When To Get Married in Yosemite
Each season offers something unique and beautiful in Yosemite. Here’s when to get married in Yosemite to ensure you have the dreamiest wedding day.
When to get married in Yosemite
In Yosemite, there are certain restrictions for many locations during the different seasons. It’s important to keep these in mind when you’re planning your wedding or elopement to ensure you can still have the day you’ve always dreamt of!
November through mid-May
From November through Mid-May, Glacier Point and Tioga Pass are closed, which eliminates many locations for a wedding. This means that you are limited to Wawona and Yosemite Valley. If you love the winter months and the snow doesn’t scare you off, this can be a pretty magical time of year, as it’s less traveled and you can have many of the great locations to yourself. However, you do need to be prepared for snow road closures and detours that you may need to take. This time of year just takes flexibility, and it can still be really wonderful!
Late-may through october
Summertime in Yosemite is incredibly busy, but you will have access to all of the roads and any of the stunning mountain peaks in Yosemite. But, as it’s the more popular time to visit this park, it is much more expensive. This means vendors like your florist, hair and makeup, food, and accommodations will all be more pricey. But, this is also the time of year that the waterfalls flow the most and Yosemite truly shines. If you’re hoping for a summer wedding here in Yosemite, just plan very far in advance!
Best time of day to get married in Yosemite
Nothing beats the beauty of Yosemite’s stunning valley, but there’s a little secret about the lighting here: the sunrise light doesn’t hit the valley at the usual “sunrise” time. So if you want those truly breathtaking sunrise or sunset shots, you’ll have to head to one of the peaks like Glacier Point or Taft Point. But if you’d rather avoid the early morning, you can opt for the valley for the later morning light instead. But I’ll always recommend a sunrise here in Yosemite!
Yosemite weddings by season
Setting aside the restrictions during the different times of year, each season has it’s own unique beauty here in Yosemite. Here’s what you need to know to help you plan out your wedding here!
spring in Yosemite
Spring gives a fresh feel to the park, with flowing waterfalls and everything so green and lush. You can find wildflowers here as well, which can be pretty stunning! The only downside is that many popular locations, such as Glacier Point, will still be closed until late May. Spring weather can also be super unpredictable, between rain, snow, and just chilly temperatures. But if you’re okay missing out on some of the more iconic locations, you’ll have some of the best waterfall views.
summer in Yosemite
Summer in Yosemite is a blend of absolutely gorgeous and overwhelmingly busy. You have the beautiful, warm weather and access to all the major locations that you might consider for a wedding. But it is also when you find it packed with the most tourists, especially in June and July. You will struggle to find parking and will have a hard time finding a wedding location without an audience. The key to a summer wedding if it’s your only option? Definitely a sunrise, specifically on a weekday. This will give you the best opportunity for a private ceremony!
fall in Yosemite
Fall has to be my favorite season here in Yosemite! Everyone starts returning to work and school, and as long as it isn’t a holiday weekend, you will have many locations in Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road to yourself! The weather during September and October is perfect, and you’ll have a backdrop with the warm autumn tones. The waterfalls do slow down at this point, but you still may get lucky and see some flowing! Just visit before the end of October to miss the road closures.
Winter in Yosemite
As I mentioned briefly above, winter is a less ideal time to visit Yosemite as you are very limited in your locations for a wedding. It is also more chilly, and you won’t have any of the waterfalls flowing. But there is something so peaceful and romantic about a wedding during the winter here! It will be easy to find intimate spots, and the valley still offers a beautiful backdrop. You can even choose one of the gorgeous venues here in Yosemite, like Yosemite Valley Chapel or Ahwahnee Hotel for a cozier setting for you and your guests. This can still be a pretty wonderful time to experience Yosemite!
Where to elope in Yosemite
One of the things I love most about Yosemite is the wide range of locations you can choose from for a wedding. Couples can truly find what best fits them and their day. Here are some of my most favorite spots around Yosemite!
