Santa Margarita Ranch Reviews

Santa Margarita Ranch

Santa Margarita, CA

4.6 out of 5 rating, 60 reviews

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4.6 out of 5 rating

4.6

Very good

60 reviews

Recommended by 93% of couples

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Jleigh Sent on 03/18/2024

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Dream Venue

Hey there, so I recently had the pleasure of photographing a wedding at Santa Margarita Ranch and let me tell you, it was absolutely stunning! From the golden(or green depending on season) to the rustic barns, this venue is a dream come true for any romantic at heart.

The natural beauty of the ranch provided the perfect backdrop for my photos, allowing me to capture some truly magical moments between the bride and groom. The sprawling landscapes and charming architecture made every shot feel like something out of a fairytale.

Not only was the setting ideal for capturing beautiful images, but the staff at Santa Margarita Ranch were also incredibly helpful and accommodating. They went above and beyond to ensure that everything ran smoothly, making my job as a photographer that much easier.

Overall, I would highly recommend Santa Margarita Ranch as a wedding venue for any couple looking to add a touch of romance and enchantment to their special day. The natural beauty, attentive staff, and overall ambiance make it a photographer's dream location. JLeigh Photography can't wait to capture more love stories at this magical place in the future.
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Johanna Sent on 04/02/2020

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Stunning!!

This location makes for a spectacular wedding venue!! Our wedding turned out more beautiful than we could have ever imagined! The management is very professional, communicative, friendly and organized. Thanks again for having us!
Adrianne Sent on 12/13/2019

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Perfect setting for our Nov wedding

Santa Margarita Ranch will definitely not disappoint, especially for history buffs and for those that love the beauty of simplicity. Santa Margarita Ranch was our one and only vendor choice for our venue, we knew that it was the perfect setting for our wedding and never looked back! There is so much natural beauty on this ranch and so many of our guests talked about how amazing of a venue it was and how it was nothing like they had ever experienced before. We loved being able to utilize so many different areas of the ranch and the staff was so incredible. Oh, and as far as a setting for pictures, it’s simply the best. Do yourself a favor and book with Santa Margarita Ranch and you will be just as fulfilled as we are.
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Dixie Sent on 05/06/2018

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I had my wedding at the ranch on April 28, 2018 and it was absolutely perfect. All my guests were telling me how beautiful the venue is. You honestly don’t even need a lot of decorations because the ranch is already so breathtaking itself. It’s also really nice to have the ceremony and reception in the same place but it’s like having them in difference places because the ceremony is in the garden and the reception is in the barn. The staff on the ranch are really responsive and answered all my questions. I wish I could do it all over again!
Caili Sent on 05/18/2017

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We had a small midweek elopement at the ranch, and it was a wonderful location! The communication with Destini and Ana was excellent and we were very happy with everything.
Annie Sent on 03/06/2017

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Loved this venue! The barn was perfect for a February wedding. Ana and Destini were very accomodating and helpful throughout the whole process. Our pictures are amazing and I would book with the Santa Margarita Ranch 100 times over if I could!
Alyssa Sent on 02/15/2017

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I absolutely loved this venue! It was perfect for our wedding. All the staff were very professional and most importantly, extremely nice! They answered all the questions we had through out the entire process. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful wedding at Santa Margarita Ranch!
Elisa Sent on 10/13/2016

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We had the incredible luck of finding this venue while searching for barn locationss along the central coast. What a beautiful site... Our first tour through the venue and we knew we had to have our wedding here. All their staff was incredibly helpful and very flexible, especially since we were planning everything from out of town. We couldn't be more happy with how our day turned out. We had incredible weather, and from the ceremony under the tree, the cocktail hour in the garden, and the reception in the barn, everything was stunning. Our photos from that day reflect just how beautiful the scenery here is. It was also very helpful that the venue provided and set up all the seating, tables, and chairs, and we loved the bridal cottage where we could get ready. Highly recommend!!!
Jaclyn Sent on 03/21/2016

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We loved everything about our recent wedding at the Santa Margarita Ranch. Destini and Ana were great to work with throughout the process, and in the final days when rain was set to change our plans, the staff were wonderful in helping us think through how to move everything into the barn. In the end, our day was even more magical than we could have imagined. All our guests were raving about the venue and the history. We could not be happier with the venue and the experience.

