A + A | A Magical wedding celebration at Oz Farm, on the Mendocino coastline
Nestled along the stunning Mendocino coastline, Oz Farm in Point Arena is a testament to Northern California's natural beauty. As a wedding photographer, I've documented celebrations at countless venues, but there's something uniquely special about this working farm that seamlessly blends rustic charm with elegant simplicity. I had the privilege of documenting A + A's wedding celebration here, and their story perfectly captures why this venue is so extraordinary.
The Couple
A + A are the kind of couple that instantly makes you feel welcome in their world - warm, genuine, and full of playful energy. From our first meeting, we connected over shared values: a love for the natural beauty of Northern California, an appreciation for honest connection over perfection, and the belief that the best moments often unfold naturally when people feel comfortable being themselves. This alignment made our work together feel effortless and joyful. Their story began in the ultimate San Francisco way - through ultimate frisbee - and bloomed from friendship into something deeper through long-distance texts and calls while Alice was in NYC for graduate school. Their relationship is marked by mutual support, playful banter, and a shared love for outdoor adventures, making Oz Farm the perfect setting for their wedding celebration.
Finding Magic at Oz Farm
"It was love at first sight from the website, and even more so when we set foot on the property," Alice shared about discovering Oz Farm. The couple was searching for a venue that embodied the spirit of Northern California - somewhere that could host their community for a full weekend and provide an authentic connection to nature.
"We knew we wanted a long weekend wedding that would be approachable and easy for friends," they explained. "We really wanted to focus on creating a sense of our shared community over the weekend, and make the events (particularly the ceremony) true to us while being part of a larger whole. It was really important to us (since we planned our wedding and ceremony in full ourselves, and did not come from any particularly strong family or religious traditions that meant we had to do X or Y) to think through each aspect and what would be most specific and meaningful to us and the life we're building together."
What makes Oz Farm special is its ability to encompass everything that makes Northern California magical in one location. As the couple described, "It encapsulated the diversity of Northern Californian nature in one place. It is a few minutes from the ocean, and the property itself, where we stayed along with many guests and had all events for the wedding, has wide fields, rolling hills, a redwood grove, a river, deep woods, and was a working farm as well."
A Weekend of Community and Celebration
One of Oz Farm's most distinctive features is its ability to host multi-day celebrations. From Thursday through Sunday, the property becomes your home, with access to the Community House for communal meals and plenty of space for guests to stay on site. "Many guests could stay on site for the entire weekend- we were there Thursday through Sunday and really felt at home in it," the couple shared. "This included the use of the Community House to cook communal meals, swimming in the river, and simply relaxing in the space."
The venue's flexibility allows couples to create a wedding that reflects their vision. "We were so enchanted by the ways they already fit us - nature, community, farming and cooking," the couple reflected. "But also they were very open to how we wanted to structure things - pizza party Friday night? Communal cooking Thursday? Put tents for camping guests in the orchard? Sure!"
The Oz Farm Experience
What struck me most while photographing this wedding was how the venue's natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere encouraged a natural ease among everyone present - it felt less like a formal event and more like a joyful gathering of friends. The ceremony took place in the loveliest redwood grove, followed by a celebration in the orchard, a dinner feast under twinkly lights, and an epic dance party in the barn. Also in a particularly memorable (and impressive!) moment, Alice and a few friends rode their bikes 150 miles from San Francisco to the venue over two days - "which felt like an important way to forge a connection between home and the place that would be so important to us for the rest of our lives."
The venue staff, led by their coordinator Carly, seamlessly blended professional support with genuine warmth. "They were fantastic- super helpful with the details of planning when we needed ahead of time, and great about bartending/moving furniture/support on the weekend itself," the couple praised. "Everyone at the farm was just great people - lots of them came along on the family bird walk, and our guests had a great time chatting to them about the Farm and their work!"
Local Vendor Community
One of the unique aspects of an Oz Farm wedding is the incredible network of local vendors who understand the venue and its spirit. From Wavelength Farm's gorgeous florals to Good Food Club's catering, Little Dory Seafood Co.'s fresh oysters, and Pelican Bread's artisanal baked goods, each vendor brings their own touch of Mendocino magic to the celebration.
Planning Tips
For couples considering Oz Farm, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The venue's location, while stunning, requires some logistical planning for guests traveling from outside the Bay Area, as it’s not super close to an airport. The coastal weather can be unpredictable, but as the couple noted, "We loved that the farm had enough indoor space that we could make things work if it did rain (it didn’t!) without needing to do a full tent setup." Their advice? "Be prepared for cold nights and some mists and just enjoy it."
A Venue That Feels Like Home
What makes Oz Farm truly special is its ability to create a space where couples can fully express their vision for their wedding day. As A + A reflected, "It was exactly the relaxed and stunningly beautiful natural space and community vibe we hoped for." Their favorite part of the multi-day celebration? "Getting to spend enough time in nature up there to really give our guests a sense of why we spend so much time outdoors hiking, biking, camping, and enjoying NorCal!"
For couples seeking a venue that combines Northern California's natural beauty with a warm, community-focused atmosphere, Oz Farm offers something truly unique. It's more than just a wedding venue - it's a place where memories are made, communities come together, and love stories unfold against the backdrop of redwoods, rolling hills, and coastal mists.
For more information about hosting your wedding at Oz Farm, visit their website or reach out to their welcoming team. Their local coordinator will help connect you with trusted vendors who know and love the property as much as we do.
The FANTASTIC VENDOR TEAM:
Venue (+ cider + vegetables): Oz Farm
Wedding Planner: Carly with Wavelength Farms
Photographer: Jenny with Oh Happy Dawn Photography
Florals and Vegetables: Carly with Wavelength Farms
Catering: Good Food Club
Oysters: Little Dory Seafood Co
Coffee: Little Green Bean
Pastries and Bread: Pelican Bread
Hair and Makeup: Krista with Elevated Beauty NorCal
Hotel for guests: Wildflower Inn and Wharfmaster's Inn