247
November 18, 2011
After their engagement session in the tide pools, I knew that Nicole and Jason would be up for a little adventure on their wedding day, which was quite fitting considering that they planned their destination wedding for Yosemite. The came to the park not only to marry, but also to enjoy the natural beauty of this place with their loved ones.
On the day of their wedding, Nicole and her family were tucked away in a cabin at the hotel. When we arrived at the Ahwahnee Carol from Bellissimo was already there working her magic on Nicole. With such a peaceful state about her, I could tell even at this early hour that Nicole was relaxed and soaking in every moment of her wedding day.
I've got to stop here for a bit and tell you about Nicole and Jason, because they really are the ones that made the entire day happen. It's too easy to look around at the beautiful scenery and the decorations and think that is why the wedding was as good as it was, but that would be wrong. Sure they are outdoor adventurers through and through, but it's more than that.
Everything about the wedding was because of Nicole and Jason. The wedding was a celebration of their love. They would hold each other and talk to each other with the utmost respect, each knowing how lucky they were to find the other in this lifetime. They are two of the most gentle souls I have met, the kind of people that can make anytime a good time just because they are there.
That is why when they first saw each other on their wedding day,hidden away in a grove all alone, Jason cried tears of joy at the sight of his bride. And in love, Nicole laughs at him encouraging him through good humor to simply relax and enjoy every moment of the day. Only a few hours later, as they exchanged their vows in front of their loved ones, Jason once again became overwhelmed with love and emotion for this bride as Nicole smiles his tears away. Is it any wonder they fell in love?
This love is what set the mood for the entire evening. It put a smile on everyones face because Nicole and Jason's smiles made the world a little brighter. This is why the dinner conversation was as good as it was. I'll even bet that it made the food taste better.
Given the chance to honor the couple, their loved ones captured this same spirit in a round of heartfelt toasts before everyone took to the dance floor. Out on the dance floor the energy building all throughout the day cut loose as everyone partied like a rockstar. It was amazing to see so much life in motion in such a small area. And right in the middle of it were Nicole and Jason, all night long.
Photographer: Patrick Pike Studios
Hair and Makeup: Bellissimo
Flowers: Sweet Pickins
Ceremony and Reception: The Ahwahnee Hotel
Made it this far and you still want more? Click here to see a slideshow from Nicole and Jason's wedding.
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245
November 15, 2011
Trees, rocks, and water; in other words, all things Yosemite. Add into the mix Lisa and Roger, two individuals coming together in the midst of these elements through love and you can start to see what it's all about. They are in a place in life where they know exactly what they want and are lucky enough to have found it. That's really why they came to Yosemite on this fall afternoon.
Lisa and Roger traveled half-way across the country to elope in Yosemite. It was just the two of them, standing together on the banks of the Merced River as they exchanged their vows in a peaceful moment of bliss. It was their perfect wedding. She was gorgeous and Roger knew it. The whisper of their vows was wrapped in between the wind pulling through the tree and the flow of the river's water. But in nearly the same moment that they shared their first kiss, tourists and bystanders on the other bank of the river and the nearby bridge erupted in cheers.
Now man and wife, then joined me on a quick trip through Yosemite Valley stopping at a few of my favorite spots. Somehow wherever we went we found this gorgeous light bathing the valley, lighting up trees and rocks in amazing colors. Of course, as excited as I was about the lighting and excellent photographic conditions, this was all meaningless to Lisa and Roger; they had each other. And that is all that they need.
Comments
Lisa Borchardt says:
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Patrick, these photos were exactly what we were looking for. Thank you for giving us memories that will last a life time and beyond!
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244
November 14, 2011
Just one frame today from Elle and Anthony's wedding last week. Their fall wedding was in a meadow near Bridalveil Fall with amazingly colorful scenery. Much more to come.
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241
November 9, 2011
With Clayton in the service and stationed in Kentucky, Sarah planned their wedding at Bass Lake with the help of her family. They are both from the local area, so the stunning lakeside location quickly became the perfect place for their wedding. Thankfully on her wedding day she was surrounded by her friends while she prepared to walk down the aisle to meet her husband.
Just downstairs on a grass field overlooking Bass Lake Sarah and Clayton saw each other for the first time. It was also the perfect site for their ceremony. It was there, under the sun and clouds, near the waters edge that they shared their love for each other in front of their loved ones. Everyone was there not just to witness Sarah and Clayton marry, but to lift them up in love.
Just after the ceremony, we walked along the lakes edge and back to The Pines. Their reception started off as a quiet dinner overlooking Bass Lake. Everyone enjoyed the delicious dinner and each others company as as the sun slowly slipped behind the hills. In that same spirit, Sarah and Clayton's friends and family took turns offering up toasts and words of advice for the newlyweds. The entire room had this beautiful feeling of happiness for today and hope for the future.
Before too long that quiet reception turned into a raging party once the dance floor was opened. DJ Kirk Moulin from Yosemite Entertainment kept everyone moving all night long. In the name of good fun and celebration everyone was shaking what they had.
Perhaps more than any couple in recent memory, Sarah and Clayton just melted into each others arms. It's easy to see why they are so perfect for each other - they complete each other in a way that makes them each necessary for the other. Sarah's eyes opened up in love when Clayton was near.
Huge thanks to both James and Katie for your assistance on this day - I could not have done this with out you both. Thank you to Clayton for standing in service of us all. Congratulations again to Sarah and Clayton, we wish you both the best in your new life together!
