A Naturally Elegant Outdoor Wedding at Ojai Valley Inn

Though Emma Fox and Bobby Boyle met and started dating in Washington, D.C., the couple seemed destined to have a California wedding. "We'd been together for five years when Bobby proposed at Lake Tahoe," Emma recalls. "We'd spent the whole day skiing, and he popped the question right on the Alpine Meadows slope."

At that point, the pair had moved west to San Francisco and had admittedly fallen in love with California. They decided they wanted their wedding guests to do the same! "We really wanted a venue that spoke to California's beauty and relaxed vibe, and where we could spend the entire weekend with our guests," says the bride. They found that (and more!) at Ojai Valley Inn in Ojai, California. "Bobby and I loved that everything—from the rehearsal dinner to the welcome party to the ceremony and reception—was within walking distance of the hotel," Emma adds.

The bride wanted the entire wedding to take place outdoors and chose an airy palette to embrace the venue's natural setting. "We used crisp white and green with a hint of coral, which was really beautiful but didn't feel overly fancy," she explains. The couple spent eighteen months planning their California wedding, hiring Alexandra Kolendrianos to coordinate and execute once the big day arrived.

Keep reading to see how Lacie Hansen Photography captured the natural elegance of Emma and Bobby's big day below!

Guests were asked to stay in Ojai for the weekend's celebrations, and the couple coordinated the wedding's vibe after the venue's natural setting and clean white backdrop. Their invitation suite incorporated a design of modern calligraphy and watercolor ferns and eucalyptus. Each set was tucked into an envelope accented with sage green lining.

"Having a longer engagement worked perfectly with our busy lifestyle," says Emma. "It allowed us to take our time with things and not feel rushed." On the big day, Emma wore a gown that made her feel like "herself." "When I put on this lace Rivini gown, I didn't want to take it off," she explains. "I felt just as good in it at the store as I did on my wedding day!" Bobby wore a navy suit that felt like a natural yet elegant choice for the the Cali setting.

Following the event's natural and clean aesthetic, Emma paired her gown with a simple chignon and a soft bouquet of white gardenias and ranunculus.

Emma's bridesmaids wore a selection of light pink floor-length dresses. "Instead of traditional bridesmaids' dresses, I selected a few dresses online that I loved, and let them choose their favorite," says the bride. "The styles were more contemporary, and a few have already worn their dresses as guests to other weddings!" Each bridesmaid carried a bouquet of white ranunculus, peach sweet peas, and coral roses for a pop of color.

The ceremony took place beneath a beautiful oak tree, where seats were set up in a curve around its trunk. The aisle was lined with organic arrangements of greenery and soft white blooms that appeared to be growing out of the lawn.

The couple used traditional vows, but made sure to personalize other details with their officiant. "We shared a bunch of stories, which he wove through," says the bride. The couple also invited family members to share readings, including a quote they love from Bob Marley.

Following the ceremony, Emma and Bobby made their getaway in a vintage green Packard that was decorated with lush greenery and flowing ribbons.

Cocktail hour took place on the inn's lawn where guests sipped on the couple's signature "Salty Dog" cocktail, a combination of grapefruit juice, vodka, and a pinch of salt.

After, everyone found their escort cards tucked into bud vases filled with rosemary, olive leaves, and hellebores.

The reception took place beneath an airy white tent complete with a wood plank floor. Inside the outdoor space, bare wood tables, white vintage lounge furniture, and woven basket lanterns created a residential feel that felt elevated yet inviting.

Centerpieces combined ranunculus, lilies, and roses in shades of white and coral. Each place setting paired gold-rimmed glass chargers and brushed gold flatware with simple linen napkins and printed menus.

The menu included seared tuna, a tomato and burrata salad with crispy pancetta, chimichurri skirt steak, scallops with risotto, and grilled cauliflower steaks. "Bobby and I are big foodies, so the menu was all about things we love to eat," says the bride.

The JB Project kept the white glossy dance floor packed all night. "Hiring them was the best decision we made," the bride admits. "They were unbelievable, and brought so much energy to the party!" After dancing to "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran with her new husband, Emma and her dad danced to "Sweat Pea" by Amos Lee, sung by the bride's brother, Charlie.

The couple took a break from dancing to cut in a buttercream wedding cake that was decorated with olive leaves to further tie into their naturally elegant theme. "As the party went on, we switched from a band to a silent disco," says Emma. "It was hysterical and so much fun! Our parents and their friends really let their hair down. Putting on those headphones makes everyone dance like no one is watching!"