Tess + Ciaran’s Elopement

Tess + Ciaran’s Elopement Day in Bishop, CA

Bill and I vividly remember taking Tess + Ciaran’s elopement inquiry call. There was a connection immediately between all of us from our mutual loves of climbing, the outdoors and Bishop. They met in a climbing gym and many of their favorite memories together involved climbing or backpacking trips. These two already had a strong vision for their elopement day – they wanted to go on a hike, have their families meet them at the trailhead in celebration and a dinner the next day. They knew they wanted to elope in Bishop after spending a lot of time there together while dating and living in LA. They would come here to climb and boulder together every chance they got. Equally so, they were so excited to bring some of their friends and family out to Bishop for this celebration to share with all of them a place they cherish.

Throughout the year of planning with Tess and Ciaran we got to see them a couple of times in person – once at their engagement session on the Oregon Coast and once at the Love on Earth Workshop where they modeled as a climbing “elopement” couple in Alabama Hills. It had been such a joy following along their awesome adventures together on social media, catching up here and there over planning, hearing about their move to Portland, and getting their first home together. We were very excited to spend their elopement day with them and capture this day within their story as a couple.

The elopement day started under the faint stars as we walked in the slightly chilled morning on a board walk to one of the local hot springs. They had decided to start their elopement day by relaxing in a hot spring, having coffee + breakfast burritos. Of course, some cuddles were involved too. It was the perfect way to start the day to watch the alpine glow wake up the mountains and then the sunlight the steam coming from the hot springs, bringing warmth into the day. Luckily, we had this portion of the springs all to ourselves so it was quiet and gave them room to not rush, enjoy and be themselves. You could see the excitement for the day ahead settle in as they spent the morning holding each other close.

After getting ready together and by the side of some of their loved ones, we set out into the mountains to hike to their ceremony location. Tess and Ciraran, have a favorite trail in the area, but we set out for a new to them trail based on distance and overall experience for the day. We brought Juno, their pup, along for the adventure so she could witness mom + dad getting married! We started our hike into the forest, stopping at an overlook of the first look for them to change into their wedding attire so they could share a first look together. They each changed behind some pines and then Tess walked out onto the boulder to tap Ciaran on the shoulder. He turned around and Tess as she showed off her beautiful dress.

We continued down the trail passing streams in the meadow along the way. We passed two other hikers who stopped for a chat, as we were talking, Ciaran recognized the gentleman. It was Doug Robinson, known as the “Father of Clean Climbing” in Yosemite. They were just as stoked to meet them as they were to take a photo of them in their wedding clothes on the trail. It was a fun interaction to share on their elopement day. Otherwise, though, we had the trail all to ourselves for the day. We made our way through snow in the higher elevation, stopping at a third lake for them to sit and enjoy a picnic. Tess was extremely excited to have a little cocktail in the vintage bride and groom coupe glasses they had found while thrifting. They shared a cheers and enjoyed sandwhiches and a mini charcuterie board set on a rock we found near by. It was lovely, to take our time making our way to the ceremony destination and soak in the views along the way.

We had just another short distance of hiking before the views would change drastically and we would be at the ceremony site. As we hiked along the lakes were changing too. We thought it was fun that they shared their first look at a totally melted-out lake, the picnic at a mostly melted-out lake, and then the ceremony was at a mostly frozen lake. We arrived at the ceremony spot. A beautiful private little nook, perfectly nestled to hold their ceremony. They stood by the water and held hands, Juno laid down to watch from just a short distance and Bill began officiating.

Their ceremony was almost completely written by them and they started it off by paying homage to the natives of the land, Sierra Miwok and Owens Valley Paiute, and their loved ones who are no longer with us. Outside of their private vows shared between the two of them and the words Bill was set to read, each of them read a poem to each other. Ciaran read, State Bird by Ada Limon, and Tess read, Love Poem with Apologies for my Appearance by Ada Limon. Once the words were complete, they excitedly, exchanged rings and a passionate kiss before holding each other and blissfully celebrating facing the mountains. After their own moment to take it in with each other, they were embraced by a tearful Bill and given kisses by a very excited Juno. Their ceremony, was their time, it was emotional, beautiful and very intentional to how they wanted to bring themselves together in marriage.

After their ceremony, we took some time enjoying the mountains and taking some portraits before setting back out into the mountains for the hike out. Along the way, we stopped for a celebratory drink and admired the sunset colors on the mountain walls around us.

We reached the parking lot, where Tess + Ciaran’s parents and siblings were waiting to celebrate with them in a champagne toast and for their mother’s to sign the marriage paperwork as witnesses.

The following day Tess + Ciaran hosted their elopement dinner reception with around 40 of their dearest loved ones where they were staying, the East Side Guest House and Bivy. This was the perfect location for this! Tess and Ciaran had invited us to their dinner as guests. We walked into a dreamy backlit glowy light over the lawn where they had the dinner tables set up, vintage glasses on a shelf for beverages which you could find in the vintage old bathub being used as an ice chest. A delicious dinner was served from the local Asian Fusion food truck and Tess and Ciaran thanked everyone for coming out. Siblings and parents came up to the mic to give emotional speeches admiring each of them as individuals, but also as a couple. Stories were shared from their years together, when their relationship first started and how their loved ones have seen them each grow throughout their relationship together. There was so much, joy, admiration and love surrounding these two. As the night turned to dusk Tess and Ciaran casually shared a first dance together before everyone joined them in dancing the night away!

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