The Perfect Multi- Day Yosemite Wedding

For couples eloping or hosting a small wedding in or near Yosemite National Park.

The key here is NOT to rush Yosemite. 

Before we jump in, this is the bare minimum in my opinion. If you could tack on 2 or 3 more days of  "hanging out in Yosemite" days leading up to your wedding, I think it would be worth it. And if you think you might want to do it after your wedding, I would tell you it's possible, but you might be pretty tired.

Day 1- FOUR days before your wedding 

TRAVEL

Regardless if you’re flying (Fresno and San Francisco International airports are the closest), or driving, don’t rush this! It’s an interesting drive, and if you’re not not accustomed to winding mountain roads, you’ll want to take your time. DON’T PLAN ANY WEDDING STUFF on your drive day. Just get to your accommodations, settle in and relax. (BONUS TIP, don’t forget to pick up your marriage license on the way).

Day 2 - THREE days before your wedding

REVIEW/FINAL PLANNING

MORNING
Sleep in. Rest and enjoy your venue. Check in with your venue wedding planner and review all the final details. DO NOT save all the final details for the day before your wedding. You want to get these all taken care of first so you can enjoy yourself. 

If your wedding venue is outside of park boundaries (some popular ones are Rush Creek, Evergreen Lodge, Tenaya Lodge,  and Auto Camp), your first full day “in town” (in other words, not within park boundaries yet) should be spent doing last minute wedding things. Don’t save this till the actual day before your wedding. You’ll likely need to review a few things with your venue coordinator. Plan this for the morning if possible, so the rest of your day is free.

AFTERNOON

Drive into Yosemite National Park.

Get yourself acquainted with the map and circular loop of the valley. 

Check into your Yosemite lodging in the afternoon, to get ready for your Private Vow Day or Adventure Photo session the following day. 

Even if you’re not hosting your wedding in the park and even if your guests aren’t staying in the park, for one night, you should. 

You have a few options, but keep in mind that all take some notice to secure. You want to be in Yosemite Valley to kick off the start of your sunrise photos. For planning purposes please note that Wawona Hotel is not located in the valley, however it's not a bad location to stay if you're having a sunrise session at Glacier Point. It's just not in the valley.

Option 1- a campsite (most budget friendly)

This is great for couples who are able to rent a camper van or motorhome. If you can get one with a shower and the right kind of power for a curling iron and blow dryer you’re set. Pay careful attention to the map when searching on Recreation.gov, as it will show campsites that are near the park boundary, but NOT in the park.

Option 2- a tent cabin- Curry Village or Housekeeping Camp (mid budget)

This is a great option if you don’t mind a shared bath house, while keeping it budget. I’ve stayed in the tent cabins and they’re as basic as they come but they have everything you need. 

Option 3- hotel- The Ahwahnee or Ahwahnee Cottages or Yosemite Lodge (a splurge)

It is your wedding week after all, and honestly, if you’re gonna splurge it’s worth it. I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing both the Ahwahnee rooms & cottages, and they are delightful. It’s amazing that such beautiful lodging is available while you’re in Yosemite. 

Option 3- airbnb or private rental in Yosemite West or Wawona (mid budget)

Did you know you can rent an entire house or cabin in Yosemite? You can! Check out Yosemite West and The Redwoods In Yosemite. While these are not located in the Valley, they're a good option for your sunrise session at Glacier Point.

So why are you checking into Yosemite Valley lodging if your wedding is outside the park boundaries? 

Almost all of us want to have some wedding photos taken inside Yosemite. The scale and grandeur of it is unmatched. If you’re going for it, I would personally urge you to take advantage of both sunrise and sunset. But keep in mind that I only make this suggestion if you’re devoting a whole day, and NEVER on the same day as your out-of-park-boundary wedding. 

Many people don’t realize that while some of our very close to Yosemite venues, that are technically just a few miles from the Yosemite entrance, are actually a long drive to the valley. You should plan an hour to drive from the park entrance to the valley. Yes, the winding drive down to the valley is spectacular, but if you’re trying to get to a certain location to share a sunrise first look, it’ll be dark. 

Booking a place to stay the night before your photos is going to set the pace for the next day. The next day is going to be an experience, it’s NOT going to be an all day photoshoot full of stiff poses. This day is probably going to really feel like the start of your wedding adventure!

You want to go into your photo day relaxed, well rested, and I don’t know about you, but I get so excited to wake up in a place I’m looking forward to exploring! And logistically speaking, you’re going to save yourself some time getting started with hair and makeup in the park. 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s going to be an early morning wake up call! But here’s another advantage of having the room or site. You’ll likely be ready for a break from our morning adventures around 9 or 10 am. You might need a nap! Or breakfast, or just a chance to relax for a minute. Depending on how late your check out is, you can relax. Some couples choose to do an easy hike in the middle of the day, others rest and sight see. Regardless, you’re not driving in and out of the park again just to rest. By the time afternoon rolls around and it’s time for part 2 of your photo adventure, you’ll be feeling great! I will likely want to take you to an epic sunset view, and after the sun is below the horizon, we’ll probably play around with your headlamps before heading back. 

This evening you’ll probably drive back to your wedding venue outside of park boundaries, or maybe if you really want to treat yourself, you’ll give yourself one more morning to wake up in the park.

It is absolutely not required that you stay in the park the night before your sunrise session, but I do think it would make the whole experience more special, and a little easier.

If you're opting to stay outside the park at one of the nearby event centers, just plan for an extra early wake up call (but don't worry, us Yosemite vendors do it all the time).

