Locations, guides, and all the important things to consider when planning YOUR Yosemite National Park Elopement & wedding



Groom holding bride's dress train while walking across the meadow toward Yosemite Falls

Did you know that Yosemite is one of the most popular national parks in the United States? If you’ve ever had the chance to visit, or even seen photos of it online, then you can understand why. Filled with towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoias, Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places in California! Today on the blog we are sharing tons of information to help you plan your Yosemite elopement. From all the best Yosemite elopement locations to how to get the proper permits for your elopement in Yosemite, this blog has everything you need to know. So, keep scrolling to learn more about how to elope in Yosemite National Park.

Explore Some Of The Most Adventurous and Beautiful Yosemite Elopements, Weddings, and Engagements

HOW TO ELOPE IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK IN 7 STEPS

1) Choose the best location that fits your vibes and visions

2) Book an elopement photographer you can connect with. Send us an inquiry for a FREE consultation

3) Plan everything you need to make your elopement at Yosemite the best day ever

4) Apply for a California marriage license

5) Apply for an elopement permit to get married inside Yosemite National Park

6) Adventure around the location you picked, take in the beauty of Yosemite and create memories (and, of course, we’ll photograph the heck out of you two!)

7) Eat the cake, pop the champagne, and celebrate your marriage! Yay!!!


Step 1: Choose The Best Location and The Best Time To Elope at Yosemite National Park

Bride and groom stand on a fallen log in front of Yosemite Falls during their elopement

WHERE ARE THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO ELOPE IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK? AND HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO HIKE?

Yosemite National Park is filled with so much diverse scenery! You can experience granite cliffs, waterfalls, meadows, and alpine lakes all within this bea beautiful national park.

You might wonder how to approach this when Yosemite has so much to offer. This is why we always encourage all our couples to read 6 Things To Consider Before Eloping. In that article, we composed a little guide so you can feel confident about making the decision to elope and learn how to plan an intentional wedding.

Glacier Point Elopement

With a full view of Half Dome and elevations that make you almost feel as if you are floating in the clouds, Glacier Point Amphitheater is a stunning location for your Yosemite elopement. If you plan to invite guests to your elopement or intimate wedding, this location is also perfect as it is just a short walk from the parking lot. The amphitheater can seat up to 50 guests though monitoring is required for weddings with over 35 guests.

One thing to keep in mind is that elopements at Glacier Point are only available during certain times of the year. Because of its high elevation and snow in the winter, the road to Glacier Point is only open during the summer months (May – September). Note, that this information can change from year to year so it’s best to check the national park website for the most up-to-date information.

Taft Point Elopement

One of our favorite sunset elopement locations in Yosemite is Taft Point. This area is great for small elopements with less than 11 guests and provides sprawling views of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.

We think there is no better place to watch the sunset in Yosemite than at Taft Point, but keep in mind that this place can get quite crowded which is why we always recommend eloping during the weekday.

Tunnel View Elopement

Another popular spot for Yosemite elopements and intimate weddings is Tunnel View and after you see this place for yourself, you’ll understand why. Tunnel View offers views of all the iconic Yosemite landmarks from one spot. Again, this area can be a bit crowded so we recommend keeping your guest count to a minimum for this location.

El Capitan Meadow Elopement

While the above locations give you overhead views of Yosemite’s best landscapes, there’s nothing quite like being right up close to these landmarks. That’s one of the many reasons we love El Capitan Meadow. Exploring this area of the park gives you a whole other perspective as you look up to see El Capitan rising thousands of feet into the air.

This area is also great for ceremonies with guests as it is easily accessible and can accommodate up to 50 people.

Yosemite Falls Elopement

Yosemite Falls is one of Yosemite’s most popular attractions in the park. The falls are especially beautiful in the spring and early summer when the water levels are at their highest, but you can visit this location any time of year.

If you want to hold your ceremony at the falls, this area can accommodate elopement ceremonies with up to 50 guests. It’s also easily accessible making this a great Yosemite elopement location for elopements and weddings with guests.

These are just a few of our favorite places to elope in Yosemite! Besides being your elopement photographers, we are also there to plan alongside you. We will assist you in finding and choosing a location that speaks to your heart. And, more than that, we will also provide recommendations based on our experience as Yosemite elopement photographers.

As your photographers, we focus on and value the experience you get. This is why the best locations are the ones we haven’t shared publicly. They are the ones that we’ve spent hours researching and scouting. And the ones we have made sure that we have permission to access.

Then, when we do visit, we also make sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles while we are there. This is all part of our services to you as your adventure elopement photographers. Contact us if you’re ready to inquire 🙂

Bride and groom elope in Yosemite during the fall

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO ELOPE IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK?

