Location
The Beautiful Casa Elar @ Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
| Casa Elar (‘L’ ‘R’), Ojai Valley Inn & Spa’s Private Estate, has recently been released for weddings and special events. This beautiful Estate, design by Santa Barbara architect William Mahan, awaits you nestled in the hills of Ojai Valley just minutes from the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. This private 10,407 sq ft Italian styled villa is now available to you. Exclusive use of a Bentley-inspired golf cart, private spa and pool with shaded terrace, stone pizza oven and gas BBQ, 2 master suites, each with spacious his & hers bathrooms (OMG the hers bathroom I could live in!), outdoor balconies with fireplaces, private massage room, great room with dining for 12, library with built-in bar, gourmet kitchen, and so many more amenities it’s a must see for your wedding or next special event. | |
| To celebrate the release of Casa Elar, XOXO BRIDE was asked to design a dinner in the gardens of the estate. With a stellar cast of my favorite vendors we were spoiled by the staff of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa to a delightful dinner followed by deserts and cordials in the library. | |
| All photographs by Michael and Anna Costa Photography unless tagged otherwise. | |
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| The design all started with the Nandini Net Guilded overlay by La Tavola. I knew I wanted to use this overlay as it is the personification of royalty in lace. I coupled it with a soft butter yellow Dupionique Iridescence linen and used the vintage pearl flatware line at Town & Country Event Rentals. In addition, I couldn’t help but pull in their beautiful Vineyard Collection chairs rotating designs down the table. | |
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| Holly Flora graciously provided our table scape of romantic blooms. Holly’s expert eye caught every detail with books, vases, glassware and all kinds of goodies in every nook and cranny of our event. My thoughts then ran to draping in decadence… and who better than Brent Jongeward of BAM Specialty Fabric & Event Draping to pull it together… literally! I wanted to emulate an indoor formal dining room feeling and Brent knew exactly what I was going for and gave us an amazing display of his talents. Next, the frames!! I dreamt of having the indoor experience outdoor and wanted to continue that feeling by pulling empty frames and suspending them in such a way you felt like you were in a dining room. | |
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| One of my favorite parts was putting an oversized oval mirror on an easel at the foot of the dining table. This small but impactful element provides an intimate dining room experience for guests. The frames and the fabulous vintage rental furniture were provided by Krista Jon of Archive Vintage Rentals, love them! Notice those great benches by the ceremony arbor, very chic use of seating for guests. The night was so beautifully illuminated by Images by Lighting. Casa Elar was glowing in the night’s skyline and it was unmistakable that a VIP event was being held that night. The pool glistened while we sipped wine and savored the wonderful foods. Ceci New York provided us with beautiful designed menus. | |
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| A special thank you to Michael and Anna Costa Photography and Next Exit Photography for capturing Casa Elar’s release dinner so artistically. We love you! Guests were treated to gift bag goodies provided by, The Ojai Vineyard winery, Ojai Olive Oil, New Oak Ranch lavender jam, Friends Ranch citrus cuties, Zena’s Gypsy Tea (my personal favorite is the Coconut Chai Tea… Amazing!), and a variety of Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Products. Oh and who could forget Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Pastry Chef Calvin created seating cards for each guest in a sugar cookie with their personalized business logo, another of my favorite moments of the night. | |
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Vintage Chic Showcase with Small Masterpiece ~ Featured on Style Me Pretty
| Small Masterpiece owner Jason Murakawa and XOXO BRIDE’s Sonia Hopkins come together to present Jason’s amazing 1840’s Haviland and 1950’s dish collection. Nestled in the tranquil Herb Garden of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, our hearts were set on displaying these amazing showpiece dish, flatware and stemware collections. Highlighted with romantic blooms by Dandelion Ranch, Clover created just the touch each table needed. Brent Jongeward of BAM Specialty Fabric Draping gave us beautiful and textural draping of the Herb Garden providing a room outdoors. The fabulous vintage chairs, settees and chandeliers were graciously provided by Krista Jon of Archive Vintage Rentals. | |
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| We chose a linen with yellow design that would pop with the 1950’s collection and a more classic and clean linen with the Haviland collection, all provided by La Tavola. The stunning (and oh so funny!) Michelle Beller of MiBelle Photography captured our soiree with an eye for detail and a talent in capturing all things beautiful. | |
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San Diego Engagement Shoot ~ Anna & Terry
| Upon meeting Anna, I fell in love with her bubbly spirit and vision for her and Terry’s upcoming Santa Barbara wedding. I am so thrilled she shared her engagement photos with us. Check out this adorable couple, photos by 8twenty8-Studios. | |
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Firestone Winery ~ Lindsay and Dennis
| You have to love the intimacy of the barrel room of the Firestone Vineyard. So romantic, lovely and special to share with your friends and family. I met Lindsay and Dennis randomly in a restaurant, okay let’s say there is a restaurant attached to where we met! They were so bright and fun I fell in love with them immediately. I was honored to be a part of such a special day in their lives. | |
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| Ceremony + Reception Location: Firestone Vineyard Floral Designer: Juniper Floral Design Hair + Make-up: T.E.A.M Ceremony Music: Les Rose Music Reception Music: Les Rose Music Photography: Barbara Alessandra Furniture Rentals: Ventura Party Rentals Lighting: Bella Vista Designs Transportation: Santa Barbara Airbus Officiate: Rev. Jerry Bellamy Cupcakes: Whodidily Cupcakes Catering: SBB Gourmet Catering |
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