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Weddings

Attributes highlighted by couples

Quality catering
Unique aesthetic style
Guests comfort
Amenities

About this vendor

Matthew and Nicole Abbate
Matthew and Nicole Abbate
Owner

4 years in business

We speak English

Small team (2-10 members)

Tucked into the rolling hills of California’s Central Coast, Tar Creek Ranch is an elegant and unfussy wedding venue that blends relaxed ranch charm with a refined sense of celebration. This working ranch, surrounded by golden hills, ancient oaks, and wide-open skies, offers a setting that feels both effortless and unforgettable.

At Tar Creek Ranch, we believe your wedding should feel like you — thoughtful, intentional, and easy in all the right ways. Every event is hosted with genuine hospitality and care, creating an experience that’s as seamless as it is beautiful. From the first visit to the final dance, our team works closely with your planner to ensure your day unfolds naturally, without rush or pretense.

We’re known for our inviting spaces, from the open-air Pavilion overlooking the hills to the weathered barn that comes alive at night, each one offering endless opportunities to design a celebration that’s authentically yours.

We are fully booked for 2026 and are now touring and booking for 2027 and beyond.

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FAQ

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

No

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

No

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Chairs
Parking
Tables

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

1

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

5

Describe your venue:

Barn
Farm/Ranch
Garden

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Liability Insurance
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What event items are available?

Altar/Arch
Chairs
Dance Floor
Lighting
Tables
Tents

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
May
November
December

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of Tar Creek Ranch

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

Tar Creek Ranch in Arroyo Grande is a highly recommended wedding venue with impeccable grounds and versatile event spaces. The stunning landscape and rustic yet romantic barn provide a picturesque setting for a memorable celebration. The attentive and welcoming staff, led by Matthew and Holly, are praised for their professionalism and dedication to making each event flawless. Guests appreciate the modern amenities, from the beautiful tent for dining to the cozy ranch house for preparations, while the owners and event coordinator, Christina, are commended for their exceptional communication and support in ensuring seamless wedding planning and execution. This venue is described as a dream location for couples seeking a combination of elegance and rustic charm for their special day.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Tar Creek Ranch in Arroyo Grande is a highly recommended wedding venue with impeccable grounds and versatile event spaces. The stunning landscape and rustic yet romantic barn provide a picturesque setting for a memorable celebration. The attentive and welcoming staff, led by Matthew and Holly, are praised for their professionalism and dedication to making each event flawless. Guests appreciate the modern amenities, from the beautiful tent for dining to the cozy ranch house for preparations, while the owners and event coordinator, Christina, are commended for their exceptional communication and support in ensuring seamless wedding planning and execution. This venue is described as a dream location for couples seeking a combination of elegance and rustic charm for their special day.

Weddingwire
5.0/5 9 reviews
Google
5/5 22 reviews
S
Shea Sent on 10/29/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Five Stars!!!!

I recently had the pleasure of planning a wedding at Tar Creek Ranch, and it was an incredible experience! The property is absolutely breathtaking, with impeccably maintained grounds and a stunning landscape that offers a range of versatile event spaces, each bringing its own magic to the occasion. The venue staff is not only helpful but genuinely warm and welcoming. I can’t wait to bring more of my clients to Tar Creek Ranch—it’s truly a top choice for a memorable and beautiful event. Highly recommend!
Kate
Kate Sent on 08/10/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding Venue Of Your Dreams

If you’re even questioning which venue to book for your wedding, trust that you are getting what you hope for and then some if you choose Tar Creek Ranch. The grounds are beautiful, the barn is stunning, exceptionally clean, and has all the amenities you could need. The barn has been thoughtfully upgraded to compliment any taste. You also have access to an incredible guesthouse onsite which was a dream for the wedding weekend! Not to mention the owner, Matthew, and the gal who arranges events at the venue, Christina, couldn’t be nicer and both are exceptional communicators! They get back to you promptly and were beyond helpful with making the day seamless. If you have Tar Creek Ranch on your “potential venue” list, do yourself a favor and scratch the rest of the list. You have a dream venue with Tar Creek!
L
Laura Sent on 10/29/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Venue!

We can’t express enough what an absolute beautiful setting Tar Creek Ranch provided for our wedding!

Matthew and his team at Tar Creek Ranch take the time to understand your wedding vision in order to provide every opportunity to make that vision come to life. We felt a unique amount of support, flexibility, and communication while planning our wedding from everyone involved at TCR. Everyone is incredible friendly and took wonderful care of us and our vendors throughout the whole wedding weekend!

Tar Creek Ranch offered such an elegant environment with their one of a kind reception space: a beautiful, immaculately restored barn with gorgeous lighting, plenty of space for tables and a dance floor, and a two way bar for our guests to enjoy drinks inside or on the patio space! Our guests could not stop complimenting how lovely and peaceful the venue was.
We were also incredibly thankful for the house on the property that allowed us to host our rehearsal dinner and was a place for our bridal party to have a comfortable place to sleep the night before and get ready for the day!

We were thrilled to have so many stunning locations on the property for wedding pictures that helped capture the landscape of our beautiful town that we both love so much.
We have so many incredible, priceless memories from our wedding day that were possible thanks to Tar Creek Ranch. We completely recommend Tar Creek Ranch for any event you need!
K
Kasie Sent on 01/21/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Can I give more then 5 stars?!

Tar Creek Ranch in Arroyo Grande is a dream venue! As a photographer, I’m constantly on the lookout for properties that are not only stunning but also thoughtfully designed, and Tar Creek Ranch exceeds all expectations. Every inch of the property is meticulously cared for and feels like it was planned with a photographer’s perspective in mind. From breathtaking backdrops to well-maintained spaces, this venue offers endless opportunities for capturing timeless, unforgettable photos. The amazing crew behind Tar Creek Ranch is the icing on the cake—so welcoming, professional, and dedicated to making every event perfect. Highly recommend this incredible venue for couples looking to create lifelong memories!
Nicole
Nicole Sent on 11/15/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Our Dream Venue!

