2026/2027

Elopement & Intimate wedding

GUIDE

Your Elopement Isn’t Just About the Photos

Wait, did I just say that? YES, and I mean it.

Your day should be about you - your love, your adventure, and your unforgettable experience in Yosemite. Sure, you’ll get stunning images that capture every moment (and you’ve inquired with the right photographer for the dreamiest photos!), but my focus is on creating an experience where you can truly feel the magic of your day and enjoy Yosemite National Park to the fullest.

When you let go of chasing “perfect,” that’s when the magic happens. It’s in the wind playing with your veil, the laughter echoing through the pine trees, and the quiet moments when it’s just the two of you and the mountains. That’s what I’m here to document: the real, the raw, and your love.

Three people standing on a rocky overlook with mountain views and a pine tree, during sunset. One is a woman in a white dress, another is a man in a suit, and the third is a woman in casual clothing with a camera.

I’m so happy you’re here.

Hi, I’m Priscilla! A California-born, mountain-raised gal with a lifelong love for hiking and exploring every corner of Yosemite National Park. While I’ve been lucky enough to capture weddings and elopements in breathtaking places like Paris, Iceland, Canada and Hawaii, Yosemite holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I’ve made childhood memories, taken daring hikes, and shared adventures with my little one.

Photography is more than just a job to me; it's a passion and a privilege. I'm incredibly grateful to do what I love for a living and to form meaningful connections with all my clients. But enough about me - I want to get to know YOU and capture the unique story of your love in Yosemite!

A yosemite national park wedding photographer with shoulder-length hair, wearing a white jumpsuit and brown boots, stands in a forest holding a camera, smiling.
Sunset over Yosemite National Park with overlay text highlighting the company's experience, reviews, and services, including 540+ sessions and weddings captured, 100+ five-star reviews, 26 years exploring the park, and 10 years capturing memories.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a gray beanie, purple jacket, and green pants, stands on a rocky trail in a forest with a backpack and hiking poles. She is smiling at the camera with a mountainous landscape and partly cloudy sky in the background.
Hiker with a backpack and walking stick on a mountain trail overlooking Yosemite Valley with granite cliffs and pine trees.

Local Yosemite photographer

A woman with a gray beanie and brown backpack hiking in a mountainous landscape with rocky cliffs and pine trees under a clear blue sky.
A woman wearing a red jacket and a gray hoodie displaying a sunset or dusk sky over rocky hills, smiling with her eyes closed.

Why do I emphasize that I live here?

I do this for many reasons. Choosing a local photographer over one who travels solely for bookings can make a world of difference in capturing your special day (and planning!). A local photographer brings a much closer understanding of the area, knowing the best secret spots for portraits, the perfect lighting conditions in all seasons, what to do during an unexpected road closure, the time distance between one location to another, no travel fees and so much more.

Being a local Yosemite photographer means I know this place like the back of my hand! I can anticipate any hiccups and adapt on the fly to make sure your time here is absolutely stress-free and perfect. Plus, I’ve built great relationships with local vendors, so I can give you some wonderful recommendations to make your elopement or wedding day even more amazing!

By choosing someone who lives here for your elopement, you're not just investing in their skills but also tapping into their expertise and insider knowledge of Yosemite!

A bride and groom holding hands on a rocky ledge at taft point in Yosemite national park overlooking sunset.

I KNOW YOU’RE READY FOR….

> A laid-back, stress-free, no-pressure experience.

> A new adventure (a.k.a. your greatest adventure yet)

> Someone who knows the ins and outs of Yosemite

> Time spent just the two of you.

> Freedom to stray from the timeline.

> Eating cake on a mountain top

I’m here for you

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

Step-by-step, here’s what to expect

  • When you’re ready to book, just let me know which package feels like the best fit! If you’re unsure, no worries! We can hop on a quick call to figure out the perfect option together. Once you’ve decided, I’ll send over a contract and the retainer fee invoice. Once both are squared away, your date is officially locked in on my calendar. And then… we let the fun begin! ✨ I’ll send over a detailed questionnaire after booking to help us get started! As well as a Yosemite Guide filled with vendor recommendations, things to do, where to eat, my favorite hikes, etc. to make the most of your time in Yosemite! No need to spend hours googling!

