Yuri and Cole are two people that live their lives to the fullest. They tackle every adventure together. They always say yes to an opportunity. They are warm, welcoming, joyful and optimistic. It is no surprise that they had such an amazing group of friends attend their Evergreen Lodge Yosemite wedding this June.

While they met as teenagers during sailing competitions, and their paths crossed again at Stanford, their relationship didn’t ignite until Burning Man in 2016. Cole proposed in 2021 on a surfing trip in Costa Rica.

These two are lovers of nature and the outdoors. Yosemite is such a beautiful part of California and Yuri and Cole visit often. They decided to host their wedding just outside of Yosemite at Evergreen Lodge – a charming property filled with dozens of private rustic cabins and endless activities such as frisbee golf, ping pong, camp fires for roasting marshmallows, a ropes course, and a swimming pool. Leading up to the wedding, they hosted a pool day, a nature hike, and a welcome party. The welcome party on Friday night was themed “Summer of Love” and everyone showed up in their best 70’s attire! The energy at this event was so fun and down to earth, setting the perfect tone for the wedding.

The week of the wedding, the weather began to look a little ominous. The clouds can be unpredictable between the mountains at such a high altitude. The wedding planner, Jenn Robirds, worked with a dream team of vendors to pivot and create a wedding design that looked even better than plan A – complete with beautiful draping and a clear tent. Sure enough, the morning of the wedding – not only did the thunderstorms roll in – but the hail started. After sneaking in a first look under clear umbrellas, Yuri and Cole spent the morning cozied up watching the hail come down around them. The storm passed just in time for their ceremony. We all welcomed blue skies and couldn’t believe this wild weather in June!

For the ceremony, Yuri and Cole truly made it their own. Before they walked down the aisle, they asked all of the guests to snap a selfie and text it to the couple. They partook in a traditional saki barrel breaking ceremony. After smashing the barrel with a mallet, they both took a shot of saki together. And of course, they exchanged the tear-jerking vows together – complete with matching quotes.

The reception was filled with colorful, lush blooms. Guests found their seat with a large seating chart with charming campy lanterns. The signature cocktails were a nod to the couple and their love for Yosemite. The four tiered cake was covered with over 300 delicate pressed flower petals. All of the table numbers were laser cut in the shape of the Yosemite signage you’d find throughout the national park. It is those little details that truly makes this day unforgettable. Throughout the evening, guests stood on their chairs and toasted, were entertained with a lengthy limerick, enjoyed family-created wine, and danced under more than a dozen discoballs. It was a night to remember for a couple that deserves to be celebrated every day!