Yosemite Elopement Guide

ULTIMATE GUIDE:
UPDATED FOR 2024

With its massive mountains, rushing waterfalls, peaceful meadows and buzzing wildlife- Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful locations to elope in the US.

As photographers who have documented and helped plan countless Yosemite elopements, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know while planning your Yosemite National Park wedding. Discover the best locations for your ceremony and photos, where to stay, the best time of year to visit, elopement packages, pricing and more.

How To Plan A Yosemite Elopement

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Is this your first time trying to plan an elopement in Yosemite? Don’t worry- we’ve not only photographed but also helped plan Yosemite elopements for 6+ years and we’re here to help you through the whole process!

1 Hire A Photographer

Most couples hire us before they start planning anything! The reason for this is because we help with logistics such as choosing the right date, which location(s) are perfect for you, navigating permits, finding vendors, etc. You don’t have to do it all yourself, we’re here to help you.

2 Apply For A Permit

After you’ve set a date with us you’ll gain access to our exclusive Yosemite location guide. You’ll easily be able to see which location(s) perfectly fit what you’re looking for and have all the info you’ll need to obtain your permit for your chosen date, ceremony location and time.

3 Book Vendors & Lodging

Next, you’ll book your lodging, transportation and any additional vendors such as hair and makeup, a florist, officiant, etc. (don’t worry, we’ll send you ideas for all of these). We’ll collaborate on a timeline to fit in all the locations and activities you want while getting the best photos throughout the day! You’ll also get your marriage license prior to the wedding.

4 Get Married!

You’ll have the best day ever and we’ll be there capturing every moment! Within a few days you’ll have sneak peek photos in your inbox, and the full gallery within 2-3 months. All that’s left is to choose which photos to print!

Is eloping in Yosemite right for you?

Pros & Cons To A Yosemite Elopement

After photographing and helping plan countless Yosemite elopements, weโ€™ve picked up some inside information you may have not thought about yet. Here are some pros and cons of getting married in Yosemite:

Reasons To Elope In Yosemite

Stunning, Accessible Views

Obviously, Yosemite has absolutely epic views and is such a beautiful location for a wedding. A huge perk is that most locations are very accessible (don’t require hiking to get to) and you can get a wide variety of scenery in a short time-span.


Affordable Wedding Alternative

Itโ€™s only $150 for a permit and the process is very easy (though can take a while). Always make sure to choose a weekday to avoid crowds!


Lots Of Activities

Thereโ€™s so much to do in Yosemite other than hiking.. you can float down the Merced River, hang out at the beach, rock climb, just drive around.. the possibilities are endless.

Reasons NOT To Elope In Yosemite

Lodging & Travel

Thereโ€™s limited lodging options within the park. Unless you grab a hard to get camping spot or pay for the pricey Ahwahnee hotel, most lodging is about a 1-2 hour drive from the Park in Oakhurst or Mariposa. So this can lead to lots of driving time each day.


It Gets Busy!

Youโ€™re not the only one that came for the views. But this is the case for most national parks as well. Youโ€™ll definitely want to plan your ceremony for sunrise for the most privacy. If you’re not open to being an early riser, you may want to consider another location.


Limited Vendors

There are less vendors that are local to the area, so you may have to pay travel fees to get the vendors you want (or align it with their travel schedule).

Yosemite elopement at Taft Point

Yosemite Wedding Permit

A permit is required for all weddings in Yosemite National Park, regardless of size or guest count. This means that yes, you do need to obtain a permit for your Yosemite elopement. The good news is, it’s just $150!

You can apply for your permit up to one year in advance by physically mailing your application to Yosemite’s permit office, along with a $150 check. 

It’s highly recommended to apply for your permit as soon as possible to provide the best chance at securing your desired ceremony location and time.

PS – The permit process is not a fast one- be prepared to email them multiple times before getting a confirmation. 

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Yosemite elopement


Planning checklist

Get instant access to the full Yosemite planning checklist for insider information on everything you need to plan a successful Yosemite National Park wedding!

When To Elope In Yosemite

Best Time Of Year To Get Married In Yosemite

Spring and early summer are the best seasons to elope in Yosemite for rushing waterfalls, warm weather and lush greenery. We typically shoot weddings in Yosemite in mid-June for this reason! Check our travel schedule below for available dates.

The waterfalls can dry up around August depending on the previous winter’s snowfall. Fall is beautiful for Yosemite wedding providing gorgeous colors and mild weather. Winter is cold and often snowy, but can make for gorgeous images with less crowds. It’s important to note that most beach ceremony locations will be flooded during May and June.

