Elope at Yosemite National Park, a breathtaking destination home to rocky mountains, lush meadows, and valleys that stretch beyond the I can see. With stunning elopement locations and cozy Airbnbs, Yosemite is the perfect backdrop for your intimate ceremony, and bound to be an incredible adventure.
Our complete guide to getting married in Yosemite breaks down everything you need to know for your special day! If you’ve never visited the National Park before, you’re in good hands – we will walk you and your love down the aisle stress-free!
From the best season to get married to finding the best photographers, here is everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable Yosemite elopement.
Yosemite Elopement Gallery
The highlights to Olha and Josh’s intimate elopement – from Shivelight Photography’s Exclusive Collection.
How much does it cost to Elope in Yosemite?
The cost to elope in Yosemite National Park is $2450 for an elopement for two with photography, a bouquet and boutonniere, and wedding planning services.
Olha and Josh eloped in Yosemite using the Wedy App, where they booked an all inclusive elopement package, for $3385.
Their vendor breakdown can be found below!
Wedding Planning through the Wedy App
Photography by Shivelight Photography
Hair and Makeup by Create Facee Hair and Makeup
Add-On: Reception Catering by The Wandering Chef
To find more amazing local Yosemite vendors click the button below to Browse the Wedy App’s exclusive vendor collection!
Where are the Best Places to Elope in Yosemite?
The best places to elope in Yosemite are Glacier Point Amphitheater, Taft Point, El Capitan Meadow, Cathedral Beach, and Yosemite Falls . Whether you’re looking to say your vows amidst romantic cliffs in a mountain range, or in lush green valleys filled with wild flowers, you’ll find all you need at Yosemite National Park.
As locals, we visit Yosemite as often as we can, and we spend a lot of time scouting local hidden gems for our couples. If you are looking for a private location to host your micro wedding, book a call with one of our lead planners for personalized recommendations.
Yosemite National Park has four main regions, that each have their own ceremony locations! The four regions are Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Big Oak Flat area. Here are the elopement locations you can find at each of these Yosemite National Park regions:
Yosemite Valley Locations
- Cascades Picnic Area
- Lower Yosemite Fall Paved Trail
- Swinging Bridge Picnic Area
- Cathedral Beach Picnic Area
- Sentinel Beach Picnic Area
- Bridalveil Fall (closed for construction 2023)
Wawona Locations
- Glacier Point Amphitheater (closed in winter)
- Chilnualna Falls Trailhead Parking Lot
Big Oak Flat Area
- Tuolumne Grove
- Merced Grove
Tuolumne Meadows Locations
- Tenaya Lake Beach
- Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Area
Yosemite Elopement Locations
1. Glacier Point Amphitheater
Elevation: 7,214 feet
Maximum Capacity: 50 guests
Parking: Parking lot available on-site
Nestled high above Yosemite valley, Glacier Point Amphitheater is an iconic elopement location for couples seeking adventure!
2. Taft Point
Elevation: 7,500 feet
Maximum Capacity: 11 guests
Parking: 21 spots available
Explore cliffside vistas at the romantic Taft Point in Yosemite National Park and unveil rugged mountain views that stretch beyond the horizon.
3. El Capitan Meadow
Elevation: 7,573 feet
Maximum Capacity: 50 guests
Parking: Limited, near Northside Drive and Merced River
The serenity of El Capitan Meadow will whisk you away, with vibrant wildflowers, verdant forests, and granite monoliths that make for the picture-perfect ceremony!
4. Cook’s Meadow & Sentinel Meadow
Elevation: 4,000 feet (at trailhead)
Maximum Capacity: 50 guests
Parking: Near Yosemite Village and Yosemite Falls Parking Area
Cook’s Meadow and Sentinel Meadow offer idyllic experiences with lush greenery, sunbaked meadows, delicate wildflowers, and majestic cliff views to offer an intimate backdrop for your romantic Yosemite National Park ceremony!
5. Cathedral Beach Picnic Area
Elevation: 3,966 feet
Maximum Capacity: 50 guests
Parking: Near Yosemite Village and Yosemite Falls Parking Area
By the romantic shores of the Merced River lies Cathedral Beach Picnic Area in Yosemite National Park! Hold an intimate ceremony surrounded by glistening waters, rugged cliffs, and vibrant meadows!
6.Yosemite Falls
Elevation: 2,700 feet
Maximum Capacity: 50 guests
Parking: By the Valley Loop Trail near the Camp 4 Entrance
Yosemite Falls offers an enchanted elopement experience for couples seeking adventure. The crystal clear water falls and timeless cliffs capture the beauty of Yosemite National Park, making it the perfect backdrop for an intimate elopement!
7. Cascade Picnic Area
Elevation: 3,468 feet
Maximum Capacity: 30
Parking: Limited, near El Portal entrance
Embrace romance at Cascade Picnic Area in Yosemite National Park, and read your vows in the heart of nature, surrounded by towering trees, glistening waters, and a vibrant picnic area that’s perfect for your friends and family to celebrate your Yosemite elopement with!
When is the best time to elope in Yosemite?
The best time to get married in Yosemite is between September through November, following the busier seasons of June through August, when the park is typically filled with tourists. If you do plan to get married from June through August, be prepared for crowds and hot weather. Aim to elope at Sunrise for a more intimate ceremony.
Fall
A Yosemite Fall Elopement is colorful, rustic, and magical for your intimate ceremony. October in Yosemite is one of the best times to elope, as it is right before the road closures that begin in November, and the leaves have already changed color, while the weather is not too hot or too cold. There are more accessible ceremony locations available, and the Park itself is gorgeous during the Fall time.
