Auto Camp Elopement Wedding in Yosemite | Taft Point Sunset Elopement Photography | Yosemite National Park Full Day Elopement
Videographer: Nate Taylor Films
Getting Ready + Reception Venue: AutoCamp Yosemite
Rachel + Melecio had their elopement in Yosemite National Park this fall and experienced SO much that the area had to offer that day! From getting ready at Auto Camp to sunset portraits at Taft Point, their full day of coverage allowed me to document everything from getting ready to the end of their family reception, and had me feeling so thrilled to be their adventure elopement photographer!
Rachel + Melecio started out their day at Auto Camp - a unique hotel experience just a few miles outside of the entrance to Yosemite. AutoCamp is filled with various Airstream trailers + yurts, with a very California vibe. It’s a gorgeous place, and somewhere unique and out of the ordinary if you’re looking for a neat place to stay, get ready and celebrate your day while still having access to the park!
Ladies were in an airstream while the gents were in a yurt, and each were having a blast with their friends and family while they got ready. Each of them had lost family members close to them, so they decided to release butterflies as a way to remember their loved ones and have a moment with them on their wedding day.
We left auto camp and headed for their first look at a waterfall just inside the park. This is where Rachel turned on her adventure bride switch! It took some serious rock scrambling and climbing to get to the spot that they wanted to do their first look - the rocks were steep + slippery, but Rachel was determined to make it happen, and she did!
After their first look we headed to their ceremony spot, which was just a few minutes down the road and one of the beaches along the Merced River, with El Capitan towering in the background. They had a beautiful ceremony, in an obviously stunning location. Tucked away down by the river was a man painting the scene of the river + el Capitan. After we took some family photos + bridal party photos, Rachel + Melecio’s parents snuck down to the man and bought the painting from him, giving it to him as a wedding gift later that night - how sweet is that?
After the ceremony, Rachel, Melecio, the videographers and I headed up to Taft Point! Rachel had been dreaming of portraits here at sunset and I was so excited that we got to make it happen! We ran a bit behind with so many things happening through the day, but made the most of our sunset time at Taft! It was nice for Rachel + Melecio to have few minutes to be together + present with one another too as there had been so much happening through the day!
We hiked back from Taft and drove back to Auto Camp, where they had a catered dinner and a DJ to start the party! They each did dances with their parents, but during Rachel + her dad’s dance, they changed songs + brought Rachel’s mom + brothers out to the dance floor to dance it out, and everyone could tell they were having the best time!
This full day elopement / destination wedding in Yosemite was such a blast, and really allowed Rachel, Melecio and all of their guests to experience and explore so many great areas in the park, all while celebrating the love of these two high school sweethearts!
If you’re inspired by this full day elopement in Yosemite and want to make one your own, get in touch through the button below. I’m here to help you create the elopement day of your dreams whether it’s in Yosemite National Park or beyond!