Last thing, consider doing your wedding on a Sunday. Worked well for us!
User2532295 Sent on 02/11/2016

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The SMR staff was amazing. Efficient, thorough, helpful, and genuinely concerned to ensure that our wedding was successful. The train ride was a fun way for everyone to relax, and the sound of the steam engine with the whistle blowing just added to the whole event. We had heaters for the evening in the barn and guests were warm. We lit up the barn with additional uplighting and a chandelier on the dance floor which made it magical at night. I can't say enough about what a beautiful and unique place this is for a wedding.
Liz Sent on 10/29/2015

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We loved this venue! It made for a truly perfect wedding we have gorgeous pictures! Destini, was wonderful to work with. We loved having the steam engine train as well, so fun and different for a wedding. Our guests loved the venue as well. Wouldn’t have had our wedding anywhere else!!
Rachel Sent on 10/28/2015

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An incredibly gorgeous venue! I love the barn and the ceremony site. Also, the people working there are very nice and easy to work with. I had lots of questions and they were great at getting back to me really fast. This was the most perfect place to get married!
Claire Sent on 06/23/2015

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Beautiful setting clean and professional set up intimate cottage for bridal makeup and hair and attire
spacious
Rachel Sent on 05/22/2015

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Our wedding at Santa Margarita Ranch was absolutely breathtaking. The grounds are so beautiful and well maintained and made for such amazing pictures. If you are looking for a rustic/country wedding you need to check out this venue!! Also a major bonus for us was the fact that they allowed us to bring our own alcohol. That made the reception so much more fun and personal because we were able to have our own signature cocktails. The correspondence leading up to the wedding was also very pleasant. Overall it was a dream come true for me to get married here it was he perfect country wedding in CA!
Amanda Sent on 12/07/2014

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Such an amazing venue! The most beautiful place to get married in the area for the price. The group there is amazing to work with and very responsive with all questions. Other vendors in the area love working with them which made finding my caterer, florist etc insanely easy.
Greg Sent on 11/06/2014

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SMR was a hidden gem that I heard about through a friend. My wife and I fell in love with it immediately. Staff was great, event was flawless - even with our extremely high expectations the ranch (and the weather) delivered. The train was amazing - I'd definitely recommend adding that feature to your event.
Allisan Sent on 04/08/2014

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I can't say enough about Santa Margarita Ranch and all of it's support staff and employees! What a wonderful group of people. From the beginning of the planning stages, all the way through to the day of the event, they went above and beyond in helping us achieve the wedding we had been dreaming of.
Aubrey Sent on 02/04/2014

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Our dream wedding came true here. Wouldn't have done it any other way <3 the prefect location.
Janie Sent on 01/23/2014

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We had our daughters wedding held at the venue. Everyone was very good to work with and the wedding was beautiful.
Elizabeth Sent on 01/23/2014

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We loved this venue! Destini, Jasmyn and Jackson were wonderful to work with. Everyone was extremely helpful and made us feel like family. Our guests loved the venue as well.
Juan Sent on 12/02/2013

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What can we say about this facility aside that it is magical and amazing. Our interactions with Destini and Jazmyn were incredible and they were very flexible and willing to help us. The fact that the facility is such a beautifully historic site of California history adds to the allure and splendor.
This place is a treasure to behold!
Talia Sent on 11/02/2013

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The most beautiful venue ever! It made for a truly perfect wedding!
User1384734 Sent on 10/17/2013

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Great venue with so many different styles that could be used, dress it up or down , loved it !!
Wendi Sent on 05/22/2013

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Such a beautiful place, it speaks for itself. Our guests enjoyed the train ride with the history of this gorgeous place during the cocktail hour, such a fun and unique place! Destini was so easy to work with and willing to do as much as possible to accommodate us! If your looking for something unique at the central coast, this is your place!
Jennifer Sent on 05/22/2011

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First and foremost, the venue could not be any more beautiful! Obviously, that is why we picked it! It has the perfect rustic vibe with a little funky twist. What made it above and beyond though, as far as weddings go, was the staff. Everybody was sooo accomodating! Every question and email was answered back within the day with a pleasant response. They allowed us to view the ranch multiple times in preparation. The ranch was set up perfectly as we requested. Truly, awesome service skills. Even the train conductor and staff were beyond friendly! Thank you!!
Richard Sent on 01/20/2011

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I can't say enough about not only the venue itself, but also the helpful staff! Everyone that attended our wedding, including my wife and I, had an unbelievable time. We continue to get compliments about the beauty, comfort, and overall feel the ranch provides. I would recommended it to anyone who is interested in having a wedding they will remember till their dying days!

