Rows of wooden chairs on the lawn facing a red floral arch in front of the wooden barn marked with the Varian V

The Ranch at Varian Equestrian wedding venue in Arroyo Grande

Vows beside the barns where champion Arabians were bred.

The Ranch at Varian Equestrian at a glance

guests max
250
Acres of the former Varian Arabians ranch
200
A bride on the lawn holding the lead of a white Arabian horse beside a barn

§ 01 — From the editors

An Arabian horse legend's ranch, now set for weddings

For decades this was Varian Arabians, home of the late horsewoman Sheila Varian and the birthplace of some of the most celebrated Arabian horses anywhere. Two-time Olympic pole vaulter Simon Arkell and his wife, Caprice, now own the 200 acres off Corbett Canyon Road and have opened the barns, lawns and rose garden to weddings, with Arabians still grazing the pastures.

Pick it for the setting and the flexibility: a lawn ceremony over the little wooden bridge, cocktails in the Rose Garden, dinner in the Stallion Barn Courtyard under bistro lights, and portraits in tree-lined Arabian Lane at sunset. You bring your own caterer and alcohol, plan on a month-of coordinator, and know that every space is outdoors.

Tyann Daoutis · Editor

§ 02 — The venue

About the venue

The Ranch at Varian Equestrian at 1275 Corbett Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande, is the former Varian Arabians horse ranch: 200 acres with barn courtyard, lawn and rose garden spaces for weddings of up to 250, getting-ready suites and bring-your-own alcohol with an approved bar service.

Spaces & capacity

The Ranch at Varian Equestrian hosts weddings of up to 250 guests in the Stallion Barn Courtyard, on the Museum Barn Lawn and in the Rose Garden, with Arabian Lane for smaller ceremonies and long-table dinners.

Location

The ranch is at 1275 Corbett Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande, on 200 acres of rolling hills and pasture.

Good to know

Rentals run 8 am to 11 pm with a 6-hour event ending by 10 pm. Couples may bring their own alcohol with an approved bar service, month-of coordination is required, and The Suite and The Casita can be added for overnight stays.

Ceremony

Where you can say "I do"

  • Ranch / Open Field
  • Barn
  • Garden

Reception

Where the party goes

  • Ranch / Open Field
  • Courtyard
  • Garden

§ 03 — The setting

The setting

Photos: The Ranch at Varian Equestrian

§ 04 — Costs

What it costs, what it covers

What the site fee covers

Pricing model: Custom Quote

  • Private venue use 8 am to 11 pm (10 hours, event ends by 10 pm)
  • Stallion Barn Courtyard, Museum Barn Lawn and Rose Garden
  • Bridal suite and groom suite for getting ready
  • Catering prep area with ice machine, running water and air conditioning
  • Built-in restrooms
  • Bistro lighting and night-time uplighting
  • Tables and chairs with most packages (All About Events)

You'll still book

  • Caterer

    Outside caterer; a prep area is on site.

  • Bar service

    Venue-approved and insured, if you bring your own alcohol.

  • Wedding coordinator

    Required: month-of at minimum.

  • Photographer

    Your choice.

    Bethany Joy Photography
  • Florist

    Your choice.

  • Guest lodging

    The Suite and The Casita on site; more in Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach.

    Pismo Beach lodging

Vendor policy

Outside caterer. Bring your own alcohol with a venue-approved, insured bar service (no self-service). Licensed month-of coordination at minimum. Vendors outside the preferred list need venue approval before you sign.

§ 05 — Questions

Questions couples ask

The Ranch at Varian Equestrian is at 1275 Corbett Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420, on 200 acres of rolling hills off Corbett Canyon Road between Arroyo Grande and the Edna Valley.

The ranch hosts weddings of up to 250 guests. The Stallion Barn Courtyard, the Museum Barn Lawn and the Rose Garden are each listed for up to 250.

The spaces are the Stallion Barn Courtyard beside the historic Stallion Barn, the Museum Barn Lawn with its wooden bridge, the Rose Garden for pre-ceremony gatherings and cocktail hour, and Arabian Lane, a tree-lined lane by the Arabian horse pastures for smaller ceremonies and long-table dinners.

Ceremonies are held on the Museum Barn Lawn or in the Stallion Barn Courtyard, each for up to 250 guests. Arabian Lane suits smaller ceremonies under the trees.

This was the longtime home of horsewoman Sheila Varian, whose Varian Arabians ranch bred some of the best-known Arabian horses in the world. It is now owned by two-time Olympic pole vaulter Simon Arkell and his wife, Caprice.

The venue is yours privately between 8 am and 11 pm, with 10 total use hours and a 6-hour event time that ends no later than 10 pm.

Yes. The venue includes separate bridal and groom getting-ready areas. The Suite (sleeps up to four) and The Casita (sleeps up to two) can also be added as overnight accommodations.

Yes. You can provide your own alcohol, but it must be served by a venue-approved professional bar service that meets the venue's insurance and Responsible Beverage Service requirements. Self-service alcohol is not permitted.

Yes. Every wedding needs licensed, insured professional coordination, at minimum month-of, and the coordinator cannot be in the wedding party or a guest.

Yes. The ranch has a preferred vendor list, and outside vendors are welcome once the venue approves them before you sign. There is a catering prep area with an ice machine, running water, new appliances and air conditioning.

Tables and chairs are included with most wedding packages, supplied by All About Events with setup and breakdown.

Yes. Elopements, ceremony only or ceremony and reception, can be booked Monday to Thursday, and on weekends within three months of the date.

The ranch recommends inquiring 9 to 18 months ahead for weddings. A signed agreement and retainer secure the date, and the venue is available year round.

Yes, there is plenty of on-site parking and there are built-in restrooms. The ranch has internet, but coverage in the canyon is weaker than in town, so it suggests vendors bring a hotspot.

Yes, private tours are scheduled by appointment after an initial inquiry. Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date, estimated guest count and the spaces you prefer, and our editors will forward your inquiry to The Ranch at Varian Equestrian's events team within one business day.

Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date, estimated guest count and the spaces you prefer, and our editors will forward your inquiry to The Ranch at Varian Equestrian's events team within one business day.

Check your date at The Ranch at Varian Equestrian

Map showing the location of The Ranch at Varian Equestrian

1275 Corbett Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Get directions

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