Yosemite Elopement Planning Guide

ELOPE IN YOSEMITE! – A Yosemite Elopement Planning Guide

Yosemite National Park is one of the prettiest places in the world. Located in California, just northeast of Fresno and southeast of Sacramento, it’s about a 4.5 hour drive to the western park entrance (Big Oak Flat) from San Francisco (depending, as always, on traffic). Known for it’s granite mountains, epic views, stunning valley, and the countless waterfalls that decorate every view, it’s a large park with many opportunities for a stunning elopement. There is no place more epic, more awe inspiring, or more beautiful to say your vows and no place more wild and intimate to elope.

Eloping in Yosemite is SUPER EASY and super fun! There are a million gorgeous spots to say your vows, insane views and pretty places to snap photos before or after you’re married, and as many or as few crowds as you’re interested in. You can pick an elopement spot that’s easy to drive to or organize a three night backpacking trip for a solitary elopement in the backcountry: Whatever your dream, your ability, and the time you have, a Yosemite elopement is possible.

Best Time to Elope in Yosemite?

There is no right or wrong time to elope in Yosemite, although depending on the time of year, you’ll have very different opportunities available to you.

Glacier Point and access to the trail to Taft Point changes year to year based on weather. A generally rule is it is opened around mid-April or early-May and closes around mid-November. The actual dates depend on the snow and rain conditions in the Spring and Fall.

You can check the Glacier Point Road conditions on the Yosemite National Park website here. They usually post updated estimated opening dates and closing dates as they know them. You can view historical data for the open and close dates of Glacier Point Road here.

Places to Elope in Yosemite

There are plenty of nooks and crannies to plan your elopement ceremony and portraits in Yosemite, including thirteen designated wedding ceremony locations within the park. If, however, your wedding party is fewer than 11 people, you can plan your elopement ceremony at any location with the exception of riparian environments and open meadows.

Here are some of my favorite spots for ceremonies and portraits:

Glacier Point

Glacier Point is easily accessible. You can park your car and walk a couple of feet to get some of the most scenic canyon views you will ever see. This is a popular spot, so we always recommend weekday elopements. You’ll be standing at an altitude of around 8,000  feet, so make sure your veil is pinned tight! Also, keep in mind that you can’t schedule your wedding in the Glacier Point Amphitheater during July and August.

Although the couple featured admit there was a moment when they felt the absence of their families, both Brittany and Brian were without regret at the end of the day. Standing hand in hand at Glacier Point, they took in their first sunset as husband and wife and felt certain they had chosen the right path. “Eloping means there are no rules [or] expectations,” Laura says. “You can truly make your day reflect exactly who you are as a couple and make it that much more meaningful!”

Half Dome

This is a popular spot for elopement ceremonies at Yosemite National Park. It’s quite the hike though, so this is a good option for those adventurous couples. This 16-mile round-trip adventure is full of epic views but does require a permit. If you are looking for something similar, then we suggest checking out the areas near Taft Point, which has easier access with similar views.

Taft Point

This is an epic point, and it does require knowledge from both your photographer and yourself. Please keep your distance if you are wanting to have your elopement portraits taken here. This point is intense! This is the epic point that defines Yosemite, and it’s gorgeous sunsets and sunrises.  

Bridal Veil Fall

If you are looking for an epic waterfall to be the backdrop of your elopement ceremony, Bridal Veil Fall is the perfect waterfall. This area is gorgeous and misty. There is also a woodsy area to give you that magical boho vibe.

Should I Elope at Sunrise or Sunset in Yosemite?

It really depends on what you want! Sunrise is a lot emptier of crowds, you’ll want to plan around your perfect elopement schedule, and, depending on where you’re planning to elope or take Yosemite elopement photos, sunrise or sunset may be better.

I prefer Taft Point at sunset, when there is golden light streaming into the photo in the right direction for a truly stunning visual. It’s beautiful and the summer sun fading behind you will illuminate all of Yosemite Valley in a really incredible and memorable.

I love Glacier Point at sunset or sunrise. Both are stunning. Sunrise at Glacier Point sees the sun rise behind (ish, depending on the season) Half Dome, sending light morning sunshine through the trees and into your photos. Sunset is equally stunning, with the backdrop of Yosemite Valley lighting up softly behind you and fading in to light pinks and purples.

If you want to capture both sunset and sunrise along the Glacier Point Road (this gives access to both Glacier Point views and the Taft Point trailhead), I generally recommend sunrise at Taft and sunset at Glacier Point. You can get the magic of both places in one day. (Perhaps have your Yosemite elopement at one time of day and portraits or a First Look at the other? There are so many great options.)

How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Yosemite?

There’s a $150 photo and permit fee to get married in the park, plus a Yosemite National Park entrance fee ($30 for one vehicle for seven days with in and out privileges, or $80 for a US National Parks Pass that will get you in and out of every single one of our national parks for the entire year). Other than that, everything is up to you! Your wedding budget will be travel costs to Yosemite, a place to stay or camp (I send a list of recommendations for where to stay to every Yosemite client I work with!), your outfits, hair and make up, food, photography and videography, an officiant, etc.