Snowy Yosemite Wedding With A Poignant Tea Ceremony

This beautiful couple tied the knot in Yosemite Park in winter and enjoyed hiking in the snow

This beautiful couple tied the knot in Yosemite Park in winter and enjoyed hiking in the snow

This couple tied the knot at Yosemite Park, and it was a cozy brunch at a historic hotel in the mountains, followed by a snowy hike with waterfalls.

The Ahwahnee Hotel was the clear choice of venue, with a combination of grandeur and outdoorsy vibes. But because it’s located in a National Park, there were no options for catering besides the park’s concessionaire. The rate for a daytime event was less than an evening event, plus we got a discount because there was a limited menu due to kitchen renovations on the date. Still, the venue, food, and beverage ended up being the biggest chunk of the budget. The remote location had a ripple effect on the rest of the budget since it’s a long drive on winding, one-lane roads to get in and out of Yosemite Valley.

The couple was able to skip several common expenses. There was no ceremony site, since we had it outdoors with only a few people. They didn’t have a wedding party, didn’t do paper invitations, and just played music from a playlist. After the reception they invited everyone on a hike to Yosemite Falls instead of having dancing or other entertainment.

The bride DIY-ed as many things as possible, and they even made their own wedding rings! The DIY elements focused on things that could be done in advance and were easy to transport; the bride also made her own skirt (a full circle skirt with four layers of tulle. Her mom helped too, making their ring holder, the bride’s cape, and arm warmers.

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The groom was wearing a navy suit with an orange tie

The groom was wearing a navy suit with an orange tie

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The bride was wearing her handmade tulle skirt, a sparkling top with a cutout back, handwarmers, an infinity scarf

The bride was wearing her handmade tulle skirt, a sparkling top with a cutout back, handwarmers, an infinity scarf

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She covered up with a sweater, she was wearign earcuffs and carrying a neutral wedding bouquet

She covered up with a sweater, she was wearign earcuffs and carrying a neutral wedding bouquet

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During the outdoor ceremony she was also wearing a grey cape made by her mom

During the outdoor ceremony she was also wearing a grey cape made by her mom

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All the stationery was hiking and woodland style

All the stationery was hiking and woodland style

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mugs are simple yet creative wedding famors

mugs are simple yet creative wedding famors

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The reception took place right in the park, it was cozy and done with neutral blooms and colored glasses

The reception took place right in the park, it was cozy and done with neutral blooms and colored glasses

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There was a poignant tea ceremony, which is traditional for the bride's culture

There was a poignant tea ceremony, which is traditional for the bride's culture

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The wedding cake was a white textural one, with neutral blooms

The wedding cake was a white textural one, with neutral blooms

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The backdrop for the sweetheart table was the park itself

The backdrop for the sweetheart table was the park itself

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After the reception everyone went hiking in the snow

After the reception everyone went hiking in the snow