Tenaya Lake
Tenaya Lake has to be one of my favorite backdrops for a wedding. Located up along Highway 120 near Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake sits at over 8,000 feet of elevation. The gorgeous blue lake is surrounded by mountain peaks and is a pretty breathtaking sight to see. It has one designated location available for larger wedding ceremonies and infinite possibilities for elopements. The photos captured here are just incredible!
Taft Point
Taft Point is the absolute best spot in Yosemite at sunset. It has the perfect view of El Capitan, and there is an angle you can take photos where you can stand on the edge of a cliff and see the vastness of the valley below you. There is plenty of space to explore here, with many different viewpoints to choose from for a ceremony. When the roads are open, this spot is an easy drive, but does have limited parking. It is about a mile hike from the parking lot, so it is pretty mild if you have guests joining along. It does get incredibly busy here in the summer, so opt for a weekday for less crowds!
Glacier Point
Glacier Point offers the most iconic shots with Half Dome, and is the most beautiful from early summer into fall. It is especially beautiful at sunrise, with the sun rising on the western side and giving the most beautiful light. It is also extremely accessible, so if you would like to include family, it is an easy walk from the parking lot. This location never fails to amaze me with its beautiful view!
El Capitan Meadow
The locations mentioned above may offer some of the best views, but there’s something very romantic about El Capitan Meadow. It’s the perfect, quiet setting where you are surrounded by gorgeous trees and the towering granite peaks. It also couldn’t be more ideal for a picnic to sit and enjoy the beauty, as well as keeping an eye out for the climbers. It truly is the perfect place to explore and makes a stunning setting for a wedding ceremony!
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is one of the most popular elopement spots in all of Yosemite. The waterfall can be loud and busy during the summer months but it is right next to the Yosemite Valley Lodge and is very accessible for friends and family. I would suggest planning on spring through early summer to capture the best views of the falls. Just be prepared that you may get wet here!
Yosemite Valley Chapel
This historic and iconic little church is a favorite for weddings here in Yosemite Valley. It’s ideal for an intimate wedding with family and some friends, and feels like a little escape into nature. You can choose a cozy ceremony here, and then head off to explore the park and capture photos at some more of the iconic locations. Yosemite Valley Chapel is such a unique gem here in the park!
Tunnel View
Tunnel View is yet another popular spot in Yosemite and it’s not hard to see why! It offers some of the best panoramic views with all of the beauty Yosemite has to offer. You can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridal Veil Falls right in one spot! Because this is such a popular location, just keep this in mind when you’re planning your wedding to ensure a more private ceremony.
How to get married in Yosemite
Because Yosemite has become even more popular for elopements and weddings, the park has pretty strict rules and regulations when it comes to permits. So it’s important to do your research and set appropriate expectations before starting the permit process!
Entrance Fee
Entrance fees are not waived for anybody participating in your elopement. So you, your guests, and your vendors will still need to pay the regular park entrance fees. A standard 7-day vehicle entrance pass costs $35, or you can get a $70 annual park pass if you plan to visit more than once in a year!
Special Use Permit
If you want to elope in Yosemite, you’ll need a Special Use Permit. You can apply for your permit up to one year in advance and no later than 21 days in advance of your elopement. I recommend applying as soon as you’re able to so you can get the process started and so the park office has plenty of time to process your application. A Yosemite Special Use Permit costs $150, and you may also have to pay a $50 hourly monitoring fee if the park requires your elopement to be monitored for any reason.
Here is what the process looks like:
Fill out this application
Include payment of the $150 non-refundable application fee with your application
Wait for the park to process your permit
If your permit is approved, wait for it to arrive in the mail
Review, sign, & return your permit to the park office for final approval
For more detailed information on obtaining Yosemite permits, be sure to read my step-by-step guide!
Yosemite wedding photographer
Hi, I’m Priscilla, a Yosemite Wedding and Elopement photographer, and there’s nothing more dreamy than an elopement here in Yosemite! I guide my couples every step of the way, offering expert planning, jam-packed location guides, and a personalized experience that truly feels like you! From the ceremony location to the details that will make your day unforgettable, think of me as your personal Yosemite wedding guide.
Ready to create the wedding day that puts you and your partner at the center? Click here to get in touch, and let’s start planning your greatest adventure yet!