“We love spending every second we can outdoors,” say newlyweds Yuri + Cole, “so we knew we wanted nature and the outdoors to be central to our celebration.”
Yuri + Cole met at sailing competitions as teenagers but fell in love years later, and their Yosemite wedding weekend with an “elevated summer camp vibe” was a tribute to how much they as a couple adore the great outdoors.
Evergreen Lodge is a sprawling property in the wilderness of Groveland, California with lots of cabins and lodge-inspired charm. It proved to be the perfect spot for Yuri + Cole to gather all their friends and loved ones for an immersive days-long celebration.
Mother Nature threw the couple a curveball with their wedding day weather forecast. But planner and event designer Jenn of Jenn Robirds Events sprang into action when thunderstorms threatened to dampen the outdoor festivities and dreamed up a tented reception setup full of beautiful drapery and dazzling disco balls!
After they braved an unexpected hailstorm during their first look, the weather cleared up just in time for Yuri + Cole to have a magical outdoor “I do’s” that they had dreamed of. And photographers Emily and Thomas of The Ganeys were there snapping stunning photos the entire time!
We’re so glad that cloudy skies couldn’t stop Yuri + Cole’s charming, rustic-yet-sophisticated wedding and all of its subtly sparkly disco details!
The Welcome Party
The night before the wedding, Yuri + Cole treated their guests to a retro “Summer of Love”-themed welcome dinner!
You know we love a flower crown!!
Check out our list of the 25 best boho wedding dresses if Yuri’s bohemian bridal look is speaking to you!
Their 60’s and 70’s inspired welcome dinner wouldn’t have been complete without a tie-dye station! Grab some tie-dye kits to recreate this fun + festive activity at your own retro celebration! Plus the tie-dye creations can serve as wedding favors your guests will love!
Definitely snag a pair of heart shaped rimless sunglasses if you find yourself invited to a hippie-chic event like Yuri + Cole’s welcome dinner!
The Big Day
Shimmer and Stain created Yuri + Cole’s tree-adorned, national park-inspired gray and warm tone wedding invitation suite. And that gorgeous water color map was the work of Wide Eyes Paper Co.!
“I went to a bunch of different stores with my sister,” Yuri says, “but didn’t really get *the feeling* until I went to Sarah Seven in San Francisco.” That’s where she found this gorgeous plunge neck button detail gown. We are obsessed with those side cutouts!
The First Look
A little hail can’t stand in the way of true love!!
Hot tip: bookmark our guide to what to do if it rains on your wedding day just incase you end up with a rainy forecast on your wedding date.
Artists from Yosemite Makeup and Hair created Yuri’s cascading loose curl down-do and soft smokey makeup look.
The Posh Posey was behind the day’s soft, summery floral creations. This bouquet is giving us freshly gathered wildflower vibes.
Definitely look through our a to z guide to men’s formalwear if you need to know the ins and outs of rocking a classic tux like Cole did!
So glad these clear wedding umbrellas saved the day!!
Yuri’s bridal party rocked Show Me Your Mumu dresses in the same color but different styles! Love that best-of both-worlds approach to a mix-and-match look!
Check out our list of the most stunning champagne bridesmaid dresses in every style to explore the idea of a neutral bridesmaid color palette like Yuri’s.
The Ceremony
These lush + colorful ceremony florals filled this clearing in the woods with fairytale-level magic.
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding Our favorite moment was sharing our vows with each other during our ceremony
(Other highlights include Cole's uncle performing an original limerick—Cole's family tradition—and the after party with our friend DJ-ing in front of a bubble fog machine!)
Photographer Emily remembers: “Yuri + Cole partook in a traditional sake barrel breaking ceremony. After smashing the barrel with a mallet, they both took a shot of sake together.”
We adore a mid-recessional kiss shot!! Check out our collection of 89 wedding recessional songs for an epic ceremony exit to find the right track to capture the excitement of the moment!
The Reception
Saved from the rain by this incredible reception tent!! It’s All In The Details created all this dreamy, dramatic draping!
Yuri + Cole’s cocktail hour signature cocktails were inspired by the natural wonders of Yosemite!
Get into our ultimate wedding cocktail hour do’s and don’t’s guide to plan a post-ceremony moment for sipping drinks that your guests will love.
Shimmer and Stain created these stunning lantern-adorned reception seating charts inspired by Yosemite and the signage that appears throughout the park.
Definitely take a look at our list of 36 unique wedding seating charts we’re obsessed with if you’re wanting to get creative with your guests’ reception seating experience like Yuri + Cole did.
Sturdy natural wood tables and romantic white guest seating from Standard Event Rentals and a mix of sophisticated and rustic decor details from Memorable Events captured the “elevated summer camp” reception aesthetic Yuri + Cole were aiming for.
SO into these soft floral napkins from BBJ La Tavola!!
This towering four-tier wedding cake masterpiece was created by Cakewalk Heirloom Baking Company.
Fun fact: Yuri + Cole’s cake included over 300 pressed flower petals!!
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Claire de Lune" by Kamasi Washington + "She's a Rainbow" by The Rolling Stones (string cover)
Recessional: "You're My Best Friend" by Queen
First Dance: "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young
Yuri’s giant bow accented reception dress is so fun and chic!! Check out our collections of the best wedding reception dresses and the best short wedding dresses to follow Yuri’s lead and find a second look with a shorter hemline!
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Start early, find your wedding planning dream team, and have fun!
Congratulations, Yuri + Cole!! Your Yosemite wedding day was a chic, outdoorsy dream!! No hailstorm could stand in your way! All the very best from GWS!
photography: The Ganeys // venue name: Evergreen Lodge, Groveland, California, USA // event design: Jenn Robirds Events // planning: Jenn Robirds Events // florals: The Posh Posey // wedding dress: Sarah Seven // bridesmaid dresses: Show Me Your Mumu // hair stylist: Yosemite Makeup and Hair // makeup artist: Yosemite Makeup and Hair // videography: Everlasting Motion Pictures // paper goods: Shimmer and Stain // catering: Evergreen Lodge // cake: Cakewalk Heirloom Baking Company // tabletop rentals: Memorable Events Rentals // furniture rentals: Standard Party Rentals // linen rentals: BBJ La Tavola // music: Take 2 Dance Band // officiant: Father of the Groom // lighting: It's All In the Details // draping: It's All In the Details // seating chart: Shimmer and Stain // tent rental: Expo Party Rentals // watercolor map + save the dates : Wide Eyes Paper Company
Wow, the idea of a boho wedding near Yosemite sounds like a dream come true! The majestic natural backdrop, the free-spirited bohemian vibes. Love the photos! Great blog post.