Yosemite Elopement Guide

If you look up the best places to elope, then you’ll probably come across epic Yosemite National Park. It’s no surprise that Yosemite is a top destination for adventure elopements and intimate weddings, especially sunrise and sunset adventures. You get to see breathtaking views in every direction and explore over 750,000 acres of wilderness. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Yosemite is known for its iconic landmarks like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. Yosemite is epic in nature and one of the top elopement locations we feature from our Yosemite elopement photographers, so we had to break everything down that you need to know when planning your elopement here.

Our elopement guide for Yosemite is essential during your planning process because there are rules in places you need to know about, locations we recommend, weather conditions you should consider, and we even recommend some of the best photographers to help build your Yosemite elopement package.

In this resource:

• How to Elope in Yosemite
• Places to Elope in Yosemite
• When to Elope in Yosemite
• Yosemite Wedding Permits & Leave No Trace
• Yosemite Elopement Photographers

How to Elope in Yosemite

Before you start planning your Yosemite wedding adventure, let’s breakdown what you should know step-by-step:

1. Decide when you’re eloping
2. Team up with a Yosemite elopement photographer and other vendors
3. Pick an elopement spot
4. Obtain a special use permit & wedding license if needed
5. Practice LNT and have fun

Yosemite Elopement Overview:

• Closest Airport: Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
• Closest Cities: El Portal, CA. (14.9 mi / 29 mins.), Yosemite West, CA. (17.6 mi / 36 mins.), Wawona, CA. 28.2 mi / 54 mins.
• County (you’ll need this for your marriage license): You can get your license at any County Clerk’s office in California. You do not need to obtain your license in the county where you live, or the county where you’ll be married. Public Marriage License fee, $91
• Altitude: highest 13,114 ft’, southeast end of Cathedral Range, lowest 1,800 ft’, western boundary of the park
• Summer High/Low Avg. (°F): 89° / 57°
• Winter High/Low Avg. (°F): 38° / 15°
• Subject to Winter Traction Laws: Yes. Snowy and icy road conditions are common up in the mountains of Yosemite from fall through spring. Federal regulations and state law require you to use chains or cables to reduce changes of accidents. If you don’t want to worry about chaining your car. You can park your car on Highway 140, outside of Yosemite, and use YARTS to travel in and out of Yosemite.
• Winter Snowpack Average: 29”
• Permit or Reservation Requirements: Yes. Weddings, commitment ceremonies, and elopements need to obtain a special use permit. The permit cost is $150. Entrance fees into the park are NOT waived for the couple, vendors, or guests.
• Accessibility: Some of the small parking lots along the roads are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, specifically Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls, and Curry Village. However, the trails to the viewpoints themselves are largely not. Expect rocky terrain that can be steep in some areas depending on the hikes you choose to take. For Yosemite wedding locations, accessible options are marked for your convenience, and we’ll dive into that further down below.
• Max Group Size: Yosemite can accommodate a bigger group, but monitoring is required for groups of 50 people or more. (which will cost $50 additional per hour). We obviously do not recommend larger groups here because it will take away from the intimate experience and risk LNT guidelines from being broken.
• Price: $150 for permit application, $50+ additional fee, and $35 vehicle for entrance into the park.
• Yosemite Elopement Total Estimate: On average couples usually spend a total of $10,000-$15,000 on their Yosemite elopement packages, including vendors and all additional details.

Now that you got a taste, let’s dive into more details and help you plan your Yosemite elopement adventure.

Places to Elope in Yosemite

There are plenty of nooks and crannies to plan your elopement ceremony and portraits in Yosemite, including 12 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 our favorite spots for ceremonies and portraits:

Glacier Point

Location Map

Glacier Point is easily accessible by car from late May through November. 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 overlook gives you views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite’s high country. 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!

Glacier Point Amphitheater is listed as one of the accessible wedding locations. Earliest availability is the Tuesday after Memorial Day (please consult road conditions for updates) through September 30th. Also, keep in mind that you can’t schedule your wedding in the Glacier Point Amphitheater during July and August.

Check out this Glacier Point adventure wedding. 

Half Dome

Location Map

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.

Check out these wedding photo ideas at Yosemite.

Taft Point

Location Map

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 its gorgeous sunsets and sunrises. You’ll get views of El Capitan here and the valley. We also suggest keeping the guest count low here. This is a good option for couples looking for a “just us” elopement adventure.

Check out this Taft Point sunset elopement. 

Bridal Veil Fall

Location Map

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.

This location is also listed as an accessible wedding ceremony location in Yosemite.

El Capitan Meadow

Location Map

El Capitan, rising over 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and can best be seen from El Capitan Meadow. This area also has great views of lower and middle Cathedral Rock and the Cathedral Spires. Open year-round, this location is located on the west end of Yosemite Valley. Keep in mind there are limited parking pull outs along this stretch of coach, and the path itself is dirt.

Check out this couple’s adventure where they explored the park in a Volkswagen together. 

Cathedral Beach

Location Map

Cathedral Beach in Yosemite Valley can be found along the banks of the Merced River. Situated near the iconic El Capitan, the beach provides a stunning panoramic view of the granite cliffs and lush surrounding scenery. The sandy shoreline, framed by towering pine trees, offers a peaceful retreat where visitors can bask in the natural beauty of Yosemite.

This area is listed as one of the approved wedding ceremony locations. Some things to note is monitoring for this location is needed for groups of 35-50 people. There is limited parking (6 cars max), and the area is closed November through memorial day weekend.

Check out this ceremony and brunch at Cathedral Beach.

