Persian-American Wedding

HILTON SANTA BARBARA
BEACHFRONT RESORT

MICHELLE & KASSRA • SANTA BARBARA, CA

For Michelle and Kassra, choosing the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort as their wedding venue was a no-brainer. Located at 633 E Cabrillo Blvd in Santa Barbara, the Hilton Beachfront Resort is a gorgeous space for any wedding.

After living in multiple cities across the country while each was in medical school, the couple recently settled in Santa Barbara. Hosting all their guests in their new home just felt right. The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort was the perfect locale for their wedding.

The couple brought in personal touches that showcased their fun personalities and Kassra's Persian heritage throughout the event. Their ceremony followed Persian traditions with modern design elements. Michelle's favorite was being blessed by all the married women with sugar to sweeten their life together. It's an interactive and amazing tradition, including the couple feeding one another honey.

"We wanted to create a beautiful, elegant, Persian party where people feel comfortable, welcome, well-fed, slightly inebriated and dance!"

Scroll to see photos from this stunning wedding with an epic dance party at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort!

Michelle + Kassra

vendors 

Hilton Santa Barbara Resort

Planning - Events by M and M
Florals - Honey and Poppies
Michelle's Gowns - Enzoani
Michelle's Shoes - Christian Louboutin
Kassra's Suit - Ted Baker

Hair/Makeup - Luna Bella
Band - InJoy Productions
Groom's Cake - Sugar Lab
Videography - Yours Truly Media

"I haven't even seen the photos yet, but I just want to share how much your kindness, positivity, professionalism, talent, aura, energy and light made our day so special. I would have lost my mind without you and your magical presence."

All About Weddings at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

All About Weddings at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

A one-of-a-kind wedding venue

As a wedding photographer, we have years of experience shooting various locations and venues across the country (literally – we’ve photographed over 300 weddings!). When navigating the wedding planning process, it can be so difficult to figure out venues, vendors, logistics, and budgets. That being said, we thought it would be helpful to give some information based on our experience photographing weddings at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. See all the details below!

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is located just a stone's throw from the ocean on E Cabrillo Blvd. Their stunning location on the California Coast has everything you could want for a beach wedding without worrying about the sand. All of the spaces have recently been renovated, including 60,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor space. The resort's famous circular rotunda has sweeping ocean and mountain views which will wow your guests.

THE BEST THINGS ABOUT GETTING MARRIED AT hilton santa barbara beachfront resort

Besides the incredible space, the best things about the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort are the service and flexibility. Whether you’re in the ballroom or rotunda, the Hilton team will ensure every detail is accounted for. The team also has significant experience in multicultural weddings.

You can have up to 700 guests (yes, really!) in the Plaza del Sol rotunda for a seated ceremony and dinner. This open-air patio facing the Pacific Ocean is a rarity in California. You can say your vows as the sun goes down and dance all night under the stars!

What’s also great about Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is that it is perfectly located. LAX and SBA airports are close by for international guests. Because the venue is a hotel, everyone can stay on site for easy access. The town of Santa Barbara is only minutes away, and the hotel concierge can arrange activities and events for your guests.

Photography Tips for Weddings at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Photography Tips for Weddings at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

how to find your dream wedding photographer

Weddings at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort are all about the setting — ocean views, open skies, palm trees, and that golden California light. It’s a dream location for couples who want a laid-back yet elegant coastal vibe, and photography here is all about using the natural light and landscape to your advantage.

The beachside location means you’ll be dealing with a lot of natural light, especially if you’re having a daytime ceremony. That’s a good thing, but it also means you’ll want a photographer who knows how to handle direct sun Look through portfolios and ask how they handle harsh light or mid-day sun, especially for afternoon ceremonies or beach portraits.

This venue also offers great variety for your photos without needing to go offsite: palm-lined paths, Spanish-style architecture, and views of the mountains and ocean. A good photographer will know how to move through these spaces efficiently, finding clean compositions while avoiding hotel guests.

And don’t forget to ask about flash! Receptions at the Hilton often take place indoors or on partially covered patios, so your photographer should be comfortable with artificial lighting that doesn’t overpower the mood. The best pros can bounce or balance flash to keep skin tones flattering and the atmosphere intact.

Ultimately, this venue is all about embracing the elements — light, breeze, sky, sea — and your photos should reflect that. Look for a photographer who knows how to lean into the natural beauty without making it feel too staged. Someone who can guide you confidently through the day while letting the environment shine through.








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