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With heart-stopping cliffs, raging waterfalls, and quiet meadows, there is no better place on this planet to tie the knot than right here in Yosemite. And lucky for you, you’ve just found a couple of guides ready to help you do it! As Yosemite elopement photographers, we get the chance to tag along with couples all across the globe as they plan their day in Yosemite. If you have been considering the park for your wedding, here is our quick guide on how to elope in Yosemite!

Learn All You Need About How To Elope In Yosemite

When You Should Elope in Yosemite & How to Pick Your Date

The first thing you need to know is that Yosemite is huge. Like, really huge. We’re talking over 1,100 square miles of space. Thanks to the vast size and the diverse landscape, the forecast in one part of the park might just be vastly different than the weather in another part. Here’s what you can generally expect:

Winter: While some parts of the park might be a bit milder, you are generally going to have to deal with road closures. Glacier Point Rd and Tioga Rd, for example, are seasonal roads. They close when the first snowfall happens (around November) and open again once it has all melted (around May). If you do choose this season, know that we’ll be keeping an eye on the forecast the whole time leading up to your day. Chains might be needed at anytime, so it’s good to practice how to put them on before the day is here. Now, if you’re lucky enough to see Yosemite Valley covered in snow, let me tell you, it’s worth all of this effort and hassle – it’s magical!

Spring: You might still get some closures toward the beginning of the season, but later spring brings warmer weather and lush wildflowers. Not to mention the waterfalls are raging! It’s a pretty great time overall! The tourist crowds don’t really arrive until June either, so eloping in Yosemite in April or May is always a good idea.

Summer: Honestly, this is the very good season weather-wise (no rain), but the massive crowds can make things more complicated. Sunrise weddings, however, bring ethereal lighting as well as some privacy. Just be aware that this is when wildfire season starts.

Fall: Wildfire season might still be happening (although it’s been more towards July and August lately), but you do get fewer crowds, gorgeous weather, and bright autumn flowers. October rainy days can also bring some moody vibes and make your day super unique! As much as most people wish for blue skies and sun on their wedding day, we love a good cloudy, rainy day!

Our personal favorites are: spring and fall – no doubt. Although it’s nice to know there won’t be rain in the summer, we would rather deal with rain (it can actually make your day super cool and unique) than the massive summer crowds. We believe experiencing intimacy and privacy in a place like Yosemite is one of the most amazing feelings, and that’s nearly impossible to experience in the middle of the summer. It can also be quite hot in July and August. Temperatures easily reach 100+ degrees in Yosemite Valley, so other seasons are way more pleasant overall.

The Legalities of Eloping in Yosemite

Because this is the NPS we’re talking about, you will need a Special Use Permit to elope. You can apply on their website up to a year ahead of time. Permits are first-come, first-served, and exclusive land use is not a guarantee. Again, sunrise weddings help with this! We’ve shot countless sunrise weddings, and although the wake-up calls are insanely early sometimes, it’s always worth it!

The process is pretty simple, but we will also be helping you with this every step of the way. We’ve filled out hundreds of Wedding Permit Applications and are happy to help!

To legally get married in California, you can apply for a marriage license at any County Clerk’s office in the state. You will need 1-2 witnesses as well as an officiant. There is no wait period to get a license, and your license will be valid for up to 90 days.

How Much Does a Yosemite Elopement Cost?

Next is building your budget. Between the Yosemite permits and the license, you can expect to pay $300-$400 to elope. The Special Use Permit is $150, and the license varies in price depending on which one you decide to get.

From there, you can decide what you want to pay for. Remember to think about:

Park Access
Transportation (car rental)
Accommodations (hotel or Airbnb)
Officiant
Flowers
Makeup and Hairstylist
Wedding Attire
Food
Photography (that’s us!)

Remember that you don’t need to hire every single possible vendor for your elopement, so everyone’s budget will vary widely. It’s up to you and your partner to decide what your priorities are! As Yosemite Elopement Photographers, we provide an extensive Elopement Guide to all of our couples that has a long list of recommended local vendors – so that’s one less thing for you to worry about!

Yosemite Elopement Locations

Now comes the fun part. Picking the location to elope in Yosemite! Here are a few of our faves:

Glacier Point: A classic spot with the best views in the park!

Glacier Point is such a popular spot in Yosemite, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s absolutely gorgeous! We love shooting ceremonies there, and our main tip is: have an early morning ceremony! Because it’s so easy to access, it starts getting crowded after 9 or 10 am, and it doesn’t really empty out until after sunset.

Cathedral Beach: A valley location with views of El Capitan next to the Merced River.

This place holds such great memories for us. We’ve shot so many beautiful and intimate ceremonies here. There’s just something about being right next to water while you’re reading your vows that makes everything more special. But keep in mind, during early spring, this spot might be completely flooded, to the point where there’s no sand, just water. So it’s better to elope here once the river levels have gone down.

Taft Point: A cliffside location with views of El Capitan (and amazing photo ops!).

Another super popular spot, and let me tell you – it’s worth the hype. Watching the sun setting while standing above Yosemite Valley doesn’t get old. We’ve done this hike hundreds of times, and we don’t get sick of it – and neither do our clients! It’s a wonderful feeling to hike out to this spot, read your vows to each other, and just enjoy the majestic views all around.

Tenaya Lake: A gem of a spot in Yosemite’s backcountry

This alpine lake is located on Tioga Rd. This is a different area of the Park, not at all close to Glacier Point Rd or the locations in Yosemite Valley. Because of that, it’s usually less crowded than the more popular spots – and it’s gorgeous! If you elope here on a hot day, maybe you can even go for a swim or paddleboard at the end of your day!

Bridalveil Fall: A dramatic spot complete with a rushing waterfall.

The bridalveil ceremony spot was revamped completely a couple of years ago, and it’s so beautiful now! It has a little “platform” where you and your partner stand, and your guests can watch comfortably from below. Having a waterfall as a background noise during your ceremony is so epic and so serene at the same time. We love this spot!

These are just a few of our favorites, but we can chat more in detail about them and show you examples of each pre-approved ceremony location. We’ve been shooting weddings primarily in Yosemite since 2019 and can’t think of a location we haven’t been to!

PS. If your wedding party is fewer than 11 people (including yourselves and us), you are not limited to their ceremony location list, and therefore we have more freedom choosing a unique ceremony location – this is where things get fun!

Hiring a Yosemite Elopement Photographer

When you book an elopement at a place like Yosemite, you are really planning an adventure. Now, you need photographers who are local and who are ready to show off all the best angles of the park while keeping you as the stars of the show. We’re Stephan & Adriana – Yosemite elopement photographers, and our work doesn’t start the second we pick up the camera. It starts from our first email exchange! We are going to be by your side, helping you plan all those amazing little details. From location guidance to packing tips, we want to make sure you can have the day of your dreams while making memories you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

I Hope This Helps You Better Understand How To Elope In Yosemite

If you have been researching how to elope in Yosemite, we really hope this guide helps you out. And if you would like to learn more about working with us, we would love to chat. Send us a message today to find out more!