I love being in the business of making couple’s dreams come true even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned. This couple had dreamt of eloping in Yosemite and making it actually happen felt completely surreal. Though their day wasn’t the original plan, everything about their Yosemite elopement was still special! 

A Yosemite Elopement Love Story

The thing about elopements is that sometimes, things don’t go the way that you expect. That’s why in your elopement planning we always build in flexibility that can handle unexpected events like weather changes. For Kayla and JohnTae’s winter Yosemite elopement, they wanted to experience such a beautiful place for the first time together.

The original plan was to climb up to Glacier Point for their ceremony as the sun peeked over Half Dome. The mountaintop overlooks would be the spot for the incredible event of committing their lives to each other. But, due to the winter weather, the roads were closed because of snowfall during the week of their elopement. So, we had to go with Plan B: having their ceremony in Yosemite Valley.

Making a Full-Day Elopement Adventure

We started their day at the crack of dawn at Tunnel View for quite the emotional first look.

Together, we then drove into the golden meadows of the valley where they exchanged their personal vows. We couldn’t make it up to the tops of the cliffs but we found something magical in the valley instead.

The fog of the morning showed off and gave them a beautiful, unforgettable morning. Everything about this morning was so special. It was amazing to finally see all of their Yosemite elopement plans coming to life!

Yosemite National Park is a place of diverse views from the valley floor to the cliff sides and mountain tops. Getting married in the valley turned out to be even more beautiful than anything they could have planned. Kayla and JohnTae enjoyed a romantic day in the valley (also joined by their pup!) enjoying the most beautiful fog.

Your Yosemite Elopement Day May Include the Unexpected

Your wedding day builds from the combination of many little moments. Moments that could include a sweet first look and foggy ceremony followed by a sunny picnic in the winter grass. Elopement days can be a bit unpredictable but it’s always a beautiful day tailored to how you envisioned it. I’m so thankful that these beauties trusted me to capture their special Yosemite elopement and for the friends that we’ve become! 

Read more on How to Elope in Yosemite in my Elopement Tips! Let’s get started on planning your own personalized elopement adventure!

Special thanks to Shannon St. Clair Photography for helping me capture this day!!