Yosemite is a true natural wonder with awe-inspiring beauty abound! Lara and Ben’s wedding, captured by Jagger Photography, took full advantage of that. Their decor echoed the wildlife that surrounded them, and had a relaxed organic feel that I absolutely love! Nature aside, check out Lara’s dress- it is absolutely stunning! I’m enamored with the delicate lace and long flowing train.

A bit more about the wedding from Lara:

Yosemite is a special place for Ben and I. When we moved to California several years ago our first adventure was to the Park and we fell in love with it. In January 2009, Ben proposed (in snow shoes) at Dewey Point while overlooking a snow-blanketed Yosemite Valley. And It did not take much to convince our friends and family to join us in Yosemite for our wedding.

Last January I came across this post on Design*Sponge and thought the wood slices would make great coasters. And at the same time I was getting ready to recycle my Christmas tree. And then it all came together – I would turn our Christmas tree into coasters! The process was not easy, but I learned a lot about power tools in the process. I’m also totally indebted to the Oakland Tool Lending Library, which is part of our public library system here in Oakland and has a collection of over 2700 tools available for borrowing. Ben and I spent the next few months carving woodland creature stamps and making coasters. It was really satisfying to share something handmade and so personal with our guests.

Lara sent over these additional images. They are adorable, so I had to share! How cute is that cake topper? So perfect for their Yosemite wedding. Here’s a bit about their wedding invitations:

Our first big step was choosing and designing our invitations. We wanted to incorporate the graphic style of the WPA posters of the 1930s and found an amazing local letterpress printer – Kim Vanderheiden of Painted Tongue Studios, who was game for the challenge.

The wedding itself was wonderful. And yes, Yosemite is an amazing place but what truly made the wedding was the people – our family and friends. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Wedding Vendors:

Photographer: Jagger Photography
Bride’s Gown: Recapture Designs
Groom’s Suit: Andreas Gorges Tailoring
Custom Designed Jewelry:
Hair + Make-up: Carol Cardinale-Ruiz of Bellissimo Brides
Florist: Sweet Pickins Florist
Invitations: Painted Tongue Studios
Coasters, Favors + Paper Goods: The bride, Lara Hoke
Cake Topper: Pinks and Needles
Vintage Marriage Certificate: Yesstreen