eaten, especially at a wedding! We had around 170 guests, and every single piece of salmon and steak was cooked to perfection. It was one of the most memorable meals that I wish I could go back and eat again. Also, the petite desserts table!! YUM! Everything was just so good.
To sum it up, this was the best day of our lives. It was beautiful and fun, and the Barns/Events by Classic team knows what they are doing. We’re big fans and highly recommend The Barns for your wedding or large event!
Melanie O
5.0
6/23/2024
This was the most spectacular venue ever. The menu, the service, the grounds, everything was amazing. Our wedding was incredible and couldn’t picture it anywhere else!
Isabella M
5.0
5/22/2024
Truthfully the best experience ever. My (now) husband and I have very demanding jobs and didn't want a wedding planning experience that would consume us and take us away from why w...
e were getting married.
It is known for feeling rustic, but it met the "mediterranean" vibes we were trying to capture.
The Barns not only provides a beautiful canvas to build your own experience, but it has everything you need, from catering, to bar services, coordination, and so many fun experiences throughout the planning process (couples get invited to a fun food-tasting experience, etc).
The venue is also in the heart of Monterey so it's walking distance to so many hotels which is great for guests, it's tucked away so it feels very private, and it has so much space for guests to hang out during the reception.
We had SO many people tell us the night of and call us/ text us, after saying that was the best food they've ever had.
10000000000% recommend and would do it all over again!
FRANCISCO S
5.0
10/12/2023
My daughters wedding was a success. The venue was everything we expected and more. The location is in the middle of the city of Monterey Ca. perfect to visit before and after the...
wedding. I received compliments from the guest on how everything about the venue was perfect. I would highly recommend this venue
Response from The Barns at Cooper Molera on 10/20/2023
Dear Francisco,
I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your warm words about the we...
dding. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of this special day, and I'm truly touched by your appreciation.
Your daughter's wedding was a beautiful and joyous occasion, made even more memorable by the love and support of the entire family. It was a pleasure working with you all to create the perfect day for the bride and groom.
Your kind words mean a lot to me and the entire team. We're delighted to have been able to contribute to such a wonderful celebration. If you or your family ever need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Once again, thank you for your thoughtful message. It was a privilege to be a part of this momentous event.
Francesca & Team
Erin H
5.0
3/22/2023
Let me start by giving Susan and her team at the Barns such a big thank you! With the unpredictable weather we’ve been having they did an amazing job making shifts on the fly! The ...
venue itself is breathtaking and the benefit of having a location that includes the table, linens, chairs, food and beverage with so much more is unbelievable. Susan herself went above and beyond from the multiple walkthroughs to answering my continuous questions. Her and her team also did an amazing job setting up my DIY decor, and it looked beyond any expectations. Our guests were obsessed with the food, and we still haven’t stopped receiving compliments for the chef! If you haven’t viewed this venue, definitely give them a look!
Molly S
5.0
1/31/2023
My husband and I got married at The Barns in November 2022 and our wedding was absolutely perfect! When you book the Barns everything is included! - incredible food and bar, a stun...
ning setting, fantastic table settings and furniture, and a terrific staff. Most importantly, you’re assigned an event coordinator with your reservation, and we can’t say enough great things about our coordinator Charlene!
Charlene was fantastic to work with and made sure everything went off seamlessly. As a very detail-oriented and pretty anxious (lol) bride, Charlene was incredibly responsive to our questions and created detailed event sheets and floorplans that made us feel organized and prepared for our big day! And because of Charlene, our wedding went off without a hitch! We even lost power during the ceremony, and I didn’t even notice. Charlene and her staff were in complete control the entire day, so my husband and I could just relax and enjoy!
And a few more words about the setting - it’s like being in a fairytale! We loved how it was an outdoor/indoor venue, so our guests had plenty of room to walk around and we never felt cramped in the space. It’s also so wonderful to have such a beautiful outdoor space that isn’t inconvenient for our guests. The Barns is in downtown Monterey, so there are so many hotels within walking distance.
We can’t thank Charlene, the Barns, and Events by Classic enough for making our day so spectacular! Many of our guests said it was the best wedding they had ever been to! Book the Barns! You won’t regret it!