Photographer: Patrick Pike Studios
Hair and Makeup: Bellissimo
Flowers: Coarsegold Flower Shop
Ceremony and Reception: The Pines Resort
Officiant: Rev. Autrey Nassar
Also if you were there that night and you our looking for photos from our photo booth, you can find them here.
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237
November 2, 2011
Jennifer and Matt planned to have their wedding standing in the midst of the giant redwoods in the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite. They are both in the service and met while in a class on unexploded ordinances; not not exactly your normal meeting place, but love is not limited. That's something that I learned very quickly with Jennifer and Matt; love is in amazing places.
After meeting with them near the trailhead in the Mariposa Grove, we headed out on what was planned to be a short hike before the ceremony to photograph Jennifer and Matt in the Mariposa Grove. Before too long everyone would be meeting near the shuttle for a ride up the hill to the cabin where the ceremony would be, and we needed to be back in time. Riding the tram up the hill sounded like a much better idea hiking through the snow and mud the entire mile and a half.
Of course when you're hiking uphill with two members of the military you just don't turn back. We had been hiking and stopping to take photographs for about forty minutes before we looked at our watches to make a decision on what to do next. We assumed that we had covered nearly a mile, which meant that we were closer to the top than the bottom - why not press on? And so we did, Jennifer and Matt being amazing troopers hiking up through mud and snow as we made our way to the top. Every new turn revealed amazing sights, grand vistas and staggeringly huge trees. And somehow, the hike that that only supposed to be a mile and a half ended up being considerably longer.
Finally at the top of our hike we found Jennifer and Matt's loved ones waiting for us near the cabin. It was as if I had just joined them on one final journey together before they joined each other in marriage. Each step along the way Jennifer and Matt held each other in love.
Matt's brother officiated the ceremony in perfect simplicity that put all of the focus square on Jennifer and Matt. There they stood, on the top of the ridge with a snowy meadow full of redwoods stretched out before them and surrounded by their friends and family. The love in the air was evident on each individual face.
Of course this late in the afternoon, and with the unexcited cold weather, the temperature began to drop quickly in the shade of the trees. After the ceremony we quickly photographed the families together and this time boarded the tram for a quick ride back down the hill. At that point, we parted ways. They were all headed back down into Oakhurst for a family dinner and a few more days together in bliss.
Hair and Makeup: Bellissimo
Ceremony: Mariposa Grove
Comments
Shanna says:
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Such a great story!
Dennis Pike says:
Thursday, November 3, 2011
These are fantastic Patrick. The super wide of them embracing among the redwoods is spectacualr, and the one with them in the doorway of the cabin is just perfections. Top notch work.
Michelle says:
Friday, November 4, 2011
These pictures are gorgeous. I love the surroundings and I can feel the love in these photos.
Amanda Vernocy says:
Friday, November 4, 2011
WOW......these photos are amazing!!! The scenary is breathtaking and the couple is beautiful!!
Krisha David says:
Friday, November 4, 2011
Such breathtaking pictures and such a beautiful couple! The pictures are amazing and I can't wait to see the rest of them! So much love... Congrats to Matt and Jennifer! :)
Thyda says:
Friday, November 4, 2011
Yosemite, what a great choice in location! The pictures turn out fantastic. I love how this wedding is outdoors with snow yet it looks and felt so cozy. Best wishes to the new Mr. & Mrs. Makinson.
Nicole Rita says:
Friday, November 4, 2011
love these two. great shots.
Joy says:
Friday, November 4, 2011
Great pictures! And what a beautiful wedding!!! Gorgeous background for a special day, Congrats!
Jennifer Makinson says:
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thanks Patrick, these are amazing!
Kelly says:
Friday, November 4, 2011
these pics are amazing i love them so much and i feel so grateful to have been there to share such a wonderful day with you :) love you guys
Franci Makinson says:
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Absolutely Awesome! such great pictures with amazing surroundings. Patrick you did an amazing job thank you for these beautiful memories. Beautiful just beautiful!
Anna Park says:
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Congratulations Jennifer and Matt. The wedding looked beautiful and I know your life together will be as well. Love the pictures! Wish you two the best!
Tracy Tinsley says:
Monday, November 7, 2011
Absolutely breath taking! The pictures speak a thousand words and the snow in the background adds a special touch. I love the pictures at the beginning with the sunlight...... there is no doubt the love between the two of you. Simply beautiful.
-Tracy
Julie Wood says:
Monday, November 7, 2011
wow these pictures are amazing i want to see more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they turned out wonderful!! you can just feel the love !!!
andrew allen says:
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
sweet pics bro.
matt makinson says:
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Hey Patrick these are amazing my favorite two are; the last one i didn't even know that you took it and it is amazing the other one is the one with us in the shoots, it looks so good with the shadows that put all the emphasis on us and the colors around us. Thank you so much for the great photos and I cant wait to see the rest. Absolutely perfect!
Mitch says:
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Finally got around to looking at these. WOW! They all came out awesome!
Aaron Baugh says:
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Way to capture the moments. Great ceremony and great pictures.
Steve Makinson says:
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thank you for these pictures Patrick. Looking at them makes me so proud. This was a really special day for our family.
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Patrick, you are amazing!! We knew you would do a great job, but these photos blow my mind!! And to top it off, we had such a great time with you and Katie! Thank you so much!!
The wedding was literally the best day of my life -- more amazing than I thought possible. Thank you for capturing the day with your beautiful photographs. No one else would have been able to create images that surpassed even my own memories.
Patrick, you are amazing!! We knew you would do a great job, but these photos blow my mind!! And to top it off, we had such a great time with you and Katie! Thank you so much!!
These are amazing I am even ok with the one of me! :) I really need some for my site! :)