Yosemite National Park Wedding Guide
Yosemite National Park Wedding Guide
everything you need to know about eloping in yosemite
The place you choose to get married should be nothing less than magical and breathtaking! So when narrowing down all the epic places you can get married in, Yosemite National Park is hands down top of my list for couples looking to have a truly wild wedding experience.
Why have a Yosemite National Park wedding? Let me give you the deets!
You have so many options! Whether you’re looking for a ceremony spot with little to no hiking, options for hiking or even a multi-day backpacking, Yosemite National Park has so much to offer. Sunrise and sunset are equally as gorgeous but you can also find beautiful spots throughout the day where your guaranteed perfect lighting to soak in your full day wedding experience. I always find when you pick a location that offers so much more than just a ceremony spot, you allow yourself to relax even more truly embrace the day you get married. If you love nature and adventuring (you probably do if your reading this, lets be honest) then having a Yosemite National Park weddings going to be right up your ally! You can seriously spend your whole day taking in everything yosemite has to offer - from amazing hiking trails, the giant sequoia’s, epic waterfalls, stand cliffside to some of the most beautiful views in the world, go biking, camping, backpacking and so much more.
California State marriage laws + Yosemite National park permits:
Marriage License: Before you can have your Yosemite National park Elopement, you’ll need a California State marriage license.
Both of you must be at least 18 years old, and you must apply for and sign for the license in person.
The cost for a public marriage license is $84.
There’s no waiting period, so you can get your license in the morning and get married in the afternoon.
A ceremony must occur within 90 days from the date the license is issued. *a ceremony may take place anywhere within the state of California
Permitting: If you want to have your wedding in Yosemite National Park- you’re going to need a permit + follow all their LNT rules.
A special use permit is required for any wedding or commitment ceremony held at any location within Yosemite National park.
The permit cost is $150
Weddings or elopements may be scheduled up to one year in advance and more than 21 days prior to your event. just complete the APPLICATION and include any special needs of your guest
Be sure to include the non-refundable application fee of $150 with your application and dont forget it on your wedding day!!
When to get married at Yosemite National Park?
Best time of year to have your Yosemite elopement:
I think when people think California, they think sunshine and great weather, and that is true but Yosemite does still get snow and have all 4 seasons. So while you can visit the park and get married year-round, there’s defiantly something to be said about the best time to elope in Yosemite as seasons in the Sierra Nevadas can change quickly.
June through august are for sure the busiest times for a Yosemite National Park. This, unfortunately, means that even at sunrise the best areas can be packed. So if you can shoot for fall or spring you can find fewer crowds & personally, I love Yosemite no in September & October anyways.
summer:
Summers in Yosemite are warm and dry. Daytime temperatures in Yosemite Valley sometimes reach 100°f during summer, while nights are cool. Temperatures in Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 feet) in mid-summer are usually in the 70s in the daytime and in the 30s at night. though skies are usually clear, thunderstorms can be a daily occurrence in summer afternoons.
fall:
In the fall, nighttime can start to get pretty chilly while during the day is still warm through October. Grow increasingly cold while daytime temperatures continue to be warm through October. September and October typically bring a succession of clear, brilliant days although early winter storms may pass through, particularly in October.
winter:
Winter in Yosemite is cold/wet and at higher elevations, snow may fall as early as September or October. The snowpack increases during winter and reaches maximum depth in mid-march. typically, snow coverage is consistent at elevations above 6,000 feet.
spring:
Spring is a time of transition in Yosemite, with lower elevations in full spring bloom, while higher elevations are still covered in snow. Days can be warm and sunny one day, and cold, wet, and stormy the next. As the snow melts, streams and rivers fill or overflow with runoff. The more moderate elevations, options remain limited through may and sometimes into June. Temperatures are generally mild; though they can vary from freezing at night to the 70s during the day.
You can also stay up to date on the weather and current road conditions, here on their website.
Best time of day to have your Yosemite elopement:
This is a key question to ask yourself when you are planning your Yosemite elopement. Both of them are extremely beautiful but provide a different feel. Here are some tips for sunrise + sunset but if you really want to experience Yosemite in all its glory do both!!