- Molly and Nick
Christian M
5.0
11/20/2022
After seeing many venues we found the Barns at Cooper Molera and fell in love! We originally did not want a barn, but the combination of the barn with the historic adobe buildings ...
and the location so close to downtown, it was truly the perfect venue. They were super easy to work with and very detail oriented. Susan was on top of all the details and made the day completely stress fee and effortless. They worked with my vendors directly and the whole wedding day exceeded expectations. The team there is so kind and fun to work with. Absolutely loved everything about our experience!
Emily C
5.0
11/15/2022
We got married at The Barns in August of 2022 and it was truly the wedding of our dreams. The day was magical, and we couldn't have done it without all the help of our amazing coor...
dinator Nicolle. I was a bit nervous to be on this journey without a wedding planner, but as our coordinator, Nicolle provided all the help I needed (and more!). She made our wedding planning experience such a positive one, we actually had a lot of fun! Every email was answered quickly, every detail was discussed thoroughly, and every one of our worries was put to ease. Nicolle was made for this job and I am so glad that we had the opportunity to work with her.
And on the day of the wedding, everything was even better than we had dreamed. Nicolle kept us on track, was by my side when I needed her most, and was extremely helpful throughout the setup/breakdown process. I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but absolutely NOTHING went wrong! The day was perfect and went off without a hitch.
We had such a great experience at The Barns and cannot speak highly enough of the food and staff. Highly recommend all around!
Caylin F
5.0
10/31/2022
Where do I even begin? The Events by Classic Group (specifically Charlene!) and The Barns venue was such an incredible experience from start to finish. We had such an out of this w...
orld experience partnering with Charlene throughout the entire planning process. Charlene is extremely knowledgeable in the wedding industry, unbelievably organized, super prompt in her email responses, tremendously professional, and an absolute gem of a human being to work with. Words cannot even remotely express how grateful we are for Charlene - she is truly the best and we owe everything to her! Our wedding day was so seamless and extremely well executed - she truly went over and beyond for us and we seriously can't thank her enough. YOU HAVE TO BOOK CHARLENE!! We always felt so at ease knowing that Charlene was right by our side the entire time.
Aside from Charlene being absolutely perfect at everything that she does, the Events by Classic Group team is also such a wonderful company to work with as well. From booking the venue with Amanda (She’s awesome!!) to the high level of service that the catering team provided during dinner was absolutely phenomenal. We chose the plated dinner option and the catering team provided such a wonderful and seamless experience for our guests that made the entire evening run so smoothly. Our guests still cannot stop talking about how incredibly delicious the food was! They all kept saying that it was better than eating at a fancy steakhouse restaurant! The food is out of this world good.
I have nothing but incredible things to say about Charlene, the Events by Classic Group team, and the catering team - it’s truly the dream team and I can’t recommend them all enough! Our wedding guests were absolutely blown away with how classic (no pun intended) and beautiful our wedding was and we owe it all to Charlene and the team! We highly recommend booking Charlene - she’s simply the best!!! Your wedding will be a million times better if you book Charlene!
Response from The Barns at Cooper Molera on 11/02/2022
Thank you so much for your kind words! I truly enjoyed working with you two and had so muc...
h fun seeing your vision come to life. I loved all the white pumpkin decorations you had (but you already knew that!), and how incredibly thoughtful that you provided place settings for all your vendors! We were privileged to be a part of your special day and wish you every happiness in your new adventure as Husband and Wife. ~ All the best, Charlene and the Events by Classic Group Team
Chandler K
5.0
9/27/2022
As soon as we got engaged, we knew we wanted The Barns at Cooper Molera to be our ceremony & reception venue. The location is perfectly nestled in downtown Monterey walking distanc...
e to nearby hotels, the beach, shops, restaurants. The Barns themselves are so beautiful and easy to get to. Our Venue Coordinator, Susan was fantastic and worked with us over the course of a year to ensure we had the right day/time/food/setup we dreamed of. She was there helping us out on our wedding day as well. With the venue, you also get a lot of great options you can use such as their arch, corn hole, outdoor heaters, silverware, plates, linens, inside and outside bars. The upstairs bridal suite when rented for the night also includes champagne and a full cheese and fruit board. Every guest I talked to during the wedding and even days after were complimenting how clean and organized everything was and how absolutely phenomenal the food was. We were so glad we chose The Barns for our big day and that we can go back and see it every time we're in Monterey!
