A Mattei's Tavern Wedding in Los Olivos: Married Under the Water Tower
Erin & Kyle's Mattei's Tavern Wedding in Los Olivos
For more than a century, Mattei's Tavern has been a place where people gather to eat, drink, and celebrate, and on December 20th, Erin and Kyle added their wedding day to that history. They married in Los Olivos, in the Santa Ynez Valley about 45 minutes northwest of Santa Barbara, with eighty of their closest family and friends. As a Santa Barbara wedding photographer, I invite every opportunity to photograph a Mattei's Tavern wedding, for the clean air, the golden-hour light, and the way it all unfolds here without anyone having to leave.
A Place with a Past
Mattei's Tavern (pronounced "Maddy's") was established in 1886 by the Mattei family, originally known as the Central Hotel, then Hotel Los Olivos, before landing on its now-iconic name. From its earliest incarnation as a popular stagecoach stop and later a secret hangout during Prohibition, Mattei's has always drawn people together. In 2023, the Auberge Resorts Collection took over to reimagine it as the calm, considered inn it is today, set among mountain views, vineyards, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The Night Before
Erin and Kyle's weekend began before the wedding did, with an intimate rehearsal dinner in the tavern's private dining room and a welcome party at the pool. It was December, so while the evening ran a bit chilly, it was warmed by the guests, drinks in hand, gathered in close to the heaters. A wedding here can be a whole weekend, not just a single afternoon.
Getting Ready & the First Look
On the morning of the 20th, Erin and her closest people got ready in the Cypress cottage, a one-bedroom on the east side of the property with its own entrance on Nojoqui Avenue. When you're choosing where to stay and get ready, the cottages have their own advantage: more privacy, sitting on the opposite side of the grounds from the main block of guest rooms.
Kyle and his closest people got ready across the property in the Hartley House, a separate historic home you can rent for the wedding day, so each side has a space of their own. It also set the scene for Erin and Kyle’s first look.
When it comes to your wedding-day timeline, I always advise building in more time than you think you'll need. That extra buffer between getting ready, the first look, and portraits is where the in-between moments happen, creating a calm, relaxed atmosphere, even as the day moves quickly. Because your wedding isn't really about the timeline or letting a shot list dictate how your day unfolds. It's about being fully present, surrounded by the people you love most.
Afternoon Ceremony on the Tavern Lawn
Erin and Kyle married at 3:30pm on the Tavern Lawn, in front of Lucy's Garden House, underneath the water tower. A December wedding means shorter days, especially on the day before the winter solstice, so a slightly earlier ceremony lends itself to the best light. It was the kind of fair-weather afternoon Los Olivos is known for, with cool air and warm sun without a cloud in the sky. By the time they said their vows, the sun had slipped behind the palm tree at the edge of the lawn, shading Erin and glowing behind the newlyweds as they walked back down the aisle.
Their florals, designed by Ojala Florals out of Ojai in a classic palette of white and green, paired so naturally with the gardens already growing across the property that they looked like they'd always been a part of it.
From Cocktail Hour to the Barn
One of the real advantages of a Mattei's Tavern wedding is how little of it is spent in transit. Guests spent cocktail hour at Gin's Tap Bar, just steps from the lawn, imbibing in wine and cocktails expertly crafted by Mattei's own mixologists, before flowing into the adjacent barn. With just eighty guests, Erin and Kyle's reception fit easily inside, where a mix of long farmhouse tables and classic rounds set the scene for dinner before the tables were pushed back to enjoy the real party, the dance floor. Erin and Kyle celebrated as newlyweds, partying into the night with their guests. And when it all came to a close, it was only a short stroll back to the cottage.
Why I Keep Coming Back
From photographing weddings here, to getting married here myself, I know this property both as a photographer and as a bride. What I've realized is that it's not just the rich history, or the beautifully manicured grounds that make this venue what it is. It's the people.
It's the team at Mattei's, and the vendors you bring in alongside them, all there to bring your vision to life. For my own wedding, I wanted to bring touches of Italy to the Santa Ynez Valley, and Mattei's said yes to every request: a flatbread pizza station served alongside spritzes at cocktail hour, a custom panzanella salad at dinner, and the willingness to create an off-menu millefoglie dessert. That level of care is what you'll never see in a photo of the property, but it's what you feel all day.
There's something about Mattei's that feels like a home away from home. A place where you'll want to gather all your favorite people for a weekend, while showing them all that the charming town of Los Olivos has to offer. A place you'll return to for wedding anniversaries year after year, to stand again where you got married. Your wedding day passes too quickly to hold onto yourself, but your photographs are what you have left, preserving your moments into tangible memories for generations to come. And what a special job that is.
Venue: The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Collection / Planning: Kelly Patrice / Photography: Francesca Maria Photo / Florals: Ojala Floral / Hair & Makeup: Marla & Co. / Music: Good Mood / Officiant: Dr. Jon Ireland / Rentals: Theoni Collection / Cake: Enjoy Cupcakes
Planning Your Own Mattei's Tavern Wedding
What's the best time of year to get married at Mattei's Tavern?
Honestly, any time! I've visited in December, January, and all through spring, and the weather has been near perfect every time. When the marine layer fog rolls into coastal venues, the valley often stays sunny.
What time should the ceremony be?
Late afternoon, somewhere between 3 and 5 depending on the season. In winter, we lose light earlier, which is why Erin and Kyle's 3:30pm ceremony worked so well. In late spring, a 4:30pm ceremony is more optimal.
How late can you celebrate?
Later than most. A lot of wine-country venues wind down by 10 for the county's outdoor noise ordinance, but because the barn is indoors, Mattei's allows you to party until 1am, last I checked.
Where are the best spots for photos?
The great thing about Mattei's is the multitude of portrait locations on the property: the tavern bar for the groom portraits, flash photos in the red wallpapered coffee bar for something moodier, film portraits in front of the weathered wood by the barn and pool house, the greenhouse, the water tower, and the pathways in between at golden hour. My personal favorite is the wicker room midday just after first look, when the light outside turns harsh but filters into that room just right.
Where do you get ready, and where do guests stay?
The cottages are optimal, in my opinion, as they offer more privacy, situated on the opposite side of the property from the main block of guest rooms. Their configurations range from one-bedrooms to two-bedroom suites, offering more space for your wedding party to get ready. Alternatively, some couples opt for the 1,500-square-foot courtyard suite adjacent to the Lavender Barn on the west end of the property, and the historic Hartley House is available to rent for wedding-day use as well. Book a room block with the Mattei's team to offer your guests a chance to stay in the luxurious Auberge guestrooms, so at the end of the night, no one's more than a few steps away from their bed.
What is there to do the rest of the weekend?
Los Olivos is a charming town situated in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, filled with Michelin-starred dining options, some of the finest wine tasting rooms in California, rolling vineyards, and even the local Lavender + Olive Farm for olive oil tastings. If you opt to plan your additional weekend festivities off-site, check out Nella at the Fess Parker, SY Kitchen, or several of the local tasting rooms, or even host a welcome party at a nearby winery like Roblar.