Spring Yosemite Elopement

Summer Yosemite Elopement

Fall Yosemite Elopement

Winter Yosemite Elopement

Choose A Weekday At Sunrise

We always recommend having your wedding on a weekday (Monday-Thursday) to minimize the amount of tourists that will be in the park. An early morning (around sunrise or the hours following) ceremony is essential for the most intimate experience. It’s important to note that it gets HOT in Yosemite during the summer, and very busy, so mid-day should be avoided at all costs. Another essential reason to choose sunrise on a weekday is that you’ll want to get in the gates before it gets busy, or you can be stuck in a line of cars trying to get into the entrance for hours.

Be Aware Of Important Dates

When selecting your wedding date, it’s also important to know the typical opening and closing dates for the different locations you may be interested in. Glacier Point Road (access to Glacier Point, Taft Point and other trails) typically opens in April, May or sometimes as late as June depending on snowfall. It usually closes in November or early December. Tioga Road (access to Tenaya Lake and tons of other trails) typically opens late May and closes October or November. You can view more historical opening/closing dates here. It’s also important to note that most beach ceremony locations will be flooded during May and June. You can still have your ceremony there, but the view will be different.

Another thing to consider is that natural disasters such as wildfires can cause the park to temporarily close, which is a higher risk during the late summer months. In the winter, too much snowfall can cause the park to close as well (which was the case briefly in March of 2023). It’s always good to have a back-up plan! This is why it’s so important to hire a photographer familiar with the area that has local knowledge and can help you pivot to back-up locations if need be.

Our Travel Schedule

NO TRAVEL FEES DURING THESE DATES

Yosemite, California

June 9th – June 20th 2025

We offer waived travel fees and special offers during these dates. Contact for more info.

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Best Places To Elope In Yosemite

To apply for your permit, you’ll need to select a preferred ceremony location and an alternate location (incase your first choice is unavailable). Beyond the basics of choosing which locations you find most aesthetically pleasing for your elopement ceremony, you need to consider the guest count and seasonality. Each ceremony location has a guest count designated by the national park service based on the space and parking available in the area. Some ceremony sites during certain times of the year are either inaccessible due to road closures or flooding that can occur within the valley.

There are designated ceremony locations for weddings with between 11 to 100 people, or you’re able to get married pretty much anywhere within the park if you are eloping with a group size up to 10! Below we’ll outline each available designated wedding ceremony location as well as elopement locations that are available for small group. We’ve categorized these by the area of Yosemite National Park they’re located in.

Yosemite Valley

Sentinel Beach
Cathedral Beach
Swinging Bridge
Lower Yosemite Falls
Bridalveil Falls
Cascades Picnic Area
Yosemite Valley Chapel

Wawona

Glacier point
CHILNUALNA FALLS

Big Oak Flat Area

TUOLUMNE GROVE
MERCED GROVE

Tuolumne Meadows

Tenaya Lake Beach
Tuolumne Meadow Lodge

Elopements Only

Tunnel View
Yosemite Meadows
Taft Point
Hidden Gems

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley has some of the most beautiful locations for wedding ceremonies. A benefit of having a Yosemite Valley wedding is that the valley is quite compact- it’s not huge, but there is SO much to see and do. This means that you’ll be able to go to multiple locations and get a variety of scenery on your special day by just staying in the valley. There are waterfalls, meadows, mountain views, rivers, lakes and beaches!

The Yosemite wedding venues in this area are very accessible, with the locations being just a short, easy walk from the parking lot. It’s true that you don’t have to hike to get beautiful views in Yosemite! Also, a lot of the locations in the valley are open year round due to the lower elevation. If you’re staying outside of Yosemite and are driving into the park for your wedding, these locations are a shorter drive than the other options as well.

Sentinel Beach

Sentinel Beach Picnic Area is our favorite ceremony location in Yosemite Valley for weddings with guests. The lighting in the morning hours is absolutely stunning, with the Merced River, Yosemite Falls and mountain views in the background.

GUEST COUNT: 0-100
SEASON: CLOSED NOVEMBER to MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Hike: None

Cathedral Beach

Cathedral Beach is the best elopement ceremony location in Yosemite Valley for epic views of El Capitan (you may recognize it from Free-Solo!). Like most Yosemite valley weddings, we typically recommend sunrise ceremonies here to avoid crowds that gather on the beach in the evenings.

GUEST COUNT: 0-50
SEASON: CLOSED NOVEMBER to MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Hike: None

Swinging Bridge

Swinging Bridge is a popular location as it offers gorgeous views of Yosemite Falls, the meadows and the Merced. This location gets very busy, so we’d recommend a sunrise ceremony here. Last time we shot an elopement at Swinging Bridge we saw a family of bears!

