Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

"That smile though..." That was it. Those were the words that started it all. Val fell for a beautiful woman named Claudia on an app called Hinge, all because of her stunning smile. We wanted to take things slow, both coming from our own separate heartache and unsure of the future we decided to go on our first date and at least make a new friend. However, the universe had other plans. A global shutdown and pandemic threw us into a very close and intimate relationship, where months under one roof gave us an opportunity to get to know one another very quickly. We often talk about how we'd give anything to go back to those days, where time seemed to stand still, and we were able to just sit with one another and laugh, cry, and grow. When the world opened back up, we emerged and had to adjust, along with everyone else. These adjustments tested us time and time again, and with each test, we came out stronger. Those months in solitude helped teach us how to communicate with one another, and built a solid foundation for our relationship. With this whole new world now open to us, we decided to take full advantage by strapping on our hiking boots, and making our way out to the great outdoors. It was love at first hike. We were obsessed with all Mother Nature had to provide, and determined to take it all in. Each time we stepped foot in a new place, it was as though our relationship was being blessed. We've received near perfect weather at every location, had close encounters with bears, deer, and bison, and stories that we will reminisce on for the rest of our lives. From the depths of the Grand Canyon, the Peaks of Grand Teton, to the turquois waters of Cancun; we continue to make adventures and embarking in this marriage is no exception. We are so excited to take this next step and commit to one another before God, nature, and our loved ones; knowing that faith, love, and respect will always guide us. Thank you for embarking on this new chapter of our lives with us!

It all started on Hinge

Our Story

The start of our beautiful adventure...

Our first trip, Mazatlán.

Val's birthday adventure and our first park visit- Grand Canyon National Park

Cheers Claudia! to another birthday and our new found love, Yosemite National Park.

Forever chasing waterfalls!

......God stands before you in these trees. 

Top of Multnomah Falls, OR.

The Cheech to my Chong...

To days of camping and sunset hikes.

Statue of Liberty National Monument, NY.

We always come back HOME.

Bucket List Trip! Glacier National Park, MT.

When we found out there was a dead body in the lake, after Val took a plunge mouth WIDE open.

And so our next BIG adventure begins! Lake Louise Banff National Park, CAN.

Photos

Maid Of Honor Alejandra and Claudia met at the young age of 9 years old and have been amazing friends ever since. Sharing laughs, joy and milestones along the way Alejandra is THE ride or die. When she's not at her salon making girlies feel beautiful you can find Alejandra spending time with family, friends or enjoying trees.

BridesmaidTiffany is a long-time friend and confidant. When she's not busy whipping up delicious cocktails for the girls, you can find Tiff playing tennis, doing pottery or shopping.

BridesmaidBlanca is also a life-long friend. Not only is she dedicated to changing life in the medical field, Blanca also enjoys time out in the sun and learning about astrology.

Best ManTom is Val's best friend since they were 14. They have maintained a tight bond through the years and been there with love and support through every single one of life's ups and downs. You can also find some of the music together on their still very relevant Myspace Page for Fidelity Given. In his free time Tom loves spending time with his lovely wife Carly and their adorable son, Ollie, or catching some waves in OB.

GroomsmanJoe and Val have been friends since the young age of 14. They both aren't completely convinced that they aren't twins considering they share the same birthday. You can find Joe running the 5 peaks of Mission Trails training for the next ultra marathon or educating the bright minds of the next generation.

Groomsman Chris is Val's big brother. Being the two oldest siblings, they have shared some of the most important parts of growing up together. Chris is a coach for Carnegie Mellon's Women's Soccer, and when he's not there you picking up weights bigger than him in the gym, being the life of any party, or spending time with his girlfriend Becca.

GroomsmanAidan is Val's baby brother. There's a pretty big age gap between these two, but that gave Val the opportunity to help shape him into the young man that he has become. Aidan is currently in school working towards his degree, and in his free time he is kicking people's asses and rage gaming on his computer.

Wedding Party

What should I expect for this wedding?

We are getting married in Yosemite National Park. Although we are very much looking forward to saying I do in one of the most beautiful places in the world, it does have its downsides. The wedding venue is roughly an hour and a half drive from Oakhurst, the town where we are recommending our guests to stay and where we are planning to have our reception. With that being said, we anticipate this event to take up a large majority of the day.  To begin the day we ask any guests who wish to participate in the ride share caravan to arrive at the Oakhurst Community Center by 7:45AM. Pastries and coffee will be provided. The caravan will depart from the community center by 8AM to make head towards Glacier Point Amphitheater, where the ceremony will take place. Please see questions regarding the park entrance fees under our Q&A page for more information.   The ceremony will take place at 10:00 A.M. at Glacier Point Amphitheatre in the park. After the ceremony we invite you to take some pictures with us there, in the same location. Once you have taken your pictures with us, feel free to explore the park for a while, or get some rest. We have listed some great things to see in our Things to Do tab of this website, and we highly recommend checking that out! A small lunch will be provided after the ceremony that is perfect to take with you around the park or for the drive back into town. The only thing we ask is that you keep a close eye on the time as the park is very large and it does take time to move from place to place. Remember: the drive back to Oakhurst is roughly an hour and 45 minutes from the valley, so please be prepared.   We will begin a cocktail hour at the Oakhurst Community Center at 4:30PM, followed by the reception at 5:30. We plan on having a great night of food, drinks, and shaking our butts. Can't wait to celebrate with all of you!

