Alisal Guest Ranch Wedding at the Historic Old Adobe

Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort has been hosting memorable weddings for generations. In fact, it has been the locale of celebrity nuptials starting with Clark Gable and Lady Sylvia many years ago. Besides offering picture-perfect backdrops for the nature and woodland-inspired wedding, the main ranch offers exclusivity for wedding couples, their families and guests, with a ranch buy-out (or in some cases, a “partial” buy-out). Alisal is not a typical hotel and because it focuses on a dedicated daily “program” for guests that is part of the Alisal legendary guest experience, all weddings require a “buy-out” of some kind, so Alisal can deliver the experience and service for which it is known. There are several options for Alisal Guest Ranch weddings and receptions and one of our absolute favorites is that of the historic Old Adobe. (helpful hint: if a ranch “buy-out” is not an option for one’s spending plan, consider the lovely Alisal River Terrace with beautiful sweeping hill views and small private lake at one of the best “steals” value-wise in wine country)

We’re not going to sugar coat it: weddings at the Old Adobe are a logistical “cluster wad” of coordination & timing planning with Alisal’s strict event policies and matching it to make it work with the wedding client’s vendors, fees and more (which is why event clients must hire from Alisal’s list of pre-approved Coordinators- no exception – requiring detailed experience with this particular venue). It is another reason Alisal requires a “buy-out” for weddings: it ensures a smooth-running event for all so that guests leave with the memory of a lifetime. And to create that memory of a lifetime takes some serious planning with prior experience to this venue’s unique challenges and requirements.

Allyson and Darren’s Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort wedding was the stuff Alisal wedding dreams are made of. It started with a Creekside wedding in the lush woodland shade and immediately following, guests boarded Alisal hay trucks for the 20 minute scenic drive to historic Old Adobe, passing the Alisal lake and enjoying the panoramic views of Santa Barbara’s wine country, the Santa Ynez Valley. Once they arrived to the Old Adobe, they were greeted with an open bar, amazing appetizers , entertainment and a succulent supper prepared by Executive Chef Pascal Gode. As the sun set, the creative lighting dripping from the canopy of trees overhead cast soft magic on the evening’s dancing and celebration while a campfire was built and guests enjoyed s’mores in the later hours of the event before departing under a star-studded sky for the drive back to their guest bungalows on the main ranch.