Mykal W
5.0
7/31/2022
The Barns at Cooper Molera was an amazing venue for our wedding! Charlene was our designated wedding coordinator that guided us through the whole process and went over and beyond t...
o help us in any areas we needed. When last minute changes came up, she made sure to take care of all of them.
All our guests kept saying how beautiful the venue was, how amazing the food was, and how convenient it was to be walking distance from their hotels. You got the best of both worlds with this venue of it being an outdoor and indoor venue. Especially during the summer season, the weather is amazing! We are so happy we picked this venue, the staff was amazing!
Response from The Barns at Cooper Molera on 08/10/2022
Thank you, Mykal, for your generous review! You and Garrett were such a joy to work with a...
nd I’m so honored to have had the opportunity to help you with all the details – both planned, and last-minute changes! I’m so glad to hear how much the two of you and your guests enjoyed your Wedding at The Barns. We wish you both all the love and happiness in the world! ~ Charlene & The Team
Sarah W
5.0
7/05/2022
Our wedding day was everything we could have hoped for and more. We have SO many positive things to say about The Barns it's hard to sum up our positive experience in a single revi...
ew!
Our venue coordinator was Frankie and to say she went above and beyond feels like the understatement of the century. During the planning process Frankie scheduled several phone calls with us to go through every day-of detail imaginable. She made sure we covered it all, and really helped bring our vision to life. For example, instead of a cake, we really wanted a champagne tower. Frankie set it up during our reception (picture below) and it made for such a fun moment and pictures. On the day of Frankie made sure that us and our guests were well taken care of. One of my favorite moments was walking into the barn post ceremony to Frankie waiting with champagne for myself and my (new) husband. She also made sure the staff brought us passed apps since we'd be busy taking photos during cocktail hour.
We had multiple guests tell us the food was the best wedding food they've had. The Barns did a great job managing multiple dietary restrictions and allergies and every.single.person got exactly what they ordered. We also got MULTIPLE compliments on the bar especially the spicy margaritas! During the planning process we had expressed to Frankie not wanting long lines for the bar. She (and the Barns staff) made sure cocktails were ready, and had passed beer and wine to keep the lines down during cocktail hour. I don't think we ever saw a line longer than a few people.
We had the day and night of our life and are so grateful to The Barns staff and especially Frankie for everything!!
Christine B
5.0
5/09/2022
This is the perfect place to get married. Nestled in the middle of down town, it is easy to access and walking distance from the wharf and several hotels. The barn is meant for wed...
dings- from the loft for the bride to get ready to the dance floor in the barn. My husband and I got married under one of the oak tree branches and it was PERFECT! Susan, the coordinator, was so helpful and calm at all stages from planning to day of preparations. She was quick to respond to my emails and always professional and kind. The food, well, it was amazing. My husband and I are self proclaimed foodies as were several of our guests. We got countless compliments about how this is the best wedding food people had ever eaten. The venue also has a lot of included perks that we did not have to rent such as tables, chairs, and heaters. This was the best place to get married and my husband and I could not recommend them more!
Stephanie O
5.0
4/30/2022
Words cannot describe how incredible and special of place this was to have our wedding at this past weekend. We were one of the couples that had to prolong our wedding due to COVID...
and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better team to navigate through those waters with. They not only continued to be extremely communicative when everything was still very up in the air, but after changing our date 3 times they also gave us back our security deposit per contract because we had postponed it so many times and technically didn’t have to pay until 90 days before hand. If you ask me, this shows how they went above and beyond to be loyal, follow their contract and provide the most incredible customer service.
Now for the aesthetics and location. PRIME!! It is nestled right in downtown making it so easy and convenient for your visitors to walk around during the wedding weekend and made it so easy for everyone to find something to do. You can get food, drinks, Cannery Row, hotels/motels and farmers market all within walking distance. You never felt like you had to entertain your guests while you were busy with your own wedding because the options were unlimited! Also, in our opinion the convenience of place to stay after the wedding was extremely important to us because we didn’t want to worry about Ubers at the end of the night. There are at least 5 hotels within walking distance from the venue.
Aesthetically, Cooper Molera gives you all the feels and encompassing even more than we could have asked for. It is a huge piece of California history, it is thoughtful, unique and special in so many ways. It was the only venue both my now husband and I LOVED and after this wonderful weekend, solidified that we truly picked the best one.
