a blended ukrainian and jewish ceremony, dinner under the stars and yosemite pines, music performed by friends, and one of the most fun dance parties in recent memory. dasha and ben’s wedding was an unforgettable weekend filled with so much joy and laughter.
their day began with a ukrainian tradition that dates back centuries. on the morning of the wedding, ben had to make his way to dasha's family home (in this case, cabin) to pay a "ransom", but he was stopped along the way by her friends who asked him questions and silly challenges that must be answered correctly. according to the custom, the family and friends of the bride try to raise the ransom with riddles and then by tricking him with a fake bride. of course, these days the ransom isn't real, but it becomes a pretty entertaining and hilarious event that everyone in the wedding partakes in either by playing a role or as the audience.
evergreen lodge was an incredible setting for their weekend celebration. the expansive 20-acre property is situated in the mountains leading to yosemite national park among towering pine trees. it is remote enough that it feels like a true retreat in nature, yet the lodge provides everything you'd need with its general store, dining room, pool, and adventure experiences. the best part is that there are plenty of cabins and cottages for all your friends and family (including larger groups) to stay together and extend the wedding beyond a day. i stayed the weekend in a cute little vintage cabin (the most budget friendly option) that was so cozy. watching sunset from the pool deck was an amazing end to this magical wedding weekend.
gorgeous florals by Natalie Galasso // dance music by Sounds Elevated
