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This Adventurous Yosemite Elopement Was a Nod to the Beginning of the Couple’s Relationship

September 13, 2024 | justine

Madhura and Veer’s adventurous Yosemite elopement began with a funny twist. In 2018, while hiking Lower Yosemite Falls, Veer fell and broke his elbow, leading him to stay with Madhura for a month. During that time, they realized they were in love. As photographers, they returned to Yosemite many times, and one night, while watching a meteor shower from Glacier Point, they imagined their wedding under the stars. That vision became reality on their big day—the peak night of the meteor shower—making their elopement truly magical.

With the iconic El Capitan as their backdrop, they exchanged vows in the valley. Just as the ceremony ended, it began to rain—adding a touch of good luck to their day! Instead of letting it dampen their spirits, they embraced the moment and had their first dance in the rain. Later, they headed to Glacier Point for sunset photos, where they were greeted by thunderstorms that made for some incredible wedding shots. They chose this day mainly to witness a meteor shower, but with cloudy skies, their hopes were low. However, as they reflected on the day’s events, the sky cleared, revealing an amazing star show just for them.

From the bride’s classic yet sophisticated dress and the groom’s distinctive brown suit to the earthy tones of the wedding party and the organic, locally sourced guest favors, every element harmonized with the mountain setting and the natural colors of one of the most breathtaking locations in the U.S. Captured beautifully by Dani Purington, these photos will inspire you to start your new life together with a truly unforgettable adventure.

The Couple:

Madhura and Veer

The Wedding:

Yosemite National Park, California, United States 

DIY Magic and Heartfelt Moments at Their Adventurous Yosemite Elopement

We had two weddings; one was this elopement, and another was an Indian wedding in Jaipur, India. Since we already have a huge planning team for our Indian wedding, we thought it would be so cool if we did everything by ourselves for this elopement. I DIYed and curated locally sourced wedding favors. Our officiant was my childhood best friend. She crafted such a personal and moving ceremony that blew us away. We wrote our own vows, and reciting those vows to one another under El Capitan was incredibly touching. Our friends, who are also photographers Anindita, Neeraj, and Rahul, captured all the photos and videos this entire weekend. Our photographer for the ceremony was Dani Purington. I have been following her for so long that I knew only she could do justice to capturing the aesthetics and emotions we wanted for this special day. Our friends Nikhil and Saarish played and sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” for Veer’s entry. I had selected my wedding entry song ever since I was a kid. I entered to my Maid of Honor Anindita singing “Thousand Years” while our friend Manny played the guitar live.

Handcrafted Invitations and Meaningful Details

Our invites were extra special as they were made by an artist, especially for our big day. All the paintings in the invite were made from the pictures we’ve taken in Yosemite over the years. We used to write each other handwritten letters during our long-distance relationship. That’s why we incorporated that fun routine into our invites. It also had a postcard, which guests had to mark yes or no for their RSVP and mail to the couple. Our wedding cake was made by a local Yosemite baker who matched it perfectly to our color palette. Our vows books were customized with Yosemite Peaks designs. My wedding shoes had this written on them – “something blue, something borrowed, something old, something new,” an old custom that brings the couple good luck.

How Nature Shaped Their Adventurous Yosemite Elopement

We chose a cozy cabin nestled in the valley, surrounded by forest, to spend the weekend with our closest 20 friends. Though we meticulously planned every minute, nature had its own surprises. Our elopement day began with an incredible sunrise over the mountains, leading to an afternoon ceremony. Dramatic clouds rolled in just before we exchanged vows, but the light remained beautiful. The moment the ceremony ended, rain began to fall—bringing us good luck. Instead of letting it dampen our spirits, we embraced the moment, sharing our first dance in the rain. When we arrived at Glacier Point for sunset photos, we were met with thunderstorms that made for some epic wedding shots. Then, out of nowhere, a huge rainbow appeared over Half Moon Bay—a rare and surreal blessing. Just when we thought the show was over, nature delivered one last spectacle: a stunning sunset with vibrant oranges and pinks, painting Yosemite in a fiery glow. We chose this date mainly to witness a meteor shower, but the cloudy skies had dimmed our hopes. However, as we reflected on the day, the sky cleared, revealing an unforgettable starry night. We watched hundreds of meteors streak across the sky from our Airbnb, with the Milky Way arching above us. It was truly the most magical day we could have imagined.

