A couple stand in wedding clothes at Taft Point overlooking Yosemite valley at sunset for their elopement photos

October elopements in Yosemite are, in my opinion, one of the best national park and month combos for eloping in the U.S. If you’re planning an October elopement, I recommend Yosemite – and if you’re planning a Yosemite elopement, I recommend October! And of course, make some time for night sky photos like we did on this day!

L&C didn’t originally think they’d elope somewhere so far from where they live, since they wanted their daughter and dog to attend as well. In the end, they realized they really wanted some quality time, and their elopement was a good excuse to get away for a while. Although they left their little family at home, they found some pretty cute ways to “include them” as well.

Here is how it all went down.

Their October elopement in Yosemite, activities & timeline

Getting ready in an Airstream glamping site with Autocamp Yosemite
First look outside the camper
Vows in the valley
Picnic with cake
Sunset portraits at Taft Point
Blue hour and reading family letters
Star photos and champagne pop

ALSO CHECK OUT: 5 best US national parks for October elopements

Getting ready and first look in an Airstream camper

What’s more “elopement in Yosemite” than getting ready in an Airstream camper?

They rented out an airstream glamping spot at AutoCamp Yosemite, which is just outside the park. It was the perfect place to stay during their elopement and made for a lovely first look location as well.

Because their daughter and dog weren’t there, they made sure to include thoughtful details with them in mind. Their outfits and vow books were customized to include all the things they loved, including a hand painted jean jacket by L’s best friend.

Wedding vows and elopement picnic in El Capitan valley

Once we made our way into the valley, we found a spot where they could read their vows. I officiated for them, and a couple hikers signed as witnesses. It was a gorgeous day and we spent some time taking photos in the valley as well as enjoying a picnic. From here, the sheer cliffs of the valley and El Capitan loomed over us, broken only by spindly pines and golden maples for scale.

A couple kiss in wedding clothes surrounded by pines and beams of bright October sunlight in Yosemite valley for their elopement photos

Early on, they knew they wanted equal parts valley and summit views, so even though the weather was gorgeous down here, we kept moving. There was one more point we stopped at on our way up to Yosemite’s best location for wedding photos: Taft Point.

ALSO READ TAFT POINT: Yosemite’s best location for photos and how to get there

October elopement in Yosemite with sunset portraits at Taft Point

After walking through the dry Yosemite valley, the hem of L’s dress had earned a soft, dusty ombre. Rather than being a “dirty dress,” she embraced it as a beautiful accessory and proof of a day well spent!

A couple stand in wedding clothes under the stars at Taft Point in Yosemite valley for their elopement photos

By now, the sun was low and golden, with soft rays of light beaming through the trees and dusty air. Taft point seems to glow at this time of day, and we played in the light until the sun finally set. At dusk, we turned on some lanterns and they read letters from family as we waited for the stars. Now long after sunset, the tourists had filtered out and we were the only lone silhouettes on the cliffs.

Across the valley, pinpoints of light snaked slowly around El Capitan, the only remaining sign that climbers were still posted out there. Above, the stars remained unmoving and glittering in the chilly night air.

It turned out to be an absolutely perfect day, capped by a champagne pop and a sky full of stars!