Weddings on the Water 210 Stearns Wharf • Santa Barbara • CA 93101
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Why You'll Love This Place
A Here Comes The Guide Wedding Venue Review
- Perched right above the Pacific on Stearns Wharf, this exquisite waterfront venue brings you closer to the sea than any other in Santa Barbara. There are spaces to accommodate every guest count, with options that range from a 16-guest dinner party in the Captain's Room to a full building buyout for 400 that gives you the freedom to create your own unique flow. Its iconic location will appeal to both locals and out-of-towners, set on California's oldest working wharf and just minutes from the city's many sights.
- Two levels of event space provide endless flexibility—all with the same extraordinary panoramic vistas. The first level houses the Harbor Room, a light-filled space with inset skylights and rows of windows that frame views of the bustling harbor and cresting waves. The second level invites a breezy indoor/outdoor experience, where you can say "I do" al fresco on a spacious patio and mingle beneath glowing twinkle lights before transitioning inside.
- The cuisine is seafood-forward, with a deep, inventive bar menu. Their California coastal philosophy emphasizes "farm-to-table and land-to-sea," meaning you'll always enjoy the freshest ingredients, often sourced locally, with menu selections that combine the classic with the refined (think shrimp cocktail served in an elegant martini glass or a New York steak carving station). We especially love their mocktail bar option, which offers four signature cocktails of your choice made with zero-proof liquor.
DEALS: What discounts, special offers, or packages are available here?
October–April Saturday minimums start at just $7,000!
PRICES: What's this going to cost?
Rental Fee
- $1,200–4,000/event
- Rental fee varies depending on:
- Day of week
- Space reserved
The rental fee includes tables & chairs, place settings, glassware, linens, and napkins.
Food & Beverage Minimum
- $5,000/event and up
- Food & Beverage minimum varies depending on:
- Day of week
- Time of year
- Space reserved
Meals (when priced separately)
Please inquire about the full-service catering menu. Bar pricing is additional, and ranges $18–120/person, depending on the bar selected and service duration.
Service Charge or Gratuity
- 20%
Additional Info
Labor fees start at $2,800.
COUPLES ARE ASKING: We've got answers
Weddings on the Water is a full-service venue, so in-house catering, bar service and wait staff are all part of your event. Every event also includes tables, chairs, place settings, glassware, linens and napkins, which keeps your rental list short.
Yes. At Weddings on the Water, the second level offers a breezy indoor-outdoor setup, where you can say "I do" on the spacious patio and mingle under twinkle lights before heading inside. The first-floor Harbor Room has skylights and rows of windows framing the harbor and waves. Book one floor, or take over the full building for up to 400 guests.
Weddings on the Water charges a site fee ($1,200–4,000, depending on floor and day) plus a food and beverage minimum that varies by space, day and season. From October–April, minimums start at $5,000 (second floor, Monday–Thursday) and reach $15,000 for a full-building Saturday. From May–September, they run $12,000–35,000, with higher holiday minimums. Labor starts at $2,800–3,800, bar packages run $18–120 per person, and a 20% service charge applies.
Catering and bar service at Weddings on the Water are in-house. The menu is seafood-forward, with a California coastal, farm-to-table and land-to-sea approach, so think shrimp cocktail served in a martini glass or a New York steak carving station. The bar menu is deep, and a mocktail bar option offers four signature zero-proof cocktails of your choice.
Weddings on the Water has three event spaces that work for nearly any guest count, from a 16-guest dinner in the Captain's Room to a full building buyout for up to 400 guests. Each floor can also be booked on its own for mid-size celebrations.
Weddings on the Water sits right above the Pacific on Stearns Wharf, California's oldest working wharf, so you get panoramic ocean and harbor views from both levels. It's minutes from downtown Santa Barbara's sights, which makes it easy for out-of-town guests to explore.
GUEST COUNT: How many people can we have here? What’s the max capacity?
| Indoors | Outdoors | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | Seated | 130 | 130 |
| Cocktails, etc. | Standing | 250 | 150 |
| Reception | Seated | 230 | 110 |
| Meetings | Total meeting capacity for this venue is 200. | ||
Please contact the venue for capacity information.
Venue Info & FAQs
OPTIONS: What kinds of events can we have here?
- All-Inclusive
- Outdoor Ceremony
- Ceremony
- Wedding Receptions
- Outdoor Reception
- Special Events / Parties
- Business Functions / Meetings
POLICIES: What are the food, alcohol, music, and other rules here?
Price
$$ • $$$
Catering
In-house
Alcohol
In-house
Amplified Music
Indoors
Outdoors
Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair accessible
Availability
Year-round, daily.
STYLE: What’s the style and overall vibe of this venue?
Buildings & other settings available:
- Beach / Ocean
- Patio / Deck / Terrace
- Penthouse / Rooftop
- Restaurant
VIEWS: What kind of views does this place have?
Peep the views you’ll enjoy from this venue!
- Mountains
- Ocean / Bay
Weddings on the Water
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Alternate Info: Weddings on the Water Santa Barbara, Weddings on the Water SB, The Harbor Restaurant