Yosemite Wedding Photographer
Being a Yosemite wedding photographer is by far one of the most exciting and beautiful things that I get to do.
Whether it's an engagement session, wedding, elopement, or adventure session, Yosemite will offer something spectacular for you.
Below, I have included pretty much EVERYTHING you need to know about getting married in Yosemite.
I would absolutely be honored to be your Yosemite wedding photographer.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach me here!
Free Wedding Planner Printable
If you're in the middle of the wedding planning process, I have a complimentary wedding planner guide filled with checklists, wedding day timelines, etc. It will help keep you stress free and organized.
[convertkit form=2078785]
Seeing Yosemite for the First Time
I still remember the first time I visited Yosemite. I was 13 years old and in absolute awe. I remember thinking, "How does a place like this even exist?"
At that point I was already interested in photography, but of course, everything was shot on film back then. I remember going through my film roles like crazy, taking photos of Glacier Point, Half Dome, the meadows, the magnificent glow that glazes over Yosemite Valley during a sunset, etc.
I fell in love with Yosemite on that trip, and I knew I'd be back one day to photograph it some more.
Here I am, many years later, and I can now say I am a Yosemite wedding photographer. It's interesting getting to combine the two things I love most - epic landscapes and beautiful, raw emotions.
If you are thinking of having a Yosemite wedding or Yosemite elopement, please shoot me an email. It really is my absolute favorite place to photograph at.
Yosemite Wedding Photography
Below I have a few examples of some Yosemite Wedding Photos from Cindy & Erick's wedding day. I couldn't have been more happy to be their Yosemite wedding photographer.
Cindy and Eric actually got married at Bass Lake, specifically at the Pines Resort. This is right outside Yosemite. The next day we took a drive into Yosemite to get some photos of them within the magnificent beauty that is Yosemite National Park. It was a super beautiful, summer day. For a Yosemite wedding photographer, it really was a dream.
For these specific Yosemite wedding photos, we chose to focus a lot on photographing within the meadows, which was insanely beautiful, but if you'd like Yosemite wedding photos at other locations, I include a ton of suggestions down below.
Yosemite Wedding Photography Permit
Keep in mind that Yosemite weddings and Yosemite wedding photos do require a permit. At any point when one is photographing, a ranger can stop the couple and Yosemite wedding photographer and ask them to show their permit.
A wedding photography permit can be accessed by contacting the Wedding and Photography Permit Office in Yosemite National Park. Keep in mind most Yosemite wedding photographer's don't take care of the permit research and costs. So, please make sure to do your research and get your permit in advance. I believe the permit cost around $150 and should be accessed about 2 months before your Yosemite elopement or wedding!
The permit gives you access to have a small wedding or elopement in Yosemite and to take photos there. you'll be assigned a time and location for your intimate wedding or elopement.
Foe detailed info on grabbing your Yosemite Wedding photography permit, visit this site.
Getting Married Inside Yosemite VS Outside:
When planning your Yosemite wedding, it's important to figure out if you want to have your ceremony and reception within the actual park. Or, if you'd prefer to get married outside of the park and then have a photo session the next day in the Yosemite National Park.
How to decide?
It depends on your guest count.
If you're having a larger guest count, I'd recommend getting married outside of Yosemite and scheduling a photo session in Yosemite the next day.
Why?
There aren't a lot of options to host larger scaled events in the actual park.
My suggestion would be to speak to your Yosemite wedding photographer on wedding ceremony locations inside and outside of the park, this way you have a few options
If you have decided to get married outside of the park so that you can have a larger guest count, below are some fantastic wedding options. Keep in mind you cans still have your wedding photos taken in Yosemite the next day! So you'd get the best of both worlds.
However, if you prefer having a super intimate Yosemite wedding or an elopement, skip this section and scroll down!
Venues Directly Outside Yosemite National Park
1. The Tenya Lodge
This hotel is right outside Yosemite and it is BEAUTIFUL. It is the perfect place to have a Yosemite elopement or wedding. It is surrounded by nature and has this magical, rustic vibe
2. The Pines Resort on Bass Lake
If you'd like to see a wedding I photographed at the Pines Resort, click HERE.
This place is unique in that offers the beauty of the pine trees alone with the backdrop of the Bass Lake. It's the best of both worlds.
3. Double Eagle Resort and Spa
This venue is located in June Lake, California. The venue is 12 miles away from the eastern entrance of Yosemite National Park. I don't know of any wedding photographers who wouldn't absolutely LOVE the idea of photographing at this venue. The reason being is that it offers views of majestic peaks, towering pine trees, waterfalls, etc. It's simply magical.
4. Wonder Valley Ranch Resort
Wonder Valley ranch is about a two mile drive from Yosemite National Park. The nice thing about this venue is that it is pretty much all inclusive, which relieves so much wedding planning stress. This venue can accommodate up to 350 guests, making it a great choice for a larger wedding.
