Best Ceremony locations for an elopement in yosemite national park

Hey fellow Yosemite lover! If you are reading this blog post, you probably are ready to elope in Yosemite National Park. Great choice, if I do say so myself! Maybe you have been to the park plenty of times, or maybe this will be your first time experiencing the beauty of Yosemite. And what better way to say I do to the love of your life with Half Dome in El Cap as your witnesses! 

Deciding that you want to elope in Yosemite is the easy part, the actual elopement logistics however, can be tricky to navigate if you don't know the park like the back of your hand. As a local Yosemite photographer, I help all of my couples make their experience as stress-free as possible. This allows my couples to be 100% in the moment and not holding onto any  unnecessary stress. When you work with me, local Yosemite photographer, I have you covered. Your only job for the day is to take it all, be present, and soak it all up.

Since I am based in Fresno California, Yosemite is my backyard. When I am not photographing beautiful couples in Yosemite or Sequoia, I am out exploring every inch of these beautiful national parks that are so close to home. Because I get to visit these parks so frequently,I know the parks like the back of my hand.If the roads weren't so windy, I could probably drive them with my eyes closed. I don't actually need Google maps to navigate my way through the park, I do have Google pins for all of my couples to help relieve any unnecessary stress. All my couples get 100% of my knowledge of the parks!

1. Glacier Point Amphitheater

   This location has a beautiful view of Half Dome. It is one of the BEST locations in the park for a ceremony.

    

   • Sunrise ceremony recommended. This location can get very busy, but the views are worth it. The way the sun rises and shines over Half Dome is a sight that will leave you lost for words. 

   • Guest Count: 50 people maximum 

   • Special watch is required for weddings of 35-50 guests.

   • Restrooms nearby

   • Best month to Elope here: September 

   • The Glacier Point Road is closed from approximately November through late May.

   • There is access to Glacier Point by hiking the Four Mile. This hike is 9.7mi with an elevation gain of 3,200 feet from the valley floor. This hike is difficult.

2. Cascades Picnic Area

This location is a hidden gem.

• It is very private and intimate.

• It is perfect for couples who want more of a private ceremony with photographs to follow in various iconic locations after.

• Guest Count: 30 people maximum

• Best Month to Elope here: Year Round! 

• Picnic Tables 

• Restrooms nearby

• Limited parking
  
  
  

3. Cathedral Beach Picnic Area

This location has an AMAZING view of El Cap and is perfect for couples who love El Cap or are fellow climbers. 

• Guest Count: 50 people maximum 

• Special watch is required for weddings of 35-50 guests.

• Restrooms nearby

• Limited parking

• Best Month to Elope here: August-October

• Sunrise ceremony recommended. This location can get busy, but the views are worth it.

4. Bridalveil Fall

This location is perfect for couples who want a waterfall as their witness. 

• Guest Count: 50 people maximum 

• Special watch is required for weddings of 50 guests.

• Restrooms nearby

• Best Month to Elope here: September 

• Sunrise ceremony recommended. This location can get busy, but the views are worth it.

5. Tenaya Lake

This location is perfect for couples who want magical lakeside views!

• Guest Count: 50 people maximum.

• Special watch is required for weddings of 50 guests.

• Best Month to Elope here: August-September  

• Sunrise ceremony recommended. This location can get busy, but the views are worth it

I always recommend having your ceremony in a more private area and then taking photographs in the iconic locations AFTER your ceremony. Your ceremony will be one of the most intimate times of you day, you will want privacy. 

Important Tips:

•  Guest exploring the park have access to locations just like you do, so keep that in mind when selecting your location. 

• Pets are permitted in locations.

• Parking is limited, it is best to carpool if guests will be attending.

• Sunrise is always  best for ceremonies. 

• Leave No Trace. Leave the location better than you found it.

• Set ups, chair, arches, and other types of decorations are prohibited. The decorations are the park itself. 

• Drones are prohibited.