Day 3- (at least) TWO Days Before Your Wedding

YOSEMITE PRIVATE VOW DAY or ADVENTURE PHOTO DAY. We've dubbed this day Thursday Vows here at Love Wildly.

If you’re feeling adventurous and ready to get the most out of your Yosemite experience, I recommend we start at sunrise. Yosemite is rare because it’s a location that has those truly epic views for both sunrise and sunset. 

Most people will choose Glacier Point for a sunrise session, because of the sun peaking out from behind Half Dome and creating a beautiful glow of warm, sunrise light. 

If you're NOT a morning person, not to worry. There is no rule that says you have to do sunrise. Sunsets at Yosemite are just as spectacular. (more below)

With any iconic spot in Yosemite, even on a weekday, it will likely be crowded (and yes, even at sunrise). 

I think it’s really important to have your first look or share your private vows in a spot that you feel totally comfortable, and for most, that will be a private location without an audience of strangers. If you happen to be at Glacier Point for sunrise, the good news is even with it's popularity, there's room to spread out, so we can walk a short distance with a little more privacy. If total privacy is extra important, I can make some suggestions on alternative locations.  Honestly, it’s a moment you only get once, so making sure you can react freely is really important. 

After our sunrise location (sunrise location is usually at Glacier Point), we’ll take a few photos on our way back down to the valley, and then start to make a planned loop of the best sunrise valley locations. 

Around 9 or 10 am (depending on the season), it’ll be time for a break. This is where your late check out or second booked night comes in. You’ll want a place to take a nap, eat some snacks, change out of your wedding clothes. You could rent bikes and cruise around the valley. Or eat in the Ahwahnee dining room, famously used as inspiration for the movie The Shinning. Or take an easy hike to somewhere like Mirror Lake. Or just hang out in El Cap meadow and watch the climbers from a blanket on your back. You’ll have plenty of time to rest and enjoy more of the park in your down time. 

The last thing you want to do is drive all the way out of the park, just to drive back in a few hours later for your afternoon session. 

We’ll start your afternoon photos in the valley, but likely the goal will be to get to a high elevation, westward facing location for sunset (such as Taft Point). 

Taft point is really popular, but for good reason. Please read my Taft Point photo tips so you’re prepared and know what to expect. 

One really quick note, like I said before you don't have to do sunrise! There is plenty of time at sunset to enjoy it, share an activity,

exchange private vows, and take some lovely photos.



We’ll soak up every last drop of sunlight, and even stick around for “blue hour photos” which is when the sun is below the horizon. This is my favorite time to play around with your headlamps and get some really adventurous vibes. 

If you still have your in park accommodations, you will be so happy for the shorter drive down to the valley (instead of driving all the way out of the park).

Day 4- ONE Day Before Your Wedding

WELCOME DINNER

My recommendation is that you wake up leisurely.  Don’t plan anything with any other people until at least 12:00 PM.

If you spent the night in the park, have a slow breakfast in the Mountain Room. Seriously, take this time. Weddings are busy and exciting, but it’s important to have some calm with your partner before all the festivities begin and the guests arrive.  If you went back to your venue the night before, have a slow morning on back porch under the trees.

Your family and friends are probably at the venue, checked into their own cabins, they’re going to be so excited to see you! Enjoy them. 

In the evening there is often a welcome dinner. This is such a good opportunity to have long conversations and enjoy their company, but don’t stay up too late (or drink too much).

Day 5- YOUR  WEDDING DAY!

Remember, this is your day. It should go at the pace you want it to. This day deserves it’s own blog post, so we’ll keep it short for now. But keep in mind that you shouldn’t feel rushed. You should enjoy breakfast. Plan lots of time for you and your partner to be together. If it’s just the two of you, share in an activity that makes you both feel the most like yourselves. If you’re with a small group of guests, enjoy their company and conversation.

Day 6- The DAY AFTER your wedding

FAREWELL BRUNCH

Just because the wedding day is over, doesn’t mean the festivities are over!

Hopefully everyone gets to sleep in, wake up slowly, and before the packed bags are in the car, enjoy all your friends and family that came to celebrate with you one last time. Share a leisurely brunch and say your goodbyes. 

Once everyone has left, think about what you want to do as a couple. It has been the best week with so many fun and memorable moments, but you’re still probably a little tired. Don’t just throw yourselves in the car and drive home. If you’re at Rush Creek, make sure to stop at the spa. Your tired muscles will need it. Plan one last dip in that special swimming hole right down the road, take a mellow hike and savor all the nature smells and sounds, stop at that excellent local coffee shop and bakery, the same one that you stopped at on the way into town, Above all, pause. Don’t rush it. There are more good things to come.

Day ? BEFORE YOUR HONEYMOON

A few days after your home, and before you leave on your honeymoon

Journal it. If you don’t journal, open the notes in your phone. Your future self 10 cloud backups from now will thank you. It doesn’t need to be perfect or well written.  You’re writing it for you. I alway think I will remember something special, but the memory changes as the years go by. While all the emotions and warm feelings are right at the surface, scratch them down. Describe them in as much detail as possible!

And lastly, whether you departed for an amazing honeymoon, or it’s back to life as usual, ask your partner what stood out the most to them. Give it a few days, maybe a week and then revisit the day. 

What was one of your all time highs?

What did you think when you saw me in my wedding clothes for the first time?

What memory feels the most powerful? 

What was your favorite spot in Yosemite? 

Where do you want to return to? 

If you could relive one moment over and over what would it be? 

What was your favorite meal? 

What conversation stood out to you?

I really love this song, when this song played I felt….

My favorite stop on the way to the wedding was...

Did anyone give you good advice that really meant something to you?

Next year when we celebrate our anniversary, I really want to……?