Adventurous Yosemite Elopement

Erin and Aiden’s Yosemite elopement is one I will NEVER forget. They had planned this elopement without knowing what 2020 would bring. They took all the right steps, applying for a wedding permit, getting in touch with the park, booking an in park airbnb- but then COVID happened months before their date. These two are form Louisiana (as are their handful of closest family and friends who were joining), I was obviously flying in from Seattle, their videographer would be arriving from Portland and we were all sitting in limbo with travel being such an unknown and National Parks being CLOSED. I hopped on call with them the WEEK before their elopement- the park still wasn’t open + Erin and Aiden had decided to DRIVE to Yosemite with all of the uncertainty with flights. We made the decision to just go for it- no matter what happened, we would find a spot for their ceremony to take place. 2 DAYS before their elopement, the park opened to those with permits- mind you these two were already on the road en route. By MIRACLE it all worked out and we were able to move forward with their original plan of a sunrise ceremony at Glacier Point and sunset portraits at Taft Point.

We all arrived the night before their planned ceremony and met up at their families AIRBNB. I was so excited to meet everybody, and these are the type of people who pull you into their lives and make you feel like part of their family instantly. They were offering us food, pouring my husband a cocktail, pulling us into their conversation and lives- it set the mood for the whole trip that these people were going to mean something to me by the time I left this park.

We woke up EARLY the next morning for their ceremony. It was dark when we left, the car’s headlights lit the windy mountain roads and we made our way back to family AIRBNB. We arrived to the small of biscuits and bacon- it was homey and calming as I watched Erin get ready for her elopement ceremony. One of the most magical things about the timing of this elopement, was that we had the park (what felt like) to ourselves. There weren’t tons of people around since it had JUST opened. There was privacy and quietness, and it was something I don’t think we will ever experience there again. Their ceremony was sweet- these two are highschool sweethearts so the stories between them are rooted deeply to the center of their relationship. His mom officiated, her dad walked her along the rocky path to meet her groom. About ten of their closest friends and family stood by to witness this long awaited union. They kissed, they hugged, there were happy tears and champagne toasts- it was absolutely perfect. We took in that morning together, spending time soaking in the newlyweds and the views. Then we all retreated back to our AIRBNBs for some afternoon rest before the evening sunset hike.

We headed back out for sunset that evening, again traveling through the windy roads to the trailhead were we headed out to our location. It was beautiful when we arrived but still bright, we knew we were going to be waiting for the right light , so all grabbed a cliff seat, bundled up (it was windy and chilly), and had some snacks while we waited. As the sun got lower, we began shooting and as every second went by, the light grew more and more beautiful. The sun sunk down and left us in a blue hue of twilight, so we bundled back up and headed out eventually reaching for our headlamps to see ourselves out.

The day was long, but SO so incredible. I left with a heart full of gratitude- for this beautiful place and getting to see and experience it in such a weird time. For these amazing, kind and goodhearted people I spent so much time with. I’ll always feel this when I think of these two and their day- this elopement will forever hold a soft spot in my heart.

VIDEOGRAPHY: Chris, Goodco Studios