Getting married at Burning Man
Yoshi & Gilles
Black Rock City, Nevada
You will never see a wedding quite like this one. The creative forces of fashion designer Yoshi and visionary photographer Gilles united perfectly for their special day at the mecca of self-expression: Burning Man .
Burning Man is not a “festival”, it is a human experience. Every year, over 80 thousand people from all over the world come together to build a unique city in the desert of Nevada. After a week of connecting, creating, and nurturing, the city is disassembled and the desert returns to dust. Black Rock City, the home of this phenomenon, hosts a community based on shared values and principles that foster inspiration.
I could write on and on about the life-changing experience that is Burning Man, but this is about a very special event: a Burning Man WEDDING.
Burning Man weddings are not typical, especially for Yoshi and Gilles’s intergalactic celebration. The entire bridal party got ready together in an RV, wearing custom made outfits by the bride herself.
No one was stressed. There was no last minute logistics, no wedding coordinators, no anxious parents trying to dictate the day - just an intimate group of friends who went with the flow of the day. The bride even had time to bake a cake in the morning!
The only schedule they had was to meet everyone at sunset at RadiaLumia, an art installation by FoldHaus collective. A chameleon art car came to pick them up, and friends and strangers alike rode behind on bikes (the best way to get around at Burning Man).
Upon arrival, Yoshi and Gilles made a jaw dropping entrance by wearing extravagant masks and other custom made accessories by their talented friends (including the rings designed by the groom himself). All the artistic details layered on the blank canvas of the Burning Man Playa easily made dreams come true…
After posing for some photos and watching the sun set in the distance, the night came alive with magical changing lights. Yoshi and Gilles had their ceremony officiated by their good friend, exchanged their rings, and were ready to party! They provided cake, champagne, and small tokens as gifts to all their guests who attended, even if they were just passing by.
They had no traditional rituals, no formalities, just a profound exchange of love that was meaningful to them.
Yoshi and Gilles, thank you for being you and inspiring couples to celebrate their day in a way that is true to them. It was my honor and pleasure to photograph your epic union during my first time burn.
All images by Jasna Boudard, August 30th, 2018.
If you would like to read more about this one of a kind wedding, check out the following links:
To learn more about photography for Burning Man weddings or your own unique celebration, get in touch!