Everything You Need to Know About Eloping in Yosemite National Park

Eloping in Yosemite is a popular choice for many couples each year. When you elope in Yosemite you enjoy the natural beauty, abundant animals, and breathtaking cliffs and waterfalls of this breathtaking park. This guide will go over everything you need to know about eloping in Yosemite!

 

 

Why Should You Elope in Yosemite?

Every year, millions of visitors go to Yosemite. El Capitan and Half Dome are two of Yosemite’s most prominent sandstone cliffs. Regardless of wherever you are in the park, you will always be surrounded by natural magnificence, from hills to waterfalls.

  • Cautionary Note for the Year 2022: 

One thing to keep in mind while visiting Yosemite: Due to ongoing work, Glacier Point Rd will be blocked until the year 2022. Because of this, well-known destinations such as Taft Point and Glacier Point are off-limits for the year. At the same time, there are many beautiful spots in the park that you’ll love for elopements. Waiting for Taft Point will take place in the spring of 2023.

Every season in Yosemite is unique, one of the many reasons this Park is so beloved by visitors from across the world. Selecting a favorite season in winter, spring, summer, and autumn isn’t easy. We’ll go through each season in more detail later in this guide, so you can decide which is best for your elopement.


When to Elope in Yosemite?

Yosemite is breathtaking at any time of the year, but not all of the park’s roads, trails, or lookout sites are accessible in all seasons. Yosemite has four distinct seasons:

  1. Winter (November-March):

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness the Yosemite Valley blanketed with snow. It was really special and magical to see how peaceful the park was with the snow coming down! Also, there were far less people! But because a lot of the roads are closed in winter, you are really limited to the valley!

  1. Springs (March-April):

In spring there are full waterfalls, lovely weather, and a lot of greenery in the area! However, it can randomly have cold years and still snow sometimes depending on when you go! The only drawback to Yosemite’s springtime magnificence is the possibility that Glacier Point Road won’t open until later in the month.

  1. Summer (June-August):

This is the time of year when Glacier Point Road opens, allowing you access to destinations like Taft Point. Due to the high volume of visitors during the summer months, I Generally advise tying the knot in Yosemite during the week or at dawn to avoid the crowds (or both).

  1. Autumn (September-November)

Autumn is really the most breathtaking time of year in the park in my opinion! This year’s fall foliage in Yosemite is spectacular, and the weather couldn’t have been better!

 

 

How to Schedule Your Elopement in Yosemite?

Make sure you get in touch with providers familiar with your destination (like me!!) before deciding on an elopement venue. I am happy to assist you in choosing the perfect spot for your wedding! As soon as you’ve selected a date for when the place will be open, go ahead and get your permits, or I can help you with that as well!

How Much Do Yosemite Elopement Packages Cost?

Couples often pay between $6k and $10k on their full Yosemite elope packages, including the photographer, hotel, additional providers, permit charges, and travel expenses.

  • Photography packages starting at: $3000
  • Providers (hairdressing and makeup, and bouquets): $500 – $1,500
  • Inns and hotels: $500 – $1,500
  • License and permit: $215

How to Get Permit of Eloping in Yosemite?

Regardless of the number of guests, any wedding party is required to get a Special Event Permit in Yosemite National Park. Due to the popularity of being married in Yosemite, we suggest that you register for your permission as soon as you can. There is a $150 cost for applying.

Few Restrictions of Eloping in Yosemite

  • Unfortunately, animals of any kind are not permitted.
  • Amplification of sound is not permitted.
  • Permits are not issued for weddings throughout the weekend or on official holidays.
  • Non-exclusive: You and your guests will not have exclusive use of the spot when other park visitors are present.
  • No balloons, decorations, or signs will be allowed.
  • Please refrain from hurling rice, birdseed, fireworks, or rose petals.
  • There should be no walking on any plants or vegetation.
  • There will be no weddings under the shade of the gigantic sequoias.
  • There will be no seats available, with the only exception of visitors who have particular requirements.
  • There will be no airborne photography or drone use.
  • There are no wedding receptions allowed in the park.

 

Best Locations to Elope in Yosemite

Depending on the number of people you’re inviting, some of these venues may be accessible for your wedding ceremony, while others will make for stunning backdrops for your couple’s photographs on the day of your elopement. In this list, you’ll find a variety of choices based on your preferences, such as locations that can be reached by car, those that are accessible to people with disabilities, and so on.

