For their wedding portraits, Hannah Mae + Elijah snuck away to the high alpine meadows of Yosemite National Park, this pretty mountain setting stays nice and cool in the summer. Hannah Mae + Elijah kicked off their shoes and reveled in the feeling of fresh earth on bare feet for their carefree bridal portraits. Dawn Kelly captured every sweet moment.
Editor’s Note: Many high alpine environments are delicate. Please be aware of signs instructing you to stay out of meadows and delicate places. Leave no trace so that future generations can enjoy!
Hannah Mae + Elijah
Tuolumne, Ca
May 28, 2016
Wedding day weather: Sunny
Number of guests: 200
Your budget: $3000
Biggest splurge: Decorations
Biggest savings: Food
Why did you choose the Mountains for your wedding?
I wanted it to be very garden feeling but with a beautiful scenery beyond where the ceremony/reception would be
Wedding day theme:
The color palette was gold, dusty rose, and burgundy. It was “fairy land” and Alice in Wonderland themed. Big clocks, tea cups, tissue paper flowers everywhere.
Where did you find your inspiration?
Pinterest was my best friend! And my mom is very creative so she gave me a lot of good ideas.
How did you choose to personalize your wedding?
Well on pinterest they seem to have garden, classy or over the top cartoon with some things that seem a little to…childish maybe. So I tried to incorporate them both together. Very classy but with little dashes of things that are kinda Fairland, gold flowerpetals on the ground, big clocks, moss on the sweetheart table.
What was your favorite part of the reception?
Dinner was amazing, but I like to have fun and the party is always fun for me. But my Husband wrote me a song and sang it to me and I had no idea he was going to! All of a sudden he picked up his guitar sat me down on a chair in the middle of the dance floor. Oh man that brought me to tears like a little baby!
What are three things you’re super glad you did?
- Made our own decorations.
- Borrow things from friends.
- Had fun, enjoyed the planning.
Anything you wished you hadn’t worried about?
- The number of people stressed me out.
- I worried about money.
- People being mad about not being invited.
What was the biggest challenge in planning your mountain wedding and how did you overcome it?
We didn’t have a huge budget like most, so that was an obstacle. So we shopped at thrift stores, looked for sales, got coupons.
How did you find and choose your vendors?
Our venue was in someone’s backyard, our food was handled by a friend who cooks…so just asking around.
What is your best piece of advice to other mountain brides who are planning their weddings?
Don’t stress out about little things, I know it’s easier said than done. Other people’s opinions are helpful but make sure you do it how you want it, it’s your day, and your going to be remembering it for the rest of your life. Only 1 time your whole life make it unique and what your going to love.
Yosemite Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Dawn Kelly Photography | Venue: Yosemite National Park