Unitarian Society Of Santa Barbara

Raw space venue

The venue will provide just the space. You’ll bring in your own caterer and vendors.

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $5,500 for off-peak dates, and $6,500 for peak dates

Packages

Prices start at $1,250

Guest capacity

Up to 200 seated guests

About this venue

The Unitarian Society campus includes the Sanctuary, a Reception hall, a Terrace and two Gardened Courtyards, allowing for wedding Ceremonies inside or out. Designed and built in 1930 in the city’s signature Spanish-Revival style, the rustic glamor is enhanced by antique architectural elements. Couples of any faith or sexual orientation are invited to pledge their love in this glorious space, a welcome solution for interfaith marriages and same-sex unions.

Seated guest capacity

  • 50-200

Venue type

  • Ballrooms, Banquet Halls
  • Historic Estates, Mansions

Venue setting

  • Outdoor
1535 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Our event spaces

Historic Sanctuary

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Non-Denomination Church

Our Sanctuary is the jewel of our campus; a peaceful and powerful place to be. You can feel it as you walk beneath the 50 foot ceilings, and as the light fills the room from the stunning stained glass window. You can feel it as you listen to the acoustically-perfect sounds of our Steinway piano or the majestic 1,500 pipe organ. Our friendly staff will help you design your perfect wedding here!

Guest capacity

Up to 250 Seated

Up to 285 Standing

Square footage

2,035

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Room cost

Varies by day of the week

Parish Hall

The main ballroom at USSB

Parish Hall is our main ballroom. This beautiful room hosts most of the wedding receptions held at USSB, in conjunction with Parish Courtyard right outside the three arched doorways. It’s the place to dance the night away! And with our attached commercial Kitchen, Parish Hall has everything you’ll need for a full- featured event.

Guest capacity

12-120 Seated

Up to 150 Standing

Square footage

1,584

Ideal for

Elopement, Rehearsal dinner, Engagement party, After party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Warm and cozy”

Included in this room:

Sound System Elevated Stage Projector & Screen Commercial Kitchen Wheelchair Accessible

Room cost

Varies by day of the week

Parish Courtyard

Parish Courtyard and parish hall in combination offer your guests a true indoor/outdoor experience on our beautiful historic campus.

Parish Courtyard is one of our most beautiful spaces. Nestled between our Sanctuary and Parish Hall, this gorgeous garden hosts most of our wedding receptions. And in the evening, when the Courtyard Lights are lit, our beautiful fountained courtyard becomes truly romantic. It’s the ideal place to make a memory.

Guest capacity

Up to 200 Seated

Up to 250 Standing

Square footage

4,580

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Included in this room:

Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom in Parish Hall Palm Tree Courtyard Lights Available

Room cost

Varies by day of the week

Historic Sanctuary

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Non-Denomination Church

Our Sanctuary is the jewel of our campus; a peaceful and powerful place to be. You can feel it as you walk beneath the 50 foot ceilings, and as the light fills the room from the stunning stained glass window. You can feel it as you listen to the acoustically-perfect sounds of our Steinway piano or the majestic 1,500 pipe organ. Our friendly staff will help you design your perfect wedding here!

Guest capacity

Up to 250 Seated

Up to 285 Standing

Square footage

2,035

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Room cost

Varies by day of the week

Unitarian Society Of Santa Barbara packages

Table & Chair Package

50-200 guests

Peak pricing $1,500-2,500

Description

This all-inclusive Table and Chair Package is the perfect add-on to your venue rental, and will save you thousands of dollars because we do it all!: Full design, set-up, breakdown of your tables and chairs! Set up time is not included in your rental period, so when you arrive during your rental time, all of your tables are ready to decorate! Prices vary by number of guests in the following increments: <100, 100-150 and 150-200. (Linens not included)

What’s included
  • 66" Round Tables (seat 8-10 each)
  • White Folding Chairs with added Seats
  • Cocktail Tables
  • Indoor Market Lights
  • Outdoor Market Lights
  • 3 Wooden Buffet Tables
  • 2 auxiliary wooden tables on casters
  • 10 folding buffet tables
  • 6 Umbrellas and stands (beige)

Micro-wedding Ceremony Sanctuary Use!