  • The Taft Point

Taft Point is a spectacular cliff-top vantage point to take in the breathtaking scenery.  The journey begins at a tiny parking area and extends for 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles). It is generally perceived as an easy hike, although the terrain and circumstances may alter at various seasons of the year. It’s a beautiful trek! Please note that the road leading up to this entrance will be blocked in 2022; after that, the only way to reach there will be through a tough climb.

  • Meadows of El Capitan

The El Capitan Meadow is a wonderful grassland, and it offers stunning vistas in every direction. You can see El Capitan’s renowned sandstone cliffs! It is quite convenient to get there since there are merge lanes where you can park, and there are wonderful wooded areas and peaceful locations where you can have a picnic.

  • Glacier Point

Glacier Point is a well-known destination conveniently located a short distance from a parking area. If you’re in the mood for breathtaking views of the famous Half Dome, you won’t want to miss this vantage point! 

  • Cook’s Meadow and Sentinel Meadow 

The landscape around Cook’s Meadow and Sentinel Meadow is a lovely place to wander across, and it also has well-known wooden walks. The Yosemite River, a meadow, and a wooded setting combine to make for a stunning background. In addition, it is simple to reach, and there are pullouts available for parking, similar to El Capitan Meadow.

  • Yosemite Falls

When it comes to elopement locations in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Falls is often ranked among the top choices. 

  • Bridalveil Falls

For those who want to be married in the most spectacular setting possible, Bridalveil is the perfect spot to do it. You’ll find a forested spot underneath the waterfall where you may snap some romantic shots. (Be ready for a misty scene!)

  • Tunnel View

The Tunnel View lookout in Yosemite Park is consistently ranked as one of the park’s best-visited locations and with excellent purpose. Considering how much natural magnificence is concentrated in this site, it’s not surprising that this location is a popular choice for wedding ceremonies. El Capitan, Trekking Poles, and Bridal Veil all stand out in the distance. To escape the crowds, plan to come early!


Comparison Between Sunset or Sunrise Eloping in Yosemite

  • Sunrise

Sunrise implies fewer visitors and crowds. However, it equally means you’ll have to get dressed early in the morning and hike in the darkness if the chosen place entails trekking. 

Depending on lighting, I’d generally travel directly to the hillside and take advantage of the beautiful scenery. Glacier Point in Yosemite is where I love to watch the sunrise!


  • Sunset

You’ll have the whole day to prepare without being hurried, and we can always begin in the valley with your Initial Impression and a few shots there. However, dusk brings with its dozens of new faces. Taft Point, in Yosemite Valley, is my favorite place to watch the sunset over the mountains. At dawn and sunset, places seem quite different. Therefore, I’ll help you prepare accordingly. You may learn further about sunrise vs. sunset in my Elopement Preparation Guide for my clients!

Check Out These Yosemite Elopement Lodges

  • Auto Camp

This is without a doubt one of top best prospects for places to stay. After eloping in Yosemite, why not celebrate by spending the night in a fully stocked airstream trailer and sipping dark cocoa under the night sky?

  • Yosemite Pines RV

This is a fantastic “roughing out” alternative for people!

  • Ahwahnee Hotel

There is a lodge located inside each national park, but the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite Valley is unlike any other hotel in any other national park. This lodge, nestled under the jagged peaks, is legendary in every way.

  • Tenaya Lodge

If you’re looking for the greatest of both situations, the Tenaya Lodge is just next door to the southern border to Yosemite. After the ceremony, you’re welcome to have a brunch or dinner party here.


Rules and Regulation of Eloping in Yosemite

Rules and regulations are a very important topic. Getting married in Yosemite Park requires a permit, so don’t worry! The steps are straightforward, and I’ll walk you through them now:

  • Determine the day of your wedding, the timing of the ceremony, the venue of the wedding, and the number of attendees.
  • Once you’ve gathered all of this information, go to the webpage and download the wedding registration.
  • You will need to print off the form, fill it out, and then send it together with a check made payable to the National Park Service for the value of $150 to the address shown on the website.
  • If the Park has granted you a permit, you will get an email from the park requesting that you sign the form.
  • You can expect to get a PDF of your permitted permission after signing and uploading it and sending it back to them.
  • You’re ready to proceed from there! It’s a good idea to print off or download your marriage license and bring it with you on your marriage day.
OR, if you hire me as your photographer I’m happy to help you with the whole permit process!!

Permits may be requested up to 21 days in preparation, up to a year in advance. The sooner you make your reservation, the better since the ceremony venues are handed out in the order of first come, first served.


If you’d like to check out a full Yosemite Elopement Gallery check out Megan and Kamble’s snowy Yosemite elopement!