I’m excited to share with you the story of Leslie and Matt’s epic spring Yosemite elopement adventure! It’s been a long time coming since they booked me a year ago. They had their heart set on tying the knot in Yosemite National Park, but Mother Nature had other plans! Yosemite, and California in general, was hit with record-breaking snow storms and rain this year! But Leslie and Matt were true adventurers and kept their spirits high, saying “No matter what happens, we are up for the adventure and we will make the most of it!”
As you may know, Yosemite is a delicate area, and planning an elopement around summertime crowds can be tricky. But the weather conditions were just right for their elopement, with the snow melting in the valley and not causing any flooding. We were able to make it in and out just in time before the park announced planned closures for predicted flooding! I was so thrilled that everything worked out for them!
A Roadtrip to California
Leslie and Matt drove all the way from the mid-west to California for their elopement. They made it a truly unforgettable adventure. Even with the challenges that came their way, they remained determined to make the most of their special day.
Sunrise Ceremony over Half Dome
Due to the amount of snow, we had to change plans and couldn’t have the ceremony at Glacier Point. But we were able to have their sunrise ceremony in the meadow under Half Dome, which was just as magical. After exchanging their vows, they danced their first dance in the open meadow, followed by a cozy breakfast picnic by the river in a shaded area in the trees. And they even exchanged wedding gifts!
Elopement Cake and Picnic
We then headed to Yosemite Falls for a few quick photos and then to a secluded area so Leslie and Matt could cut their elopement cake! I chose a shaded area by the giant granite boulders, which are very Yosemite in my opinion. After cake cutting, we wrapped up the morning session.
Golden Hour Elopement Photography in Yosemite
For the sunset photography, I took Leslie and Matt to my favorite meadows in the valley! This included views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and El Capitan where the sun cast shadows over the giant light granite rock faces. During the shoot, I noticed they were doing a secret handshake, which was so adorable! I just had to capture that moment, as it showed their unique connection. We ended our session at Tunnel View, where they took in the views during “blue hour” before heading to their elopement dinner reservation.
Congratulations to Leslie and Matt! They were such a sweet couple and even gave me a gift at the end of the session. It was an honor to capture their special day and I hope they cherish these moments for years to come!
Best Time of Year To Elope In Yosemite
I hope Leslie and Matt’s elopement has inspired you to consider a spring elopement in Yosemite. With Yosemite, there are things to consider about the park no matter what time of year you elope there.
In the winter, it might be snowing or raining, or road closures due to snow storms. Most people eloping in the wintertime in Yosemite want a “winter wonderland” scenery, but just remember that it’s possible that it could be raining instead of snowing. The plus side is that there are very few people in the park, so you will definitely feel like you have the “place to yourselves”. There’s plentiful parking and usually rooms available at Yosemite Valley Lodge.
In the springtime, the road to glacier point may or may not be open yet due to the amount of snow that year. The meadows might not be green until late April or early May. But the plus side is that the waterfalls are raging and the temperature is pretty ideal. The park is not crowded in the springtime, especially on a week day.
Summertime is beautiful, but the park is pretty crowded, parking is very limited and it can get pretty hot.
The fall time is one of my favorite times to plan a Yosemite elopement because the summer crowds are gone, and the road to Glacier Point and all high-elevation areas are open. During autumn, Bridal Veil Fall has dried up, the meadow grass has turned from green to golden, and the leaves on the trees are turning brilliant colors of yellow, orange and red! However, the biggest downside to eloping in the fall is that it’s fire season and it’s best to create a backup plan in case the park closes down.
Check out my Yosemite elopement packages and book your call today. I cannot wait to discuss your Yosemite elopement!
Keep scrolling to see Leslie and Matt’s stunning springtime elopement photos!
Let’s start planning your adventure today!