Food was unparalleled to any food we have ever had at a wedding. We had a guest list of 160 people and every single person got the correct food they ordered, it all came out hot, cooked perfectly and at the same time. Every single person raved about it being the best food they have ever had at a wedding and we couldn’t agree more. The steak was cooked perfect, and the salmon was crispy on the outside and medium on the inside. Hats off to all the chefs and servers that made this possible. Once again it exceeded my expectations. Drinks were some of the most fresh and delicious we have ever had as well.
Amanda, Cassandra, Francesca, Nicole as well as the rest of the staff, thank you for making this day absolutely PERFECT!! We would do it all over again times a million and truly made it the best day of our lives!
XX,
Steph and Alec
Carla M
5.0
2/21/2022
We highly recommend getting married at The Barns Cooper Molera!
We had such a positive experience planning our wedding here. A few things to call out:
The team: We started worki...
ng with Amanda and Frankie who were both wonderful! They were very professional, organized, and took the time to get to us as a couple. They also made it super easy to navigate the changes with COVID. The day of our wedding, the entire Events Classic team brought their A-game and we didn't have any issues.
The food: AMAZING! Normally, wedding food can be forgettable but everyone (I mean everyone) was raving about how good the food is. It was also soooo convenient to have catering done in house. The convenience and the tasty menu are a HUGE advantage.
The venue: This is such a gem in the middle of downtown Monterey. It's the perfect location - close to hotels, shops, restaurants, the wharf and the beach (great for our guests who could walk everywhere). But as soon as you step through the gates, it feels like you've escaped to somewhere else. The venue itself is stunning and beautiful - and our guests also had so many good things to say about it!
If you're considering The Barns, this is your sign to go with it! We have no regrets!
Alyssa O
5.0
12/24/2021
I would highly recommend The Barns for your wedding ceremony and reception! My husband and I live in Colorado but wanted to have our wedding in Monterey, California because it was ...
where we met and made it easier for our friends and families to attend. Because we were planning out of state, it was essential to us that we kept things as simple as possible, which meant we were looking for a venue that could do it all within our budget. At The Barns, you get so much more than just an event space, but they include linens, glassware, tables, lighting, catering, and staff to keep your day running smoothly. Not only that but The Barns is committed to eco-friendly and sustainable practices, which was very important to me during planning. I was particular with the type of vendors I wanted to hire, and I am proud that we hired women-owned businesses, businesses that practice sustainability, and small businesses for our wedding.
We worked with Susan Villani, who was helpful and communicative throughout the entire process. Susan understood my vision and gave personalized recommendations on where to host our ceremony and reception to allow proper lighting and heating for our guests. Susan ensured the day went smoothly, and we are so grateful for all of her help and assistance.
I love The Barns at Cooper Molera because it is a transformative space. You can go all out if you want or keep it very natural and still have a one-of-a-kind wedding. We added rentals for lounge seating in the barn and a firepit with Adirondack chairs outside, which our guests loved. Our guests are still raving about how unique and beautiful our wedding was and how delicious the food was! Our guests loved the bar set up and an open bar featuring signature cocktails. We chose the Old Fashioned and Rosemarry Me. The staff at The Barns also promoted safety for covid-19 and followed guidelines for prevention. You will not go wrong if you book The Barns at Cooper Molera!
Lindsay M
5.0
8/14/2021
Perfect venue for our wedding celebration! Venue was accommodating with our COVID-induced date changes, and was great to work with. Staff was fantastic, and everything went off wit...
hout a hitch. Beautiful venue and COVID-friendly arrangements; our guests commented all night what a cool place it was and how beautiful and serene it all was. Loved it all and wished it would’ve lasted twice as long so I could’ve soaked it in more!
Charlotte S
5.0
10/26/2019
My husband and I cannot thank the staff enough at Events by Classic, especially Rosie Balcar, and The Barns for making our wedding day the most perfect day ever. We had so much fun...
and everything from start to finish working with them was effortless, stress free and amazing. We hired Rosie as our "Peace of Mind" coordinator and she completely transformed our vision (which we gave very little direction on) into the exact reality we had in mind.
