This Yosemite adventure elopement was an absolute dream! I was truly in heaven while capturing their elopement day in Yosemite National Park it could not have gone better! Lexi and Lee are the types of couples that kept their elopement day very intentional as a “just us” day.
Right from the beginning Lexi and Lee knew what they wanted – to have a Yosemite adventure elopement during the winter time. They live in the Bay area, so they love the cooler temperatures and are used to it so it was perfect for them!
I LOVED their enthusiasm and ideas for what they wanted to do for their elopement and was so excited when they mentioned to me that they wanted to incorporate kayaking into their day! Over the years, they’ve really come to enjoy kayaking together and have done so a bunch of times in Tahoe so it was a must for them to include it into their day. Not only that but they also like to paddleboard together! I love that they do these activities together as a couple and were just so excited to incorporate it into their day. I was really supportive of wanting to fit it all into one day so we made sure to make that happen.
Both Lexi and Lee saw Peter and Marta’s Catalina Island elopement where they kayaked together. This is what initially drew them to book with me! Lexi wanted to make sure she hired a photographer that didn’t think they were crazy for wanting to do kayaking photos and I of course was not more like crazy excited!
Elopement Itinerary
We started off the day with their sunrise ceremony which was stunning! My favorite time of the ceremony is when the couple reads their personal vows to each other. And Lexi and Lee’s ceremony was so touching! I was so happy when I captured a heartfelt moment between Lexi and Lee, when Lexi became so overcome with emotion, she and Lee stood there in the peaceful setting and shared a hug and a moment of silence after reading their vows.
I love that couples can write from the heart and share with each other what they really want to say. Eloping offers this safe space and it is one of the many reasons I love elopements.
Campsite Portaits
After the ceremony, we spent a little time taking some photos in the area we were in, and then headed down to a campsite they had set up for lunch. Lexi and Lee had stayed at a hotel overnight but reserved a campsite for cooking lunch. I thought this was such a fun idea and even furthermore added a personal touch to their Yosemite adventure elopement day. Once they saw Li and Byron’s campsite cookout photos in Yosemite, they were inspired to incorporate that theme into the day as well! This worked out perfectly because I was able to capture candids of them cooking and grilling together during the lunch hour.
It was a blast watching these two cook together and enjoy the noon hour. Laughter was filling the campsite and you could just feel the excitement they had for the day. They even cooked enough food for us! And if you know me you know, I’m a sucker for Korean BBQ, so that was a treat to have.
After lunch, we headed to an area to set up the paddleboards for some breathtaking photos along the Merced river. After taking a couple of portraits at the river we headed down to another area alongside the river to set up their kayaks. This was my favorite part of the entire day!
Yosemite Adventure Elopement Kayaking Portraits
These kayaking photos were the ones I admired the most all because of the lights! Like how cool are these Oru Kayaks being illuminated in the dark?! The whole setting looked like something out of a painting as they floated down the river glowing in the silent peaceful Yosemite Valley! I felt like we were in a movie it was truly unforgettable.
I loved how adventurous Lexi and Lee were for their Yosemite adventure elopement and I’m beyond grateful they allowed me to capture such a momentous day for them! They really put their heads together and came up with such a pleasing vision. I really loved the “white” motif throughout the day; The white tents, the white paddleboard, and the white kayaks. It’s clear they put effort into their day, and it made photographing their elopement day one of my favorites of all time!
Special Words
“Yesterday was amazing!! It can’t be more perfect. Huge thanks to you and Dan for making our wedding day like a dream. It will be a unique memory for Lee and myself forever!”
I can’t say enough good things about Lexi and Lee and their Yosemite adventure elopement. I’m just so impressed by this couple. Aside from all the impressive scenery and recreational things they did and the bomb photos that were able to capture, what REALLY stood out to me was how much teamwork was going on throughout every moment of the day.
During the entire day, they were always together, side by side, helping each other. I could name 50 things, big and small – putting crampons on their boots, packing their car, packing their bags, setting up camping equipment, cutting off loose ends of the dress, cooking together, putting together the kayaks and paddleboards, the list goes on and on. All day long was teamwork, and there was a lot of “silent communication” going on between them too which was impressive. And they did this all outside in the 32 degrees weather!
You could feel the genuine teamwork and love they had for one another. That’s why these photos are so unique and why I love them so much. I hope Lexi and Lee take the time to get these photos printed and hung on the wall as a symbol of what a unique and powerful couple they are.
If you’re looking for a Yosemite adventure elopement photographer for your elopement day, contact me through my website to see my packages and pricing.
See more of Lexi and Lee’s Yosemite adventure elopement below and Teresa & Joe’s winter Yosemite elopement for more inspiration!