You truly can’t go wrong getting married in Yosemite at any time of year. While the summer months can get quite hot, the rest of the year can be quite mild. Each season offers something unique so it all comes down to the vision you have for your day.

Spring

Planning a Yosemite elopement in the spring? This is one of our favorite seasons in the park as the weather is still mild and the waterfalls are at their peak.

Summer

Summer tends to see the most visitors in the park and, as mentioned earlier, it can get quite hot. If you want to experience all the best that Yosemite has to offer, we recommend eloping during the shoulder months (late Spring or early Fall).

Fall

The fall season in Yosemite is seriously incredible! Temperatures start to drop and the autumn colors arrive, bringing so much color and magic to the park! If you are planning a fall elopement in Yosemite, keep in mind that road closures start in November which can affect the location options that are available.

Winter

If you want the most privacy for your Yosemite elopement, winter is the best season! As the road to Glacier and Taft Point are closed during these months, the valley is a perfect place for an elopement or intimate wedding. And, who knows, you may even get to see a bit of snow on Half Dome!


Step 2: Find The Best Yosemite Elopement Photographer and Book The One You Can Connect With

Couple laughing during their Yosemite elopement photos at sunset

WHY US FOR ALL YOUR YOSEMITE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY NEEDS?

We are huge believers in “there’s a photographer out there for everyone”. We don’t know how you ended up here reading all these words but we know you are here for a reason.

Growing up, I (Henry) never thought one day I would become an elopement photographer. I went to school for nursing and started working as a Cardiac ICU Nurse for a while before my heart found photography. Through my nursing career, my heart found a need for documenting memories from seeing how short life truly is.

When we grow old, photos remind us of how we once looked.

When times get tough, photos let us re-live those times when life was much easier and full of hopes and dreams.

When we lose our loved ones, photos are the only thing that lives on and allow us to immerse in the nostalgia and memories.

Photos are timeless. Photos are sacred.

This is why we don’t mess around when it comes to creating a safe space for our couples to express themselves. We want you to feel how you feel and to be who you are meant to be. This is how we can then capture your true authentic selves.

Besides the main focus of capturing memories and moments, we are also huge believers in “Leave No Trace”

WHAT IS “LEAVE NO TRACE” AND WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT IT?

As experts in adventure elopement photography, we care a whole lot about “Leave No Trace”. LNT is where we go on adventures for photos, but we also make sure to leave things the way they are. By doing our part to preserve the beauty of nature, we help make sure it lasts for others to enjoy for many years. Here are some things we do and expect our couples to do (not limited to):

  • Stay on trails
  • Not climbing over fences, roped-off areas, or places with visible signs of “Do Not Trespass”
  • No meadow stomping
  • No confetti inside national parks (it doesn’t matter if they are bio-degradable or not): Each national park has its own living organisms, plants, animals, etc… By us leaving things behind, we can harm these living organisms. Bio-degradable confetti takes a while to degrade and might need rain or water to speed up that process. In the meantime, other animals might still be able to ingest them. If you are thinking about confetti, we can do so at your cabin (if allowed)

Step 3: Transportation, Accommodation, Pets, and EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW to Elope In Yosemite National Park

WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO STAY FOR YOUR YOSEMITE ELOPEMENT?

Yosemite has lots to offer for places to stay both inside and outside the park. Staying in the park will provide you the most convenience to explore all that Yosemite has to offer, while accommodations outside the park will give you more variety. When staying outside the park, keep in mind that it can take about an hour to an hour and a half to get into the park, so you will need to account for travel time in your elopement timeline.

Hotels / Lodges [some of these places also offer services for wedding and elopement venues within Yosemite National Park)

  • The Ahwahnee: Open year-round. Centrally located in Yosemite Valley
  • Yosemite Valley Lodge: Open year-round. Located near the base of Yosemite Falls
  • Curry Village: Traditional cabins and canvas-sided tent cabins in the heart of Yosemite Valley
  • Autocamp Yosemite: Airstream, cabin, and luxury tent accommodations in Midpines, CA

Campgrounds [yesss if you are feeling adventurous and want to bring your Camper Vans, RVs, Trailers, or Tent for your adventure elopement, check out these places]:

Airbnbs near Yosemite National Park

  • Closest towns around the park: El Portal, Yosemite West, Wawona, Mariposa
  • These places are more flexible since you can pick a cabin based on what they offer, capacity, and amenities. Since you’re staying outside the national park, you also have fewer restrictions on what you can do with your wedding.

Although the list above is quite extensive, we did not list everything we’ve found since we don’t want to overwhelm you with information. When we start planning your adventure elopement or intimate wedding, we will narrow down places that are more relevant to your needs.

Two dogs wearing wedding bowties at a Yosemite elopement

CAN WE INVITE GUESTS? HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOULD WE HAVE AT OUR YOSEMITE ELOPEMENT?