GUEST COUNT: 0-20
SEASON: OPEN YEAR ROUND EXCEPT ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
Hike: None

Lower Yosemite Falls

This ceremony location is in a small area beside the main paved trail. While the trail leading to the ceremony site has views, the actual ceremony site leaves a bit to be desired. We recommend this spot for photos more than a ceremony!

GUEST COUNT: 0-50
SEASON: OPEN YEAR ROUND EXCEPT ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
Hike: None

Bridalveil Falls

A waterfall ceremony location surrounded by forest. Location lies at the forest clearing on your right where the fall comes into view. This is a unique location as it’s lesser known and lesser photographed!

GUEST COUNT: 0-50
SEASON: Open Year round
Hike: Short Walk

Cascades Picnic Area

Ceremonies are permitted within the picnic site area, ensuring a minimum distance of at least 6 feet away from the river’s edge. Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited parking is available for up to 8 vehicles.

GUEST COUNT: 0-30
SEASON: OPEN YEAR ROUND EXCEPT ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
Hike: None

Yosemite Valley Chapel

Built in 1879, this iconic chapel is located in Yosemite Valley and is available for small weddings. To book this location you have to go through Yosemite Valley Chapel Weddings and there is a minimum of a $1200 fee. Or, just take photos here for free!

GUEST COUNT: 0-50
SEASON: OPEN YEAR ROUND EXCEPT ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS (SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND MONDAY).

Wawona

Glacier Point

Glacier Point is the most popular elopement location in Yosemite National Park. It offers iconic views of Half Dome and the surrounding area. Your wedding will be at the amphitheater if you have guests. It gets BUSY so plan for sunrise!

GUEST COUNT: 0-50
SEASON: NOT AVAILABLE IN JULY OR AUGUST. USUALLY CLOSES NOV-DEC AND REOPENS APRIL-MAY.
Hike: None

Chilnualna Falls Trailhead

Location is located to the west of a large house (personally owned inholding), at the southwest end of the parking area, down slope from the parking lot. Truthfully, it’s not very remarkable.

GUEST COUNT: 0-50
SEASON: OPEN YEAR ROUND EXCEPT ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS (SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND MONDAY).

Big Oak Flat Area

Tuolumne Grove

This ceremony location is a short hike through a wooded area. There is an incline from the parking lot to the ceremony site which has giant sequoias.

GUEST COUNT: 0-30
SEASON: OPEN YEAR ROUND.
RESTRICTIONS: CEREMONY MUST BE ON PATH, NO STANDING ON ROOTS OR NEAR TREES.
Hike: 2.5 Miles roundtrip

Merced Grove

This short hike takes you to a small patch of sequoia trees. It’s a dirt path which at the time of our hike, was lined with cut down trees. There is a moderate slope down to the ceremony spot.

GUEST COUNT: 0-30
SEASON: FROM LATE OCTOBER TO JUNE THERE MAY BE SNOW ON THE TRAIL.
Hike: 3 Miles Roundtrip

Tuolumne Meadows

Tenaya Lake Beach

Tenaya Lake is a much less travelled area than locations in Yosemite Valley or along Glacier Point Road. This is one of our favorite beaches to hang out at during the summer months. The crystal clear blue water and mountain views are to die for!

GUEST COUNT: 0-50
SEASON: THE ROAD TO ACCESS TENAYA LAKE (TIOGA ROAD) OPENS LATE MAY/JUNE AND CLOSES SEPTEMBER 30TH.
Hike: None

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge

Site is located upstream from Tuolumne Meadows Lodge on the Dana Fork granite slab. Take dirt path toward the river stay left and follow for approximately 250 yards (300 meters), until you reach the cascade area.

GUEST COUNT: 0-25
SEASON: ROAD OPENING UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH. THERE MAY BE SNOW STILL IN THE AREA.
Hike: short walk

Yosemite Elopement Locations

If you’re eloping with 10 guests or less, you’re not restricted to having your elopement ceremony in one of the designated ceremony sites! If you do have over 10 guests but love these locations, you can still take newlywed photos here.

We keep our favorite locations as hidden gems exclusively for our couples, in order to maintain the privacy and intimate experience in these locations. It’s important to hire a Yosemite wedding photographer who’s familiar with the park so that they can guide you to the best places for photos. Here are some popular spots!

Taft Point

Taft Point features dramatic cliffs and views of Yosemite Valley that are sure to take your breath away. Taft Point is the best place to elope in Yosemite National Park!

