When Kristian stepped into that San Diego Starbucks in 2007, she didn’t know she’d be leaving with the phone number of her future husband. After a few hours of talking and laughing over coffee, they discovered they had mutual friends and similar interests. “Our first date fell into place when a planned outing for six people somehow dwindled down to just the two of us,” she said.
As they started dating, they were ready to face the hurdles ahead of them together. “Aaron was in the Navy and I was in college,” she said. “It was always difficult when Aaron would go on deployments, but we were both intentional about making our relationship work. We sent each other care packages and talked on the phone every time Aaron came to port.”
Once he completed his service and Kristian graduated, the two hit the road. “On this first road trip, crossing seven states, we discovered not only our love for being on the road, but also for each other,” she said.
This road trip helped Aaron recognize how strong his feelings for Kristian had become. “Being confined in a car for hours nearly every day for three weeks straight really tested our physical and emotional boundaries in the early stages of being a couple, but I discovered that every moment, every new turn in the road, was more meaningful with her there by my side,” he said. “Every hike, adventure, trip and walk around the block since that first road trip has only reinforced our love.”
During a February hike at Zion National Park, they got engaged. And they both wanted their wedding to happen that fall. Though it didn’t give them a lot of time to plan, fate was on their side as they searched for a date and a venue. “The one thing we already knew we both wanted in a wedding was to get married in the mountains,” she said. “We really wanted our wedding to exemplify our passion for the outdoors.”
With a suggestion to look at Yosemite from Kristian’s mom, the couple contacted Tenaya Lodge and booked the last remaining Saturday in September. “We booked it without even seeing the actual venue in person yet,” she said. “Thankfully, everything seemed to fall into place after that, and we were so glad that we took the leap of faith by booking the venue because we ended up absolutely loving it when we visited two weeks later!”
Kristian describes the atmosphere as laid back, casual and playful. “We had an outdoor photo booth area filled with silly camping props and wildlife props, a big outdoor fire pit where people could make s’mores, and Aaron even made a personalized corn hole set for the wedding. We wanted our wedding to embody the same joy, contentment and relaxation you feel when hanging out next to a campfire with all your friends,” she said. “I think we did a pretty good job of that.”
— Kourtney Jason
