Ojai Wedding: Mason and Jay

Before I gush about Mason & Jay's wedding, check it out on the today's post on Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book BLOG!

Mason & Jay hired me just under four months before their wedding and right before I left the country for a three week vacation to India. When they contacted me they told me they had two things lined up so far: the date of May 7 and their friends' home on an organic tomato farm in the upper Ojai Valley as their venue. They told me that at one point they had considered holding off on their celebration until gay marriage was legalized in California, but then decided against that as they felt it put too much weight on a piece of paper and not enough on the vows that they were going to promise to each other.

Mason, Jay, and I hit the ground running with the plans for their wedding. They are extremely pragmatic guys who check things off the to do list as fast as it's created. The two things they kept stressing to me during our planning was that they wanted their wedding to be extremely comfortable for their guests and they wanted to have amazing food. The logistics of the property we a bit challenging at first, but the home owners, Sam and Scott, were so wonderful and accommodating that they even did some major landscaping on the property including changing a weed covered driveway into the gorgeous ceremony site! 

The wedding day arrived slightly chilly and foggy, but with heat lamps the guests were kept comfortable. The ceremony was incredibly unique as Mason & Jay had asked a number of their friends to assist in officiating the ceremony. In fact, we were one officiant short as their good friend Mala, a midwife, was not able to attend the wedding because one of her clients went in to labor that day! Some of the highlights of the ceremony were the three married couples (both gay and straight) that got up to speak about what marriage means to them. One couple had only been married for one year, one couple married for 7, and the last couple married for 50. Everyone was in tears but those soon turned to laughter when Mason & Jay's French Bulldog puppy Henri was walked down the aisle with the rings a few moments later! 

 

Cocktail hour was held overlooking another part of the valley next to some of the pretty chickens who seems quite pleased with the day. 

The reception was kicked off by Mason & Jay welcoming their guests and then Mason surprising Jay by playing the ukulele and singing "Longing to Belonging" by Eddie Vedder.  The organic dinner of Salmon, Filet Mignon, vegetarian lasagna and vegetables was served family style at long feasting tables underneath strands of Italian Bistro Lights. At one point Jay had to get up and let the guests know that there was indeed more food coming out so make sure room was saved! The dessert buffet later on became cause for a brief dance break from the rocking dance floor.

The entire day was gorgeous. Gorgeous, flawless, comfortable, and classy. There was so much love in the air that it seemed like it was almost visible. Their family and friends were so happy to celebrate their union. Mason and Jay told me that the day was more than they hoped it could be and they wouldn't change a thing. 

 The Team that made it happen

Planning & Design: Amber Events 

Caterers: Auntie Em’s Catering 

Photography: Keith Nelson Photography & Douglas Hill Photography 

Floral: Holly Flora 

Rentals: Town & Country 

DJ: Quinn Callicot 

Lighting: Aspect Lighting 

Groom’s Stylist: Vincent Castellanos at Sy Devore,  suits made in Italy / 

Venue: Friend of the couple’s Tomato Farm 

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa Wedding: Joanna & David

Joanna and David’s wedding was anything but simple, yet it was kind of intended to be simple. Joanna didn’t want any of the things that she considered unnecessary (guestbook, cake knife, toasting glasses, cake topper, favors, garter, etc) but instead wanted to focus on the experience of just being with her family and friends and creating a night to remember. She did just that.

The wedding was actually a weekend affair held at the gorgeous Ojai Valley Inn and Spa just 80 miles north of Los Angeles. The men enjoyed golf, the ladies enjoyed the pool and the spa, and everyone enjoyed the rehearsal dinner held at a local winery.

October 10 dawned blue and beautiful with just a hint of fall crispness in the air. Thankfully, the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa has a pub that allowed David and his groomsmen to watch the Packers vs. Vikings game before they dressed for photos. During the game he had gifts sent to Joanna’s room: a pair of diamond earrings from Sarah Leonard Jewelers in Westwood, and a Packer’s jersey with their new last name on it. Great guy, that David!
The ceremony was held at sunset in the Hacienda courtyard underneath the gigantic Live Oak tree that was strung with twinkle lights and flowers in bell jars. The wedding was officiated by Judge Gerald Buchwald, a family member, and a sitting judge on the California Superior Court. Joanna and David’s parents stood up under the tree with them and their bridal party. Six of Joanna’s friends were brought up during the ceremony to each give a short blessing for the couple.

A fall chill started to set in once the sun fully disappeared, so after the ceremony the guests were escorted indoors to the foyer of the Anacapa Ballroom for the cocktail hour where the fireplaces blazed.

Joanna’s motif was a modern fall feel and her colors were metallics: silver, gold, bronze, and pewter. Her flowers were white Hydrangeas, Delphinium Orchids, Lisianthus, silver Manzanita branches accented with silver leaves. The tall silver Manzanita branch centerpieces were hung with candles that twinkled and glowed throughout the ballroom.

Aside from a few toasts, and the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances, the evening was free, per Joanna’s request, of the formalities that accompany most weddings. Joanna and David even quietly cut the cake in the corner with just their parents and photographers as they did not want to stop the dancing. The 160 guests danced until the party ended at midnight. Joanna’s grandmother Norma even danced and celebrated that night and the family will forever have fond memories of her dancing as she sadly passed away the Monday after the wedding. The evening was magical.

The celebration could not have been possible without the team of dedicated and professional vendors that worked their magic and my assistants Michelle and Ruby:

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa – Venue
Amber Gustafson, Amber Events – Wedding Coordination
Raya Carlisle, Raya Photography
Spotlight Music – Band
Yamaguchi ‘s Flowers – Floral (805) 525-9268
Skyline Videography
Ambient Event Design – Lighting
Ventura Rentals – linens, chargers, chair covers
La Starr – Wedding Cake
Casey Robinson – Bridal Makeup
Melina Guerrero – Bridal Hair


Joanna’s Dress and Accessories

Necklace: Neiman Marcus

Shoes: L.A.M.B. (Nordstrom)

Dress: custom made by Jose Flores of In Style by Jose Flores. Joanna and Jose designed the dress from a blend of a few pictures and Joanna bought the buttons at M&J Trim in NY.

Veil: custom made by Pol Atteu, Pol Atteu Couture in Beverly Hills (he also made Joanna’s mother’s gown)

In memory of Norma Joseph