Yosemite Elopement Photographer & Planning Guide

It won't, and you're far from the only ones. Most of the couples I work with feel the same way. I never ask you to perform. I give you gentle direction, like somewhere to walk or something to say to each other, and then let the rest happen on its own. Within the first half hour, most couples stop noticing the camera. The photos that come after that are the ones that look like you.

Start with the kind of day you want — just the two of you, or a small gathering with the people who matter most. From there, I help you choose a ceremony location that matches how private or scenic you want it to feel, and build the timeline around the light and the crowds. If you'd like, I can also file your NPS permit for you as a $350 add-on. Most Yosemite elopements run 4 to 6 hours and cover one or two locations. Tell me what you have in mind and we'll plan the rest together.

Yes. Two-day elopements are quoted individually: one day to hike and be in the park with no ceremony attached, the second for the wedding itself. They need more lead time than a single day, so tell me you're thinking about two days when you reach out.

Yes — any ceremony with 2 or more people in Yosemite requires a Special Use Permit from the National Park Service. The permit costs $150, and applications must be submitted to the Yosemite National Park, National Park Service. Weddings or ceremonies may be scheduled up to one year in advance and more than 21 days prior to your event. The permit designates a specific approved location — I'll help you choose one that fits your vision. You can file the application yourself, or I can file it for you as a $350 add-on so nothing falls through the cracks.

No — drones are not permitted anywhere in Yosemite National Park.

Pets are allowed at your ceremony only on paved surfaces.

Late May and June, plus September and October, are the sweet spots — fewer crowds and comfortable weather. November works too, with colder mornings and a chance of snow. April is a good option for the lower-elevation locations.

The park recommends morning ceremonies, before 10am, at every official site to avoid visitor traffic. Some sites, like Cathedral Beach and Sentinel Beach, also close at dusk in season, so a sunset ceremony isn't an option there.

It depends on the site — Sentinel Beach allows up to 100 guests, Glacier Point and most Valley sites up to 50, and smaller sites like Swinging Bridge or Tuolumne Meadows Lodge are capped at 20–25.

El Portal is closest to the Valley floor. Oakhurst is the next closest option and has more restaurants and places to stay. Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Fish Camp, and Groveland are also good options depending on your budget.

I help with the parts that shape how the day feels: choosing your ceremony site, building a timeline around the light and the crowds, and recommending vendors I trust. Permit filing is available as a $350 add-on if you'd rather not do the paperwork.

Yes, as a $350 add-on. I'll complete the application, track the deadlines, and confirm approval well before your date. Many couples file their own, and I'm happy to walk you through it.