5. Ironstone Vineyards
Ironstone vineyards is located in Murphys, California. It's a good option if you can't decide between wine country or Yosemite. This combines both, offering a unique Yosemite wedding experience.
6. The Evergreen Lodge
This offers the classic Yosemite experience. It includes comfy cabins in the middle of the woods along with activities, such as hammocks, zip lines, etc.
It is located about an hour away from Yosemite Valley, so it's really closeby.
This place makes you feel like you are in a hidden, charming village. It's romantic and rustic. Quite a few celebrities have actually gotten married here.
7. Rush Creek Lodge
Rush Creek Lodge is also right outside Yosemite and offers a beautiful space for a wedding or reception! It is the newest lodge in Yosemite and about 30 minutes from the valley. It has great food, and it' clean and modern.
Rush Creek Lodge is the sister property of the Evergreen Lodge, but since it's newer, it offers a more modern quality, while the Evergreen Lodge offers more the a quaint, "cabin in the woods" type of feel.
Intimate Wedding INSIDE Yosemite
These next places are recommended for couples who want to get married inside Yosemite national park, but still want a small to medium guest count (20 - 80 people).
1. The Redwoods Yosemite
The Redwoods in Yosemite is located in Wawona, California, which is inside Yosemite national park. The nice thing about this specific option is that this venue can accommodate up to 80 guests, making it a great choice if you are set on getting married in the actual Yosemite park, but don't want to compromise on your guest count. The Redwoods in Yosemite includes cozy cabins and spacious log homes, creating a unique Yosemite wedding experience for your guests!
2. The Ahwahnee In Yosemite National Park
This is the one larger hotel located in Yosemite and let me just say, it is GORGEOUS. I mean, really, it is out of this world spectacular.
This is the only 4 star hotel in Yosemite Valley. It has several different ceremony locations on site. Couples usually have medium to larger weddings here. After the ceremony, I would take the couple outside of the hotel to take couple portraits around Yosemite. They would then return to the Ahwahnee Hotel for the reception.
Having stayed there a few times, the ambiance is wonderful, it's just the service that isn't so great. Two out of the three times I went, there was some sort of issue with the rooms.
One time, the bed broke. And no, this wasn't due to any "hanky panky" action. Nope. It was much less exciting than that! I sat on it upon my arrival and then it literally just broke. Kaput. It just fell apart and had me on the floor. And I know what you may be thinking, but nope, that's not it, I weigh 145 lbs, average for a 5'7 woman.
I mean it was hilarious, but also shocking considering this hotel charges astronomical prices.
Also, the dining hall looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie. It literally makes you feel like you're in the Hogwarts Dining Hall. Simply spectacular. However, the food is very expensive, which is expected considering the ambience, but the thing is, the food just isn't that great.
I went with a group of 18 people and all ordered different dishes and none of us were impressed. I mean it's not bad, but it isn't what you'd expect for the price.
The thing is though, the Ahwahnee is literally right in the center of Yosemite. If you love natural settings, the ceremony lawn at Ahwahnee is incredible. You get a 360 degree view of the majestic mountains, waterfalls, and meadows. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. That's how beautiful it is. Places like this is why I love being a Yosemite wedding photographer.
A pro of this venue is you really don't need much decor as the natural beauty is already so much. Although the Ahwahnee Hotel can use a few upgrades in terms of hotel rooms and food, it really is a remarkable space for a Yosemite wedding.
A fun dream I like to have entails me getting married here, while also being able to photograph myself getting married here. So I would be the Yosemite wedding photographer at my own Yosemite wedding. Haha. Hey - I didn't say it was a REALISTIC dream!
Yosemite Elopement Locations
Perhaps you want to elope in Yosemite or have a tiny guest count of less than 20 people. In this case, I would say any of these locations would be a great option to have a wedding ceremony.
You all could then go to the Ahwahnee Hotel for dinner or even a restaurant outside of Yosemite National Park.
So when I am thinking about a beautiful wedding ceremony location in Yosemite, I am really thinking about two things, those being:
Will it offer some unique images?
Most likely this is a "yes" because honestly, there is beauty all around Yosemite. Being a Yosemite wedding photographer is really the easiest job because again, you literally cannot take a bad photo there. The sheer amount of overwhelming beauty just makes it impossible.
2. Does the location involve too intense of a hike where the couple will end up looking dirty and sweaty, thus causing them to not look or feel their best?
As a Yosemite wedding photographer, I want to choose a location that lends to epic photos with a killer backdrop, but that also isn't overly complicated to get to.
Here are a list of potential locations to have a Yosemite elopement or intimate wedding.
Half-Dome
Ok, so this location is not for the faint of heart. It is quite a hike, approximately 16 miles round trip. Also, it's a steep hike. It will be quite the workout. The tip takes about 12 hours to complete.
