10 Tips for an Elegant Green Wedding in Santa Barbara, CA
10 Tips for an Elegant Green Wedding in Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara has long been a popular destination for brides seeking a sunny, gorgeous location for weddings. Until now, it has not been considered a green wedding destination. Santa Barbara’s first sustainable wedding and event planner, Merryl Brown Events, has changed that. With Merryl’s assistance and ideas, brides can now create the eco-friendly wedding of their dreams. Here are ten tips for creating a magical wedding in Santa Barbara, CA and the surrounding areas:
1. Choose a venue that has existing environmentally friendly practices. Some of the finest local hotels have incorporated sustainable practices:
-The Four Seasons Biltmore Resort
-The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa
-Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort
-San Ysidro Ranch
There are many other non-resort venues to choose from as well. Many people choose to have their weddings on one of the numerous scenic beaches Santa Barbara offers. Organic farms, historic estates and beautiful gardens abound throughout Santa Barbara County.
2. Hire a caterer who uses local, organic produce and humanely sourced meats. There are many excellent caterers to choose from in Santa Barbara. With our superb farmers’ markets, and year-round availability of fresh produce, there is no reason to serve anything that is not seasonal and local.
3. Go paperless! http://www.paperlesspost.com is a lovely way to send paperless formal wedding invitations. These are eco-friendly, sophisticated, and you can personalize them in endless ways. If you love the touch and feel of a real invitation, there are several talented graphic artists in town that will create a unique invitation for your wedding. Be sure to print on 100% recycled content paper that is processed chlorine free using vegetable based inks.
4. Use a florist that sources flowers locally (and ideally organically). Santa Barbara offers many exceptional florists who understand that some brides do not want to add to carbon emissions by having their flowers flown in from half way around the world! One great local florist that will work with you to create gorgeous eco-friendly arrangements is SR Hogue and Co. They are very talented and their creative floral designers are a lot of fun to work with. They have been in this business for a long time and they have superb taste. http://www.srhogue.com
5. Source your party favors locally. I love to use local favors for the weddings that I plan, such as local honey, olive oil, dried lavender bundles and oils from the farmers’ market, locally made soaps and bees wax candles, and jars of organic fruit jams and jellies. All of these earth friendly things, and more, can be found at the Saturday Santa Barbara Farmers’ Market.
6. A unique choice for bridesmaids gifts are locally crafted necklaces made of interesting beads and stones by Montecito jewelry designer Samantha Goldstone. No need to ship your gifts from far away when such lovely options are so readily available. http://www.adessoshop.com
7. To cut down on transportation emissions, choose to have your wedding ceremony at the same venue as your reception.
8. Use a wedding cake baker that can produce a delicious, organic or vegan cake. A talented local baker is Katie Scott, of Montecito Confections, who bakes the most amazing cakes and will use organic ingredients or make vegan cakes upon request. Her options are endless; she has made many incredible cakes of all shapes and sizes. You will love her designs and the taste of what she creates. http://www.montecitoconfections.com
9. Instead of registering for gifts, consider asking your guests to support a charity whose work resonates with your values. This is a great way to practice social responsibility!
10. Regardless of the choices that you may make from the suggestions above, the most important thing you can do to create a greener event is to limit the size of your guest list. The more people you invite will lead to more people traveling, requiring a larger venue. The food bill will be higher, and more waste will be generated. Less guests equals less cost to you and the planet.
Merryl Brown is the President of Merryl Brown Events, a Santa Barbara based wedding and event planning company specializing in elegant, classic events created within a framework of environmental and social responsibility. Elegance with intelligence™ is our motto!
www.merrylbrownevents.com
Related Montecito Articles
10 Tips for an Elegant Green Wedding in Santa Barbara, CA
10 Tips for an Elegant Green Wedding in Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara has long been a popular destination for brides seeking a sunny, gorgeous location for weddings. Until now, it has not been considered a green wedding destination. Santa Barbara’s first sustainable wedding and event planner, Merryl Brown Events, has changed that. With Merryl’s assistance and ideas, brides can now create the eco-friendly wedding of their dreams. Here are ten tips for creating a magical wedding in Santa Barbara, CA and the surrounding areas:
1. Choose a venue that has existing environmentally friendly practices. Some of the finest local hotels have incorporated sustainable practices:
-The Four Seasons Biltmore Resort
-The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa
-Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort
-San Ysidro Ranch
There are many other non-resort venues to choose from as well. Many people choose to have their weddings on one of the numerous scenic beaches Santa Barbara offers. Organic farms, historic estates and beautiful gardens abound throughout Santa Barbara County.