Thank you,
The Tillman's
Danielle Sent on 12/30/2010

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Santa Margarita Ranch served as a gorgeous wedding venue. It was exactly what we were looking for. The property itself has so much character and charm, nothing compared.

As far as quality of service, responsiveness, and professionalism go, Ally, Destini, and Melissa are absolutely wonderful! They were very attentive to our needs. Even though the venue is a private property it was never difficult to schedule an appointment to see the venue throughout our planning process. And they worked hard to make sure our needs and desires were met the day of.

The only negative aspect of the venue is that it does not have a kitchen so catering options may be limited. However, The Ranch suited our needs perfectly as we opted for delicious BBQ. That being said, The Ranch has endless photo opportunities. It's set just far enough outside any city that you feel as though you're away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And it's naturally and professionally landscaped to perfection year- round.

I would highly recommend Santa Margarita Ranch. It's well worth the investment.
Rebecca Sent on 12/29/2010

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The Santa Margarita Ranch is such a beautiful place and we're so lucky to have been married there! The on-site staff (Allison & Destini) were very friendly yet completely professional. If you have any questions at all they're very quick to respond:) It's not a venue that you can visit on your own if you're doing your own planning. (It's a private residence). However, the staff is very flexible with scheduling meeting times for you to walk through the venue! (My husband, coordinators and I probably through 4-5 times). Keep in mind though...if you're planning your wedding here you'll want a day of coordinator at the very least!The afternoon/evening of our wedding was amazing! Everything looked exactly as I had imagined and the entire wedding/reception went off without a hitch! If you're looking to get married on a beautiful and historic part of the central coast then the SMR is definitely for you!:)
Kim Sent on 12/27/2010

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This venue is amazing!! I have the most gorgeous pictures. Destini and Allison were so helpful. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a unique rustic feel.
Jamie Sent on 08/17/2017

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The ranch is beautiful and Ana and Desiree were so helpful and accommodating along the way!
Ashley Sent on 12/17/2016

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The ranch was so beautiful. We had our ceremony in the garden and our reception in the barn. There were so many locations for pictures and the garden provided the perfect backdrop. We could not have found a better location for our day!
Amy Sent on 09/16/2013

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I loved how prepared this venue was for exactly my needs. Awesome, trained staff and beautiful area. So glad we chose this place!!
L Sent on 03/26/2017

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We loved getting married here! Anna and Destini answered every question we asked and helped us have a perfect day!
Lauren Sent on 08/22/2016

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We were so glad we chose to get married at Santa Margarita Ranch! The venue was so beautiful, we didn't need to spend much on decorations (which was a great bonus!) Everyone I was in contact with was friendly and helpful, and got back to me quickly. They were even able to help us get a price we could afford since we were flexible with our date. Highly recommend!
Christine Sent on 10/11/2015

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This was the most beautiful venue. We loved how flexible the staff was, and how friendly everyone was! We did have some trouble with contacting the events person, due to the main coordinator being out on maternity leave. But once that hiccup was fixed, everything went very smoothly. Chairs, tables, set up, and break down were all provided for us, which saved us a significant amount of time. Our family and friends were able to enjoy themselves with minimal stress. I'd definitely (and have been) recommending this beautiful venue to anyone getting married!!
User1977523 Sent on 12/19/2014

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This is a gorgeous venue that is decently priced in the California state area. It is so perfect for what my fiancé and I wanted!
User1654950 Sent on 06/10/2014

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Such a perfect venue, WELL worth the money! The team was fantastic- totally professional, helpful throughout the whole process, and fun to work with.
Kelly Sent on 08/13/2010

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What a beautiful place. Everyone said "how did you find this place??" Such a beautiful barn. I couldn't of asked for anything better. Everyone was so helpful and the price was PERFECT. Thank you.
Valerie Sent on 10/27/2010

