Laid-back California Barn Wedding: Liz + David

Ojai wedding

We’re super excited to share yet another incredibly lovely Ojai wedding with you guys today! Liz + David always knew they wanted to have a big wedding, where all of the people they love would be in the same place at the same time. Their main goal for the day was to make it as fun as possible…and that meant foregoing most of the traditional wedding formalities like a grand entrance and a first dance. Instead, they celebrated their way with details that were meaningful to them: a heartfelt, family-oriented ceremony; a gluten-free farm-to-table feast; and some seriously epic music choices, including an 18 piece ukulele band! Sounds like such an amazing day! Here’s more about it from Liz:

We wanted everyone to feel engaged and connected with us, the events, and each other – and have ample opportunities to relax and to let loose. For the ceremony, we wanted to speak to our highest values – family + partnership – and we wanted it to feel like a sharing experience. So we asked the friends we know who embody these characteristics – our cousins + the couple who introduced us – to come up and speak about each one. We also had our friends + family come up and sing songs that were special to them. And we asked the guests to pass around our rings during the ceremony and fill them with wishes + positive intention.

Big thanks to the very talented Bash, Please team for the beautiful planning + styling and to Our Labor of Love for the awesome photography! And, of course, congratulations to Liz + David on an incredible day!

Ojai wedding


David sketched the orange tree, which was incorporated into the invitation suite + became an on-going theme throughout the wedding. Such a lovely touch!

wooden invitation

Ojai wedding first look

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding


What a stylish group of guests! :)

bridesmaids

groomsmen

parisols


Everyone, including Liz + David, danced their way to the ceremony, with a soulful, upbeat song led by the David Daughtry gospel choir. So fun!

choir

Ojai wedding

mixed chairs

Ojai wedding

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

The ceremony. We were blown away by the beautiful words of Caroline and our friends who shared, and most of all, the feeling of community, support, and love we felt surrounded by people who have shaped our lives in so many ways and who we love with all our heart.

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding


And majorly adore Liz + David’s post-ceremony portraits, captured by Our Labor of Love, amidst the gorgeous California countryside…

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding

Ojai wedding

lounge

escort cards

barn

flower entrance


Ojai Valley Inn & Spa‘s big red barn provided the perfect backdrop for a delicious farm-style dinner and the gorgeous arrangements by JL Designs felt right at home, featuring fresh citrus + artichokes alongside beautiful garden roses + dahlias. Simply stunning!

Ojai wedding

rustic tablescape


Instead of table numbers, Liz + David worked with an illustrator to create images from their relationship – their favorite restaurant, the street signs marking where they met, the beach where they were engaged, etc. Seriously one of the best ideas ever, right?! I just love it!

illustrated table names

rustic tablescape

rustic tablescape

rustic tablescape

flower piece

dessert bar

naked cake

barn reception


The Flashdance kept the party going into the night, playing all the amazing old school hip hop music that Liz + David love.

draped fabric

hanging lanterns

dancing


And you won’t want to miss their sweet wedding video by Lovespun Films!

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Don’t try to plan a wedding during a demanding graduate school program! And marry someone with a good eye – David made most of our wedding decisions!

photography: Our Labor of Love // venue name: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa // event design: Bash, Please // planning: Bash, Please // wedding dress: Jenny Packham // bride's shoes: Manolo Blahnik // hair stylist: dax sarmiento and steven tapp from Andy LeCompte Salon // makeup artist: Cathryn van Breene with The Studio Agency // groom attire: Tom Ford // catering: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa // cake: Knead Bakery // floral design: JL Designs // cinematography: Lovespun Films // gospel choir: David Daughtry // 18 Piece Ukulele Band: Jason Myers // dance band: "The James Gang" by West Coast Music // late night dj: The Flashdance // rentals: Found Vintage Rentals

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