How To Elope In Yosemite And Make It Unforgettable

With heart-stopping cliffs, quiet meadows, and serene waters, 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 perfect 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. It can also be quite hot in the summer, and it easily reaches 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!

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!

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!

Cathedral Beach: A valley location with views of El Capitan next to serene waters.

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

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

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

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.

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!