Sometimes the best wedding days unfold with a perfect mix of planning and beautiful surprises. That’s exactly what happened for Amanda and Victor, who traded traditional wedding stress for an unforgettable elopement adventure in Yosemite National Park. Their day took them from their hotel to California’s oldest continuously operating saloon, through Yosemite’s most iconic spots, and ultimately into the freezing waters of the Merced River – creating memories that perfectly captured their adventurous spirits and deep love for each other.
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Meet Amanda & Victor
Amanda and Victor’s elopement story began like many couples’ – with wedding planning stress. As photographers Sammie and Micah Chaffin from The Chaffins shared: “As soon as they got engaged they started trying to tour venues and plan a big wedding, but it quickly became clear that it was not the right fit for them. Every time wedding planning came up they would both get stressed and want to talk about something else, and seeing the stress other people were going through planning their wedding wasn’t making them excited for their own.”
Everything changed when they discovered The Chaffins’ social media content about elopements.
“They came across our social media and immediately fell in love with the idea of eloping in Yosemite! They reached out to us and once we hopped on a call the rest was history,” the photographers explained.
What made Yosemite the perfect choice for this couple? It combined both of their greatest loves “Amanda loves the water and Victor loves the mountains so they knew they wanted a spot in Yosemite that combined the two, the river at Cascades Picnic Area was the perfect fit.” Even more meaningful, “The first time Amanda ever went for a long hike was backpacking in Yosemite with Victor, so Yosemite held a special place in their relationship already.”
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Their Vision and Planning Process
For Amanda and Victor, saying “I do” meant chasing the kind of adventure that left them breathless—literally. From the moment they booked with The Chaffins, they had a team ready to guide them through every detail of their elopement. The Chaffins provide each couple with a comprehensive Elopement Planning Guide, giving them tools and inspiration to shape their day with confidence.
From the very beginning, Amanda and Victor knew they wanted their wedding day to be adventurous and true to who they are.
“They mentioned early on in the planning process that they wanted to get into the water at some point, and we loved their adventurous spirit,” shared The Chaffins.
Even after being warned that Yosemite’s waters would be ice cold in the spring, the couple’s excitement never wavered. For them, starting their marriage with such a bold, joyful experience felt like the perfect reflection of their love.
The Chaffins worked with Amanda and Victor to create a day that honored that adventurous spirit while leaving space for quiet, intimate moments. They mapped out a timeline that balanced iconic Yosemite backdrops with plenty of breathing room, ensuring the couple could slow down, be present, and fully immerse themselves in each moment.
Wondering where to start your elopement planning journey? Hop on over to our elopement resources to get more inspiration!
From Quiet Beginnings to Fearless Adventures
Amanda and Victor’s Yosemite elopement was intimate, personal, and full of adventure. Their day began peacefully at The Groveland Hotel, where quiet moments getting ready set the tone for what was to come. A private first look followed—seeing each other for the first time in their wedding attire, they shared laughter, tears, and a quiet connection that reminded them why they had chosen this day for themselves.
In a delightful twist of spontaneity, the couple stumbled upon The Historic Iron Door Saloon for lunch and some pool—a completely unplanned stop at California’s oldest continuously operating saloon. The unexpected adventure added laughter and joy to their morning and became an instant favorite memory.
No celebration would be complete without their beloved dogs. Amanda and Victor included their furry family members in quick photos, adding a heartfelt, personal touch to their story.
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