GUEST COUNT: 0-10
Season: Closes during winter due to snow
Hike: 2.2 Miles Roundtrip

TUNNEL VIEW

Tunnel View is a stop right along the road that offers an iconic view of Yosemite Valley with El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls in view. This location is super busy starting at sunrise. However, we know of a couple trails that offers the same view but even better, without the crowds!

GUEST COUNT: 0-10
SEASON: OPEN YEAR ROUND
HIKE: 0-1 MILES ROUNDTRIP

Yosemite Meadows

Yosemite Valley has countless meadows that are beautiful for photos. We prefer to keep the locations of our favorite meadows just for our clients, as people have been disrespecting the meadows by not staying on the designated trails. All photos you see of ours are taken on trails.

CEREMONIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN OPEN MEADOWS
SEASON: OPEN YEAR ROUND
HIKE: NONE

Hidden Gems

There’s lots of hidden gems around Yosemite we love taking our couples to. From places in Yosemite Valley that offer better vantage points than the popular spots to less traveled locations along Tioga and Glacier Point Road.

These are spots we don’t share online to keep the privacy of these locations for our couples. Our couples have access to our exclusive location guides after booking.

WE’LL SHOW YOU THE BEST LOCATIONS

You won’t find the best locations online. You need a photographer who has spent time hiking around the park and scouting these locations in person to help you plan your Yosemite elopement.

We provide our couples with exclusive location guide, custom timeline, vendor recommendations and even lodging ideas!

Yosemite Wedding Reception Venues

Even if you’re having a small wedding or elopement, “receptions” can be a great way to celebrate after your ceremony! This is when you can have dinner, share your first dance, eat some cake, and even have guests give toasts.

Reception venues include Yosemite Valley Lodge, AutoCamp Yosemite, Rush Creek Lodge, Wawona Hotel, Curry Village, Yosemite Bug, Redwoods in Yosemite or other restaurants, AirBnB/VRBO’s outside of the park. Here are a few of our personal favorite reception locations:

Picnic Areas

A free and convenient option is to set up a picnic at one of the many picnic areas in Yosemite Valley! Sentinel Beach, Cathedral Beach and Swinging Bridge all have picnic tables you can use on a first-come-first-serve basis. There are others as well, but these are the most scenic.

PRICE: Free
DISTANCE FROM YOSEMITE: In Yosemite Valley
GUEST COUNT: varies

The Ahwahnee Hotel

The Ahwahnee Hotel is not to be missed! On the outside the hotel is a bit unassuming, but once you step indoors you can really see how grand this location is. This is the nicest hotel and reception venue, conveniently located inside of Yosemite Valley.

PRICE: $$$
DISTANCE FROM YOSEMITE: IN THE VALLEY
Guest COUNT: 0-180

Mountain Room Restaurant

The Mountain Room in Yosemite Valley Lodge is an elegant dining room for your wedding reception. It has stunning architecture with floor to ceiling windows, filling the room with natural light. It’s right in the valley and is a convenient option to rent out for your micro wedding reception!

PRICE: $$
DISTANCE FROM YOSEMITE: IN THE VALLEY
Guest COUNT: 0-150

Chateau Du Sureau

This reception venue doubles as a quaint restaurant and bed & breakfast! That means you and your guests can celebrate your wedding here, then walk back to your room to rest for the night. We’ve shot multiple receptions here and absolutely love it. The venue is stunning and the food and drinks are fabulous.

PRICE: $$
DISTANCE FROM YOSEMITE: 1.5 HOUR Drive
GUEST COUNT: 0-120

An AirBnB

There are many AirBnB’s, VRBO’s and other rentals that allow small parties and receptions on the property. The best way to find these is to browse rental properties and contact the owners directly for more information.

PRICE: VARIES
DISTANCE FROM YOSEMITE: VARIES
GUEST COUNT: VARIES

Evergreen Lodge

You’ll have the option of having your ceremony onsite at Wapama Grove, or apply for a permit to have your ceremony in the park and have dinner with your guests at Evergreen Lodge! Located about an hour drive out of the Valley near Hetch Hetchy.

PRICE: $$
DISTANCE FROM YOSEMITE: 1 HOUR DRIVE
GUEST COUNT: 0-200

Tenaya Lodge

Tenaya Lodge is just outside of the park and is an affordable option for receptions with on-site lodging. They have ceremony options as well, but we suggest getting married in the park for the best views!

