A Stunning Ojai Valley Inn Wedding

A Fairytale Location Set in Sunny Southern California

If a peaceful, serene location in the middle of the grandeur of the Southern California mountains sounds like an ideal place for you to get married, then you should consider hosting an Ojai Valley Inn wedding.

I have photographed many beautiful weddings at the inn and truly think it is one of the most beautiful locations in the area. With its stunning setting, fantastic staff, and elegant architecture, the Ojai Valley Inn offers both you and your guests an exceptional experience. 

The Location

Situated in the Topatopa Mountains in Southern California, 15 miles inland from the Pacific coast, is the quiet, peaceful town of Ojai. Assuming and, for the most part, off-the-radar, Ojai is located between bustling Los Angeles and romantic Santa Barbara. It's unfortunate that Ojai is often overlooked in favor of these two large and more active cities because Ojai really is a wonderful destination. 

First off, Ojai is small — like really small. There are only around 8000 people in the Ojai Valley giving the entire town an intimate and personal feel. To add to this quaint ambiance is the strict ban on any chain store.  When you choose to get married in Ojai, you can be certain you are 100% supporting a local community.

Ojai is also an oasis of serene outdoor experiences. From the miles of hiking trails that zig and zag through the valley, the kayaking in Lake Casita, and stunning vistas all around, Ojai offers an unparalleled opportunity to really reconnect with nature and yourself. 

Beyond the outdoor experiences, Ojai is known as a valley of wellness with its many spas and healing centers. It is said that the Chumash tribe, the original occupants of the land, believed the valley to be a spiritual center, a vortex of such.  Even as early as 100 years ago, people traveled to Ojai in search of healing amidst the towering mountains and natural hot springs. What better place to start your marriage than in a place of such positivity?

The Inn

Ojai Valley Inn is a wellness resort nestled on 220 acres with the Topatopa Mountains as the stunning backdrop. Complete with an award-winning golf course, a 31,000 square foot spa, multiple pools, an artist cottage, and several dining options, it is no surprise that the hotel has been named among the best 100 hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler. 

The Ojai Valley Inn was built in a stunning Spanish-colonial style and offers immaculate grounds. The feeling is a carefully crafted laid-back luxury. It is sure to impress all of your wedding guests as well as create the perfect backdrop for your dream wedding.

A Wedding at Ojai Valley Inn

Who Should Get Married at Ojai Valley Inn

The Ojai Valley Inn is the perfect location for the discerning couple who wants a luxury experience in a unique location. It is for the couple who wants to support a small community and local businesses and for those that have a love and appreciation for the healing power of nature. 

Ojai Valley Inn is for those that are outdoorsy but refined, detail-oriented but laid-back. 

In short, it is perfect for a couple that wants to treat their guests to an unforgettable weekend.

3 Reasons I Love Ojai Valley Inn

1 - The venue is the perfect combination of luxury and nature, creating an understated elegance that is hard to duplicate. 

2 - The stunning architecture and meticulously landscaped gardens make it a paradise to photograph weddings. You never run low on places or opportunities for portraits and the outcomes are always stunning. 

3 - The sunsets from Ojai are breathtaking. They are made even more outstanding if you are lucky enough to be there for a “pink moment” when the light hits the mountains just right, bathing the entire mountain in a pink glow. There is nothing like it.

Planning Your Wedding at Ojai Valley Inn

As you start planning your wedding at Ojai Valley Inn, here are a few points to keep in mind: 

*Ojai is located in southern California and has a Mediterranean climate. This means the weather is mild year-round but the best time to get married is always in the spring or the fall before the temperatures get too warm.  

*Ojai Valley Inn is a popular wedding venue so make sure you book well in advance. It helps both you and your guests plan appropriately. 

*Having a wedding at the Ojai Valley Inn gives you the opportunity to host not just a wedding but an entire experience for your guests. From hikes to wine tastings to sunset sails on the ocean, there is so much to do that your only problem will be narrowing down the activities.

Getting Ready

Ojai Valley Inn has over 300 guest rooms that are, unsurprisingly, meticulously decorated in a modern Spanish style. The rooms are spacious and light-filled, making it a perfect place to get ready for your wedding day. 

As a photographer, I adore the rooms at Ojai Valley Inn. They lend themselves to the most magical and emotive images. 

The Ceremony

There are several areas on the property set aside for ceremonies. These outdoor locations are designed to complement the already outstanding natural beauty, not detract from it. The locations are simple but elegant, understated but never boring. 

Both the Hacienda Courtyard and the Artist Cottage Lawn are open-air venues with unrivaled mountain views and majestic oak trees. The Farmhouse Lawn is the newest ceremony space and offers a perfect rustic-luxe feel. 

The Reception

Ojai Valley Inn offers both indoor and outdoor reception options, all of which are stunning and completely customizable to your vibe. 

There are two indoor ballrooms, each of which boasts an ornate fireplace. For outdoor locations, you can choose from Orchard Lawn, with its 17,500 square feet of open-air brilliance, Casa Elar, a private and elevated location on the property, or the Farmhouse at Ojai, a distinctive venue with immaculate design. 

One thing that I love about all of the spaces at Ojai Valley Inn is how they can be completely designed to your tastes and your aesthetic. From small and intimate to large and over-the-top, any size, style, shape, or desire can be created at this one-of-a-kind resort.  It is truly a unique, fabulous experience. 

Photographic Opportunities

From a photographer’s perspective, there is nothing better than Ojai Valley Inn. 

The staff at Ojai Valley Inn are exceptional and are always on-point with service and reliability. Everything at the resort runs smoothly, making it easier for you to enjoy your day and for the vendors to do their jobs.

And from an aesthetic standpoint, there is beauty in every direction at Ojai Valley Inn Resort. With the mountains and the valley in the backdrop, the stunning architecture, and the brilliant California light, I could photograph at this resort for literal days without running out of inspiration. 

One of my favorite parts of photographing weddings is immersing myself in your day, in your relationships, and in the intricacies of your special day. I’d love to chat more about your wedding at Ojai Valley Inn and see how we could work together.