An Outdoor Spring Wedding in Ojai, California

Eliza and Peter

Right after college, Eliza moved to San Francisco and in with her sister, who took her under her wing and introduced her to many of her friends. At the time, Eliza's sister's boyfriend (now husband) played soccer with Peter, and Eliza remembers seeing him at gatherings. One day, at a picnic in the park, they first spoke.

The pair hit it off immediately, and five years later Peter planned to propose on the last day of a surprise birthday trip to Banff, Canada. But after a perfect day, a fondue dinner, and a drive to Lake Moraine, the couple found themselves alone on the banks of the lake and Peter decided to forgo his initial plans and go for it early. After asking on bended knee, Peter received a resounding "Yes!" from the surprised Eliza, sealing the deal.

The couple found Thacher House, their wedding location, thanks to Eliza's mom, who knew of this bucolic paradise located just down the road from the bride's family home. The couple fell in love with the vibe of property. It could accommodate a large group, and the couple felt it was special to have their bridal party and Peter's family stay on-site all weekend long. Inspired by the property itself—including the kitchen's indigo blue cabinets, and the native scenery of Ojai—the wedding's style was decidedly fresh and natural, but also vibrant.

On April 15, 2017, Eliza and Peter wed with a view of the Topa Topa mountains behind them and 103 loved ones surrounding them. After exchanging vows in a ceremony officiated by their dear friend, the newlyweds made their exit as a string quartet performed "She's a Rainbow" by the Rolling Stones and guests tossed dried flowers. The party stayed outside, where guests dined family-style on a spring menu—while taking in scenic sunset views. A favorite moment for the couple was instigated by their wedding photographer, who pulled them away from their dinner for a few photos. "It's one of the happiest moments of my life and unlike anything I'd experienced before. The special moment together, when time stood still, is a moment I will always treasure and never forget," says Peter.

The Stationery Suite

Joya Rose designed and calligraphed the Ojai-inspired, seasonal stationery suite and custom wedding crest, which incorporated illustrations of cacti, chickens, and pixie tangerines. Since many guests were visiting the area for the first time, a packing list was included on the back of the details card. All of the pieces were tucked into an envelope fastened with a blue wax seal donning the couple's initials and sent with a collection of California-themed vintage postage.

Linen cocktail napkins embroidered with their wedding crest were used during the cocktail hour and kept as mementos of the celebration.

Welcome Bags

Each guest received a reusable welcome bag made of French net, stocked with a welcome note, map of Ojai with illustrations of the couple's favorite spots and wedding event locations, a linen pestemal to keep guests warm, chocolate chip cookies from a local bakery, a palo santo bundle, Ojai white sage hydrosol spray, Acqua Panna water, and Ojai pixie tangerines.

The Attire

Peter wore a Paul Smith suit with a subtle bird's eye design, and a soft blue bow tie. After trying on several dresses and getting stressed she was running out of time—after all, they were tying the knot in just six months—she tried on a few Carolina Herrera gowns, and fell in love with a silk Mikado number, with clean lines and a classic silhouette. The added bonus? It had pockets!

Her Updo

Eliza stayed true to her normal style and had her hairstylist give her a modern, low bun, which she liked because it complemented the simplicity of her dress and accentuated the dramatic lines in the front and back.

The Bridal Bouquet

Inspired by the location, Eliza's Moon Canyon Design bouquet contained a mix of garden roses, poppies, fritillaria, spirea, and ranunculus in shades of mustard, yellow, and white.

Pre-Ceremony Sips

Before the ceremony welcome cocktails (sparkling wine spritzes with vermouth, St. Germain, and lemon) were served. The wine bottles were chilled in citrus-and-flower-wrapped ice molds.

The Ceremony Location

The ceremony arch was set near an oak tree, offering views of the Topa Topa mountains in the distance. The aisles were lined with mini gardens of wild foliage and herbs that were arranged to look as if they were popping up out of the ground.

The Ceremony

A friend officiated the late-afternoon ceremony, during which Eliza's brother and Peter's sister both read poems, ("Coming Home" by Mary Oliver and "Habitation Poem" by Margaret Atwood). Eliza's favorite part of the service was when her 91-year-old grandfather spoke—sharing his own words about what it means to be a good partner and on finding one's purpose in life.

Flower Power

While the couple recessed, the string quartet played "She's a Rainbow" by the Rolling Stones and guests showered the newlyweds in dried lavender, chamomile, and rose buds from leather bowls.

The Bridesmaids

Eliza's bridal party, in dresses by Reformation, consisted of close friends and her older sister.

Signature Drinks

The bar menu was printed and mounted on a wood board and outlined the offerings: four signature cocktails, each named after a special place or memory the couple shares. French Concession, (their favorite neighborhood when they lived in Shanghai), The Dolores (the park where they first met in San Francisco), The Wild Good (their nickname for their dog), and The Georgian (a tribute to Peter's home state).

Escort Cards

Deckled-edge seating cards, calligraphed by Joya Rose, were tucked into citrus and displayed in front of a cheerful floral arrangement.

The Centerpieces

Custom bread boards, engraved by Joya Rose, doubled as table numbers. The centerpieces, by Moon Canyon Design, were filled with spirea, tulips, fritillaria, daffodils, garden roses, Japanese ranunculus, and geranium in Campo de' Fiori compotes and terracotta votive holders. Local citrus, stone fruits, and pears were loosely scattered for a farm-to-table feel.

Leather Tags

Guests names were debossed on keepsake leather tags wrapped around each salad fork in lieu of traditional paper place cards.

The Reception

The couple used French bistro chairs and three long rows of farmhouse tables to set the scene for their reception. To get lots of texture and pattern on each table, Eliza and Peter mixed modern Heath dinner plates, vintage china salad plates, delicate gold-rimmed glasses, teak flatware, and copper salt cellars. The mustard-and-poppy striped linen napkins by Heather Taylor Home tied it all together.

At each place setting, a printed menu was tucked inside a solid indigo sleeve that had their "EP" monogram embossed on the front. The menu featured hand illustrations of different ingredients used in the meal, like bunches of radish, herbs, citrus and tiny pink chicken at the bottom.

The meal (prepared by Whoa Nelly Catering) began with Hamachi crudo with blood orange, pickled fresno chili, watermelon radish, and yuzu crème fraiche. A fattoush salad followed, and then entrees and sides were served family-style.

The Locals

The Thacher House is home to dozens of chickens and sheep, so the newlyweds snuck away for photos during the reception with a few of the animals on property, like this one.

The Wedding Cake

Susie Cakes made the coconut and red velvet cake, adorned with greenery and kumquats.

Sources

Photography, Paige Jones

Location, Thacher House

Event planning, Bash Please

Catering, Whoa Nelly Catering

Bar services, Pharmacie

Flowers, Moon Canyon Design

Videography, Wade Koch of Sharkpig

Stationery and Calligraphy, Joya Rose

Cake, Susie Cakes

Music, Santa Barbara String Quartet; DJ Matthew Rubino of The Flashdance

Rentals, Casa de Perrin; Found Vintage Rentals; Heather Taylor Home; La Tavola Fine Linen; Town & Country Party Rentals

Bride's gown, Carolina Herrera

Bride's shoes, Stuart Weitzman

Hair, Dax Sarmineto

Makeup, Nyrie Aitken of Symmetry Beauty

Bridesmaids' hair and makeup, BeNYLA

Bridesmaids' dresses, The Reformation

Groom's suit, Paul Smith

Menswear, Generation Tux

Transportation and valet, Signature Parking

Leather tags and wood boards, Sankat

Photo booth, Smilebooth