2-30 guests

Peak pricing $1,250-1,750

Off-peak pricing $1,250-1,750

Description

3-Hour Venue Use of our beautiful Historic Sanctuary & Terrace (includes set-up and breakdown) This package is designed for 30 guests or less. Renters must provide their own officiant. Limited dates and times available.

What’s included
  • Use of Sanctuary
  • Audio System
  • Attendant for duration of rental
  • Use of Terrace and Changing room
  • Restrooms
  • Access to Pipe organ and/or Steinway Piano

Available services that can be provided by Unitarian Society Of Santa Barbara

Services & amenities

  • Dance floor
  • Event coordinator
  • Event rentals
  • Event staff

Reviews

Write a review

5.0 out of 5

7 reviews

Write a review

  • A Gem of a Venue! 10/10

    •Verified review
    •Briseyda C.•Jul 3

    After going back and forth with ideas of a wedding and elopement, we decided to elope at the courthouse in hopes of getting married on our dating anniversary. Unfortunately, the Courthouse can be booked months in advance so we were looking for a nice venue to host us with less than a month away. That's where the USSB came in. With the micro-wedding package, we were able to have a low-cost, intimate, and beautiful wedding ceremony. Joanie was very accommodating with arranging short notice visits to the venue and with entertaining our ideas as we honed in our vision for the wedding. Her and John even took care of the day-of-coordination, allowing our florist to set up the pews and altar and the photographer to post above for some aerial shots. On the wedding day, everything went seamless and stress-free. We can't thank them enough for accommodating us so last minute. We also get so many compliments on the look of the church itself which is always great to hear! There is a also a beautiful park (Keck Alice Park) across the street where we got some amazing photos as well.

  • Great Venue With A Special Atmosphere

    •Verified review
    •Julia G.•Jul 2

    It’s always a pleasure to officiate weddings at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. I love this venue because it is a gem architecturally and spiritually. As a historical landmark, it offers a timeless and elegant setting that feels both sacred and welcoming to all. Working with Joanie, the Wedding and Events Manager, is an absolute joy. She’s incredibly organized, kind, and ensures everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Whether it's a micro or a large formal wedding, this space accommodates it beautifully. One of the standout features is the 100-year-old organ, which can be included in the ceremony for a truly grand and memorable touch. The light and sound system are also top-notch, enhancing the overall experience for everyone in attendance. USSB is perfect for couples of all backgrounds and beliefs, and I always look forward to returning. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful and beautiful place to say “I do.”

  • In the Heart of Santa Barbara

    •Verified review
    •Casey G.•Jul 1

    I cannot recommend this venue enough! From a vendor’s perspective, it’s incredibly well run. Every time I cater here, I know the experience will be seamless not only for me, but for the couple and their guests. Joanie is amazing to work with too! Load-ins are smooth, they provide a full commercial kitchen (which is truly rare in venues in SB) and the onsite team is professional, communicative, and genuinely passionate about each event.

  • Best Venue to work at!

    •Verified review
    •Lucky Penny E.•Jun 30

    As a wedding planner, I absolutely love working at this venue! The space is charming and intimate, with a beautiful on-site ceremony location that makes the flow of the day seamless. I especially appreciate the indoor/outdoor layout, which offers great flexibility and peace of mind for couples. The staff is truly a dream—so easy to work with, responsive, and genuinely invested in making each event a success. It's always a pleasure planning weddings here, and I can’t recommend it enough to couples looking for a venue that’s both picturesque and planner-friendly!

Real couples who got married at Unitarian Society Of Santa Barbara

Show all photos

Explore other vendors serving Santa Barbara, CA

Complete your dream team

Other venues in Santa Barbara

Other wedding services nearby