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The venue was beautiful and perfect for our wedding. Like another reviewer, my guests kept asking me how I found the place. They had a great time at the ranch, the barn was great and so was the antique train! When we first signed on at the ranch we dealt with Destini and she was great. As the wedding got closer, we were transferred over to the new ranch coordinator, Allison. At times she was responsive, and at other times she was slow to respond and did not seem as accommodating and professional as Destini was. Overall, I have no regrets choosing the ranch. My "complaints" are minor, and should not steer anyone away from this beautiful place, but rather just to be more persistent when you need to be! LOVED this place!
Linda Sent on 09/15/2013

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Our event was a rousing success due in good part to the uniqueness of the venue, the event staff and the outside vendors we hired. Destini and her staff couldn't have been more helpful, responsive, supportive and enjoyable to work with. Our only criticism is that for the cost of the venue more services should be included.
The bathroom situation could be improved particularly at the wedding sight. The windmill needs repair or elimination. When we signed the contract the marquee sign was included and yet at the time of the wedding it was no longer there. At $6000. on a Friday improvements should be seriously contemplated.
User6775729 Sent on 01/01/2013

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Santa Margarita Ranch was my dream venue! They have a stunning barn and facility. Unfortunately it rained on my wedding day so all the festivities were moved to the barn. This turned out to be better than I could have ever wanted. It was so beautiful.
They are not the best at responding and do not help on the day of the wedding so make sure you have lots of hands on deck or a great wedding planner :)
the tables and chairs they provide are not as convenient as they make it seem. I think the place is over-priced, but I love everything about the property itself. The lighting isn't very bright so you may have to bring in more depending on the time of the wedding. So all the "included' amenities don't necessarily save you anything.
Nonetheless, they are willing to work with you and i wouldn't have wanted my wedding any where else
Jennifer Sent on 02/14/2011

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This couldn't have been a more perfect venue for my husband and I to have our wedding. The staff was awesome to work with and it turned out to be a truly magical day that blended our styles and personalities to a "T." From the amazing architecture and history to the ecclectic treasures in abundance on the property it did not dissapoint anyone, and was a day to forever be remembered.
Arielle Sent on 10/10/2016

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The venue is breathtaking and the photographs turn out stunning!! LOVE everything about the ranch, my dream wedding came true here!
Stephanie Sent on 09/18/2014

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The Santa Margarita Ranch is BEAUTIFUL!!! I couldn't be more happy that we had our wedding there. Destiny is amazing, and very responsive. The only reason that I didn't give them 5 stars, was because of Jazmyn. She was impossible to get a hold of. All of her responses took over a week. When we got married, I still hadn't heard back from her from my last email. She does say that you can call and text her, but when you're working & trying to plan a wedding, the last thing you want to do is have to hunt someone down. (Also, just a suggestion, maybe put some fans in the barn:)
Melissa Sent on 12/27/2010

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Loved this venue hands down the best ive found.

150 ppl at the wedding and it was a great size!

warning though- have a wedding planner / coordinator if you are going to get married here HANDS DOWN. i didnt and it was pretty tough trying to do everything myself with some ladies and no real on site contact that is available all the time.

And if you want a good catering- In good taste with Elaine is FANTASTIC. she's got your back.
Jessica Sent on 05/03/2011

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we had the perfect cowboy and cowgirl wedding. the area is beautiful and i couldnt have asked for more as far as the scenary. i do have two complaints that i realized that day. the first is that the bridal cottage is not that fancy - i had planned on getting ready in here we made it work but the cottage is super dusty and the floor was filthy which made getting my dress on a huge hassle and very tricky. also, this ranch is used quite frequently there was an event the night before and the day after my wedding - when we arrived the morning of the wedding to the barn it stunk of stale beer which after some research i realized that at the end of the event the night before the cleanup crew emptied the kegs into the bushes near the front of the barn! how rude! luckily there was a strong wind at the ranch later that day during the reception.
Chelsea Sent on 04/07/2010

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  4 out of 5 rating
Santa Margarita Ranch is a wonderful Venue. I would recommend it to any bride looking to have a ranch wedding. It is a beautiful place and my guests are still raving about it.
Lauren Sent on 07/27/2012