PRICE: $
DISTANCE FROM YOSEMITE: 1 HOUR DRIVE
GUEST COUNT: VARIES

Yosemite Elopement Requirements

California Marriage License


To elope in Yosemite, you’ll have to get a California marriage license.

You can apply for your marriage license at one of the 58 County Clerk offices in California. You can do this in any county; it doesnโ€™t have to be in the county where you will be married. The closest and most convenient County Clerk office for Yosemite is the Mariposa County Clerk.

You will need to make an appointment, then both arrive in person with photo ID to obtain your license. Some counties require a copy of your birth certificate as well, so check into that before you leave home.

There is no waiting period, so you can get your marriage license just prior to your elopement. If you want to get your license early, you can up to 90 days before your ceremony.

Then, you will need an ordained officiant as well as one witness to complete the marriage license after your ceremony. You can have up to two witnesses sign, but you only need one (this can be your photographer if you aren’t inviting guests). You can also have one of your family members or friends easily get ordained online to perform the ceremony!

Lastly, you or your officiant will need to return the marriage license to the recorder’s office within 10 days of the ceremony. That’s it- you’re legally married!

Yosemite Elopement Timeline


Day 1

6:30am – First Look at Yosemite Falls Viewpoint
7:00am – Walk to Falls + Explore
8:00am – Walk back to cars + Drive to Sentinel Beach
8:30am – Arrive at Sentinel Beach + Get set up
9:00am – Ceremony at Sentinel Beach
9:30am – Celebrate + photos with guests
10:00am – Shoot details (vows, flowers, accessories, jewelry)
10:30am – Drive to Airbnb
12:30pm – Reception (champagne, first dance, cake & details)
2:30pm – End

Day 2

3:00pm – Meet Yosemite Meadow + Explore
4:30pm – Drive to Taft Point
6:00pm – Arrive at trailhead + hike
7:00pm – Explore Taft Point
8:30pm – Hike back
9:00pm – End

bride and groom dancing during their elopement at Yosemite National Park

How much does it cost to get married in Yosemite?

The cost to get married in Yosemite starts at $245 which covers your wedding permit ($150), marriage license from Mariposa County ($60) and the park entrance fee ($35/vehicle, unless you have a National Park Pass). At a minimum, you’ll likely want to purchase wedding attire, hire a photographer, videographer, florist, hair and makeup artist. You may also need to account for travel, transportation and lodging.

The total cost for your wedding will vary significantly depending on the style of wedding you choose to have. For example, a simple elopement with no guests will be much more affordable than a wedding with guests which you will then need a venue to host a reception, cater food, hire additional vendors, etc.

It’s important to note that elopements can be as simple or as extravagant as you desire, there is no set cost for this type of wedding! The great thing about eloping is that you can allot your funds towards an experience and things that you value rather than an expensive venue and material items.

The couples that hire us value their photos and experience more than anything, which is why they typically spend majority of their budget on their photography package.

Hey, we’re Savannah & Greg!

YOSEMITE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS

We’re a husband and wife team specializing in elopement photography and videography in Colorado. We believe eloping is the best way to get married, so much so that we did it ourselves! We know it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start, which is why we help couples set a date, pick a location, make a timeline, etc!

Yosemite Elopement Packages

Photography Packages

Looking for a Yosemite elopement package from photographers who are familiar with the park and can guarentee you stunning photos? We’ve photographed countless Yosemite elopements and would love to shoot yours next!

Photography & Videography

Professional photography and optional videography services from an experienced husband/wife team who’ve photographed over 150 weddings together. Posing guidance and direction to make you feel and look great in front of the camera, no experience necessary.

Planning Guide

A 50+ page digital planning guide to help you through the whole elopement planning process. Including tips on booking travel and lodging, buying your attire, activity ideas, packing checklists, including family and more.

Custom Location Guide

A list of all the most beautiful locations in the area you choose based on scenery, accessibility, permits and logistics. We do the work so you don’t have to!

Timeline Creation

We’ll craft a timeline that fits all the locations, activities, and moments you have planned for your day as well as consider ideal lighting and making sure your whole experience is relaxed and stress free.

Vendor Recommendations

Looking for a florist, hair and makeup artist, or other vendors? We’ve got you covered with local recommendations.

Yosemite Elopement Photos

BROWSE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Elopement Photos

JUNE 5TH 2024
GLACIER + TAFT POINT

Heather & Matt

bride and groom eloping in Yosemite National Park at Glacier Point

JULY 20TH 2023
YOSEMITE VALLEY & TAFT POINT

Kaylie & Mitch

JUNE 9TH 2022
TUNNEL VIEW + SENTINEL BEACH

Jennah & Hunter

Contact

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