What is the wedding attire?

Semi-Formal. Wedding colors will be tones of Emerald Green, Sage Green, Evergreen, Blush Pink, and Gold. 	Please be aware that weather in Yosemite can vary throughout the day. The Ceremony will take place in the morning, which can be chilly in the higher elevation (where we will be), but temperatures will warm up quite a bit through the rest of the day. We want our guest to be comfortable and at the same time look presentable. Please wear light layers and remember to wear your sunblock. ABSOLUTELY NO WHITE!!!!!!

Are Children Allowed?

No! As much as we love your little ones, the safety and size of the venue is not equipped for little ones. We kindly ask that you respect the venues protocol.&nbsp;

Will I need to pay the park entrance fee or make a reservation?

This is a busy time for the park, and normally during the month of June, reservations are required to enter Yosemite after 6 AM as well as the normal fee of $35. However, because we have a permit to have our special day in the park, we are allowed 8 vehicles to enter under our wedding reservation. We will cover the $35 fee for all cars driving with the caravan that leaves from Oakhurst Community Center at 8AM. We ask that you please try to carpool as much as possible so we can keep it to as few vehicles as possible. There will be a ride share organized to meet at the Oakhurst Community Center at 7:45 AM on the morning of the event. All guests that drive in with this caravan, will be let into the park at no extra cost. Any vehicles that drive in separate from this caravan will need to pay the $35 entrance fee at the gate, and have their park reservations to enter. If you are interested in staying the weekend to visit the park, or if you are trying to explore in the days leading up, we ask that you make your reservations ahead of time at the NPS website. If you do make a reservation on your own, please enter the park using that reservation, in order to limit the number of cars coming in under the wedding reservation. If you do not want to bother with the reservation system, you can always enter the park prior to 6 AM or after 2PM, as reservations are no longer required during those times.

Q + A

No block code was given. Feel free to call the hotel and let them know that you are a part of the Pelayo wedding party.

Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite

Travel

Tunnel View Wawona Rd, California 95389 

Let Yosemite welcome you with all its glory and breathtaking views. This spot is a must see overlook, and will not cost you a lot of time, as it doesn't require a hike. From here you can capture one of the most iconic views of the valley with clear images of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Sentinel Falls. We make this stop during every trip, and cannot recommend it enough.

Lower Yosemite Falls, Tuolumne Meadows, California 965389

Another iconic Yosemite staple, the roaring Yosemite Falls will be in full swing during the time of the wedding. This is a short trail, with little to no incline, and plenty of viewpoints of the falls along the way. Take pictures from afar, or get close enough to feel the mist kiss your cheeks. In any case, these falls are incredibly easy to access, and you don't want to miss them.

Yosemite Valley, California 95389

Take some time to quiet your mind. This is an area of the park where you can just embrace the peaceful sounds of nature. From here you will be completely engulfed in all the park has to offer. You can take a nice stroll along the Merced River, have a picnic, or just find a nice place to rest. If you're lucky enough, you may see some of Yosemite's signature wildlife! Remember! Please respect the park and stay on the paths.

Mist Trails, Tuolumne Meadows, California 95389

Feeling adventurous? If you're looking for a good day out, and a beautiful hike, this trail is our top recommendation. From this trail you will have access to two of Yosemite's most beautiful falls; Vernal and Nevada Falls. This hike is an out and back, meaning you can go as far as you'd like. The climb to the tops of these falls is strenuous, but completely worth it. Be ready for slippery rocks, but stellar views. Don't make the same mistake we did... pack a lunch!

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, 56001 CA-41, Fish Camp, California 93623

All aboard this fun for all train ride! This activity can be found outside of the park in Fish Camp, approximately halfway between Oakhurst and the South Entrance Gate. This locomotive will give you an enjoyable ride through the calm wilderness, where you can learn about the many trees that reside there. Back at the station you can pan for gold, or find some great souvenirs at the gift shops. This train does require tickets, which can be purchased through their <a href="https://ymsprr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a>. During weekends, they do sell out, so be sure to buy them ahead of time. Be ready for any type of weather, and have your sunscreen ready.

CLAUDIA & VAL

CLAUDIA & VAL

Wedding Party