Starting Their Journey with a Symbolic Olive Tree Ceremony

From the beginning, we were clear that our wedding should reflect “us” and that we should do customs and rituals that make sense to us and not just follow social norms. Given our love for plants, we chose one symbolic ceremony to start this new journey with. We planted an olive tree on our elopement day, eventually finding its home in our backyard. The Olive Tree is often referred to as “the tree of eternity” due to its evergreen canopy and ability to thrive in all conditions, living for hundreds of years; the average age of the Olive Tree is 800 years old. Like this olive tree, we hope our love flourishes and lasts for eternity.

Planning with Purpose for a Unique Elopement

We wanted our elopement to be intimate, so planning was relatively straightforward. However, we took the time to add meaningful details, which made the process more involved. My advice is to prioritize what matters most to you as a couple and allocate your budget accordingly. While others may offer budgeting advice, it’s ultimately a personal decision. For example, instead of focusing our budget on the venue and decorations, we chose to elope in a national park and invested in a great photographer and memorable experiences. Be ready for the unexpected—when it rained on our wedding day, we embraced it and had our first dance in the rain. Planning every detail ourselves made the experience more fulfilling, especially with our bridal and groom parties involved in the execution. It created a homely and heartwarming atmosphere, allowing us to spend quality time with our friends throughout the wedding weekend. We wanted a unique experience for both our wedding day and night, so we chose a date during the peak of the meteor shower season. We watched thousands of meteors over Yosemite with all our guests that night, making it an unforgettable experience.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Dani Purington
Ceremony Venue – Yosemite National Park
Catering – David Schatzle
Cake – Sweet Dreams Cakery
Videography – Neeraj Kumbhar
Invitation Design – Wide Eyes Paper Co.
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Timeless Artistry Co.
Wedding Dress – Lace and Liberty
Groom’s Apparel – Onyx Custom Suiting

 

Congratulations to Madhura and Veer on their adventurous Yosemite elopement. A big thank you to Dani Purington for beautifully capturing the intimate moments that made their big day truly special. 

If you’re considering a private celebration over a traditional wedding, check out our ultimate elopement planning checklist to get started. Whether you envision a sunrise ceremony in a national park or exchanging private vows on a beach, your elopement is all about you and your partner. You get to decide how and where you want to say “I do”!

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Why You Need a Wedding QR Code for Photos

September 12, 2024 | riley

While wedding photographers capture the key moments from your big day, there’s something uniquely special about the candid, unfiltered photos taken by friends and family. Never Miss Moments’ wedding QR code makes it easier than ever for guests to share those photos with you. Here’s why a wedding QR code is our favorite affordable hack for rounding up photos from guests without all of the stress.

8 Reasons You Need a Wedding QR Code for Photos

1. Collect ‘Almost Missed’ Moments

Your wedding day is filled with countless moments that your photographer may miss–they’re only one person, after all. Guests often capture spontaneous and candid shots that you’re going to want to look back on years after the big day. By setting up an online wedding gallery, you create a centralized spot where everyone can upload and view these different perspectives. 

2. Streamlines Photo Sharing

Traditionally, guests might share their photos through email, text, or social media posts. This can be hard to keep track of, especially when you’ve got a lot on your plate after the wedding (like the honeymoon, sending out thank you cards, and returning back to reality). A wedding QR code gallery simplifies the process by providing a single link where all photos and videos can be uploaded. Guests simply scan your unique QR code, which directs them to your shared digital album, making it easy to contribute and access photos & videos in one place.

3. Engages Your Guests

Including an online wedding gallery for your big day adds an interactive element to your wedding. It encourages guests to take and share their own photos and videos, making them feel more involved in documenting the celebration. This not only increases engagement but also provides you with a wider range of photos and videos that capture different angles and emotions of your special day. 

4. Real-Time Sharing

We know that after your big day, you’re going to be anxious to see any and all content your photographer, videographer, and guests have captured. That’s why a QR code gallery is so handy–as guests upload their photos and videos, you’ll have access to them almost immediately. This way, you can share all of your highlights on social media the very next day. The best part? There are no apps or logins required.

5. Reduces Stress 

Managing a wedding can be overwhelming, and the last thing you want to worry about is collecting photos from multiple sources. As we said, you’re going to be busy! By setting up an online QR code gallery, you streamline the process, allowing guests to independently upload their photos and videos without needing to contact you directly. This means you don’t have to stress about endless text messages coming through, so you can go into your honeymoon in newlywed bliss.

6. Easy to Use

Not everyone at your wedding is going to be technologically savvy, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to partake in sharing their photos. Never Miss Moments is easy to use, hassle-free, accessible for everyone worldwide, regardless of their geo-location, and there’s no limit to how many photos or videos that can be uploaded. We consider all of those a win.

