Serendipitously, Ilana Goldwasser and Max Torbiner share the exact same birthday, so when they met through mutual friends in Los Angeles, it was written in the stars that the two became inseparable quickly. After three years together, Max proposed by the ocean in Malibu. “No one else was on the beach, and the second we got there, Max immediately proposed,” Ilana remembers. “We didn’t realize until after, but we actually got engaged on my parents wedding anniversary, May 7th.”
Ilana had never been to a wedding before, so funnily enough, hers would be the first she attended. And when it came to planning, she didn’t know what to expect. The two wanted something outside and not too far from their home in Los Angeles. “Our vision was grounded in beautiful surroundings, exceptional food and good music,” Ilana shares. “We dreamt of an organic and intimate night with our closest friends/family that felt elegant yet understated.”
Ojai has always been a special place for Ilana’s family, so once the couple found Thacher House, they instantly fell in love with it for their summer wedding. “We loved the concept: all food served is grown on the property—from the vegetables, to the eggs, to the lamb—the antique furniture and vintage linens are thoughtfully sourced, and the lack of phone service and internet connection is intentional.”
To help bring their vision to life, the two hired Kat of Little Creek Events, and Norman & Blake were behind the camera for every moment. Graphic designer Daniella Manini and artist Sascha Stannard created cohesive day-of stationery.
For their welcome dinner on Saturday night, Ilana and Max wanted the event to be fun and incorporate color. Rory’s Place accommodated a full buyout. The bride wore a beaded brown Blumarine dress, which she notes as her favorite dress she’s ever worn. “I knew I didn’t want to wear white, and I loved how laid back the dress felt, while still feeling special,” she says.
Ilana didn’t want to steer too far away from her day-to-day fashion style, and she eventually found her Long Cocotte dress by Vivienne Westwood in the Absence of Roses material and ordered it from Belle Atelier. “Last minute, I opted against a veil,” the bride reveals. “I didn’t feel like myself in a veil; it felt too foreign to me. I’m glad I trusted myself and didn’t feel obligated to partake in a tradition that didn’t feel right for me.”
For the after-party, Ilana found a Tom Ford dress from 2016 at Decades in Los Angeles, and Brunell at Le Petit Atelier tailored it to perfection. It was actually the first bridal purchase she made, the week she got engaged. The bride shares, “It felt super me, and I knew I could work it into my wedding wardrobe somehow.”
While Ilana didn’t have a traditional bridal party, her closest friends got ready with her on the morning-of and put on dresses by Victoria Beckham, Zimmermann, and Ulla Johnson. Ilana’s sister wore a design by Raquel Diniz, and their mother wore a Monique Lhuillier dress.
On July 3, 2022, the ceremony commenced in front of an oak tree under Ilana’s Papa’s tallit. The traditional Jewish service was led by Max’s childhood rabbi and cantor. The bride walked down the aisle with her parents to her favorite song, “Here Comes The Sun.” “I was so nervous before walking down the aisle, but the moment I got up there with Max, I relaxed,” Ilana shares. “We had an intimate wedding, so all of our guests are people who are close to us and mean a lot to us and our families. It was so nice looking out and seeing all the love.”
After being announced as officially married, the newlyweds sat at one long table for the seated reception dinner by the creek. Natural floral arrangements by HollyFlora lined the tablescape, creating a romantic and rustic atmosphere. For dessert, an Italian-style wedding cake by Roxanne Rosensteel was served with Thacher House’s famous tiramisu and other sweet treats.
The newlyweds had their first dance to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” and then the rest of the night was lively with music from Dart Collective. “I’m certainly not a dancer, and Max and I never practiced or rehearsed our first dance,” Ilana reveals. “Heading into the wedding, I was dreading it and tried my best not to think about it. But it ended up being one of my favorite moments of the night. Max led the way, and even though we were surrounded by our friends and family, it felt like a moment for us to connect without any distractions. I would have loved 10 more minutes of just us two dancing.”
The party eventually moved to the Carriage House, which houses thousands of vintage vinyl records. A good friend of the couple deejayed the rest of the night, while revelers danced on couches. Ilana and Max ended the celebration in front of the fire with fresh chocolate chip cookies and homemade pizzas.
The next day, the farewell brunch was held on the Fourth of July at The Dutchess. Ilana concludes, “We had to weave our way through the 4th of July parade to get there, but it made it all the more fun and celebratory.”
