Ojai Valley Inn has such a calm presence about it, making it one of my favorite places in California to photograph a wedding. Carrie and Sam’s spring celebration leaned fully into the unfussy, deeply personal, and grounded natural beauty of Ojai. Held in April with just over 100 guests, with the help of their wedding planner Michel B. Events, their wedding weekend was intimate, unfolding across some of the most iconic corners of Ojai Valley Inn.
Carrie’s fashion throughout the weekend felt thoughtful, personal, and timeless. For the welcome party, she wore Zimmermann with Manolo Blahnik heels. Her ceremony gown from the Mark Ingram Collection was a classic, and later, she changed into a Cult Gaia dress for the reception, bringing a modern, playful energy to the evening. One of the most meaningful details was her veil by Jane Rhyan, borrowed from a close friend whose wedding was where Carrie and Sam officially became a couple. Since then, several friends have worn the same veil, which made for such a lovely shared memory.
The morning began slowly, the way wedding mornings should. Carrie and Sam took an early coffee walk together around the OJI property, mirroring their usual Saturdays in New York. It was a grounding pause before the day unfolded. Then the ceremony took place beneath the oak tree near the Artists Cottage, one of the most beloved ceremony locations at Ojai Valley Inn. A garden-inspired floral installation framed the altar, blending into the landscape rather than competing with it. Standing beneath the old oak, Carrie and Sam exchanged vows, officiated by a close friend who has had a front-row seat to their relationship from the very beginning.
Cocktail hour was hosted at the pergola, where guests sipped Aperol spritzes and Ojai Pixie Margaritas. The reception on the Orchard Lawn carried the couple’s “Refined Garden Reverie” vision forward. A clear-top tent allowed the surroundings to remain the focus, with layered green linens, candlelight, and overhead floral installations creating an intimate atmosphere without feeling heavy. The design felt intentional but never overdone. Dinner reflected the best of California cuisine, followed by a lively dance floor that never seemed to empty. Carrie and Sam entered the reception to “Jubel” by Klingande, kicked things off with espresso martini shots, and danced late into the night, eventually joined by a surprise saxophonist who brought the energy to another level entirely. Carrie and Sam’s Ojai Valley Inn wedding was a perfect reflection of who they are: grounded, joyful, and deeply connected.
