Yosemite Elopement Packages & Venues

How to Elope in Yosemite
What can I expect for my Wildflower Experience in Yosemite?

You, your partner, your officiant & your elopement photographer will set out to your chosen location, be it a waterfall, lake, meadow or rock feature. You’ll explore stunning national spaces together along the way as part of an immersive experience tailored to you. Your ceremony will be in an incredible location incorporating only what speaks to you – and we’ll be there to guide you and document it from start to finish.

How far in advance should I start planning?

We recommend starting to plan at least 2 months in advance, especially if you are planning to get eloped within National Park limits. A permit is required to elope within the park. It can take a few weeks to secure a permit, so it’s best to give yourself some time to secure the permit and coordinate details with vendors.

What are the best places to elope in Yosemite?

There are so many places to elope in Yosemite. You really can’t go wrong choosing a location for your ceremony, it just depends on how you want to get there. Do you want to be able to drive up and take a short walk? Do you want to go for a short hike? Or do you want to hike way out there and spend the whole day exploring the huge rock formations, stunning mountains, and beautiful lakes of Yosemite National Park?

If you are looking for an easily accessible location with restroom facilities nearby, check out some of Yosemite’s public picnic areas. Cathedral Beach picnic area, Sentinel Beach picnic area, and Swinging Bridge picnic area are wonderful ceremony locations. Because these areas are open to the public, it’s recommended to have your ceremony in the morning to have more privacy. Note that these areas have seasonal closures, so be sure to plan accordingly.

If you want to be able to drive to a stunning ceremony location with one of the most famous views in Yosemite, go to El Capitan Meadow. The meadow is absolutely gorgeous year-round, and has the gigantic rock face of El Capitan towering in the background. Glacier Point offers a different viewpoint from above, with sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite’s high country. It’s accessible by car from late May through October or November. In the winter months you can access it by snowshoe or cross-country skis. Washburn Point is on the way to Glacier Point, but it makes for an awesome ceremony location, too. Washburn Point is one of the most accessible viewpoints in the park and has one of the best views of Half Dome.

If you are hiking into your ceremony location, you have lots of amazing options. Mirror Lake is an easy, scenic hike that looks directly up at Half Dome from its base. The hike to mirror lake is only 2 miles and can be extended to 5 miles by looping around the lake. It’s a great year-round hike, though the water may be super low at certain times of the year. Tenaya Lake is one of the best lakes in the park and a 2.5-mile hike makes it perfect for an elopement. You’ll find great views at one end of the lake and a sandy beach at the other. Though it’s farther away from Yosemite Valley, it’s still a favorite so plan accordingly if you want to dodge crowds.

Lower Yosemite Falls is an iconic elopement location. The entire waterfall is 2,425 feet high — the tallest in North America and one of the tallest in the world. The lower falls are accessible by a short half-mile hike and very close to Yosemite Village. The falls are the most full in the spring and tend to dry up quite a bit by the late summer. If your ceremony needs panoramic views, go to Sentinel Dome. It’s accessible by a fairly easy 2-mile hike in. The viewpoint is an excellent choice if you want to try to avoid crowds but still have spectacular views.

How long does it take to get married in California?

As soon as you have completed the application process, the clerk will give you your license immediately and you are ready to go get married! Marriage licenses in California are valid for 90 days, so make sure to plan accordingly with your elopement date.

When should you elope in Yosemite?

Yosemite National Park is open year round, but sees the most visitors from May to October. There may be a certain time of year that is best for you, depending on what you want to see, specific places you want to access and the overall vibe you want for your elopement.

November through April is the best season to avoid crowds. The weather can be wintery and some roads are closed at this time, but if you want a winter wedding you’ll get the added bonus of solitude. Be aware that holidays can see an increase in winter visitors.

If nice weather is your priority, visit between June and September. The weather is gorgeous this time of year, wildflowers are blooming, and pretty much every trail and road will be passable. Though you may run into crowds at some of the more popular destinations like Glacier Point, there are ways to keep your elopement private like having a sunrise ceremony or weekday wedding.

October is a wonderful month to visit the park if you don’t mind slightly cooler temps. The crowds are low and though it’s not known for showy fall colors, you can get a dose of fall foliage in late October.

What time of day should you elope in Yosemite?

Yosemite is beautiful at any time of day, so choosing the right time of day for your ceremony depends on a few things. First what kind of vibe are you going for? Are you and your lover morning people or night owls? Are you planning to get hair and makeup done? Are you set on avoiding crowds?

Sunrise ceremonies are incredible in Yosemite and especially pleasant in the summer. It’s a great way to avoid summer crowds at locations like Glacier Point, though not guaranteed. If you are getting hair and makeup done before your sunrise ceremony, it would mean getting a very early start since you will have to drive up in the dark to catch the sunrise. Down in the valley, you can get soft morning light in some areas and buy yourself a little more time for getting ready in the morning since you won’t have to travel quite as far before the sun rises.

Afternoon ceremonies allow you to spend the morning getting ready or doing whatever you want to do before you tie the knot. It’s also when crowds are at the max as people are out exploring during the summer months. When the weather is more sunny, afternoon light can be harsh for photos. In the winter, the afternoon could be the ideal time for a ceremony when it’s a bit warmer and brighter.

What do you need to elope in Yosemite?

A special use permit is required for any wedding in Yosemite National Park. Permits are $150 and can be reserved up to one year in advance and more than 21 days prior to your ceremony. More information about permits and rules for ceremonies within the park can be found here.

Couples are responsible for applying for and sharing their approved permit with Simply Eloped before locking in your Yosemite elopement.

How do I get a marriage license in California?

Go to any county clerk’s office in the state and bring $100, one form of government-issued identification per person, and proof of any prior legal separations. You may also need to bring copies of your birth certificates depending on the county. We send a marriage license guide with more specific details once you book with us!

Do you need a witness to get married in California?

In California you are required to have one witness present during the ceremony. There is no age requirement in California for witnesses, but any witnesses you choose will need to be old enough to sign their names on the marriage license.

Article written by

Janessa White

Janessa White is the co-founder of Simply Eloped and has helped thousands of couples plan elopements. As an expert in the field, she has been featured on Martha Stewart, Brides.com, Vox, and HuffPost. Janessa thinks elopements are the ultimate way to tie the knot.