Yosemite National Park Elopement Photographer | Yosemite Valley Elopement | Smokey Yosemite Elopement 

Abbie and Adam traveled to Yosemite for the first time ever from their home in South Dakota for their Elopement in Yosemite National Park. These two have been together for 10+ years and decided that it was time that they make things official and tie the knot. They planned a multi day road trip through different areas of California, with plenty of time to spend in Yosemite after their elopement to do some more hiking. But their elopement day was their first day in Yosemite and it was incredible to get to be with them as they experienced it for the first time. 

As we started planning their day, they were wanting to do a longer park into the Sierras for their elopement. We looked at a few different options, and the more that we did, the more they began to think that they wanted to save the longer hiking for a day that they wouldn’t be in their wedding outfits, and instead see some of the more easily accessible yet equally as beautiful areas of the park. 

We had their ceremony in Yosemite Valley, where Donny from Yosemite Adventure Weddings, officiated their beautiful ceremony. They wrote their own vows and promised forever to each other while El Capitan and Half Dome looked upon them. There were a few wildfires happening just outside of the park and as the day went on, the smoke really began to cloud the air within the valley. It made for a beautiful glow in their ceremony however! 

We explored around a few other areas of the park before heading up to Taft Point for the portraits. While planning out their elopement adventure, Taft Point was a spot they weren’t too sure about because it was so popular. They were after something a bit more secluded, but we kept coming back to Taft Point and I assured them that it was popular for good reason. As we came out of the trail on to Taft Point, these two looked like little kids on Christmas morning. They were stunned at how incredible the view was from above and were so happy that we had ended up there for sunset! 

These two had told me on our very first call that they especially loved stars + star gazing, so after the sun had set behind the smoke filled valley, they pulled out a sleeping bag and snuggled up. We watched as the sun sank further down, and the light around us was less and less, until we could see stars. Then they snuggled up, kept reallllly still, and we got a few photos of them with the stars! 

Elopement days that are slow paced, filled with curiosity and wonder, and have a go with the flow attitude are the best kind of wedding days and this day was exactly that. 

Excited about the possibility of eloping in Yosemite National Park? Get in touch below and let’s get the conversation started about what a Yosemite National Park elopement could look like for you!