Should you get married in Yosemite National Park?
Yosemite… it’s one of the most visited National Parks in the world, and for good reason. It’s incredibly captivating, the views cannot be beat, and the diversity of the region and amazing photo spots make it an elopement or small wedding location dream.
But I’m going to tell it to you straight, and it’s probably NOT what you’re expecting:
Yosemite may not always be the best choice for your small wedding or elopement, depending on the season, the day of the week and the time of day.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge yosemite fan. Growing up in the Sierra Nevadas right outside of the Yosemite park boundary, I’ve been visiting since I was kid. It was home, there was no lack of things to explore, no permits for highly popular locations (like Half Dome) and no entry reservations required. You could camp with very little planning depending on the season. It was a different time.
Fast forward several years and the logistics of Yosemite have changed. The truth is, it’s crowded. Popular locations for wedding ceremonies are often not very private. Can you get off the beaten path? Sure. But if you’re including guests, you may be limited. And most of us want those iconic locations for a reason, they’re gorgeous backdrops for photos and bucket list locations to visit.
But I’m not going to break your heart!
With years of wedding experience in Yosemite National Park, I think Yosemite is still worth it, but it takes a little extra planning, preparation, and perhaps some compromise. Your wedding day is not a photoshoot, it’s way more important than that, and so your experience must take priority!
Should you get married in Yosemite? Yes, if it’s on a weekday.
This goes without saying, but spare yourself the hassle of trying to navigate park traffic on a weekend. It will cut into your time to enjoy each other, and it will stress you out! No one wants to spend one of the best day's of their lives in bumper to bumper traffic.
Should you get married in Yosemite? Yes, if it’s on a weekday and it’s in the shoulder season.
Even weekdays during peak season are super busy. According to the Yosemite NPS website, 75% of all visitors come between May-October. For many of us, that’s the ideal time to get married. But from more of a personal perspective, I think the months when school is out are the most busy- June, July, & August. One of my favorite seasons to visit the park is October. The crowds are notably less and the changing colors are magnificent. If you’re taking advantage of sunrise (like many of my couples do) you also get the advantage of a later wake up call to make it up to popular sunrise spot Glacier Point.
Should you get married in Yosemite? Yes, if you have a very small guest list or no guest list.
Having less than 11 guests on your wedding permit means that you can choose nearly any location within the park with a few exceptions. That means you can truly choose a spot with a little more privacy. If it’s just the two of you, we can really sneak away.
Should you get married in Yosemite? Yes, if you’ve had an honest conversation with yourself regarding your comfort level with many strangers' eyes and cell phones pointing at you.
This can’t be avoided. The tourists you’ll be sharing the park with get so excited to see a couple dressed in their wedding clothes! To be honest, I usually find it pretty sweet when countless languages and accents are wishing you congratulations. It’s so unique.. However, let’s chat about what moments you need privacy for. Not all of us thrive as the center of attention, so it’s important that while you’re saying your vows, or having your first look, we choose a location where you can focus, not feel rushed, and not feel several pairs of stranger’s eyes spying (or even worse, documenting it for themselves on their phones).
Should you get married in Yosemite? Yes, if you’re willing to get up at sunrise.
This one goes without much explanation, but you will have a much more private experience if you can beat the crowds. Still, even in the peak season, you will share some iconic locations with other early birds (and some other wedding and engagement couples too).
Should you get married in Yosemite? YES! Yosemite is worth it, especially with a little planning! I would love to help you plan and prepare for the best possible experience, and would love to offer guidance on locations, timelines, and tips for the best experience possible.
One final thought, if you're hosting an event with guests outside the park (think Tenaya Lodge, Evergreen Lodge or Rushcreek) it's absolutely worth it to make a day for yourselves within the park. Reach out for some meaningful suggestions on how to make your adventure day within the park feel like the best possible kick off to your wedding week.
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