Today is World Book Day, so Dakota + River’s wedding in a bookstore couldn’t be more perfect! When they started planning their intimate wedding, they knew they wanted it to be simple and budget-friendly. Even more importantly, they wanted to honor the things which are most important to them, which according to D, include books, plants and pie. You’re speaking our language!
D shares more about how they chose this unique location:
We were actually sitting in an airport talking about our wedding plans, and I opened up an article looking for location ideas for small, unique weddings. It said to think of somewhere you both feel comfortable, and I blurted out “bookstore or coffee shop.” We immediately thought of Bart’s Books in Ojai. We wanted to have a small, intimate ceremony with family that matched us as a couple and our values. We also love to read and visit bookstores together, so it seemed like a great fit.
Let’s take a peek at the magic through the lens of Lorie Chambless Photography!
The Bride + The Groom
D + R had the coolest wedding day attire! D looked totally at-home and effortless in an embroidered Chokethai dress and Rise Ojai hair and makeup.
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Forage Ojai designed D’s bridal bouquet. We’re loving the earthy tones and amazing textures they used!
Rainy Day Photoshoot
If you’re not familiar with the beauty of Ojai, it’s a small but special town that rests in a valley surrounded by majestic mountains. It’s like a hidden, lush oasis!
D + R embraced the rain on their wedding day and the results are pure magic! Worried about a few drops on your own big day? Don’t be! Here’s our guide to a worry-free rainy day wedding!
Ceremony in a Bookstore
Fellow book-lovers, is this not pure magic?!
When the ceremony ended, our best man signed as a witness and ran off to buy some Star Wars books he'd seen while browsing before the ceremony started, much to the owner's amusement. And then after photos were finished, everyone had plenty of time to browse the store and shop. What could be cooler for a book nerd than book shopping on your wedding day?
Newly wed and definitely well read!
We know that it’s hard to choose a favorite book, but we just had to ask D + R and here’s what they shared:
Dakota – The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (I got a copy from the store that day!) and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. River – Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
Just do what you want and make it your own! A wedding should be about the bride and groom declaring a commitment to each other before the people they love. Big weddings are wonderful if you want that, but a small bookstore wedding works just as well.
Dakota + River finished off their wedding day with an intimate dinner at Deer Lodge of Ojai along with sweets from Cakewalk Desserts. Loving the little touch of stacked books for their sweetheart table centerpiece!
Congratulations you guys! Your sweet bookstore wedding shows all couples that the most important thing on wedding day is staying true to you and celebrating all of the things you love! The GWS Team is wishing you both the very best!
photography: Lorie Chambless Photography // venue name: Barts Books Ojai (ceremony), Ojai, California, USA // florals: Forage Ojai // wedding dress: Chokethai // hairpiece: Forage Ojai // hair stylist: Rise Ojai // makeup artist: Rise Ojai // catering: The Deer Lodge // desserts: Cakewalk Desserts // reception: Deer Lodge of Ojai
How cute are these guys! Their styling was on point!