Katrina & Avelino’s Magical Yosemite Sunrise Elopement

Katrina and Avelino’s Yosemite sunrise elopement was an adventure straight out of a dream. Their day started at the break of dawn at Glacier Point. With Yosemite’s epic views as their backdrop, they exchanged vows just as the first rays of sunlight touched Half Dome. This elopement was more than a celebration; it was a journey through some of Yosemite’s most iconic spots—from Glacier Point to Cook’s Meadow and even a spontaneous dip in the Merced River. Every moment captured the beauty of their love and Yosemite’s beauty. Get all the details below.

Are you ready to elope? Explore our California elopement packages. 

About This Elopement

Photography by Alyssa Michele Photo

“This elopement was truly an unforgettable adventure. We started in the early morning, meeting in the Glacier Point parking lot just before sunrise. We took some breathtaking pre-dawn shots at one of Glacier Point’s iconic cliffs, with the sky just beginning to lighten. Then, we hiked over to their ceremony spot, perfectly timed for the rising sun. As the first rays of light kissed Half Dome, Katrina and Avelino stood together and shared their intimate, hand-written vows. They exchanged rings as the sun peeked over the horizon, making the moment feel even more magical.

After the ceremony, we captured a few more bride and groom portraits around Glacier Point, soaking in the beauty of the morning light. Next, we headed to Tunnel View for more epic shots before descending into Yosemite Valley for the fun part. The couple hopped on their bike and cruised down Cook’s Meadow, embracing the adventure with huge smiles. We even found a fallen tree with El Capitan towering behind them for some truly incredible photos.

We wrapped up the session at Cathedral Beach, where the couple spontaneously decided to cool off by jumping into the water in their wedding attire! It was the perfect end to their day, filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable moments. This elopement was everything you dream of when you think about a Yosemite adventure—epic views, heartfelt moments, and a couple who truly made the day their own.” [Alyssa, the photographer]

Learn how to elope!

Deciding to Elope

“Our decision to elope was a pretty easy one. When thinking about what we wanted our wedding to look like and what we valued most from that day, it just came down to wanting to spend time together in a meaningful place. We love our family and friends but we wanted to have this time to ourselves to appreciate our relationship and have this moment to remember and cherish forever. Not only would we have the best experience together, but it is also tens of thousands of dollars cheaper. No stress, amazing experience, and saving money.

Choosing our location was also easy! We backpacked Yosemite National Park about 3 years ago. It was the hardest week-long trek we’ve ever done, but it made it that more meaningful.

Fast forward to our elopement, and it just brought back the best memories of our backpacking trip together, looking back at something that was so difficult but we made it through together, and are now here again for something extremely special. We decided to have our ceremony at Glacier Point at sunrise and later that evening, we went back to Glacier Point for that stargazing class. 3 years later it all came full circle.” [The Couple]

Check out these reasons to elope.

Planning Process

“The planning process was stress-free. About 8 months in advance we hired the photographer, hair and make-up artist, and I got my wedding dress. I cannot thank our vendors enough for the most stress-free, easy planning process. We hopped on video calls with our photographer a couple of times before the trip just to get an idea of what the day would look like, timing, and locations. She took on all the heavy lifting of timing, locations, and planning so that my husband and I could truly enjoy ourselves.

Our Airbnb and plane tickets were booked a few months before the trip but after that, we didn’t plan much until about a couple weeks before the trip. We decided to spend the week so we planned out classes we could take in the valley, day hikes, and backpacking. We signed up for birdwatching classes, stargazing classes, and a paint-and-sip class. We swam in the river, backpacked from Tunnel View to Crocker Point, visited Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, and just spent time in the valley.” [The Couple]

Cost breakdown:

• Flights NJ-CA | a Gift for the couple
• Airbnb | $2,512 for 6 nights
• Photography | $2,200 plus tip for 4-hour coverage and multiple locations
• Hair and makeup | $545 plus tip
• Wedding dress | $800
• Rental car | $598 for 7 days

Total cost ~ $6,655 not including classes, meals, souvenirs, flights, and rings. 

Learn more about elopement costs here. 

Permit & Leave No Trace at Yosemite

“Couples eloping in Yosemite need a wedding permit if they’re planning to read vows. It’s a straightforward process costing $150, where you choose two potential ceremony times and locations, along with a backup plan. Yosemite responds within about three weeks.

Practicing Leave No Trace principles in Yosemite is crucial to preserving its beauty.” [Alyssa, the photographer]

Key points include:

• Plan Ahead: Know Yosemite’s regulations, check the weather, and reduce waste.
• Stay on Trails: Keep to marked paths to protect the delicate environment.
• Pack Out Waste: Take all trash, use designated restrooms, or bury waste responsibly.
• Leave Natural Items: Avoid collecting plants, rocks, or artifacts.
• Limit Fires: Use camp stoves, respect fire rules, and fully extinguish fires.
• Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance, use bear lockers, and don’t feed animals.
• Be Considerate: Maintain low noise, yield on trails, and respect quiet hours.

Learn more about planning your Yosemite elopement. 

Top Tips for Eloping in Yosemite

“For a stress-free Yosemite elopement, especially during summer, I highly recommend starting at sunrise to beat the crowds. Proper footwear is essential since we often do some light hiking. Embrace the adventure—don’t worry if your dress gets a bit dusty! The weather can be unpredictable, so come prepared for anything. Glacier Point is a stunning but popular choice, so an early start really makes a difference.” [Alyssa, the photographer]

Memorable Moments From This Elopement

From the photographer:

“Their vow exchange with the sunrise over Half Dome—it was nothing short of magical. Another unforgettable moment was when they took a dip in the Merced River in their wedding attire, fully embracing the spirit of adventure. We even incorporated a bike for some fun shots, adding to the charm and uniqueness of the day.

Their willingness to go all-in for an authentic experience was inspiring. From jumping into the Merced River to riding around on a bike, they fully embraced the beauty of Yosemite and created memories that will last a lifetime.”

Final Words of Advice From The Photographer

“Summer is a fantastic time to elope in Yosemite, with flowing waterfalls adding to the beauty, though it’s one of the busiest months. Planning accommodations well in advance is essential, and I recommend arriving before 8 a.m. during summer to avoid long entry lines.” [Alyssa, the photographer]

Vendors

Photography | Alyssa Michele Photo

Hair & Make Up | Sierra Jane Studio 
Dress | Sew n Sew Bridal

Photos From This Elopement