SUNRISE
Yosemite National Park weddings that happen at sunrise, kind of just call my name. & no, I’m quite the morning person I used to be but I don’t know about you but when I am so excited about something (which you're about to get freaking married!! You're going to be stoked!!) I cannot sleep. My body wakes me up early anyway with adrenaline so hey - might as well do the damn thing. Also, sunrise ceremonies are gorgeous!!! They’re also less crowded, which is a great thing when you're trying to have an intimate wedding. they also leave the entire day of whatever your heart desires, like a nap in the middle of the day because you woke up at 4 am. :)
SUNSET
Sunset is generally a go-to time to plan your ceremony, especially if you want to spend lots of quality time adventuring in the morning/daytime before you head back to start getting ready. Golden hour is legit - this is the sunlight that every single photographer and person who loves warm beautiful images chases after. I also love to watch the sun go down and the stars come out for some epic nighttime photos followed by a first dance under the stars.
Where to have your wedding in Yosemite National Park?
Best Locations to get married at in Yosemite
There are so many locations to have your Yosemite national park wedding - depending on what your visions are, accessibility goals & your guest list size are here are some of my favorite spots!
TAFT POINT
Taft Point had to be my number one national park wedding location if you want to have a sunset wedding! This spot is where you see all the standing on the edge, heart-pounding dream photos. This spot is my favorite in the park for its fresh air and epic views!
it is about a 20-minute walk from the sentinel dome parking lot, I highly recommend taking your time and leaving yourself 30ish minutes to hike the trail. it’s a very easy hike that you can do in your wedding dress, giving you some opportunities to capture the two of you along the beautiful trail.
GLACIER POINT
Glacier Point is amazing if you’re planning a sunrise Yosemite National Park wedding. As the sun peeps over half dome, you will see why I think this spot is what dreams are made of! your wedding won't feel complete until you've stood in front of half dome, the most iconic rock face in Yosemite, and gaze at the beauty. So even if you are having a sunset wedding, I highly recommend starting your morning here!
Glacier Point also happens to be the most tourist-filled lookout in the park, with very easy access, just a short walk from your car. This is another reason I tend to recommend this location at sunrise as it’s less crowded!
EL CAPITAN MEADOW
This is the meadow of all meadows - it’s gorgeous in all directions! On one side you have the huge while face of El Capitan and behind you, you have Cathedral Rocks.
This is a great morning spot if you are having your wedding in the midst of summer as it’s shaded in the morning but pretty bright and hot throughout the rest of the day.
VALLEY VIEW YOSEMITE
This spot is super cool and looked over! It’s super easy to access, when you pull over there’s a couple of spots in a very small parking lot (so low crowds). When you walk out to a neat little river that El Capitan and half dome perfectly reflect on!
Straight from the source! - full list & details of locations for your Yosemite National Park Wedding.
YOSEMITE VALLEY LOCATIONS
Please be aware that independent rafters and park visitors may use beach locations at any time, which can be disruptive to your event. early-morning weddings are advised (from 8 am to noon) the Tuesday after memorial day until September 30. No pets are allowed.
All locations in Yosemite Valley are near rivers or waterfalls, which usually have high flows from approximatly march through June. It may be difficult to hear people speak when water is high. Yosemite falls usually has little to no water from approximately mid- to late July until October or November. while Bridalveil Fall flows all year, it usually has low flows from approximately July to October or November. The conditions described are typical and conditions may be different depending on snowpack or weather.
Cascades Picnic Area
Lower Yosemite Fall paved trail
Swinging Bridge picnic area
Cathedral Beach picnic area
Sentinel Beach picnic area
Bridalveil fall
WAWONA LOCATIONS
Please be aware that park visitors may utilize locations at any time, which can be disruptive to your event. please take this into consideration. early morning weddings are advised (from 8 am to noon) the Tuesday after memorial day until September 30th. no pets are allowed.
Glacier Point Amphitheater
Chilnualna Falls Trailhead parking lot
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS LOCATIONS
Please be aware that park visitors may utilize locations at any time, which can be disruptive to your event. please take this into consideration. early morning weddings are advised (from 8 am to noon) the Tuesday after memorial day until September 30th. Weddings are not permitted within the meadows. no pets are allowed.
Due to high elevations, storms that could occur may cause the road to close. The earliest availability is the Tuesday after memorial day (please consult road conditions for updates) through September 30th due to the annual Tioga road closure. please visit the following website: HTTPS://WWW.NPS.GOV/YOSE/PLANYOURVISIT/TIOGAOPEN.HTM.
Tenaya Lake Beach
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge area
BIG OAK FLAT AREA
Please be aware that park visitors may utilize locations at any time, which can be disruptive to your event. please take this into consideration. early morning weddings are advised (from 8 am to noon) the Tuesday after memorial day until September 30th. no pets are allowed.
