Maeve & Andy – Wild, beautiful Ojai

Maeve & Andy are the salt of the earth. And their wedding reflected everything that is SO them: casual, beautiful, relaxed, charming, friendly, warm & FUN. Their attention to detail and desire to make their special day memorable and different is reflected in their choice of location, theme, vendors, and their guests. Maeve & Andy got married at the family ranch, Ford Ranch, in Ojai, California. Dozens of family members had also gotten married at the Ranch which was showcased over the welcome table. The Ranch is the largest pixie (small oranges) grower in Ojai so the venue was dotted with pixies for guests to enjoy! Maeve’s mom made succulent arrangements for the centerpieces/favors but the coolest part is that she made all of the CAKES for the wedding! She’s the pastry chef at Four Seasons – bonus! – but that she made 8+ cakes shows her dedication to her beautiful daughter. Despite the warmth of the day (I believe that it got over 85 degrees!), everyone enjoyed the shade of the surrounding sycamore trees & the refreshing lemonade & ice-cold beer (provided by Mr. Suds) and wonderful, classic tri-tip & chicken provided by Marty’s Catering. Marty is a character and he and his staff make wonderful food & provide great service. The day was captured beautifully & accurately (muy importante) by photographer, Jen Harris Photography. Jen is a joy to work with and worked with the flow of the day with a smile. The DJ spinning for the ceremony & reception was Matt Gudis of Who’s That DJ. His ability to spin for a mixed group of guests – from Madonna to Sinatra to Aerosmith never ceases to amaze me – and that skill was put to the test with such a diverse group to get on the dancefloor. To celebrate Andy’s hispanic heritage, the bride & groom were “walked” back down the aisle after saying I Do to a live, 6-person mariachi band! What a treat that was to have them play during cocktail hour – it sure added a flare & displayed the playful side of Maeve & Andy. Another twist (behind-the-scenes) was that I managed their wedding rehearsal but also supervised their rental set-up. Ventura Rentals delivered the tables, chairs, linens, umbrellas, etc. on Friday morning and Maeve & Andy asked their bridesmaids & groomsmen to come a few hours early to the rehearsal to help set-up. This was a wonderful money-saver for Maeve & Andy, a bonding experience for their bridal party, and a true testament to their friends’ commitment to them as a couple – and that they weren’t afraid to pitch in. I was/am impressed! Maeve & Andy, again to save money but also to once-again lean on family & friends, had Maeve’s uncle step in as their officiant. He was confident, well-spoken, and respectful of the importance of the day. I am always one to recommend hiring a professional for your wedding so you KNOW what you’re getting & can rely on their years of experience to make your day smooth & special. However, this was one case where I think that Maeve’s uncle was just as professional as any other officiant I have worked with (especially considering the price). I will blog soon about the qualities to look for in a friendor (friend+vendor) officiant… stay tuned.

All in all, Maeve & Andy’s day was perfect for Maeve & Andy… and that’s what’s important!

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