Yosemite National Park Elopement
Yosemite National Park Adventure Elopement
Mary loves camping. And while Shane is never opposed to getting outside and exploring, he just wishes he had a real bed to sleep in. Mary is an environmental scientist, and loves everything about being outdoors and exploring mother nature. She could hike all day long, miss sleep, and still get after it full-send the next day. We trust that Shane knows what he is in for when it comes to an adventure with his wife.
To keep things transparent, we have known these two for a long time. We photographed their engagement session in Grand Teton National Park! So, when they casually reached out to us about their plans to go camping in Yosemite National Park, we figured, sounds great! We love the park, and we had plans of visiting them in California anyways. But they had bigger plans in store. When it came time for us to let them know that we would love to join them, they let us know that the plan was to elope and to have us capture the whole thing!
Mary and Shane were on the fence about eloping at first. It can be a difficult decision when you have family and friends to consider. At first, they loved the idea of an elopement. They could experience it however they wanted, outdoors, in an incredible location (like Yosemite!). But then time passed and those real world considerations came into light. “What about our family? And we love our friends!” These two both value their relationships with their friends and their family members a lot. While deciding to elope didn’t come easy for them, they knew they made the right decision in the end. AND to top it all off, they planned a party for next summer for all of their friends and family to attend and celebrate this new chapter of their lives together.
Choosing to elope isn’t always easy! Wondering if an elopement is right for you? Check out our blog on Weddings vs Elopements to learn more about if an elopement is a good fit!
Even though we already knew these two very well, we still took the same approach we take with all of our clients. Working together in collaboration with our couples is the best part of our job, and we take the time necessary to better understand what they hope their dream elopement day could look like. Travis and Shane have been friends, practically family, since they were born. Their moms went to college together and still keep in touch. We are so grateful we got to capture their elopement!
Experience You Can Plan on Your Elopement Day
We planned a handful of fun experiences to make their day truly their own, unique experience!
Watching the sunrise over Yosemite Valley
An early morning portrait session in the Valley, El Capitan made an appearance!
Breakfast on the hood of the car, followed by a quick nap back at the campground to refresh for the rest of the adventures ahead
Hangs by the river, with beers and other drinks of choice
A picnic by the Lake with charcuterie and champagne
Sunset Portraits overlooking Half Dome
Your elopement day doesn’t have to fit the mold, feel free to plan a day that is adventurous or relaxing, centered around a new experience or doing something you love doing together - there are no rules! Just be sure that it is what YOU want it to be, and be mindful about choosing to be present over rushing through your elopement day.
To read more about being present on your elopement day, check out the blog on Being Present!
How to Plan an Elopement at Yosemite National Park
Planning an elopement in a National Park does come with a specific set of expectations. First and foremost, you must get permission from the park to host an elopement, especially when it comes to a legal wedding ceremony. Legal meaning that you will be signing your marriage license and sharing vows.
And that’s not all! Some parks require special permitting for photographers and professionals running a business. Typically known as a CUA (Commercial Use Authorization), this permit is just as important as a wedding ceremony permit when considering your elopement in a National Park.
To learn more about Permits and Ceremonies in National Parks, check out our California Guide to Elopements here!
Here are our top tips for your Yosemite National Park Elopement!
Tips for planning your Yosemite National Park Elopement
Opt for sunrise and sunset!
Avoid the crowds by choosing sunrise and sunset for your elopement ceremony, portraits and any other activities that make sense. Hiking in the dark is always an option to make it for sunrise, or to enjoy the sunset for hiking back down. We help our couples prepare for all kinds of adventure that allows us to experience these beautiful lands all to ourselves.
Plan Ahead and Prepare: LNT Principle #1
Planning ahead and preparing for your adventure elopement is always important, regardless of the location you have in mind. When it comes to eloping in National Parks, oftentimes cell service and services (restrooms, gas stations, food options, etc.) are much more difficult to come by. Make sure to pack plenty of food and water!
Here are a few other things to consider while planning your National Park elopement:
Research and study a map of the park and the surrounding areas. Always have a map with you! PRO TIP: Download offline maps (we like Google Maps the best)
Research the roads, their accessibility, and potential road conditions specific to the season. Consider seasonal road closures and read up on any potential park construction.
Consider potential wildlife present in the park boundary and understand what to do in case of an encounter. Carry bear spray when in bear country!
Have a backup plan! Road closures are typical in National Parks, so a backup plan is always in order! We also recommend giving extra time for all drives. Never simply trust Google Maps or other apps to determine how long a drive will take.