4.2 out of 5 rating
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Santa Margarita Ranch is a beautiful place to get married! The barn and garden are both perfect for the event. Overall, our experience with the ranch was great and our wedding turned out wonderfully. Throughout the process I did have some difficulty getting responses in a timely manner and would sometimes have to ask a question a few times. I feel when you are spending as much money as they charge you should get faster answers. I also had to work with a few different people during the process which made for a little confusion. They are also strict on times that the gate to the property are open and sometimes that can be hard for vendors to work with. Destini was very helpful throughout the whole process and Adriana did a great job making sure our event was set up correctly and the day ran smoothly.
Nikki Sent on 10/20/2011

4.2 out of 5 rating
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We had our wedding at SM Ranch 2 weeks ago and it was amazing. It make for some amazing wedding pictures!! It's an unforgetable place!
We love the location! It was the perfect set up for a beautiful wedding. We were bounced around to a few different venue managers during our course of wedding planning which made it a little hard. Destini is the most helpful and knowledgable. Our rehearsal was sort of double booked but they were nice enough to let us do our rehearsal there in the first place so I didn't mind. Things were not set up as planned on the day of but the nice guy they had working there that morning worked his butt off to make me happy :) And when a few of our groomsman left their gift bags behind and the got tossed - someone when in the dumpster and got them out. That was very sweet. I would highly recommend using this venue!!
Scott Sent on 12/07/2011

4.1 out of 5 rating
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  4 out of 5 rating
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We chose this amazing place, not for its price, which was just ok, but because we knew how much money we could save on decorations if we have our reception in a place with so much character! Every guest loved our wedding and the ranch was beautiful!! Of course, we chose the rainiest and coldest day of the year! We had three large blowers and had to get and additional 6 or 7 floor heaters. Our suggestion....if your wedding is during a time of year that may bring cold weather...GET THE HEATERS!
Jehana Sent on 03/12/2014

4 out of 5 rating
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loved the venue. so beautiful! and the train added a special touch
S Sent on 08/14/2013

4 out of 5 rating
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  5 out of 5 rating
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  4 out of 5 rating
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  3 out of 5 rating
We had our wedding at the Santa Margarita Ranch last year and loved it. We got it at a good price before prices went up, so it was a relatively cheap option for us. It's a beautiful place and a beautiful barn. The security that they hire the day of was really friendly and helpful. The one SMR staff person we saw on our wedding (a gentleman whose name I don't remember) was also very friendly and helpful while we set up and took down our wedding.

There was only one small thing which I took one star off for: Our wedding planner was supposed to handle the finalization of the timeline for the day of our wedding. We were supposed to arrive at 7am to set up the reception and an altar we built for the ceremony. We gave ourselves plenty of time so we could still have time to enjoy breakfast and lunch and get ready for our wedding at a relaxed pace. Our planner says that she CONFIRMED this with the ranch. The ranch says they didn't know. We arrive with 10 family members to help set up and a ton of decorations and the gate is locked. We frantically called every and any number we could find multiple times to try and unlock the gate so we could set up. While we were waiting a friendly neighbor came out to see what was going on. We explained the situation and apologized for all the cars. The neighbor said it was ok as long as we kept it down but that the ranch does this all the time. That on the weekends there is often people left waiting at the gate. We were finally let in at about 8 and the rest of our day had to be a little more rushed than we wanted. I don't know who dropped the ball, the ranch or the wedding planner. All I know is that if you're setting up your wedding, check, double check, and triple check that everyone is aware. Don't leave it up to anyone else.