We’ve photographed elopements with just the couple, and we’ve also photographed elopements with family members and friends.

There are no rules when it comes to having your wedding day how you want and that includes the guest list. Invite who you want and leave out who you don’t want. And, remember it isn’t selfish to want to elope with just the two of you! It is 1000% ok!

If you want to read more on this topic, check out our blog post on 6 Things To Consider Before Eloping.

WE HAVE A DOG OR TWO, CAN WE BRING OUR PETS ALONG WITH US ON OUR YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT?

If you are thinking about bringing your pets to Yosemite National Park, follow the BARK acronym:

  • B: Bag your pet’s poop
  • A: Always wear a leash
  • R: Respect wildlife
  • K: Know where you can go: Pets are welcome to go to all drive-in campgrounds but for beautiful viewpoints in the park, the list is quite limited

In addition, pets must be with you at all times, not tying them to trees. For a full list of rules with pets, see the official statement from the park itself.

Looking at the list of rules above, you might feel discouraged about eloping in Yosemite National Park. However, we understand how important it is to include your pets on your elopement day.

This is why our job is more than just photographing your day. Rather, by assisting you from day one with planning and finding the right resources for your elopement day, we can help with making sure you guys can include everything that’s important to you


Step 4: Marriage License and Legality in California

Bride and groom jump and cheer after their Yosemite chapel elopement

HOW TO APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN CALIFORNIA

When it comes to eloping in Yosemite, the marriage application process is relatively straightforward. There are two types of marriage licenses in California – public and confidential. In this article, we will focus on public marriage licenses as those are more commonly issued.

Marriage licenses for Yosemite elopements can be obtained from the Mariposa County Clerk’s office. Anyone can apply for a marriage license whether they are a resident of CA or any other state in the U.S.

Applications must be submitted in person and an appointment is required so you’ll need to call ahead to schedule. Both you and your partner must attend the appointment and bring proof of age and identification such as a driver’s license or passport. You will also need to pay the $60 application fee in person as it is cash only.

Once your application has been approved, you will be issued a California marriage license. Your license is valid immediately and there is no waiting period, but the ceremony must take place within 90 days, or else you will need to re-pay the application fee to obtain a new license.

HOW MANY WITNESSES DO WE NEED? WHAT ABOUT AN OFFICIANT?

The amount of witnesses required at a ceremony varies state by state. Some states require one or two witnesses and there are even states that allow you to self-solemnize or marry by yourselves.

In the state of California, you will need an officiant and 1 witness. If you have family and/or friends who can be there for you, that’s amazing.

If not, that’s ok too. We are happy to act as your witness if needed and can recommend a list of officiants for you as well.

TLDR

  • Anyone can apply for a CA marriage license
  • Both parties must be 18 years old or older (parties under 18 must have a signed court order and written parental consent.)
  • Both parties must be present to sign your marriage license application (applications must be submitted in person in Mariposa county)
  • No waiting period – once issued, your marriage license is valid immediately
  • Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days
  • Ceremonies must have one witness over the age of 18

Step 5: Apply For a Yosemite Elopement or Wedding Permit

Depending on where you are getting married within Yosemite National Park, this will determine what kind of permit you might need. However, you might need one or both of the following permits:

1) Entrance Fee: You can choose to pay for a one-time visit pass ($35), or you can use your America The Beautiful Pass ($70) to enter the park

2) Permit to have a wedding inside Yosemite National Park: Please fill out the Application Form and submit a $150 non-refundable application fee online

*Note these fees might change over time.


Step 6: Everything Else To Prepare For Your Yosemite Elopement

Bride and groom dancing in the mead during their Yosemite elopement

We know that when you seek an adventure elopement, you seek an experience. An elopement does not mean the day is “less than” a traditional wedding. Therefore, we decided to dedicate a whole page to our site with multiple blog posts and resources on elopements.

These are just some of the many questions we know you might have, and we will be there from day 1 to prepare you and plan with you for a day that none of us will ever forget. It all starts with TRUST & INTENTIONALITY.


Thanks for reading and we hope you consider us as your Yosemite National Park Elopement Photographers. You can read more About Us, Pricing, Elopement Packages, and Everything we are about. If you are ready, please head over to our Contact Page to send an inquiry.


Yosemite Elopement Packages

– Explore anywhere within Yosemite National Park

– Coverage from 4 hours to Full Day

– A personalized elopement experience with unlimited guides and resources. Click here to see everything that is included

– All your breath-taking photos in a secure & private online gallery

– Travel fees included

Starting at $6,900

(Ranges between $6,900 – $14,200)


Ready to elope? Need our help in finding the most perfect location for you? Need more clarification on how to elope in Yosemite National Park?


Meet Your Intimate Wedding & Elopement Photographers

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *