Before I gush about Mason & Jay’s wedding, check it out on the today’s post on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book BLOG!
Mason & Jay hired me just under four months before their wedding and right before I left the country for a three week vacation to India. When they contacted me they told me they had two things lined up so far: the date of May 7 and their friends’ home on an organic tomato farm in the upper Ojai Valley as their venue. They told me that at one point they had considered holding off on their celebration until gay marriage was legalized in California, but then decided against that as they felt it put too much weight on a piece of paper and not enough on the vows that they were going to promise to each other.
Mason, Jay, and I hit the ground running with the plans for their wedding. They are extremely pragmatic guys who check things off the to do list as fast as it’s created. The two things they kept stressing to me during our planning was that they wanted their wedding to be extremely comfortable for their guests and they wanted to have amazing food. The logistics of the property we a bit challenging at first, but the home owners, Sam and Scott, were so wonderful and accommodating that they even did some major landscaping on the property including changing a weed covered driveway into the gorgeous ceremony site!
The wedding day arrived slightly chilly and foggy, but with heat lamps the guests were kept comfortable. The ceremony was incredibly unique as Mason & Jay had asked a number of their friends to assist in officiating the ceremony. In fact, we were one officiant short as their good friend Mala, a midwife, was not able to attend the wedding because one of her clients went in to labor that day! Some of the highlights of the ceremony were the three married couples (both gay and straight) that got up to speak about what marriage means to them. One couple had only been married for one year, one couple married for 7, and the last couple married for 50. Everyone was in tears but those soon turned to laughter when Mason & Jay’s French Bulldog puppy Henri was walked down the aisle with the rings a few moments later!
Cocktail hour was held overlooking another part of the valley next to some of the pretty chickens who seems quite pleased with the day.
The reception was kicked off by Mason & Jay welcoming their guests and then Mason surprising Jay by playing the ukulele and singing “Longing to Belonging” by Eddie Vedder. The organic dinner of Salmon, Filet Mignon, vegetarian lasagna and vegetables was served family style at long feasting tables underneath strands of Italian Bistro Lights. At one point Jay had to get up and let the guests know that there was indeed more food coming out so make sure room was saved! The dessert buffet later on became cause for a brief dance break from the rocking dance floor.
The entire day was gorgeous. Gorgeous, flawless, comfortable, and classy. There was so much love in the air that it seemed like it was almost visible. Their family and friends were so happy to celebrate their union. Mason and Jay told me that the day was more than they hoped it could be and they wouldn’t change a thing.
The Team that made it happen
Planning & Design: Amber Events
Caterers: Auntie Em’s Catering
Photography: Keith Nelson Photography & Douglas Hill Photography
Floral: Holly Flora
Rentals: Town & Country
DJ: Quinn Callicot
Lighting: Aspect Lighting
Groom’s Stylist: Vincent Castellanos at Sy Devore, suits made in Italy /
Venue: Friend of the couple’s Tomato Farm
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