How Much Does It Cost to Get Married at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara?

One of the first questions couples ask when searching for a wedding venue in Santa Barbara is simple:

“How much does it cost?”

At the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (USSB), we believe couples deserve clear, honest information so they can plan confidently.

The most important thing to know:

👉 USSB is a raw space wedding venue.

This means we provide the beautiful historic setting and support staff — and you bring in your own professional vendors to create the wedding that reflects your vision.

Below is a straightforward guide to our venue rental pricing.

Wedding Venue Rental Pricing (Raw Space)

Wedding venue rental at USSB typically ranges from:

$5,500 to $9,500
for ceremony and reception

This pricing is for use of the venue space only.

Rates vary depending on:

Guest count
Day of the week
Time of year
Length of rental
Whether you choose to add tables and chairs from USSB

Tables and chairs are not automatically included in your rental price but are available as an optional add-on package.

We also offer smaller and ceremony-only options.

Micro-Wedding Pricing

For couples planning a smaller celebration:

Starting at $1,250

Micro-weddings are ideal for:

Up to 30 guests
Simple, intimate ceremonies
Couples seeking a meaningful and affordable option
Couples who don’t need a Ceremony Rehearsal

Ceremony-Only Pricing

For couples hosting receptions elsewhere:

Starting at $2,500

This includes use of our beautiful sanctuary or garden and professional on-site staff. A Rehearsal date is included in this package as well.

Reception-Only Pricing

For couples already married or hosting their ceremony elsewhere:

Starting at $4,500

Our historic Parish Hall and Courtyard provide a warm and elegant setting for your celebration.

Important: Professional Wedding Planner Required

Because USSB is a raw space venue, all weddings with receptions are required to hire a professional wedding planner or coordinator.

A planner ensures:

Vendor coordination
Timeline management
Setup and breakdown oversight
A seamless guest experience
Proper care of the facility

This is an essential part of hosting a successful wedding in a non all-inclusive venue and should be included in your overall budget planning.

What’s Included in Your Venue Rental

Your venue rental includes:

Exclusive use of your reserved event spaces
Professional on-site USSB staff
Setup and breakdown of venue-owned items
Getting-ready space
Ceremony rehearsal time (except for micro-weddings)
Vendor access for planning
Optional table and chair add-on packages

There are no hidden service charges and no mandatory catering packages.

You have the flexibility to choose your own catering, bar service, florist, entertainment, and design team from our Preferred Vendor list, which is extensive and curated from past, happy couples.

What Does a Full Wedding at USSB Typically Cost?

While the venue rental ranges from $5,500–$9,500, most couples who host their full wedding at USSB invest:

$25,000 to $45,000 total

This typically includes:

Venue rental
Professional wedding planner
Catering
Photography
Flowers
Music/Entertainment
Rentals (if not using USSB’s table and chair package)
Attire

Even with bringing in your own vendors, many couples find this is still significantly below the overall average cost of a Santa Barbara wedding — while offering far more customization and flexibility.