Jillian and Jake didn't always plan on having an intimate destination wedding in America's most awe inspiring National Park. Far from it. Originally, the two Floridians had a fairly large, fairly traditional wedding planned in their home town some 2,400 miles away from the Yosemite Valley Chapel in Northern California. But, something happened which changed all of that. 

Anyone who has suffered great loss in the lead up to a life event as immensely joyous as a wedding, will know that it's hard to feel excited knowing that one extremely important person will not be there. For Jill, the loss of her Father unexpectedly in the lead up to her wedding, was understandably devastating. The couple couldn't see how their celebration would possibly feel the same without his presence. Enlightened by this sobering shift in perspective, Jillian and Jake along with their families, decided to rethink the wedding plans. They set out to reimagine an experience that would not only feel right at such an emotionally weighted time, but that would also fulfill the need to include and celebrate her nature loving Father's memory alongside their new beginning as a married couple.

This new focus, lead them to the famous Yosemite National Park... An environment where the overwhelming beauty and serenity invokes a range of emotions as varied and extreme as the peaks and valleys of the landscape itself. 

The actual wedding was beautiful beyond words and backdrop was the stuff of dreams. It was exactly the type of story I live to tell. The kindness and warmth shown by the couple and their family and friends was an absolute pleasure to around. The conversations, stories and jokes while riding in the car for hours around the park was equally enjoyable as seeing the waterfalls, rock formations and trees up close. And the sentimental moments scattered throughout the trip made it obvious that I was witnessing something more profound than I had expected.

A wedding is always more than just reciting vows and eating cake. It's an adventure, and it's different for everyone. For Jillian and Jake (and myself), this experience was a true discovery of the parallels that exist between the life cycles of humans and nature. As seasons change in valley, snow melts, water trickles, then flows, then falls. Rivers and streams join and separate and carve new paths. Rocks crack and crumble under their own weight. Fires rage and make way for new growth. All the while, ancient sequoias gently sway and observe the quiet chaos, much like Jillian's Father who I'm certain had a great view the entire time. When you consider the cyclical yet unpredictable nature of all of this, it's easy to understand the saying "the more things change, the more things stay the same". 

However, one lasting change provoked by this experience for me, is PERSPECTIVE. And I can't thank Jillian and Jake enough for this gift.

Here's how I saw their story. Enjoy.