We felt so well taken care of by all the staff at The Barns and just cannot believe how amazingly everything went. The Barns is such an amazing venue with three distinctly different areas where we were able to have our ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner. Each area was spacious and had a different feel but was elegant and perfect for what we needed it for. We had about 110 guests at our wedding and it never felt too crowded or like there was too much space. There is also a wonderful upstairs suite where we were able to get ready and get out some of the jitters before the ceremony or just take a moment together. We feel so lucky to have found such an amazing venue and our guests were raving about it as well. We are genuinely sad to be finished working with Rosie and Events by Classic, but would work with them again in a heartbeat.
Response from The Barns at Cooper Molera on 11/05/2019
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are thrilled your vision came to life and will g...
enuinely miss working with you too! ~ Rosie Balcar & Team
Melissa H
5.0
12/23/2018
We booked the Barns before the they were complete, so it was site unseen (hard hats, ripped up floors and scaffolding) once we finally got to see them done, it surpassed all our ex...
pectations! It was thoughtfully constructed and the interior has many special touches that make you feel as if you are in someones home. Upstairs there are comfy chairs, a huge full length mirror and more... everything you want when getting ready or wanting a space to relax. Downstairs has a really cool rustic bar and lots of space to have dinner and dancing.
The staff is very friendly, and let us drop by to see how the Barns were coming along, and kept us up to date on what was happening. The Barns are beautiful, we didn't need a lot of extra decorating which meant we could cut down the costs on flowers and extra rentals since they made such a perfect backdrop already.
We had our Cocktail hour outside, and a plated dinner and dancing inside. We hosted our Ceremony at a nearby church, so unfortunately we didn't get ready here, however I wish we had, it would have been such a great backdrop for photos. Upstairs was closed to the general public, so that's were we had the wedding party keep all their personal items (purses, spare shoes etc). I loved using the 2nd floor for the boutique and garter toss! Due to running behind, we took a moment to ourselves, sneaking upstairs using the kitchen entrance, while the guests were at cocktail hour and quietly looked out the upstairs windows before being spotted by guests and running down to greet everyone.
We were the first couple to have round tables inside, so there was a little manipulation needed once the tables got set, but thanks to my Day-of Coordinator (Amanda) everything went seamless, regardless of what came up (timing, spacing etc), I would highly recommend hiring one of their day-of coordinator s to help make sure you can be stress free.
The only complaint from our Wedding was it ended too early, but I'd rather leave people wanting more than feeling it was too much. We did mix things up and did a grand exit prior to the ending, and it worked out great, it let those who had to leave still have an ending, and pushed those remaining onto the dance floor for the final hour. The barns are also close to lots of bars and restaurants, so if guests want to continue after the wedding is over (like some of our guests) they can easily walk somewhere.
The Barns were a great mix of elegant and casual, cousins who 'hate' weddings complimented ours, while others who like more 'sophisticated tastes' told us how beautiful the venue was as well.... I couldn't ask for a better location!
Maureen M
5.0
11/11/2018
My husband and I chose the Barns as our venue to host a welcome party for all wedding guests. There were about 100 guests. From the very beginning, Rosie was accommodating and very...
responsive. On the day of the event, Rosie was flexible allowing us to deliver all decor early in the day. We returned later in the afternoon to decorate the site. When we did not have batteries for one of the games, Rosie and her staff were on it. Staff was very helpful in the pre-party preparations, and everyone was very cheerful.
When our guests arrived, we all gathered in the outside courtyard for passed appetizers and cocktails. We chose to have the premium open bar. We appreciated that the Barns offers a set per person drink price so that we knew what our costs would be. The appetizers were delicious. And our guests had fun socializing and playing outdoor yard games. In fact, our guests were having so much fun it was difficult to get them inside for dinner.
However, once they saw the food stations, all began to thoroughly enjoy their meals. We decided upon the grilling station with tri tip and salmon. The accompanying sauces were fantastic. There was a great salad and roasted vegetables. In addition, people raved about the mac and cheese bar. Over a month later we are still getting rave reviews of the food. Not having huge expectations when 100 people are being fed, we were beyond thrilled with the quality of the food.
For dessert, we decided upon the s'more station. Our guests loved it! We also appreciated that we had bars inside and outside as our guests enjoyed mingling both in and out during the evening. The heater lamps were a bonus.
At the end of the evening, our guests did not want to leave! But there was a wedding the next day! The wedding at Pebble Beach the next day topped off a wonderful weekend. And everyone keeps talking about the Barns. Thank you, Rosie and your staff! We would definitely host another event at the Barns.
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The Barns at Cooper Molera
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