Discover Why You Will Love A Cathedral Beach Yosemite Wedding!

There are a lot of spots on the outskirts of Yosemite that let you tie the knot with the landscape as your backdrop, but there’s nothing like getting married in the park itself. While you might be further away from restaurants and lodging, you are going to get views you would not believe! If you are looking for a spot in the heart of the park, Cathedral Beach is your spot. As Yosemite elopement and intimate wedding photographers, we love working with couples to discover their ideal locations. Here’s what you can expect with a Cathedral Beach Yosemite wedding.

About The Cathedral Beach Yosemite Wedding Venue

Yosemite, California

Cathedral Beach offers it all. Lush meadows, towering trees, tranquil waters, and the very best views of El Capitan. We love this spot because it gives you those really epic views while remaining accessible to smaller parties. It’s ideal for weddings and elopements!

Details of the Grounds

When you book a wedding at Cathedral Beach, we recommend renting out a cabin or an Airbnb (there are tons of great options just a short drive away!). You can find the spot that matches your style so you can have the perfect spot for your backdrop.

Cathedral Beach gives you a designated spot where you can host up to 50 people for your day. This spot is going to be in Yosemite Valley and will have parking, picnic tables, and bathrooms on-site. This makes it a perfect spot for people of all ages and abilities to come and witness this moment. And while it might be one of the easiest spots in the park to reach, you won’t have to compromise on views! You can get married by the water’s edge as El Capitan looks on stoically in the background. Then, you can head out to the surrounding trails and get pictures celebrating your marriage!

For your reception, you can head back to your cabin for an intimate party or go to a local restaurant for great food, fabulous drinks, and unforgettable memories.

Photography Opportunities

While every spot in Cathedral Beach is picture-perfect, we love grabbing some pictures on the trail once you are done getting married. It’s the perfect way to break away and find some secluded spots to share a kiss. Just be sure to grab some comfy shoes!

Wedding Details

When you plan a National Park wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Permit: Every event needs a permit, no matter how many guests. You can apply for this up to a year in advance.

No closed access: Sorry, but there might be people who pop in and out to see what’s going on. You won’t be able to exclusively reserve your spot, but you can plan around this by planning sunrise ceremonies. People also usually stay away from wedding ceremonies and are respectful, at least that’s our experience after 7+ years working in the Park.

Weather: The area sometimes closes because of flooding, so watch the forecast ahead of time. They also close it each year from November through Labor Day.

Say “I Do” Under El Capitan At A Perfect Cathedral Beach Yosemite Wedding

If you are looking for the perfect spot for your ceremony, we think a Cathedral Beach Yosemite wedding might just be your spot. Now, it’s time to find the photographers who will capture it all. We can be there for that, too! We are Yosemite elopement and intimate wedding photographers, and we love working with couples to document every second of their day. We would love to have a conversation and tell you about our style so you can see if we’re a match. Hope to chat soon!

Kayleen and Nick’s Yosemite wedding was unforgettable! They had to endure rain and strong winds, but were rewarded with incredible lighting, a rainbow, and one of the most epic sunsets we have ever seen!