Other than that, the venue was a beautiful place that we enjoyed getting married at. Communication was usually clear enough and quick enough and the price was right.
Lynn Sent on 05/23/2012

4 out of 5 rating
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  4.5 out of 5 rating
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  3.5 out of 5 rating
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  4.5 out of 5 rating
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  4 out of 5 rating
Santa Margarita Ranch is a beautiful venue. The options for personalizing are endless - allowing us to be creative and make the place our own. We offered the steam train as a cocktail hour activity, which was a total hit with our guests. Destiny and Adriana, along with the rest of the staff, were helpful and cooperative with our many requests to visit the Ranch to get more ideas, vision, etc. If you are looking for a truly unique and beautiful location for your wedding, we would highly recommend it!
Sarah Sent on 04/17/2012

4 out of 5 rating
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  4 out of 5 rating
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  3 out of 5 rating
The ranch is beautiful! You just have to see it and you know your wedding will be amazing. Its very popular so the calendar fills up quickly and they can be a little tricky to get a hold of. The bridal cottage is tiny, but hey its an original structure so what can you expect! The train was locked on our wedding day. I was hoping to be able to take photos inside the train but we did not make those arrangements prior to day of, and were not informed that we needed to either. It is a picture perfect representation of the central coast, your wedding photos will be the proof!
User1928137 Sent on 11/18/2014

3.9 out of 5 rating
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  3 out of 5 rating
Had an amazing wedding at SMR. People were helpful, so responsive when I had questions. I couldn't have picked a better place to get married!
Tamara Sent on 10/03/2012

3.9 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  5 out of 5 rating
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  3.5 out of 5 rating
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  4 out of 5 rating
This venue is beautiful for any occasion. The historic value alone is worth a visit.
SMR took very good care of me. Communications, arrangements, visitations and multiple walk-throughs were easy and efficient.
We operated the train for our wedding reception and a last minute change from the steam engine (which we requested) to diesel had to be made to ensure the safety of our guests due to the extreme heat. We were disappointed BUT the train crew and SMR was very kind and apologetic and they refunded us the difference in cost!
All in all, the beauty and hospitality make it a great place for any wedding!
Amanda Sent on 04/01/2012

3.9 out of 5 rating
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  3.5 out of 5 rating
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  3.5 out of 5 rating
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  4.5 out of 5 rating
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The wedding site was gorgeous! We have the best photos! We were bounced around a few different times with coordinators which was frustrating however, Destini was the constant. She was very responsive to all emails and questions.

My only complaint would be there flexibility. During my wedding there was two different couples walking around being shown the venue. This frustrated me because I felt slightly intruded upon and stared at during photos. When I questioned Destini about this she stated that this was policy and they are able to show the venue during weddings. Bummer :| I wasn't able to see it on a wedding day when my husband and I were looking for venues I came on a Tuesday. It is a minor detail.

Overall the venue was exactly what I wanted! 225 people.
User5897660 Sent on 05/27/2013

3.3 out of 5 rating
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  5 out of 5 rating
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  2 out of 5 rating
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  2.5 out of 5 rating
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  5 out of 5 rating
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  2 out of 5 rating
We completely fell in love with SMR and couldn't help but use it even though it was priced higher then many other venues. It is even more beautiful then it looks in the pictures.

Downsides: price, the on site assistant is very unresponsive(we wouldn't get important email responses for over a week), limits to decor and no kitchen for caterers.

Again, the venue is absolutely gorgeous and we wouldn't have changed our venue for the world. But, when considering a venue make sure you weigh the pros vs cons of each.
User912437 Sent on 08/25/2012

3.1 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  4 out of 5 rating
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  2.5 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  3 out of 5 rating
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  3 out of 5 rating
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  3 out of 5 rating
the ranch was beautiful during my wedding and reception.
They are very professional on the day of the ceremony. the only thing that was disappointing was trying to get a hold of them. It was too close to the day to hear about things that need to be changed
User2036241 Sent on 02/10/2015

2.8 out of 5 rating
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  1 out of 5 rating
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I'll start with saying that the ranch/property is absolutely beautiful and I would not have wanted my wedding anywhere else. Despite that, the customer service left much to be desired. I'm not sure if they know they've got you over a barrel because the venue itself is amazing but for how much they charge I expected more. First of all the two women I dealt with were very difficult to get a hold of..I would send them emails and wouldn't hear back for multiple days which makes planning very hard. I understand they are part time employees but how hard is it to answer an email? Not only that, for being in the hospitality industry they were not very personable AT ALL. Not once did I hear from either of them to have a great time etc etc..they just were not friendly at all, and borderline rude. Why are you working in the wedding industry where you are supposed to be excited for your customers but instead you just seem annoyed or put off? Like I said, despite that everything else was great but don't expect too much help from the liaisons, or personality.

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