Yosemite Elopement

Weddings

October 15, 2020

Photographing in Yosemite has been number 1 on my bucket list for I don’t know how long! I can’t believe this dream finally came true! After months of planning, multiple reschedules, and countless obstacles by the name of Covid, we were finally ready to hit the road!

The day started bright and early with hair and makeup starting at 7:30am. Haley did a fantastic job at turning our bride Brooke into a bridal goddess! I love the way she highlighted Brooke’s natural beauty and her long flowing hair! Once all dolled up, at 9am, Brooke and Nate hopped in their car and Haley, our wedding coordinator, and I hopped in mine. The road trip was filled with lots of country music, watching the cars go by and my backseat and trunk filled to the brim with flowers and Brooke’s wedding gown!

First Look Tunnel View Yosemite Elopement

We arrived at the Yosemite National Park entrance around 1pm and had our park entrance pass all ready to go. With covid causing park restrictions and shut downs, we had to plan quite a bit in advance. I was able to secure our day use entry pass well over a month in advance to even be able to enter the park.

Once in, and our pass secured to the front left of my windshield, we drove the gorgeous mountain-side road to Tunnel View, our first stop.

Tunnel View is the most iconic view of Yosemite. It is the view made famous by Ansel Adams and a must-see for any Yosemite first timers. This is where we held Brooke and Nate’s “first look” and ceremony! I had my handy changing tent all ready to go as Brooke slipped into her wedding dress and Nate waited patiently for his bride. The location held multiple onlookers and at the moment of “I Do” and “you may kiss your bride” there were many cheers for the newlyweds!

By 2:15pm we were back in the car and making our way to our next stop, Glacier Point. This drive is one of my favorites with the winding roads and cliff side views. By the time we reach Glacier Point, after a small mishap having to sit parked in the road for 30 minutes due to construction, our Bride and Groom were ready for their wedding picnic! Haley did a wonderful job setting up their romantic picnic for two while I captured the stunning Half Dome profile behind our beautiful couple! Our couple got to enjoy an array of food on their picnic charcuterie board and some delicious hiker themed desserts. We had guests of a friendly park ranger and squirrel! Both got to enjoy a treat and came back wanting more!

Half Dome Yosemite Elopement Glacier Point

After a wonderful snack and cheers of champagne, we made our way to our final stop! Taft Point may be right down the road from Glacier Point, but it requires much more of a hike to see what it has to offer. It took us about an hour to hike in to the cliff side point, Brooke focusing on carrying her dress and all of us carrying florals but it was more than worth the beautiful hike!

The view from Taft Point are officially some of my favorite! Even with some smoke clouding the view from the California wildfires, there is nothing that compares. It is the perfect spot to spend sunset and end an elopement day! Brooke and Nate got to end their elopement day with lots of cliffside kisses, cheers of congratulations from other hikers and a sunset like no other! It really was the perfect day and a dream come true for all of us!