Although Amy Auerbuch and John Sweazey grew up just 20 minutes apart, attended the same high school and college at the University of Colorado Boulder, and shared mutual friends, their paths never truly aligned. It wasn’t until a mutual friend’s birthday party in San Francisco when sparks flew. “John made me hysterically laugh all night, but it wasn’t until about a month later when he got the courage to ask me out to dinner…for his birthday party along with 15 other mutual friends,” Amy laughs. “Despite the crowd, we became inseparable that night and went on our first real date a few days later. John was so excited that he accidentally came to pick me up a full day early.”
Two years later, John proposed at Cavallo Point, just north of San Francisco. The couple had made plans to meet friends for dinner, but a last-minute text from their friends—part of the ruse—gave John the chance to suggest a walk by the water. With the Golden Gate Bridge in view, he got down on one knee.
When it came to choosing a venue, Amy and John wanted a property where all their closest friends and family could stay together. With most guests based in California, they hoped to find something local but reflective of their love for the mountains and the outdoors. “We wanted a beautiful mountain backdrop to pay homage to our love of Boulder,” Amy explains.
They had considered Ojai Valley Inn—the site of a wedding Amy had been in and John’s first trip with her family—but initially ruled it out. “Fun fact: John drunkenly told my brother-in-law that night that he was going to marry me!” she smiles. Eventually, though, it became clear the venue checked every box.
Amy worked with planner Heather Balliet of Amorology to design a celebration that felt both natural and elegant. She hired photographer Magi Fisher and Over The Moon The List Videographer Storybox Cinema to capture it all on camera. For the florals, she turned to Hope of Pigsty, who helped create arrangements that felt as though they were growing straight from the grass, blending into the Ojai landscape rather than competing with it. “We blended natural and classic elements and textures to create a modern California garden aesthetic,” the bride notes. “We both love being outdoors and surrounded by mountains, so we wanted natural and earth tones that would blend in with the beautiful Ojai backdrop.”
For the ceremony, the bride chose Katherine Tash’s Cecilia dress. “My style is minimalist, tailored, and modern, so I knew I wanted a timeless silhouette with a contemporary edge to create an effortlessly polished look,” she says. Working with San Francisco bridal shop Jin Wang, she added off-the-shoulder sleeves “to create a little more romance.” A hand appliquéd floral veil by Rue de Seine served as the final touch.
Hair and makeup by Samara Beauty was simple and natural. “My friends all said it was exactly what they pictured me in,” Amy shares. “That’s exactly what I wanted—to look like myself and reflect my daily personal style.”
John wore a Canali tuxedo paired with a buttonless shirt, suspenders and a black velvet bow tie. He completed the look with vintage cufflinks from his father and a pocket square made from the fabric of Amy’s dress. The bridesmaids wore Jenny Yoo dresses of their choosing in the color latte, and the groomsmen wore tuxedos.
On September 6, 2024, Amy and John married beneath the bride’s family chuppah, as her brother-in-law officiated. The two shared personal vows before exchanging rings and breaking the glass. “I felt emotional,” the groom says of the ceremony. “It was surreal, and I tried to take everything in as much as possible, but I kept coming back to Amy’s face and her smile. During her vows, that’s all I could see and hear. It felt like I was seeing her in a series of grainy film segments through an 8mm lens. The best way to describe it is like in a movie when they show the most significant, important, happy moments of a character’s life.”
Afterward, guests gathered on the Farmhouse patio for cocktails and passed appetizers atop rentals by Theoni Collective, Folklore, and BBJ La Tavola. Leighwood Design stationery made its way around for guest book notes, and an escort display by Backup Backdrops guided everyone to their seats.
Dinner was served as the sun began to set. The menu featured a choice of short ribs, branzino, or lemon risotto. “Food is a big priority in my family, and Ojai Valley Inn is known for its exceptional culinary program,” Amy boasts. “We heard so many compliments about the food, and even our friend who is a Michelin-starred chef said it was the best food he’s had at a wedding—which made my parents very proud!”
After the newlyweds’ first dance and Amy’s father-daughter dance—one of her favorite moments—John surprised guests with a rendition of “Smooth Criminal” that brought everyone to the dance floor. “We then went straight into the hora and open dancing with the James Gang band,” she adds. Later in the evening, Amy changed into a western-inspired Delfi Collective mini dress for the after-party. The lights dimmed, light-up cowboy hats came out, and two of John’s groomsmen—both DJs—took over the music.
The couple chose a Friday wedding to extend the celebration. The next morning, they hosted a laid-back brunch, followed by a pool party and closed the weekend around the fire pits at sunset.
