Yosemite Elopement Photographer | Yosemite National Park Destination Wedding | Two Day Adventure Wedding Photography in Yosemite, California
This two day extravaganza of a destination wedding in Yosemite National Park back in October was the best. California in October is the perfect place + time for a wedding or adventure elopement because the weather is so dang perfect! These two stretched the celebration over two days so that they could celebrate with family + friends, and have a session all to themselves, so here’s how it all went down!
In the very beginning, Beth + Zack reached out to me about shooting their wedding in southern Maine. But the more they chatted about it, it seemed more fitting for them to head out to Yosemite. Beth is a total badass and used to lead youth backpacking trips into + around Yosemite, so she knows the park + surrounding areas really well, and it holds a special place in her heart. So they told their closest friends + family to meet them out in Yosemite, and sure enough they did! I mean how could you not, let’s be real.
We started out the day of their wedding before the sun rose. I spent some time with both the ladies + the gents, who were getting ready in different houses in Yosemite West. Smells of coffee + feelings of anticipation ran through the air. They both got dressed + ready, along with their bridesmaids, groomsman and family, and we all loaded up to head up Glacier Point Road. They had their ceremony overlooking Half Dome just after the sun rose, and it was nothing short of magical. The moment that Zack saw Beth for the first time walking down the pathway with her dad gave everyone some tears in their eyes.
After their ceremony, we hung out at the amphitheater for a bit where we took some family photos + a few shots with their buddies in the bridal party. They did their first dance and dances with their parents with Half Dome witnessing in the background which is the best dance floor you can find if you ask me!
We all headed back to Yosemite West where they had a breakfast/brunch catered for everyone and lots of food, smilies, love + memories were shared. Their friends gave a toast for each of them, and then Beth and Zack had an announcement of their own. They began to tell everyone that they had something to tell them, which of course had everything thinking (and saying), you’re pregnant!!! After a few laughs, we learned that that was not the case, but they were combining their last names + each taking each others which I LOVE! They cut their cake and enjoyed the rest of the day with their friends and family!
The following day, we met up to take some portraits of just the two of them, and have some time to adventure on our own! We had planned to shoot in the valley, but unfortunately there were some wildfires just outside the park, which made for a very smokey valley that day. We had a change of plans and I took them up to Taft Point instead to get above some of that smoke. We ended up having some gorgeous light, and walked away with some great photos.
Beth said that this session was all about them. The wedding was something they wanted to share with their friends and family, but she wanted to have a session with just her and Zack so that they had photos in a place that meant so much to the two of them, but also so she could look back in 10, 20 or 30 years and remember how great they looked - which HECK TO THE YES I am all about!! Take the photos people!
Overall, Yosemite did it once again, as she does every time. Providing the most gorgeous place for couples to share the most special day of their lives. It was a joy to be a part of their weekend + experience together!
Looking to elope or have your destination wedding in Yosemite National Park? Get in touch below and let’s start dreaming up the most amazing day!