2. Hire a caterer who uses local, organic produce and humanely sourced meats. There are many excellent caterers to choose from in Santa Barbara. With our superb farmers’ markets, and year-round availability of fresh produce, there is no reason to serve anything that is not seasonal and local.
3. Go paperless! http://www.paperlesspost.com is a lovely way to send paperless formal wedding invitations. These are eco-friendly, sophisticated, and you can personalize them in endless ways. If you love the touch and feel of a real invitation, there are several talented graphic artists in town that will create a unique invitation for your wedding. Be sure to print on 100% recycled content paper that is processed chlorine free using vegetable based inks.
4. Use a florist that sources flowers locally (and ideally organically). Santa Barbara offers many exceptional florists who understand that some brides do not want to add to carbon emissions by having their flowers flown in from half way around the world! One great local florist that will work with you to create gorgeous eco-friendly arrangements is SR Hogue and Co. They are very talented and their creative floral designers are a lot of fun to work with. They have been in this business for a long time and they have superb taste. http://www.srhogue.com
5. Source your party favors locally. I love to use local favors for the weddings that I plan, such as local honey, olive oil, dried lavender bundles and oils from the farmers’ market, locally made soaps and bees wax candles, and jars of organic fruit jams and jellies. All of these earth friendly things, and more, can be found at the Saturday Santa Barbara Farmers’ Market.
6. A unique choice for bridesmaids gifts are locally crafted necklaces made of interesting beads and stones by Montecito jewelry designer Samantha Goldstone. No need to ship your gifts from far away when such lovely options are so readily available. http://www.adessoshop.com
7. To cut down on transportation emissions, choose to have your wedding ceremony at the same venue as your reception.
8. Use a wedding cake baker that can produce a delicious, organic or vegan cake. A talented local baker is Katie Scott, of Montecito Confections, who bakes the most amazing cakes and will use organic ingredients or make vegan cakes upon request. Her options are endless; she has made many incredible cakes of all shapes and sizes. You will love her designs and the taste of what she creates. http://www.montecitoconfections.com
9. Instead of registering for gifts, consider asking your guests to support a charity whose work resonates with your values. This is a great way to practice social responsibility!
10. Regardless of the choices that you may make from the suggestions above, the most important thing you can do to create a greener event is to limit the size of your guest list. The more people you invite will lead to more people traveling, requiring a larger venue. The food bill will be higher, and more waste will be generated. Less guests equals less cost to you and the planet.
Merryl Brown is the President of Merryl Brown Events, a Santa Barbara based wedding and event planning company specializing in elegant, classic events created within a framework of environmental and social responsibility. Elegance with intelligence™ is our motto!
www.merrylbrownevents.com
Related Montecito Articles
Luxury Real Estate In Scenic Santa Barbara
Luxury Real Estate In Scenic Santa Barbara
The coastal life calls many of us to think of luxury. That is why many people think of Santa Barbara real estate as a way of luxury and of life. The oceanfront view offers a welcome retreat to every night after work with family or with friends. Whether you are a single person looking for a home or a family looking for a settlement place, you can never go wrong with the luxury that resides in Santa Barbara homes. What can you expect if you go with the Santa Barbara real estate or Montecito real estate?
Indoor Amenities
Besides the kitchen and bedrooms, Santa Barbara homes have many extras. What are some of those luxuries that you can be sure to get in any home you choose when you go with Santa Barbara real estate? Here are some that you can be sure to count on!
*Studios
*Gym
*Spa
*Fitness room
*Entertainment area
*Indoor pool
Outdoor Luxuries
The outdoor luxuries that both Santa Barbara real estate and Montecito real estate have abound as you look for the perfect Santa Barbara home for you. Here are some of the features that keep people thinking that this is truly the ideal way to make a place home.
*Entertainment terraces
*Balconies
*Beautiful gardens
*Guest house
*Extended garage
Views
The views you will find with Santa Barbara real estate are enough luxury for anyone who just loves the idea of nature in itself. There are many different views you can get when you buy a Santa Barbara home. Here are a few that you might have to look forward to when you opt for Santa Barbara real estate.
*Mountain view
*Ocean View
*Island View
With all this in mind, it’s no wonder that many people are considering Santa Barbara real estate for their next home. When a home is supposed to be made for luxury, then a Santa Barbara home is just for you. You’ll be amazed at all the luxury that is packed into these spacious, inviting homes for you and your family when you step into the homes that Santa Barbara real estate has to show. So, don’t let something stop you from seeing the luxury inside your next Santa Barbara home.
Santa Barbara is the luxury spot for exquisite Santa Barbara real estate in the Southern California.
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