Karlie & Eric’s Intimate Winter Wedding
A black wedding dress, rainy Yosemite weather, and a bride who was just so excited to marry her person! Karlie and Eric’s Yosemite National Park winter wedding was such a beautiful reminder that your day doesn’t need perfect weather to be everything you hoped for!
Karlie and I had a few phone calls beforehand to go over winter logistics and prepare for what the weather could bring, and she was SO go with the flow through it all. That’s something I always tell couples considering a winter wedding here: prepare for the possibilities, stay flexible, and be ready to embrace the day!
For Karlie, the most important part was marrying Eric, and that excitement never changed, even when our plans did last minute!
Also, her BLACK DRESS! We need a moment for the dress and the back drop! When Karlie told me she was wearing a black dress I was so excited to see it! But when I finally saw her in it I was honestly as memorized as Eric! She looked like a real life princess, dark, elegant, and straight out of a gothic fairytale!!
The details of Karlie’s Black wedding dresss
A highlight moment for her stunning black wedding dress and a little inspiration for future winter fairytale brides! Let’s take a closer look at all the beautiful details of Karlie’s dress!
She wore a gorgeous floor-length black wedding dress paired with a fur capelet and matching gloves, and the whole look had such a beautiful Twilight aesthetic!
This was actually the first black wedding dress I’ve ever photographed, and I was completely blown away when I saw Karlie in it! The black looked SO beautiful against the foggy, grey Yosemite backdrop and added such a striking contrast to the whole day!
One thing I loved was that her bridal look was actually made up of three separate pieces: the dress, capelet, and gloves. It’s amazing how much the right accessories can pull an entire look together!
Black Wedding Dress Inspiration
The fur cape added such a beautiful winter touch, and paired with the black dress, it was the perfect look for a rainy winter wedding in Yosemite!
A First Look & Private Vows in Yosemite Valley
Karlie and Eric shared their first look and private vows at Cook’s Meadow in Yosemite Valley. With umbrellas in hand and Karlie in her black wedding dress, we spent about an hour at this location capturing those moments and taking portraits before moving on to the rest of their day!
This is something worth considering when planning your own wedding timeline: even one location can deserve a full hour when it includes a first look, personal vows, and portraits. Giving yourselves that time means you can enjoy being together without feeling rushed to the next location.
Is Four Hours Enough for an Intimate Yosemite Wedding?
Karlie and Eric booked my four-hour wedding photography package. For their day, that included a first look, private vows, wedding portraits, an intimate ceremony, family portraits and quick mingling photos, however many of these key moments were done within 3 nearby locations.
Four hours can work well when your locations are close together within one area of the park, your ceremony is short, and your family photo list is small. The right amount of coverage depends on what you want to experience and have photographed!
If you’re envisioning more portrait locations, time spent laughing with your family over picnic snacks, or coverage of getting ready and the celebration afterward, I’d recommend considering six or eight hours. We’ll build your photography timeline together around those priorities so you have room for the moments you’re looking forward to! Especially when planning a Yosemite National Park Winter Wedding, having breathing room for weather changes and travel between locations makes such a difference!
Their Four-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline
6:45AM/7AM - Eric leaves The Yosemite Cabin
7:10/7:15AM - Karlie leaves cabin
8AM - First look and right into private vows /Portraits for 2 hours
10:15AM - We head to Cathedral Beach for ceremony
10:30AM - Ceremony at Cathedral Beach
11AM - Family Photos (Pro tip: I send my clients a shot list ahead of time so we can plan everything out! This helps family photos run smoothly and ensures we capture all the combinations you want with each family member.)
11:30AM - Small picnic at Cathedral Beach. Cake and treats made by the Bride’s mother
12PM - Wrap up photo coverage
an intimate ceremony at cascades Picnic Area
I’m not just your wedding photographer; I’m here to help you navigate every moment. I often get asked, 'What do we do if the weather isn't what we expected?' Don't worry, I’ve always got your back and a solid backup plan. Trust me, the unexpected moments often become the most magical!
We actually had to switch Karlie and Eric’s ceremony location just one hour before they said 'I do' because a storm rolled into Yosemite Valley. But instead of causing stress, the weather added the most romantic, moody vibe to the entire day! Honestly, switching to Cascades Picnic Area was a perfect move!
tips for planning a yosemite national park winter wedding
1. What weather can you expect in winter?
If you’re considering a Yosemite National Park Winter Wedding, just know winter here is breathtaking, but also totally unpredictable! Snow, rain, and chilly mornings are all possible, so being prepared and flexible is a must! Snow, rain, and chilly mornings are all possible, but I’ve photographed elopements in every season and in all types of weather. There’s a special kind of magic that happens at sunrise in Yosemite in winter too! it’s quiet, peaceful, and often completely empty, which is so rare!
2. Is sunrise or sunset better for winter photos?
I have shot in both! Sunrise in Yosemite is peaceful with soft light and empty locations, while sunset can be equally magical. When booking with me I can share sample timelines for both options to help you visualize!
3. what to wear for a winter wedding
Consider wearing a long-sleeve wedding dress, or bringing along a beautiful jacket! You can choose something light that matches your dreamy aesthetic. Personally, my absolute favorite look is adding a textured layer, just like Karlie did! She paired her outfit with a stunning fur capelet that completely awed me. She looked like she stepped right out of a fairytale!
4. Do you need a permit for a yosemite winter wedding?
Yes! No matter the season, group size, or whether it’s just the two of you, you’ll need a Special Use Permit from Yosemite National Park for a wedding ceremony, vow exchange, or elopement.
I’ve made the process easy with a step-by-step guide to help you apply for your Yosemite wedding permit click here to read to blog!
A winter weather note: If snow or weather conditions require you to change your wedding date, you’ll need to contact Yosemite National Park directly about updating your permit.
5. how much wedding photo coverage do you need?
For a shorter wedding with 1–2 locations, 4 hours of photography can work. Just keep in mind there won’t be much extra time for backup locations or unexpected delays.
For a Yosemite winter wedding, I recommend 6 hours of coverage. This gives us more flexibility in case of snowstorms, road closures, or needing to wait for the weather to clear. Having extra time means less rushing and a more relaxed day!
Reach out to me to start your inquiry, and I’d be happy to recommend the perfect photography coverage for your wedding timeline!
let’s plan your yosemite national park wedding!
Hi, I’m Priscilla, a Yosemite wedding and elopement photographer! If you’re dreaming of your own Yosemite National Park Winter Wedding, I’d love to help you piece it all together! I guide my couples every step of the way with planning support, detailed location guides, and a personalized experience that truly feels like you!
Ready to take the next step? Book your desired wedding date here, your Yosemite wedding photographer!
Find more wedding inspiration on my Yosemite Wedding Photos Board on Pinterest. You can also check out and follow my Instagram (@priscillabanphoto) for updated wedding inspiration, dress and guest attire ideas, and behind-the-scenes into my life as a National Park Photographer!
Karlie & Eric’s wedding gallery
A Review From Karlie
“Booking Priscilla to capture our Yosemite elopement was easily one of the best decisions we made when it came to planning! We are not local to the area, and were hopeful for a wedding in the winter despite the fluctuating, inconsistent weather. Priscilla made our day seamless, even in the rain and snow, and her knowledge of the park was irreplaceable! We had to change locations for our ceremony due to park closures, but she provided reassurance, patience, and the perfect back up locations for us to select from. She was so flexible, patient, and helpful throughout the months of planning (even during the months she was on maternity leave!!!!) and I would recommend her to anyone, every time!”