Wedding Guide 2009-Places

Getting married is exciting, but picking a place to get married can be overwhelming. There are many secret sanctuaries throughout Ventura County that are premiere wedding spots — everything from getting married at a vineyard or a beach to being in the mountains. Here are a few top picks for a relaxing wedding that you will cherish and enjoy.

The Scarlett Belle, Channel Islands Harbor: For a truly unique wedding experience — celebrate your day in nautical style. The Scarlett Belle is a newly constructed paddlewheel riverboat designed for charter cruises in the Channel Islands Harbor. The riverboat has two levels with outside walk rounds on both decks. A romantic ceremony takes place on the upper level, and then the reception is held on the lower deck in the Tara Ballroom. The ballroom is elegant, which includes Chiavari chairs, chandeliers and a bar. The area is spacious enough for a DJ or a band. Enjoy the beautiful sunset and experience the coastline at night. Everything sparkles, and the moon and water reflect a gorgeous illuminating glow. For information, contact Scarlett Belle in the Channel Islands Harbor, 204-0977, or go to www.scarlettbelle.com.

Bella Victorian Vineyard, Camarillo: A private vineyard estate, the Bella Victorian Vineyard & Trolley Company is a beautiful wedding site nestled in Camarillo Wine Country. The property has a romantic Victorian elegance, with a Mediterranean-style fountain, rows of grapevines and oak barrels that complete the landscaping of this Tuscan style atmosphere. Upon arrival, guests are escorted to the vineyard in a red and gold trolley. The enchanted ceremony site takes place on a manicured lawn, and for the reception — guests are able to celebrate on a grassy terrace that has been transformed into a romantic outdoor dining area — strings of twinkling lights, wrought iron chandeliers, and a fireplace with a pizza oven make dancing under the stars divinely warm and cozy. For more information, contact Bella Victorian Vineyard in Camarillo, 732-1262, or go to  www.bellavictorianvineyard.com.

Rolling Thunder Ranch, Ojai: Rolling Thunder Ranch, called “cowboy chic,” is a private, gated ranch, featuring a main house and separate cottage that offer relaxing spa treatments, with its warm ambience surrounded by sensual stone, fireplaces, leather couches, twisted-juniper featherbeds and oak floors. The décor outside has lush tropical gardens, cascading waterfalls, and ponds of koi. You can experience a Shangri-La wedding and choose between two ceremony sites — a decadent shaded lawn with rock-work walls and mountain views, or a poolside cobblestone patio with ponds, fountains and palm trees. For the ideal experience, consider combining the two venues: rehearsal dinner or reception at the Rolling Thunder, then transfer, via luxury shuttle, to the Deer Lodge later that night for the after-party with music and dancing. For a complete weekend, treat guests to a wine-tasting party at the Rolling Thunder’s “Wine Lovers” in Ventura. For more information, contact Rolling Thunder Ranch in Ojai, 798-0898 or go www.ojairollingthunder.com.

Rancho de las Flores, Somis: If you’ve always wanted to get married at your home, but it’s not enough — Rancho de las Flores is just the place for you. When you first arrive, you will drive up to the hillside home and see acres of iris and day lily fields and avocado trees. There is a very relaxed feeling here — it’s pure beauty. Owners John and Cynthia Schoustra have turned their hilltop home into a romantic place for couples to get married. Both the ceremony and reception are held outdoors in a beautiful garden-type atmosphere, where the bride and groom say their “I do’s” in a panorama garden under a white gazebo nestled beneath trees. Guests can enjoy a breeze blowing in from the ocean.

For the reception, tables and white chairs are set up in the Monet Garden on the lawn and the wafting scent of sage, citrus, rose, pine and other botanical scents fill the air. After dinner, guests can enjoy the spacious covered patio for dancing. This is as close to a home wedding one could hope for. For more information, contact Rancho de las Flores at 8000 Balcom Canyon Road in Somis, 529-6534 or go to www.ranchodelasflores.com.

Eucalyptus Lane, Ventura: Getting married at the private and secluded garden estate of Eucalyptus Lane is a tranquil welcome for a couple about to say “I Do.” The scent of jasmine perfumes the air and Eucalyptus trees flank the driveway. At the end is a beautiful craftsman-style farmhouse that rests along spacious lawns and flower gardens. This secret sanctuary is sheltered behind thick groves of coastal redwoods and live oaks along the manicured greens of River Ridge Golf Course. The relaxed atmosphere has that wine-country chic paired with olive saplings and fruit trees and trumpet vines. The bride and groom can get married near a fountain, and there is also a garden/patio courtyard.

For the reception, the estate offers its ranch house barn. The décor inside the barn is inspired by Ralph Lauren. It’s a gorgeous area with a peaked roof and wooden beams that hold antique chandeliers garlanded with ivy or springtime blossoms — wood posts decked with curly willow branches are wrapped in fairy lights, which gives a soft, luxurious and comfortable vibe. Guests can enjoy wedding cake on the meadow under a billowing canopy. For more information, contact the estate owners at 643-0981, or go to www.rodhouck.com.