  • From our initial phone call to my in-depth questionnaire, I’m your go-to planning consultant and will assist you with:

    • Customized Location Guide: You’ll get a customized, highly-curated list of the best elopement locations that fit your day.

    • Local Elopement Vendor Recommendations: Once you’ve nailed down the location, I’ll share my local vendor recommendation list who can help you elevate your experience from local florist, hair and makeup, private chef, horse back riding, a private helicopter ride and so many more!

    • Unique-To-You Activities Ideas: Think kayaking down the Merced River or on Tenaya Lake, stargazing or wedding portraits on top of Half Dome (I’m down for anything YOU want!)

  • If you haven’t nailed down a date or location, I’ll assist you with the permit process!

  • A detailed timeline is hands-down one of the most important parts of your big day! Once we’ve decided on the locations you want to visit and the overall timeframe, I’ll create a plan that fits everything seamlessly into the coverage you’ve booked, whether it’s a 4-hour session or a 2-day elopement. I’ll factor in driving, walking, and any stops along the way to keep things running smoothly, so you can relax and enjoy every moment!

  • Your day shouldn’t feel like a stressful, rushed, all-day photoshoot. My approach is the perfect balance of collaborating with you to create the most beautiful photos to tell your story and stepping back to capture all the candid moments. Moments where it feels like it’s just you two and the mountains.

  • I’ll send over a “sneak peek” gallery within 7 days of your elopement, then I’ll get into hand editing and retouching all the best images, which you’ll receive within 13 weeks.

Group of four people standing at Taft Point for a wedding during sunset. One woman in a white dress and three others, two women and one man, dressed casually. Two women are holding a camera and a lighting rig.

sURE, MY JOB TITLE IS

PHOTOGRAPHER

But in realty, I’m so much more than that.


I could give you a whole list of what I’ll be doing for you. Actually, I’ll do that below if you keep on scrolling!

My job is more than just clicking the camera. I’ll dream with you, celebrate with you, and stand by your side through it all - making sure you feel supported every step of the way from the planning process to our final step off the trailhead.

A bride and groom standing on rocky shoreline by Tenaya Lake in Tioga Pass inside Yosemite National Park, surrounded by trees and mountains, with sunlight reflecting off the water.
A bride in a white wedding dress and veil leaning on a groom in a dark suit, standing by Tenaya Lake with mountains in the background, during sunset.
A couple, with the bride wearing a white gown and veil and the groom in a dark suit, getting married at Tenaya Lake with trees and mountains in the background, during daylight.
Yosemite National Park location guide with a scenic mountain landscape and tall trees.
Book titled 'Exlusive Yosemite Elopement Guide' by Priscilla Banuelos Photography, featuring a couple dancing on a rocky ledge in Yosemite National Park at sunset.

EVERY YOSEMITE Elopement PACKAGE INCLUDES:

An all-inclusive yosemite experience for couples looking to make the most of their adventure. From secluded ceremony spots to insider tips and local recommendations, I’ll be your go-to resource for everything you need to create a seamless, unforgettable day.

✔️ Secluded, breathtaking locations - from beautiful viewpoints to hidden gems
✔️ Pre-vetted local vendors for hair, makeup, officiants & more
✔️ Handpicked lodging recommendations to match your vision
✔️ Custom timelines tailored for the best lighting, locations and most intimate moments
✔️ Permits & logistics assistance - no stress, just adventure!
✔️ Exclusive Yosemite guides with insider tips on where to stay, what to do & how to make the most of your visit
✔️ Unlimited consultations to bring your vision to life
✔️ A fully guided photography experience capturing every real, raw, & beautiful moment

Travel guidebook titled 'Yosemite NP 3-Day Itinerary' with a mountain landscape cover and soft pastel sky.
A travel guidebook titled 'Spring & Summer Guide to Yosemite' with a photograph of Yosemite National Park's cliffs and valley at sunset.

wHAT’S IT LIKE TO HAVE ME AS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER?

