Yosemite National Park is one of those places that you can point your camera in almost any direction and you will capture something beautiful. No matter the time of day or year–it's basically guaranteed. That’s why so many couples choose Yosemite for their elopement! Here are some tips and practical steps for how to plan your Yosemite elopement and get those magical shots!
Since Yosemite is known for its out of this world beauty lots of people want to experience it for themselves. This popularity can make it a crowded space for elopements and other photo shoots.
A lot of adventurous couples opt to elope because they don't want crowded venues and instead desire a completely intimate ceremony. Yosemite can definitely deliver as an intimate elopement location IF you take a few factors into consideration.
Plan for the Right Time of Year
Having your elopement at Yosemite National Park can be a dream, but it can also be a very public event if you do not time it right. You aren’t alone in wanting a private elopement at a gorgeous spot in Yosemite like Taft Point. Depending on the time of day and season, your special spot could be overrun with other couples and hikers.
In order to keep it intimate you need to consider the time of year, time of day, and time of the week. Avoiding weekends definitely helps with crowd volume especially if you are looking to do a sunrise or sunset Yosemite elopement. September – October tends to be less crowded, with June – August being high season due to weather and summer break.
Be Flexible With Your Location
Yosemite doesn’t have just one spot where you can elope. Since there are so many amazing spaces to choose from, it doesn’t hurt to have some backups. Plan your Yosemite elopement to have a few possible spots in mind or even a location just adjacent to the spot so you have options.
Get a Permit in Advance
In order to get married in Yosemite National Park a permit is required. These can take some time to acquire so make sure this is the first step that you take! The permit costs $150 and you can submit your application right here.
With flexibility in mind and a permit in hand, you will be all set to elope in Yosemite! Be sure to scroll down to see this couple’s elopement day come to an end under the stars!
Want to see a few more elopements in Yosemite National Park? Take a look at these beauties: a sunrise elopement at Glacier Point and a sunset elopement in Yosemite Valley.
VENDORS
- Dress: @dacigowns
- Workshop: @rootedworkshop
Share this story