Winter
For a winder wonderland experience, Yosemite is beautiful for a snowy elopement! There are a few spots that will be inaccessible due to road closure, such as Glacier Point Road, but the valleys are lovely and make for an intimate wedding destination due to the secludedness of the Park during the winter. An intimate elopement at Half Dome is perfect for your winter ceremony!
Spring
Spring is perfect for Yosemite elopements, it is peak waterfall season and the weather is lovely. There will still be some tourists and trail closures in early April due to remaining snow from the Winter seasons, so eloping in late April to mid-May is the best time for a Spring elopement in Yosemite!
Summer
Summer is the most popular time to visit Yosemite National Park, due to the influx of families and friends on vacation. Yosemite National Park is gorgeous during the summer, but keep in mind you will have to share the Park spaces with tourists, and beat the heat throughout the hottest months. As a result, Summer is the least favorable season to elope in Yosemite.
What time of day should I elope in Yosemite?
Sunrise
If you plan to elope at sunrise, you will have a more intimate and secluded experience for your ceremony. While you may have to get ready much earlier than other brides, you will also have amazing lighting and a private experience at the Park! Keep in mind that if you are eloping at Glacier Point Amphitheater or Taft Point, you will need to hike so dress accordingly and be prepared to hike in the dark for an early morning elopement.
Sunset
If you plan to elope at sunset, you will still have an optimal experience, but there may be some tourists around. You will have the whole day to get ready, and capture photos until your ceremony and then get the perfect golden hour shots at the Park! Your Yosemite elopement photographer will walk you through the different possibilities for sunset portraits, keeping in mind that different spots around the park will look different on camera during sunset.
Yosemite Elopements Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about Yosemite National Park Elopements. Learn more at the Yosemite National Park government website, or book a free consultation call with one of our lead planners, to answer any questions you may have about Yosemite elopements!
According to the Yosemite National Park Government website, there are 13 designated wedding ceremony locations within the park. Please keep in mind that couples must obtain both a special-use permit to hold their ceremony, and pay the entrance fees to enter the Park.
The best times to elope at Yosemite National Park are sunrise and sunset. Keep in mind that timeliness is essential for your big day. To avoid tourists, aim to elope at Sunrise, where you can get free entry into Yosemite National Park if you enter before 7:00am.
Pets are allowed in Yosemite National Park but they are not allowed to attend any wedding ceremonies at the park. After your ceremony, you’ll be able to capture special moments with your pets and wander all around Yosemite Valley.
To avoid crowds of tourists, you should aim to hold your ceremony at sunrise in Yosemite National Park. You will get the best photos before 10am and after 3pm, when sunlight is the most harsh. Our local Yosemite photographers know the best hidden gems in the park to capture your big day, and we create custom timelines with different elopement times so you can get the best golden hour photos!
A Yosemite special use wedding permit costs $150, which covers the permit itself and the entrance fee for two to enter the Park. You can apply for a Yosemite wedding permit up to 1 year in advance, it must be sent at least 21 days before your wedding date!
Yosemite National Park is moderately accessible. There are a few wheelchair accessible trails at Yosemite National Park including the Lower Yosemite Falls loop. The park also offers wheelchair rentals, hand-cranked bicycle rentals, and hourly shuttle buses for increased accessibility.
Yosemite Airbnbs for your Intimate Mountain Wedding
Luxury Yosemite
Bear Lodge
Yosemite River
Rock Retreat
Trendy A-Frame
Cabin near Yosemite
Step into this Luxury Bear Lodge in Yosemite and seize the day with a rocky mountain adventure.⛰
This beautiful spacious lodge is perfect for dancing the night away with your fiancé, and waking up the next morning to mimosas🥂 and mountaintops.
You can book an intimate all-inclusive Yosemite Airbnb Wedding Package here! 🌳🏞
Craving an adventure for your wedding day? This beautiful River Rock Retreat in Yosemite is spacious, modern, and full of light.
Say your “I Do’s” in the heart of nature surrounded by lush green forests and incredible rocky mountain views. 🏔
You can book an intimate all-inclusive Yosemite Airbnb Wedding Package here! 🌳🏞
For the Pinterest bride seeking adventure – hold your intimate wedding at this Trendy A Frame Cabin Airbnb!
Read your vows in a charming cabin in the woods and celebrate your everlasting love! 🥂💌
You can book an intimate all-inclusive Yosemite Airbnb Wedding Package here! 🌳🏞
Questions to ask your host if you’re planning an Airbnb Wedding
Here are some questions you may want to ask your property host about, prior to holding your micro wedding there!
- Is the property handicap accessible?
- Does this Airbnb require any special permits?
- Are there any extra fees to host your wedding?
- Is there running water? Are there enough restrooms for our guest count?
- Can the kitchen accommodate catering staff?
- Can we move inside if the weather is bad?
- Is your property accessible for parking and arranging transportation?
- How will trash be disposed of?
- Are there any limitations on volume? When are your quiet hours?
- Do they have any recommendations for photos?
- Do you offer seating options or seating arrangements?
- What dish ware/utensils do they have available?
Plan Your Yosemite Elopement with Wedy App
With the Wedy App, we can help you find elopement packages in Yosemite connecting you to local Yosemite elopement vendors, including photographers, florists, venues, and more. Download our app today and find out how to elope in Yosemite National Park in California.