I’ll let my couples tell you

I’m so thankful we chose Priscilla. Elopements can be stressful, especially to a place you’ve never been to, and one of our biggest priorities was our photos and experience. Priscilla was absolutely amazing and she made us feel just so, so comfortable. Our pictures captured every moment of our day. We really can relive the day by looking back at our photos. I have received so many compliments on our pictures! Our photo album and digital prints arrived on time and Priscilla was great at keeping in touch with me throughout the whole process, helping me plan not just my elopement but my whole trip to Yosemite and answering all my questions. I highly recommend her!”

— Arlene + Vince

“We had the joy and pleasure of having Priscilla be our photographer for our wedding, and it was absolutely worth it!!! She’s extremely responsive, very detail oriented, extremely organized and makes the process easy to understand, seamless and easy for the couple. She was able to coordinate with our videographer to capture specific moments that I had requested for, first look with my dad and my son, I was so nervous for both that I couldn’t remember their faces until I received the pictures and I literally felt the tears rolling down my face. I didn’t even remember the look on my now husband’s face, but she captured every single moment and was able to take me back to that day, the exact moment of him seeing me come down through the woods.

She’s a sweetheart and will make you feel comfortable and truly capture all those moments of your wedding that will literally go by in a flash. She’ll understand what’s important to you and her work will completely take you back to your day and take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter to tears to amazement because you didn’t realize she even captured that one moment. I mean seriously I don’t know how I can pick my favorites; I want them all but don’t have enough wall space!!!!!!!!

Priscilla, thank you so much for agreeing to photograph our wedding and capturing all the moments you did. The pictures are absolutely beautiful, you’re so talented with the camera and great to work with. I’ll reach out to you for family pictures… and, even our vow renewal!"

— Maricela + Brandon

“Priscilla is truly the best. she is so professional, kind, and helpful! I had the opportunity of having her capture my elopement and i am in love with every single photos and just the entire experience. She comes with a plan and goes above and beyond for you. She doesn’t stop at the photos..she celebrates you, will calm your nerves, bustle your dress, give any extra assistance she can. Even through the planning process, she sent us a whole vendor recommendation list, sat on the phone with me for hours assisting me on planning, made me feel so calm, excited and it felt like I've known her for a lifetime from the first phone call. She is hands down the best! I recommend her to everyone. Her photos are beautiful and the experience was more than what we could’ve asked for. I can’t wait to have future life celebrations so she can be apart of those experiences as well! I am so grateful for her help and the experience we got with booking her"

— Harlye & Daniel

TIMELINE EXAMPLES

Below are examples of different timelines for each package I offer. Keep in mind that each elopement is different and unique, some may include long hikes, while others prefer to focus on wandering Yosemite Valley or shorter hikes with family! The more time, the more we have to relax and explore. If you’re uncertain, let me know and we can chat about your vision!

  • An example of a two day wedding in a national park
  • Example of a timeline for a 10 or 12 hour wedding day
  • Example of a 6 to 8 hour timeline for a wedding in the mountains
  • example of a 4 hour elopement timeline

An entire day of photos? REALLY?

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

IT’S AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

Bride and groom walking on a dirt path at taft point in yosemite national park at sunset, trees and shrubs surrounding them.
A bride and groom embracing on the edge of a large rock formation at Taft Point in yosemite national park at sunset with El Capitan in the background

THE COLLECTION

A bride and groom holding hands on a rocky ledge overlooking a mountain range and starry night sky with clouds.

The Summit seekeR

$10,200, Split into 10 payments of $1020

The Summit Seeker is designed for couples who want more space, more flexibility, and more time to tell their full Yosemite story.

This experience is ideal if you’re planning a traditional reception, want both sunrise and sunset, or would love to spread your adventure across two days without feeling rushed or limited.

