YOSEMITE WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Come elope with an adventure day and the mountains as your witness
Your Elopement Vows Sound Better in the Wild
You’re about to say the most important thing you’ll ever say to each other.
And out here, there’s nothing in the way, just open skies, breathtaking cliffs, and a subtle breeze that will lift your words to the mountains, as if they’ve been happily waiting for this exact moment.
That’s what eloping in Yosemite is like :)
Your “just married” story starts here with a sunrise on golden meadows, a hike that ends with a view that stops you in your tracks, and a calming sunset light illuminating the cliffs around you.
It’s wild, and it’s calm and grounding at the same time, exactly as it’s meant to be.
I’m Sara, your Yosemite Elopement Photographer!
Planning a Yosemite elopement can feel like a lot. Permits, timing, light, where to even start. I’ll take that part so you can just look forward to the day.
We’ll plan it together, and I’ll build your timeline around the sun and the season so every spot gets its best light. Then on the day, I show up ready to lead. I’ll keep things moving, check in so you’re never tired or hangry (I always have snacks), and make sure there’s space for quiet moments, just the two of you.
I’m here to bring some joy to your day and catch it all on camera. If we leave feeling like friends, even better.
When you’re ready to start planning the adventure…
YOU WON’T HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT ALL ON YOUR OWN.
Here’s how we can plan your amazing elopement day out in Yosemite together:
Picking locations that fit your season so you’re not guessing which and when the spots look best!
Making sense of Yosemite’s permit process. You’ll submit it, but I’ll walk you through each step and answer your questions along the way
Building a timeline that works for you, with breathing room to wander, take a break, and switch things up
Gathering vendor recommendations and places to stay, so you’re not starting all your planning completely from scratch
Fine-tuning the flow of the day (which I’ll help lead) so you and your people always know what’s next!
Keeping Leave No Trace in mind, so the park looks just as good and enjoyable for everyone else when we leave
Building inspiring vision boards with candid and posed photos, and allowing enough time to document your story (and show off the views)!
Prioritizing moments when you might need a minute together, or to rest, hydrate, or snack (oh, yeah, I’ll bring those too!)
“I am so thankful my path brought me across Sara. She is such a down to earth, kind, humble, and overall amazing human being with an amazing eye for photography.
From day one when I was inquiring to the last day where I met her in person we just had the same ideas, values, and vision for my elopement day. We traveled 7+ hours to elope and she made this whole process so seamless. She provided all of the answers we needed, helped us capture the perfect pictures and she was so professional during the whole process. She was so informed on the location we chose and helped us from scouting spots to grab the perfect image down to bringing us snacks because she knew we had not eaten all day! 🤍
I am sad I don’t get to have those monthly meetings with her anymore but I am so thankful for everything she accomplished. I made a life long friend! I cannot recommend her enough. Thank you for EVERYTHING!”
J+A, Cathedral Beach ceremony & Glacier Point sunset
Yosemite Elopement FAQs:
Do you need a permit to elope in Yosemite?
Yes! All wedding ceremonies in Yosemite require a special use permit for your date and ceremony time, even if it’s just the two of you. The good news is that it only costs $150 and I’m more than happy to guide you through it!
How many guests can you bring along with you?
As many or as few as you want, just keep in mind that some ceremony locations have maximum capacity limits, including vendors! Check out the details HERE!
Are you able to decorate the ceremony space?
You can bring a small, lightweight mat to stand on during your ceremony (for beaches only) but any other type of decoration like flower arches, party balloons, and even chairs for guests are not permitted (although consideration is given to people with special needs).
How far in advance do you start planning a Yosemite elopement?
It’s possible to plan an elopement as soon as 2 months in advance, to allow time for permitting processing. However, for more elaborate plans, it’s best to work with 6-9 months. It’s worth noting that popular ceremony locations can book up to a year in advance for Spring and Fall dates.
For more details on how to elope in Yosemite, click below to check this blog post I wrote!
Feeling like planning is a lot?
I got you, let’s take the first step together.
Getting married comes with a lot of pieces, and eloping in Yosemite adds a few extra things to your to-do list: picking that perfect ceremony spot, figuring how many people can join, what fits into a single day… like wow, where to even start?
It can get overwhelming but I promise it’s so worth it.
So, the first step is simple: reach out, tell me what you’re hoping your day will be like, and ask me anything! As a local and having the honor of being in Yosemite often, I’m happy to share what I know about the park, along with a peek at what working together could look like.
I love elopements. I love Yosemite too.
Literally two of my favorite things, so helping you bring them together is the best part of what I do!
Yosemite elopement photography packages starting at $4,800
Creating time and space for your core memories to happen.
One of the easiest ways to take the pressure off on your elopement is to give yourselves enough time to let it feel like a fun, and easy day. It’s not always about planning to do more, but about feeling less rushed.
That’s why I always plan for at least 5 hours of coverage of your story.
This is the perfect fit for a half day timeline built around sunrise or sunset, and it’s enough to cover special moments like your ceremony, private vows, and portraits, without hurrying from one thing to the next.
Additional hours of coverage are offered through full day and multi-day options!
HERE’S WHAT’S INCLUDED IN EACH ELOPEMENT PACKAGE:
Up to half day, full day or multi-day coverage for moments like getting ready, first looks, private vows, ceremony, portraits, and reception
Help with planning logistics such as best timeline flow, ceremony and photo locations, and activity ideas + my exclusive physical and digital elopement planner
Candid and intentional photos of you two with the landscape around you, with options of multiple locations within the park as time permits
A private online gallery with minimum of 300 digital images in full resolution + print release and access to an online shop to order prints and heirloom albums
All of my travel to/from Yosemite is covered so there are no extra fees expected
One last thing…No date, no location, no plans made just yet?
That’s totally okay!
You can still reach out even if you don’t have much figured out yet, and we can go from there. But if you’d like something to help you get started, here are some of my favorite parts of each season in Yosemite:
Late spring
The Valley is green and the waterfalls are at their strongest! There may still be snow at higher elevations, so seasonal road closures are expected until late May.
Early summer
The roads to Taft Point, Glacier Point, and Tuolumne Meadows open up, with longer days and clearer skies. But the crowds grow, so an early start makes a big difference!
All of Fall
In my opinion, it’s the dream. The crowds thin out and the colors begin to change. There may be snow at higher elevations which can trigger early seasonal road closures, so a back up plan is a great idea!
Early winter
Access is limited to the Valley, and when it snows, it literally turns it into a total wonderland. It takes a tiny bit extra planning around weather and roads, but it’s perfect if you love a cozy, snowy adventure.
Whichever season calls to you, we can figure out the rest together.
I look forward to hearing about your plans
Whether you’re just starting to research or you already have a picture of how the day might unfold, I’d love to hear it all.
Just fill out the form and we’ll start shaping a Yosemite elopement that will be your best adventure yet!
Not ready to chat yet? Grab my FREE downloadable Yosemite Elopement Checklist.