7. Can Be Beyond Your Big Day

Your big day is not the only day in the wedding planning process that you’re going to want to remember. From the engagement party, bachelor/bachelorette party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and welcome parties, there are countless events along the way that your QR code gallery can be super useful for.

8. Make the QR Code Match Your Decor

Your QR code place card doesn’t have to be an eyesore in your decor. Never Miss Moments makes it as easy as possible for you to help it blend in seamlessly with your theme by providing free editable place card designs that you can use. Of course, there’s always the option to DIY it using Photoshop or Canva as well, thanks to the ability to receive your QR code via email. The more you display it, the easier it is for your guests to find it and share their photos with you!

By giving your guests the opportunity to easily share and access photos, you’re going to be left with a lifetime of memories from the perspective of the people who mean the most to you. To get started, visit Never Miss Moments to get your very own wedding QR code for photos for your celebration. Not sure if it’s right for you? Check out their try-before-you-buy option, where you can see just how easy it is for your guests!

Image by Elle Studios

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This Elegant Forte da Cruz Wedding Offered Stunning Views of the Sea

September 10, 2024 | justine

Aguiam Wedding Photography

Jessica and Padma wanted an intimate and joyful day, blending classic and modern styles. They embraced their diverse Portuguese and Indian backgrounds, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that made their guests feel special and included in their love story. With a stunning seaside venue, a jewel-toned color palette, and outstanding fashion, their Forte da Cruz wedding beautifully combined timeless elegance with personal touches.

In a charming spot within the historic fort, the couple said their vows against a backdrop of greenery and flowers. The celebration moved to the terrace for a stunning reception, where the tables were adorned with rich floral arrangements and gold details. As the evening went on, guests enjoyed dining, dancing, and celebrating under the magical glow of twinkling lights.

Their incredible big day blended their love story with the beautiful surroundings, making it a must-see event. Check out the gorgeous details captured by Junebug vendor Aguiam Wedding Photographer.

The Couple:

Jessica and Padma

The Wedding:

Forte da Cruz, Estoril, Portugal

 

Forte da Cruz Wedding Day Highlights: An Emotional First Look and a Heartfelt Piano Performance

The most memorable part of our wedding day was undoubtedly the moment we saw each other for the first time during our first look. It was a deeply emotional and intimate experience, allowing us to share a few quiet moments together before the ceremony. Another unforgettable highlight was Jessica’s niece playing piano and singing during dinner–a moment that will stay with us forever.

 

Aguiam Wedding Photography

Personalizing the Ceremony with Rich Cultural Traditions

We personalized our ceremony by seamlessly blending the rich cultural traditions of our respective heritages. Jessica, being Portuguese, and I, being Indian, wanted to ensure that our unique backgrounds were celebrated and honored throughout the event.

The Importance of Connecting with Your Wedding Vendors

One of the best pieces of advice we can give couples when planning their wedding is to stay true to themselves and their vision. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the many opinions and trends out there, but your wedding should reflect your unique love story and personality. Also, prioritize hiring vendors that you connect with and trust—they will make a significant difference in bringing your vision to life.

How Every Element Contributed to a Truly Memorable Wedding

We are incredibly proud of how every element of our wedding came together to create a truly magical day. The meticulous attention to detail in the decor and design made our venue look breathtakingly beautiful. Most importantly, we are proud of the heartfelt and joyous atmosphere that was felt by everyone present, making our wedding day a genuine celebration of love, family, and friendship.

 

How Forte da Cruz Captured Their Unique Wedding Vision

We chose Forte da Cruz in Estoril, Portugal, because it perfectly embodies the fusion of our backgrounds. The venue is a historic castle by the sea, offering stunning views and a sense of timeless elegance, making it the perfect backdrop for our special day.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Aguiam Wedding Photographer
Event Planning + Floral Design + DJ – Lisbon Wedding Planner
Venue – Forte da Cruz
Catering – Penha Longa Catering
Makeup + Hair Styling – Tania de Sousa

 

Congratulations to Jessica and Padma on their elegant Forte da Cruz wedding with stunning views of the sea. A huge thank you to Junebug vendor Aguiam Wedding Photographer for beautifully capturing all the stunning details. To see more of their beautiful work, check out their profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

By incorporating elements that highlight your unique style and heritage—whether it’s through decor, fashion, or other details—you’ll craft a meaningful and memorable celebration. For more easy-to-follow ideas on achieving this, look at our guide full of creative tips and tricks.

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