What This Experience Includes

  • Full-Day or Two-Day Coverage
    The Summit Seeker includes up to 10–12 hours of coverage, which can be used in one full day or split across two half days, depending on what makes the most sense for your plans!

This allows time for:

  • getting ready at a relaxed pace

  • First look

  • Private vows

  • Ceremony

  • Family Photos

  • travel between locations

  • an intimate reception or picnic

  • sunrise and sunset moments

  • lots of adventuring! Think:hiking, horseback riding, paddle boarding, kayaking, bike riding around the valley, helicopter ride and so much more

    OR two separate days with very different experiences from Tioga Pass, Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point to Wawona, you name it!

Some couples choose one day focused on celebrating with family, and another day just for the two of them - whether that’s a sunrise portraits, a hike to the top of Half Dome, or exploring a different part of Yosemite!

  • Planning Support + Yosemite Expertise
    With a more expansive timeline, thoughtful planning becomes even more important.

  • I’ll help you with:

    • choosing multiple locations that work well together

    • local vendor recommendations

    • permit guidance

    • a personalized timeline across one or two days

    • my comprehensive Yosemite guides to help you plan your visit

    Everything is designed to feel intentional, organized, and easy to follow.

  • A Thoughtfully Built Timeline
    Your timeline is customized to support a longer, more flexible experience — with enough structure to keep things running smoothly and enough openness to let moments unfold naturally.!

  • Unlimited Support
    From the moment you book through the final details, I’m here to help you plan, adjust, and feel confident every step of the way.

  • All Best Images Included
    You’ll receive every best, professionally edited image in a high-resolution online gallery, backed up for a full year with unlimited downloads.

    Most galleries include approximately 300–900+ images, depending on how your day (or days) unfold. I don’t cap galleries or hold images back!

  • Next-Day Sneak Peek
    A sneak peek delivered the day after your wedding, so you can start reliving everything right away.

  • Heirloom Keepsakes

    • A custom initial-engraved wooden keepsake box

    • 100 complimentary 4×6 prints

    • A wooden USB with your full wedding gallery

    • A 10×10 custom-designed album

      • 25 pages

      • 60 images

      • flat-lay design, created to tell the story of your day(s)

A bride and groom walking along a rocky lakeshore surrounded by trees, with a mountain in the background and sunlight reflecting off the water.

This Experience Is For You If…

a first look and private vows at sunrise, standing on the edge of a cliff as the valley wakes up

  • moving through more than one part of the park without watching the clock

  • hiking to a quiet lake for a picnic, popping champagne on top of a mountain, or sharing a laid-back reception with a small group of friends and family

  • ending the day with cake at sunset after a hike, boots dusty and cheeks sore from smiling

  • staying out late to stargaze in a meadow, wrapped up together under a sky full of stars

  • spreading your celebration across two days so each moment has room to breathe

This experience gives you the freedom to explore, wander, and celebrate in a way that feels true to you, with enough time to chase light, change locations, and fully live inside the adventure.

A bride and groom standing on a rock ledge overlooking mountainous landscape, with a dome-shaped mountain and pine trees in the background on a sunny day.

THE PEAK EXPLORER

$8500 / Split into 5 payments of $1700

This experience is for couples who want a full, relaxed Yosemite wedding, without trying to squeeze everything into a tight timeline or feeling like they have to choose between moments.

It’s my most popular option for a reason. You’ll have enough time to let the day unfold naturally, soak it all in, and still end the day feeling present and excited, not rushed or exhausted!

What This Experience Looks Like

  • A Full, Well-Paced Wedding Day
    Coverage is designed to flex with your plans and typically falls somewhere around 6–8 hours, depending on your locations, travel time, and whether you’re planning sunrise or sunset moments.

    This gives us space for:

    • getting ready at a relaxed pace

    • a first look (if you want one)

    • private vows

    • the adventure to your ceremony location

    • intentional wedding portraits

    • hiking or a small reception

    Nothing feels hurried, and nothing important gets left behind!

  • Planning Support + Yosemite Logistical Planning
    Even if you’ve already started planning, having someone who knows Yosemite inside and out makes everything smoother.