Due to high elevations, storms that could occur may cause the road to close. please visit the following website: HTTPS://WWW.NPS.GOV/YOSE/PLANYOURVISIT/TIOGAOPEN.HTM
Tuolumne Grove
Merced Grove
Where to Stay for your Yosemite National Park Wedding
This is admittedly one of my favorite parts of the planning process - picking the perfect places to stay in the park or nearby really plays a huge role in your overall experience
THE AUTOCAMP
Located right nearby the entrance to the park - experience Yosemite’s most iconic stays. Their amazing lineup of classic airstreams, luxury tents, basecamps, and cabins not only is the AutoCamp a convenient option for your Yosemite elopement but you can truly enjoy the national park just outside surrounded by the beauty of the local forest. Don’t just take my word for it though - check out the experience here!
CAMPING
If you’re looking to camp, Yosemite national park has a lot of camping options that work for all budgets. From the historic town of Mariposa to El Portal, to Buck Meadows or Tuolumne meadows/Tioga pass and everything between, you can check out grounds and make reservations for your Yosemite national park camping adventure here.
AIRBNB’s
Airbnb’s have quickly become a huge part of couples eloping experience and finding the most amazing ones, I’m all over it. Here are a few of my favorites:
Yosemite National Park Elopement Packing List:
Creating a packing list is crucial for a smooth and stress-free elopement, especially in a place as breathtaking and diverse as Yosemite National Park. A well-thought-out list ensures you have all the essentials for your special day, taking into account the unique challenges and requirements of the location. It helps you stay organized, minimizes the risk of forgetting crucial items, and allows you to focus on the magical moments of your elopement rather than worrying about missing necessities.
Travel Documents:
National Park pass or entrance fees
Permits for the elopement ceremony
Map of Yosemite and any relevant park information
Clothing:
Weather-appropriate wedding attire
Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
Layers for changing temperatures
Sun hats and sunglasses
Rain jackets (Yosemite weather can be unpredictable)
Hiking Gear:
Backpack for essentials during the ceremony
First-aid kit
Reusable water bottles
Snacks for energy (granola bars, trail mix)
Hiking socks and comfortable under layers
Sunscreen and lip balm
Bug spray
Ceremony & Photography:
Marriage license and necessary legal documents
Personalized vows or speeches
Professional photographer/videographer
Rings securely stored
Any props or special items for photos
Refreshments:
Bottled water
Light snacks for sustenance
Portable picnic set if planning a celebratory meal
Champagne or beverages for toasting
Weather Preparedness:
Warm blankets or wraps
Umbrella or rain gear
Extra layers for cooler temperatures
Sunscreen and sun protection items
Emergency Preparedness:
List of emergency contacts
Knowledge of the nearest medical facilities
Basic first aid kit
Emergency cash
Cleanup Supplies:
Trash bags for any waste
Leave No Trace principles – preserving the beauty of Yosemite
Transportation:
Confirm transportation details within Yosemite
Map or navigation app for the park
Check road and weather conditions if driving
Timeline and Planning:
Detailed timeline for the elopement day
Confirmation of any reservations or permits
Consideration of sunrise or sunset timing for the ceremony
Comfort Items:
Portable chairs or cushions for seating during the ceremony
Blankets or wraps for comfort
Hand warmers or cooling towels depending on the weather
Entertainment:
Music playlist and portable speaker
Binoculars for enjoying Yosemite's scenic views
Other:
Dry bag for valuables
Camera lens wipes for clear photos
Local information and contact details for park rangers or services in Yosemite National Park.
Rylee & Co | Your Yosemite National Park Vendor Team
photography + videography
I’m going to be your guide on navigating this whole eloping thing. Based in the pacific northwest but was born at raised in the Sierra Nevadas of California and let’s just say Yosemite what the first national park that changes my world and made me fall in love with the great outdoors.
A FEW OF OTHER FAVORITE YOSEMITE WEDDING VENDORS
florals: @florapacifica.co
hmua: @wildblowerbride
Yosemite National Park Elopement Packages
Planning and Resources:
From phone chats, happy hour, brewery dates to multiple questionnaires. I want to get to know your love & values so I can create a timeless experience that reflects the most authentic you that will last forever through imagery
Complementary planning assistance from me
locations ideas, checklists, timelines, & vendor recommendations
Fully edited, High-Resolution photos
Custom Online Gallery
Personal Printing Rights
Sneak Peek Photos
Custom GIF’s & Double Exposures
Traveling Included
