Wild, Local, and Rooted in West Marin - Inside Small Blue Planet Events
Photo credit: Diane Rothery
If you're dreaming of a wedding in Northern California that’s wild, soulful, and grounded in nature, it’s hard to imagine a better place than West Marin. From ocean-fringed cliffs to forested hills and rolling farmland, this corner of Marin County sets the scene for unforgettable—and sustainable—celebrations. Comprising Marin’s westernmost towns of Point Reyes Station, Olema, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Tomales, Inverness, and Dillon Beach, the area is home to only three percent of Marin County residents, yet accounts for almost half of the county’s land area.
It makes sense, then, that events held in the area are just as magical, especially when led by West Marin wedding planners like Molli Milner and Annie Greene of Small Blue Planet Events. The duo, both of whom have spent decades living in West Marin, masterfully craft extraordinary experiences. But their special sauce comes from their broad knowledge of and connection to West Marin and its deep principles of environmental sustainability and local community.
“One of the things we’re best at is keeping the carbon footprint of an event small,” Milner says. She recalls one event for 250 people that relied entirely on local West Marin vendors and resources and included zero plastic. At the end of the night, they were left with only half a bag of garbage.
“All we had in the bag were wine foils and corks!” says Milner.
Photo credit: Diane Rothery
Unsurprisingly the start of Small Blue Planet was, well, organic. Milner, a natural at eco-friendly event planning, was increasingly called upon by friends who knew of her talent. She turned these events into show-stopping soirees in which she sourced fish from local fishermen and wine from the vineyards down the street. They took place on farms, in historic buildings, and on old boats.
“It’s easy when everyone is your neighbor,” she says of her ability to source places and products others would never know about. In 2010 she officially launched Small Blue Planet Events and Consulting. Greene, a Stinson Beach native, began helping out in 2015, becoming a partner and event director in 2020.
Per Milner, the mission of the business is clear: “to champion a sustainable future where the well-being of the environment, society, and businesses coexist harmoniously through relationship-building, collaboration, and practical solutions.” Many of the business’s clients are sustainability-minded to begin with and looking for like-minded West Marin event planners who can execute on their visions. Others have fallen in love with West Marin but know little about environmentalism, in which case they get a crash course through their process of decision-making with Milner and Greene.
As one might imagine, SPB’s events are anything but typical. At one celebration that Milner and Greene planned, local caterers created a menu centered on seasonal ingredients from nearby farms as well as fresh seafood from the coast. A West Marin artisan hand made the event’s elegant sailcloth tent; guest favors were handmade blankets from a nearby sheep farmer.
While Marin County does not have even close to the preponderance of event locations and vendors as do nearby Napa and Sonoma counties, its wedding market has grown slowly and organically over the past years. West Marin wedding venues include The Haven at Tomales, Straus Home Ranch, Stemple Creek Ranch, Olema House, and Slide Ranch. While these venues don’t always appear in the larger wedding venue guides, couples who love West Marin seem to find their way to them one way or another. Others find Small Blue Planet first, and then choose their venue with SBP’s guidance.
In addition to many happy clients, SBP has earned the admiration of other local venues and vendors.
“We LOVE them,” say Michael and Vivien Straus of Straus Home Ranch. “Their deep commitment to organic and sustainable, and their intimate knowledge of West Marin, helps guide couples to source from local, artisanal farmers and purveyors. It’s always a pleasure working with them, because we’re all partners, collaborating to support our unique and vibrant community.”