Yosemite Valley Chapel

Location Map

Yosemite Valley Chapel is a charming and historic gem. Constructed in 1879, the chapel is a quaint wooden structure with a picturesque setting against the backdrop of towering granite cliffs, including the iconic Half Dome. As the oldest structure in Yosemite Valley, the chapel holds a significant place in the park’s history, perfect for couples who want a religious ceremony or just couples who appreciate architecture and history.

The Yosemite Community Church (Chapel) secretary schedules all ceremonies in the Chapel. The Yosemite Valley Protestant minister and the church secretary can be reached at: 209/372-4831, or by writing to:

Yosemite Community Church
PO Box 456
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

You can also have someone from outside the park perform the ceremony.

Tunnel View

Location Map

Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park is a vantage point where you can see one of the most iconic and breathtaking panoramas in the world. Positioned at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel along Wawona Road, this viewpoint offers a jaw-dropping scene that includes the towering granite cliffs of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall, framed by the iconic silhouettes of Half Dome in the distance. Here you can also appreciate the greenery of Yosemite Valley and the meandering Merced River below. Tunnel View is a popular and accessible spot, so keep this in mind when planning.

Swinging Bridge Picnic Area

Location Map

This is another approved wedding ceremony location, and it is also a great accessible option for a small wedding. This location is located on beach northeast of bridge and no more than 20 people can be in your wedding party, including you and your partner and vendors.

Please keep in mind no ceremonies are allowed on the bridge or in the meadows. This area is also open year-round except on holiday weekends.

Check out this Swinging Bridge ceremony. 

Tenaya Lake Beach

Location Map

A gorgeous lake surrounded by granite domes and forests. Tenaya Lake Beach is one of the approved ceremony locations at Yosemite National Park. The elevation here is 8,150 feet and the ceremony site itself is located on the east end. Tioga Road is open to vehicles from late May to sometime in November. This area is gorgeous for a micro wedding with your closest family and friends. You can have your ceremony and have an intimate picnic after.

When to Elope In Yosemite

If you are thinking about eloping in Yosemite National Park, then you have to think about what time of year and time of day you will be getting married.

During the winter, some roads will be closed due to the weather including the road leading up to Glacier Point. We think the best time of year to have access to all parts of this national park is Spring and Fall. Summer months are gorgeous too, but June, July, and August are known to be the peak times, so you’ll see a lot more visitors.

Winter in Yosemite

Winters are usually cold and wet. 70% of the year’s precipitation happens between November and March, usually as snow. By mid-November anything above Yosemite Valley (4,000 feet) will have snow. The higher elevations are, the more chances of snowfall will happen earlier and at more capacity, which is why there are many road closures.

Spring in Yosemite

Spring is a mix of things, depending on where you would like to adventure. Lower elevations will be in bloom, while higher elevations will still be covered in snow, and can still be closed off, depending when you’re visiting. Some time after mid-June elevations above 10,000 become accessible again.

Summer in Yosemite

The driest and busiest time to vist Yosemite is the summer. Daytime temperatures in Yosemite Valley can reach 100 F, but the nights are still relatively cool, so pack layers if you are planning a full day adventure. Even though this season is typically dry , you do want to bring an umbrella just in case you run into a thunderstorm. When these storms do happen they are usually brief and intense with some wind.

Fall in Yosemite

You can experience cold nights and warm days during the Fall into October. This is a good season if you’re thinking about seeing some snow in higher elevations without the chances of the roads being completely closed off. After October, however, chances of road closure grow significantly at higher elevations.

Road Closures in Yosemite

• Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park) – closed from early November to late May
• Glacier Point Road – closed from early November to late May. The road itself is plowed to the Badger Pass Ski Area from mid December through March.

Travelers coming to Yosemite during late fall, winter, and early spring should carry tire chains in their cars, as they may become mandatory on park roads at any time.

Sunrise VS Sunset in Yosemite

After you decide which time of year, then you’ll have to decide if you want a sunrise or a sunset elopement at Yosemite. We love both of these options. Sunrise can be a good option for the hotter months in the year to beat the heat and stay away from crowds, but you’ll have to be ok with waking up at 3 am to start your hair and makeup!

On the other hand, a sunset Yosemite elopement allows you to have the whole day to get ready and explore. The downside to this option is the crowds, but days of the week and time of year does make a difference.

Yosemite Wedding Permits & Leave No Trace

If you are planning your wedding ceremony at Yosemite, even if it’s an elopement, you will have to register for a Yosemite wedding permit. This permit is $150. If your ceremony requires monitoring (which is needed when you go over a certain amount of people per location), then it will be $50 additional, per hour. Park entrance fees ($20-$35) are not included in your wedding permit fee for you or your guests.

You can schedule your ceremony up to a year in advance. Once you have applied and received your permit back, please remember to review it, sign it, and return the permit back for the final approval. Please remember to print and bring a copy of your approved permit with your during your wedding adventure.

• Wedding guest limitations: If you have 11 people or less in your party, then you are not limited to the location in the approved wedding ceremony location list Yosemite has approved.
• Reservations and limitations: All locations are first-come, first-serve and are limited to two hours.
• Permit Restrictions: Wedding permits are also not granted for holiday weekends or holidays.

Please remember to leave no trace and stay on the trail during your ceremony. Leave the the area better than you found it and always tread lightly.

If you bring flowers, the use of hardy flower bouquets and boutonnieres are preferred. Baby’s breath is prohibited.

Yosemite Elopement Photographers

If you get together with one of our California photographers and other wedding vendors, they can put together a Yosemite elopement package for you. For a full day of coverage, photographers typically range from $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the specific photographer and what you are looking for. Aside from the permit fees, you would then have to worry about any wedding attire or details you would like to bring along.

If you are wondering what to include in your cost of eloping to Yosemite, our how to elope section breaks down some elements you may want to consider to include in your budget.