The Laid Back Yosemite Elopement
Nothing short of a dream was this laid back couple and their Yosemite elopement! Shelby, Frank, and I met up just before the sun tucked itself behind the mountains, and we caught the most delicious golden hour for their bridal portraits. They slow-danced under the last light of the sky, and we stood bewitched at the edge of A Cliff as the soft evening air embraced us. There truly isn’t a more majestic place to elope than Yosemite, and it reminded me all over again why I’m such a fan of eloping in general…
Eloping is such an intimate and sacred moment for you and your future life partner. To be able to share your vows with your future spouse surrounded by nothing but the raw beauty of nature is an unforgettable experience. But doing so in arguably one of the most amazing national parks in the country? Unmatched. Like literally, it heightens the experience to a WHOLE other level! So let’s talk about this laid back couple and their gorgeous Yosemite elopement…
Shelby & Frank sharing a moment in front of the mountains and trees of Meadow’s Cook
Shelby and Frank were calm, warm, and their connection was electric. They had a down-to-earth, natural kind of chemistry where photographing them was just easy. They weren’t stressed or overwhelmed about anything… they were just excited to be eloping in Yosemite, together. They slipped into their gown and suit in the general store bathroom, no fuss about it, and from there we walked to the spot where we’d start our portraits: Meadow’s Cook.
Meadow’s Cook trail is the perfect route for someone looking for a hike but without all the work. The hike is only 2.25 miles long, taking about 1-2 hours of time to hike.(And we only did a portion of it, getting the best view of the falls, and it took us less than 30-mins!) It is the flattest hike you can get while checking out the park. This trail allows dogs on the paved portions as well, which means your furry friend can be a part of your special day! :)
After shooting in Meadow’s Cook, we made our way up to Tunnel View for the last portion of the evening light. (Note to self: It can get megaaa crowded, so make sure to allow yourself enough time to park and walk up to the overlook… the sun sets *fast* so, honestly, sunrise might be a better bet!)
But ok, real talk… Tunnel View was straight out of a magazine. *crying emoji* It has the sort of grandeur that, when looking out into the distance, your gaze gets lost in the layers upon layers, textures upon textures, of mountains, trees, and horizon. The incredible part about this view is that it’s super accessible, and you can just pull over and step out to all of the beauty that’s before you. From this beautiful vista, you have the view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls. It’s the perfect triple threat for anyone looking to get all the views without the work of hiking… just sayin ;)
Being that Yosemite in it of itself is a work of art, it really is the perfect canvas for celebrating, documenting, and telling an elopement love story. It truly did make for the perfect backdrop for Shelby and Frank’s elopement, and there, under the kiss of dusk, their love was magnified and echoed by all of nature. It was for sure a bucket list item for me, and I’m so thankful I was able to put a checkmark next to that goal!
Fun Facts about Yosemite:
If you’re looking to learn more about Yosemite, here's your chance to get the low down! Yosemite is an American National Park in California. The park is surrounded by the Sierra National Forest on the southeast and by the Stanislaus National Forest on the southwest.
The views throughout the National Park are rich, jaw-dropping, and never-ending as you travel down the windy roads. At any point during your trip, you could experience anything from sunrise to sunset, various wildlife in their natural habitat, or waterfalls falls up to 2,500 feet high. The list goes on. Like what more could you ask for in a backdrop for your elopement?! (...I’ll wait… ;)
The busiest time of the year in Yosemite is May through October. Naturally tourists want to see Yosemite’s summer beauty, but it’s worth noting that the winter is equally as gorgeous… so much so that in the 1920’s, a highway was built with the goal of making Yosemite the “Switzerland of the West”. Yosemite is also the only National Park to have bid for the winter olympics.
Yosemite is the climber’s biggest jungle gym, and also the only place where you can see a rainbow at night. Like, how freaking cool is that!!!? It is diverse, vibrant, and mind-bogglingly huge, making the hardest part about elopement there just choosing where to take the photos.
Elopement Necessities:
Check out my elopement blog post if you need a nudge as to WHY you should consider eloping (lots of details in that gem!) but I’ll leave you with this permission slip: You make the rules of your own elopement. I’ll say that again… You make the rules of your own elopement! Dream big, plan from the heart, and focus on what really matters to you and your honey.
Permit (A $150 permit is needed to elope in any part of Yosemite Park) ✔️
Gown ✔️
Suit ✔️
Rings✔️
Bouquet and Boutonniere ✔️
Photographer✔️
Videoographer✔️
Location✔️
Then plans to celebrate the two of you after…. TBD ;)