    I’ll help with:

    • location ideas tailored to your vision

    • trusted local vendor recommendations

    • permit guidance

    • a custom, easy-to-follow timeline

    • my in-depth Yosemite guides to help you plan your trip

  • A Personalized Timeline That Actually Feels Good
    Your day is mapped out intentionally, with breathing room built in, so things flow naturally and you can stay focused on each other, not the schedule!

  • Unlimited Support Along the Way
    Questions pop up. Ideas evolve. I’m here for all of it. From booking to your wedding day, you’ll have unlimited access to me for planning, brainstorming, and peace of mind.

  • All The Best Professionally Edited Images
    You’ll receive every best, professionally edited image in a high-resolution online gallery, backed up for a full year with unlimited downloads.

    Most galleries include around 300–900+ images, depending on how the day unfolds. I don’t cap galleries or hold photos back, if it tells your story beautifully, it’s yours!

  • Sneak Peek Gallery
    A preview of your day delivered within 7 days, because I know you’ll be excited to relive it and share it right away!

  • Keepsakes to Hold Onto

    • A wooden keepsake box with 50 complimentary 4×6 prints

    • A wooden USB with your full wedding gallery

    Perfect to relive your day long after the dust (and hiking boots) settle!

The Peak Explorer is ideal if:

  • you want an intimate wedding day without feeling rushed

  • you’re planning one main day with a few locations (this could include a hike!

  • you want flexibility, but don’t need a multi-day adventure

A bride and groom holding hands in a grassy field with trees, mountains, and a waterfall in the background under a clear sky.

WILD wANDEREs

$6300, Split into 3 payments of $2100

Designed for couples planning a smaller, intimate Yosemite elopement.. This experience is ideal if you’re envisioning a simple day centered around one main area, with a few nearby spots for portraits, without long drives, hikes or transitions.

What This Experience Includes

  • Up to 4 Hours of Coverage
    This amount of time works beautifully for:

    • a first look

    • Private vows

    • an intimate ceremony

    • wedding portraits

  • All within 1-2 locations

  • Planning Support + Yosemite Guidance
    Even simple days benefit from thoughtful planning.

    I’ll help you with:

    • choosing the right ceremony and portrait locations

    • local vendor recommendations

    • permit guidance

    • a personalized timeline that keeps things easy and natural

    • my Yosemite guides to help you plan your adventure!

  • A Timeline That Keeps Things Simple
    Your timeline is designed to flow smoothly, with just enough structure to keep things on track while leaving room for real moments to unfold!

  • Unlimited Support
    I’m here for you throughout the process - whether you’re confirming details, talking through ideas, or asking last-minute questions!

  • All Best Professionally Edited Images
    You’ll receive every best, professionally edited image in a high-resolution online gallery, backed up for a full year with unlimited downloads.

    Most galleries include approximately 200–400+ images, depending on how the day unfolds. I don’t limit galleries or hold images back!

  • Sneak Peek Gallery
    A sneak peek delivered within 7 days, so you can relive your day and share your favorites right away!

  • Digital Keepsake

    • A wooden USB with your full wedding gallery

  • Valley Roamer is a great fit if:

    • you’re planning a very small, intimate elopement

    • you want to stay in one main area with nearby portrait spots

    • you prefer a calm, simple flow to the day, which means no hiking, no picnic, no traveling, less family photos, etc.

    If you’re dreaming of multiple locations, more exploring, more family inclusion or a longer story across the day, The Peak Explorer or The Summit Seeker may be a better fit. I’m always happy to help you decide!

Let’s CHAT ABOUT YOUR VISION

YOU’RE ONE STEP CLOSER TO YOUR BEST ADVENTURE YET

Photographers taking pictures outdoors in a snow-covered forest surrounded by tall pine trees

I feel like the luckiest person alive to do this for a living!

Being part of one of the most important days of your life, helping you plan every detail, and capturing your adventure in Yosemite is something I’ll never take for granted.

Let’s talk dates <3