San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Event Photographer + Photojournalist » Eco-Friendly Retreat Big Sur http://www.rebeccawilkowski.com/blog San Francisco Wedding Photographer + Photojournalist Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:15:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Ventana Inn & Spa: Big Sur Weddings + Eco-Friendly Retreat http://www.rebeccawilkowski.com/blog/2011/06/ventana-inn-spa-big-sur-weddings-eco-friendly-retreat/ http://www.rebeccawilkowski.com/blog/2011/06/ventana-inn-spa-big-sur-weddings-eco-friendly-retreat/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:51:19 +0000 admin http://www.rebeccawilkowski.com/blog/?p=4294 NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

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
Ventana Inn & Spa
48123 Highway One
Big Sur, CA
Serving Monterey/Carmel, CA
(831) 667-4202
www.ventanainn.com

 

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