As of now, a permit is required to hike Half-Dome. This location will of course lead to photo with epic views, but realistically speaking, I do not think it's the best option for Yosemite elopement or intimate wedding photos. I'd only recommend this for avid hikers and the most adventurous of couples!
Taft Point
I mean...the photos taken at Taft Point are out of this world EPIC. This location is easier to get to than Half-Dome, but it is also quite dangerous to hike to. I mean it. There have been quite a few deaths there from people who unfortunately slipped and fell.
A Yosemite wedding photographer really needs too shoot with caution here. Wedding photographers usually carry a lot of gear, and this location just isn't that safe for that.
Additionally, I would always advise the couple to stand at least 15 feet back from the edge of the cliff. Safety comes first and needs to be prioritized at all times.
Taft Point Address:
Located on Glacier Point Rd., Yosemite, CA. before Glacier Point parking.
Tunnel View
While I don't think this is the best location for a wedding (it tends to get super crowded), it is an excellent spot to take some couple portraits!
Talk to Yosemite wedding photographer about scheduling a photo stop here!
El Capitan Meadow
This is one of my personal favorite spots to take Yosemite wedding photos. There is something about it that is absolutely magical. It's a beautiful meadow surrounded by mountains of epic rock formations.
How to Access it?
It's in the valley of Yosemite right after passing the Yosemite Valley Lodge. Parking is available on the side of the street.
Glacier Point
What I love about Glacier Point is that it is easy to access.
One can just drive there, park and walk 50 yards to a half-dome canyon view. This is one of the bet locations for a Yosemite wedding ceremony or elopement.
Glacier Point approximately a one hour drive from Yosemite hour or a 2 hour drive from the West entrance to the park (along the 120). It's a stunning area and accessiblewith a car. You can actually drive right up to these epic views, no hiking is necessary.
Please keep in mind, this road isn't open year round. It's open during summer time. As for Fall or Winter, is is often closed depending on the levels of the snow. For the most part, it opens up in mid June.
So if you'd like to have a Yosemite wedding or Yosemite elopement and have your Yosemite wedding photography or Yosemite elopement photography at Glacier point specifically, make sure to plan ahead for a mid June, July, or August session.
If you can't schedule for that time, no worries. Honestly, all of Yosemite is absolutely spectacular. One cannot take a bad picture there, quite literally. So, you can have your Yosemite wedding photos taken in a variety of places. Imagine wedding photos in Yosemite Valley in the snow? Ahh, the beauty! It makes me so happy just visualizing it! And this precisely why I love being a Yosemite wedding photographer!
If you'd like to have a Yosemite wedding at Glacier point in the winter, it is possible. You may even have the entire location to yourself. Just keep in mind, Glacier point at this time is not as easy to get to. This requires a 10.5 hike in each direction. Keep in mind since there is snow at this time, snow shoes will be required.
Be aware that since Glacier Point is a more popular wedding ceremony location, there will be visitors or tourists watching you and walking around your ceremony.
As long as you have a permit though, no-one else will be able to get married there during your ceremony. Having a good Yosemite wedding photographer here is important as he or she will be able to be polite, but also assertive in isolating you both from tourists creeping in on your ceremony and/or photos.
Glacier Point Address:
Located at the end of Glacier Point Road, Yosemite, CA.
Sentinel Dome
This can be accessed from the same parking lot as Taft Point. Like Taft Point, it also requires a few miles hiking.
Personally, I think Taft point offers better views, but Sentinel Dome allows one to pretty much get a 360 degree view of everything. Another plus is that although this trail is a bit long (like Taft Point), it is easier and safer.
Yosemite Falls & Bridal Veil Falls
Ok - these would make for breathtaking wedding ceremony locations. The only thing is when the water is heavier, it is very loud and would be super difficult for anyone to hear your vows. You can also get soaked from the mist, but man oh man, is it beautiful!
Yosemite Valley Chapel
Um, this place is the cutest. It's a charming tiny church in the middle of Yosemite Valley.
It has a lot of history! The idea would be to get married inside of the church and then take photos outside in Yosemite park.
For more information, go HERE.
Yosemite Wedding Costs
The cost depends on many factors. If you elope, there is the $150 permit fee, a $30 car fee, wedding photography coverage, hair and makeup, tux and wedding dress, the officiant, and lastly, your food and drink. I'd say this can be done for under $7,000.
For an intimate wedding or larger scale wedding, costs will dramatically increase. For an intimate 75 person wedding, I'd say 25,000 is a good estimate. For a 100 person wedding, the average cost is around $35,000.
Are You in Need of a Yosemite Wedding Photographer?
If you are, please feel free to contact me HERE.
I would love to be your Yosemite wedding photographer for your special day!