We are still in awe of the incredible experience we had at Tar Creek Ranch for our wedding! If you're dreaming of a rustic, barn-style wedding with elegance and charm, this is the place. From start to finish, everything was absolutely perfect.
The venue itself is a beautiful blend of rustic and romantic. The barn exudes character with its wooden beams, open space, and warm, inviting atmosphere. We loved how the space felt both intimate and expansive—perfect for creating the cozy, laid-back vibe we envisioned, while still providing room for all of our guests to dance the night away. The outdoor pavilion was also a wonderful space for our first dance and outdoor dining. The pavilion features a large tent with a clear top and sides, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful sunset while savoring their meal. In addition, the ranch house was a lovely space for my bridal party to stay and get ready for the day. The house offers amazing natural light and plenty of space for all of your guests.
The team at Tar Creek Ranch made the entire planning process seamless. From the moment we toured the venue to the last dance of the night, the staff was incredibly supportive, professional, and detail-oriented. They helped us bring our vision to life, whether it was coordinating the timeline, offering decor ideas, or ensuring everything went off without a hitch. On the wedding day, they handled everything with ease and grace, allowing us to focus on enjoying the moment.
Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how stunning the venue was! From the beautiful barn to the cocktail area and the pavilion, it truly provided the perfect setting for a memorable celebration. If you're considering a Central Coast wedding, Tar Creek Ranch is hands down the place to be. It’s the perfect blend of rustic charm and elegance, and the team is incredibly dedicated to making your day unforgettable. We're extremely grateful to have celebrated our love in such a beautiful place and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable wedding venue!
Ally
Ally Sent on 09/28/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Our DREAM venue!

This venue was beyond what we could have asked for out of a wedding venue!! Matthew and Holly were the best to work with and made the wedding planning process so easy for us. They were professional, quick with communication, and so kind to work with! Being from out of town and not close to the venue we truly appreciated them always being there to answer all our questions. Not to mention how stunning this venue is. From the outdoor ceremony space, to the beautiful tent for the dinner area and the barn for our reception this venue had it all. Also having an Airbnb on site for us to rent for the weekend made everything so convenient and we loved our stay there. Our guests could not stop complementing the venue. It is perfectly tucked away to make your wedding so intimate and special! We truly could not have asked for a better venue or people to work with. We HIGHLY recommend this venue to any couple getting married and promise your day will be as perfect as ours was! Thank you Tar Creek for making all our dreams come true!!
M
Megan Sent on 07/28/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Best wedding venue on the central coast

We literally had our DREAM wedding at Tar Creek Ranch. Rustic and elegant! Beautifully remodeled white barn for reception and lovely outdoor ceremony. Our wedding was around 180 guests who fit comfortably at the venue and raved about the beauty. My bridesmaids and I were able to stay and get ready at the house on the hill. The rental home is perfect and accommodated my 10 girls and I. The owner and wedding coordinator made this day and the months leading up to it as stress free as possible! We rented out the venue for the whole weekend and would recommend this location to anyone looking to get married on the central coast.
Michael
Michael Sent on 10/03/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The Perfect Venue

My (now) wife and I just got married here over the weekend. Coming from LA, we weren't very familiar with the area, but now the central coast and AG hold a special place in our heart. Matthew the owner and Holly the venue manager are so easy to work with. We told them what we were looking for in a venue and they checked all our boxes. We absolutely love the property and our guests were so impressed wondering how we even found the place. The propane fire pits are large and fully inflamed at night, perfect for our elderly family members that get cold easily. The two-way bar is so much fun and keeps your cocktail hour and reception so concise. Our bartender said it's one of their favorite bars to work at. The inside of the barn is absolutely stunning and we love having the option to do the reception dinner inside or outside. The ranch house was the perfect compliment for the rehearsal dinner, and getting ready the day of. Having the entire grounds for the wedding weekend is such a luxury. Everything is modern and elegant while maintaining the relaxing rustic ranch vibe we were going for. As we were leaving the property two days after getting married, I was getting emotional as I realized how much I'll miss this place. The only thing I regret is not exploring the property more as there is a lot of surrounding wilderness to enjoy. Fortunately you can rent the ranch house on Airbnb, which I can't wait to do for future anniversaries.
Harrison
Harrison Sent on 08/14/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Venue!

This venue was absolutely perfect for our wedding! The barn is the perfect combination of elegant and rustic, allowing our reception to feel both classy and homey. We comfortably fit 160 people into the barn for a seated dinner, with the buffet table for the food just outside the barn doors. We also loved the patio outside where guests could go to talk away from the music inside. We also had access to the ranch house, which was the perfect place for our rehearsal dinner and for my bridesmaids and I to get ready the morning of the wedding. The grounds of this venue are stunning, so no need to travel anywhere off property for a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos! Finally, Matthew and Christina are very prompt and professional. They were so helpful to us in the planning process and throughout the wedding weekend. This is the perfect venue to encompass all of your wedding weekend needs!
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Awards

9
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Team

Matthew and Nicole Abbate
Matthew and Nicole Abbate
Owner

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Tar Creek Ranch frequently asked questions

Tar Creek Ranch includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Parking
  • Tables
The space offered by Tar Creek Ranch for wedding events is known for:
  • Barn
  • Farm/Ranch
  • Garden
Tar Creek Ranch offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Tar Creek Ranch offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Tar Creek Ranch offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Liability Insurance
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
Tar Creek Ranch offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Altar/Arch
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Lighting
  • Tables
  • Tents
Tar Creek Ranch is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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