Every wedding vendor team is created a little differently. In this series we explore how and why each couple selected the right wedding vendor team for their wedding day.
In May of 2019, during a hike on California’s Mt. Tam, high above Stinson Beach, Taylor proposed to Alicia and then surprised her later that night back in San Francisco with a pre-planned engagement party with all of their closest friends and family.
Wanting to enjoy their engagement, the couple put off planning for two months before starting to think about a wedding in September 2020. Like many other couples, they were dealt a curveball with Covid-19, and in May had to decide whether they wanted to move their wedding and risk losing some vendors and making adjustments, or stick with the original plan. They chose the former, prioritizing the safety of their loved ones, and tied the knot nine months later in the summer of 2021.
Alicia and Taylor knew they wanted a semi-destination wedding in California that was accessible by international flights. Alicia comes from a large Chinese family with half of her relatives living in Hong Kong. And while the couple lived in San Francisco (as did a lot of their guest list), they thought it would be fun to get out of town and go somewhere beautiful and relaxing.
Taylor had attended college in Santa Barbara, and it became a special place for him as well as Alicia, since it was the destination for one of their first trips together as a couple. But when they started looking for wedding venues in the area, they struggled to find one that fit their style and had the atmosphere they were looking for—and could accommodate 200+ people. Their close friends suggested Ojai Valley Inn, and it was exactly what the pair needed.
“A venue where guests could interact naturally with one another was most important to us. We wanted guests to stay on-site, creating a sense of community among attendees, and making it easy for them to navigate the weekend. We really wanted to make this an event for our guests, and one that showcased the personality of our relationship, with amazing food and even better music. Since catering is in-house at OVI, it made things as seamless as possible—plus their food is incredible. And having a venue that allowed pets was also a huge plus since we knew we wanted our puppy, Rufus, in the ceremony, if we could swing it.” —Alicia, bride
Once the wedding venue (and caterer) was decided, the couple contracted their wedding planner. Ojai Valley Inn requires that their couples work with a planner familiar with the property, and after a few interviews and a site visit to the property, Alicia and Taylor (and Alicia’s mother) could tell that Michel B. Events was the planner for them.
“Michel B Events and OVI were the most important decisions we made. The wedding went off without a single hitch and couldn’t have been more perfect. Every guest raved about how amazing it was!” —Alicia, bride
Alicia knew she wanted her close friend, Janine Licare of Janine Licare Photography to be with her throughout the special day. Janine, who went to college with Alicia, also happens to be married to one of the couple’s childhood friends (Alicia and Taylor met in second grade!), so it felt like having a family member behind the camera.
“Alicia, Taylor, and my husband have known each other since grade school and the four of us have been friends for years so I knew that when the time came, I'd be at their wedding to celebrate with them. When Alicia asked me to photograph her wedding I was beyond excited. I knew that by photographing it (instead of being a guest), I'd get to be present for so many special moments throughout the day that I otherwise wouldn't have. I like to joke that I spent more time with Alicia on her wedding day than Taylor did! When a couple hires me to photograph their wedding, it's such an honor because they're choosing me to be by their side throughout their entire wedding day. When a friend asks me to photograph their wedding, it's the best feeling in the world.” —Janine Licare, photographer
Taylor’s priority was the music. It was decided early on that a DJ would play during the wedding and set the tone for each phase of the event. A big part of Taylor and Alicia’s dating relationship was going to concerts and shows (mostly in the electronic genre) and they even shared their first kiss at one. The genre isn’t one that a band can easily replicate, so hiring a DJ meant that a variety of great music could be played from the start of the ceremony all the way through the afterparty. They came across Dart Collective in Los Angeles because of their love for Classixx (who owns and manages the collective), who they had seen perform many times as they’re Taylor’s favorite. That they were available to perform at the wedding was a dream come true for the couple.
As another way of personalizing the soundtrack for the celebration, Alicia's bridesmaid Kari performed at the start of the ceremony, playing "Brightest Lights" by Lane 8 as the bride and her father walked down the aisle.
Michel B. was pivotal in helping Alicia and Taylor select the remaining vendors. While the couple considered a few videographers, they ultimately chose Amari Productions, whose work they not only loved, but whose vibe they clicked with too.
She then suggested a stationer whom she had worked closely with before: Lotus and Ash. Coincidentally, Alicia recognized founder Ashling Loh-Doyle Nunnelly as someone she had gone to school with. She loved that there was that connection, which made it feel like her vendor team was a community.
For rentals, there was a particular aesthetic they were after, and Michel B. helped whittle down a short list of rental companies who had what they were looking for—starting with the linens. BBJ La Tavola Specialty Linen had tablecloths and napkins that perfectly echoed the color palette of the celebration.
Alicia instantly hit it off with her hair and makeup team from 805 Makeup, feeling like they were friends from the start. She also loved that they effortlessly achieved the “natural yet elegant” look she was after.
Sugar Lab Bake Shop was chosen to create the petite, two-tier wedding cake, which was then decorated with fresh orchids, roses, and zinnias, bringing the floral design all the way through to the end of the night. While the cake had a simple design on the exterior, the red velvet interior packed a flavorful (and colorful) punch.
The goal for the wedding was for it to feel as natural as possible and take place entirely outdoors. An open air tent (courtesy of Bright Event Rentals) made the most sense for those reasons, plus, Taylor had asked Alicia’s dad for her hand in marriage while they were on a trip to Bali, and rattan basket weave pendants could be hung overhead as an ode to that memory (while adding more to the rustic vibe of the setting).
Plus, Alicia wanted a “sky of lights” that illuminated the space but didn’t distract from the skyline. She also wanted it to transition to feel like starlight as the sun set and the night sky was in full force. She found an example and showed Michel B, who brought on Bella Vista Designs to present a few options. Alicia was delighted with the results: a canopy of twinkling lights glowing brighter as the sun set.
Alicia’s mom loves flowers and led the charge on all things floral, choosing as many seasonal blooms as possible and working with Camellia Floral Design. A lush floral arch anchored the ceremony, which took place under the venue’s wishing tree. The reception went a bit more vibrant, with the addition of corals and yellows to the color palette.
“The style for the event was rustic, down-to-earth yet tasteful, and classy. We didn't have to over-decorate since the venue was stunning all on its own, and small yet unique details worked to enhance the natural beauty of the space. We added summer fruits that complemented the floral color palette to the table decor along with natural clay vases, baskets, and wooden bowls to amplify the Ojai atmosphere.” —Alicia, bride
