Ventana Inn & Spa: Big Sur Weddings + Eco-Friendly Retreat

My first experience with Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur was a couple years ago when I was asked to photograph a wedding there. Talk about a totally luxurious and majestic place to get married!

Ventana Inn is located just 3.5 hours south of San Francisco in Big Sur. (It sounds far…but believe me, if you take Highway One, it’s an incredible drive!) It’s location right along the coast makes for breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, coastline, state parks and national forests.

COME TO RELAX!

I particularly like Ventana Inn for the following reasons:

• Location in Big Sur: Dense forests of sequoia, cypress and redwoods + miles of jagged coastline +waterfalls + empty beaches = goodness.
• Grounds: Impeccably manicured. Immersed in Nature. Rustic. Incredible views. Lots of quiet and solitude.
• Cuisine: Some of the most creative, beautiful, and tasty food you’ll eat!
• Pampering: The incredible spa, (clothing optional) pools, open-air Japanese hot tubs, sauna, sun deck, and luxurious rooms. Need I say more?
• Exploring: There’s a ton to do, including biking, hiking, golf, cycling/mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, diving, surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and whale watching.

COME TO GET MARRIED!

Couples who choose the Ventana Inn as their wedding venue will be thrilled with the sheer beauty and attention to detail. And, your guests might just die and think they’ve gone to heaven. If you’re looking to do a destination wedding (or even if you’re not!), this is one location that promises to impress.

The Ventana Inn offer options for both small, intimate ceremonies and larger, more extravagant celebrations:

The Wedding Site – a secluded terrace that accommodates up to 80 people. It offers privacy and an uninterrupted 50-mile view of the Big Sur coastline.

The Upper Terrace – a terrace adjacent to The Restaurant at Ventana. It will accommodate up to 120 people and shares the same incredible ocean views as the Wedding Site.

Vista Del Mar – a smaller, secluded ceremony site nestled within The Restaurant at Ventana’s herb garden. Complete with a soothing, serene fountain, its size makes it perfect for intimate ceremonies with 10 or fewer people.

Green Initiatives:

And yes, I’ve saved the best for last. The Ventana Inn and Spa is eco-friendly! Not only will you feel good AFTER staying here, you can now feel good ABOUT staying here! Here’s all the great stuff they’re doing to be more sustainable:

Participate in an extensive, property-wide recycling program for paper, newspaper, cardboard, cans, glass, aluminum, plastic, fluorescent bulbs, dry cell batteries, small amounts of copper and brass, waste oil, paints, solvents, ink cartridges and unneeded office equipment.
Do not use Styrofoam anywhere on the property
Are a member of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program. Adhere to their guidelines on buying and serving seafood from sustainable sources.
Maintain on-site, organic gardens that provide herbs and vegetables for use in the restaurant
Serve local, sustainable organic vegetables, fruit, seafood and meat (whenever possible)
Use fair-trade organic coffees and teas
Print marketing/in-room materials on recycled paper (with soy based inks whenever possible)
Provide housing on the property for more than 40 employees to help reduce traffic and energy emissions
Re-use packing materials for shipping
Feature organic or natural fiber clothing for sale at The Gallery
Designated as a non-smoking facility
Recycle waste water in geo-flow subterranean drip system
Installed low H2O consumption faucets in public area bathrooms
Installed 1.6 gallon per flush low H2O consumption low flow toilets in guest rooms
Feature waterless urinals in the Restaurant at Ventana
Installed T-8′s and PL fluorescent internal light fixtures
Installed low voltage/wattage external light fixtures
Improved energy efficiency with LED exit signs
Offer a daily voluntary reuse option for guest rooms
Utilize a laundry service that provides reusable bags for linen
Recycle old terry/linen is as rags
Reclaim, reuse and recycle all HVAC/Refrigeration refrigerants
Reclaim and recycle cooking grease and grease trap grease
Turn off equipment whenever not in use
Utilize drought tolerant and/or native species in the resort’s landscaping
Turn off irrigation during periods of rain or cold
Chip, mulch and return plant waste to the earth