Thinking of eloping in Yosemite? This is the perfect place to start when it comes to planning your Yosemite elopement!
Yosemite is such a beautiful and amazing location for an elopement. There is so much to see and do in Yosemite, and we know it can be a little overwhelming to start planning your elopement so we created this Ultimate Guide for Eloping in Yosemite. Everything from where lodging ideas, ceremony locations, and the right permits you’ll need!
Ceremony Locations
Let’s talk about ceremony locations. Yosemite has a lot of beautiful locations to serve as the backdrop for your elopement ceremony. Keep in mind, locations look different depending on time of day so knowing when you want to have your elopement ceremony will help in deciding which location is best for you!
1. Glacier Point
- Definitely a famous spot in Yosemite. It has the most breathtaking views of Half Dome and it’s one of the more accessible spots with just a walking distance from your car. This however, does also mean a very “touristy” spot as well. There is a very large parking lot area that gets filled pretty fast throughout the day. But we recommend coming for sunrise which will help avoid a lot of that traffic which is great to get some privacy since most people aren’t up yet, and provide some great pictures for that early morning glow!
- Also, just want to point out Glacier Point is only open from late spring through early fall depending on snow fall. Always check with the Yosemite National Park Website to see which roads are open and when they are expected to be closed. From the valley, it takes about an hour drive to get to the parking lots and then another 5 minutes to walk up to the point, again give yourself enough time to account for all the sightseeing along the way as well as any traffic you might encounter while going up there.
2. Tunnel View
- Honestly I feel like Tunnel View is overlooked a lot when choosing an elopement location, and I have no idea why! It’s probably one of my favorite locations for an elopement in Yosemite! It’s such a beautiful place that gives you an amazing view. Tunnel View is definitely a popular spot for tourists to stop at, but there is a secret spot we take our couples that is always empty. For this location we definitely recommend coming at sunrise. Again this helps with the crowd factor but it looks so amazing when you can see the sun start to rise.
- Getting here is pretty simple, it’s about a 20-30 minute drive from the valley and there is an accessible parking lot. If you plan on getting here anytime after sunrise, it does get crowded pretty quickly and busses tend to stop here a lot as well. Best part is Tunnel View is always open unlike Glacier Point and Taft Point, and it’s one of the best views in Yosemite.
3. Taft Point
- Another beautiful spot with stunning views is Taft Point. Here at this spot we definitely recommend coming during sunset. Unlike Glacier Point, this one does require a small hike to get there, which depending on how quickly or slowly you walk, could take anywhere between 30-40 mins to get to the top. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get there so you’re not rushed by the loss of light. We highly recommend you stop along the way up so you can get some amazing images of the two of you!. Since we do suggest coming for sunset, it’s important to have the right gear for the small hike. Such as flashlights, or headlamps for your way back, also some water, maybe some snacks, and comfortable shoes. We normally bring a backpack of all our gear and would be more than happy to help hold onto anything for you two!
- Taft Point hike is only accessible when Glacier Point Road is opened which is usually between late May or early June to November, depending on snow. The hike starts at Sentinal Dome/ Taft Point trailhead. There is a small parking area that gets filled very fast especially on the weekends. If you plan on coming here you mightl have to make your own parking on the side of the road and share a lot of the area with other people eloping too. Don’t let that stop you from going however, we were able to shoot an elopement on a very busy Saturday and still managed to have the couple get some alone time! Also don’t forget to always check with the Yosemite National Park Website for any unexpected road closures.
4. El Capitan Meadow
- Located right in Yosemite Valley, you have an amazing view of El Capitan and Cathedral rocks. For this location it’s a lot easier to access than the previous locations we’ve mentioned, mainly because of the little drive time and no hiking involved. We would recommend this location if you’re planning an elopement with guests, this has more space to accommodate a bigger party.
- Parking is located just right next to the meadows. Of course since parking is so much easier, it tends to get filled a lot faster especially on weekends and later in the day. Also heads up, during peak times there is a lot of traffic around this area so if you’re on a time crunch or anything just be aware that leaving the park from that area gets super busy.
Other Locations to Consider
We feel that these places are also great to get some awesome pictures or even to have your elopement ceremony!
Where To Stay
There are plenty of lodging in and around Yosemite Park! Here are some of our favorite!
If you haven’t heard of this hotel, it definitely lives up to its name. The hotel is open all year and is located right inside the park, about 5 minutes away from the village store. The hotel has a variation of room types depending on what specifics you’re looking for. Unfortunately, since this is Yosemite’s only four diamond hotel, it does get booked months in advance with summer being their busier times. Check out their website for more information about rates and amenities here.
The Yosemite Valley Lodge is said to be a great choice for larger groups and families, which is also located right in the park near Yosemite Falls. The lodge is also very popular which tends to book up just as quickly as The Majestic. While looking through their site I noticed it seems to have the most availability during the fall and winter months. For info check out their site here.
The Tenaya Lodge is a hotel just outside the park but it’s also cabins! This lodge really has everything from a spa to their own activities. They are also dog friendly if you plan on bringing your dog for your elopement!
Not to be confused with the other hotel. This hotel is not located in the park, it’s about 20 minutes from the entrance, of course depending on the time you plan on driving into Yosemite it can take a bit longer due to traffic but still close enough to allow you to spend a lot of time in Yosemite without driving too far out. The hotel isn’t as “modern” as the other hotels but still has most of the amenities needed. It’s also a better choice if you want to save some money by choosing to stay outside of the park. Find more info and how to book here.
Requirements
So what’s the requirements for eloping in Yosemite?
- First thing is you’ll need a special use permit which costs $150 and you can find it at National Parks Website. According to their site, a special use permit is required for any wedding or commitment ceremony held at any location within Yosemite National Park. The permit cost is $150 (if event monitoring is required, you will be charged an additional $50 per hour). The permit is good for a year but make sure to send it as soon as you can since you have to have sent it at least 21 days in advance. Make sure to read all the fine print for the policies and restrictions they have also on the National Park Website.
- You will also have to pay for entrance to the park, which is charged per vehicle. So it’s probably a good thing to carpool if possible. The entrance pass is good for 7 days and the fee for a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats is $35
*Planning Tip*
When planning any trips to Yosemite, or even just in California, don’t forget to accommodate for weather patterns or daylight savings times. That’s something people always overlook when deciding what time or what season to get married in considering some locations in Yosemite are closed during the winter and during certain times of the year the sun sets earlier. In Yosemite it’s normally busy in the summertime and during winter some of the roads may be closed.
Yosemite Elopement Checklist
1. Book your elopement photographer!
-Get in touch so we can help plan your elopement
2. Select a date
-We recommend a day during the week and we suggest stay clear of the summer season
3. Apply for the Special Use Permit
–You must submit your application for a permit 21 days in advance but we highly recommend applying for the permit ASAP to ensure you get your desired date
4. Book your lodging
–There are plenty of lodging in and around Yosemite park so make sure to choose a location perfect for you and if you have guests!
5. Book any vendors
-Florist, makeup artist, officiant, We can help find you any vendors you’ll need!
6. Apply for your marriage license
–In California you are required to get a marriage license but there is no waiting time so you can get the license even the day before your elopement! The closest county clerk office is Mariposa County Clerk
Ready To Get Started!
Ready to start planning your elopement?
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