A Yosemite National Park wedding is perfect for couples who want to get married in California with a magical outdoor backdrop. This park is one of the most iconic places to exchange vows, with dramatic scenery, designated ceremony sites, and the opportunity to celebrate with your closest friends and family surrounded by nature. 

While Yosemite is also a popular destination for elopements, weddings have different logistics, guest considerations, and planning requirements. If you’re envisioning a more structured ceremony with guests, the park offers great options for a meaningful experience.

As a wedding and elopement photographer, I’ve photographed ceremonies of all sizes, and Yosemite is one of my favorite locations. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about planning a wedding at Yosemite National Park, including permits, costs, ceremony locations, rules, and helpful planning tips.

Yosemite National Park Wedding Permit 

A Special Use Permit is required to get married at Yosemite National Park, and the application process is very straightforward. You’ll fill out your information, preferred ceremony location, date, and number of participants. Then, you’ll mail in your application along with the $150 permit fee, as of February 2026.

You can apply for your wedding permit up to one year in advance, but you must submit your application at least three weeks before your wedding date. Once approved, the Special Use Permit grants access to your designated ceremony site at Yosemite and allows you to take photos throughout the park on your wedding day.

Yosemite National Park Wedding Cost 

Getting married at Yosemite National Park typically costs between $7,000 and $10,000, depending on your specific wedding day plans.

This investment includes:

• Marriage license: $60
• Wedding permit: $150
• Monitoring charge (30+ guests): $50/hour
• Park entrance fee: $35 (per car)
• Wedding photos: $6,000+

Additional costs to consider may include travel, accommodations, wedding attire, activities, and a reception venue. Many couples choose to keep things simple with a ceremony inside the park and host a reception nearby or at one of Yosemite’s historic lodges. You might also splurge on special wedding activities, like a hosted dinner, a welcome event, or a group activity for your loved ones.

Yosemite National Park Wedding Ceremony Locations

There are several beautiful ceremony locations available for weddings at Yosemite National Park. You can have a small wedding with fewer than 11 people anywhere within the park. For weddings with more guests, you’ll need to choose from the park’s designated ceremony sites.

Some of my favorite Yosemite National Park wedding locations include:

• Glacier Point Amphitheater – This stunning viewpoint sits at over 7,000 feet and offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley. Surrounded by granite cliffs and nearby trails, it’s a great option for couples wanting an iconic ceremony location with space for up to 50 guests.
• Tenaya Lake Beach – An alpine lake backed by dramatic granite rock formations, Tenaya Lake is perfect for couples who love mountain scenery. It’s easily accessible and can accommodate up to 50 guests, making it ideal for a relaxed summer wedding.
• Yosemite Valley – Yosemite Valley offers a variety of ceremony settings, from meadows and waterfalls to dramatic cliffside views. Popular areas include Bridalveil Fall and El Capitan Meadow, with guest capacity depending on the exact site chosen.
• Tuolumne Grove – Take a 2.5-mile hike through a grove of towering sequoia trees. This option is great for adventurous couples planning a smaller wedding with up to 30 loved ones.
• Taft Point – A two-mile hike leads to one of the best sunset views in the park. There’s limited space, so Taft Point is best for intimate weddings with a smaller guest count.
• Yosemite Chapel – If you’re planning a more traditional ceremony, Yosemite Chapel is a wonderful option. Located in Yosemite Valley, the chapel can accommodate about 125 guests and offers easy access to nearby stunning photo locations.

Best Time to Get Married at Yosemite National Park

You can get married year-round at Yosemite National Park, but there are a few important considerations when choosing your wedding date.

• Time of year – While Yosemite is beautiful year-round, fall is my favorite season for weddings because of the beautiful weather and foliage. Waterfalls during spring and warm weather during summer also make for great wedding vibes.
• Time of day – Sunrise or sunset is the best time of day for a Yosemite National Park wedding. This is when the lighting is perfect for photos and there are fewer crowds, so you get a more intimate experience.
• Holidays – Weddings at Yosemite aren’t permitted on holidays or holiday weekends, including Saturdays through Sundays. 
• Unexpected events – Like any outdoor location, Yosemite is influenced by nature. Occasional wildfire smoke or weather-related road closures can happen, but they’re not common. 

Yosemite National Park Wedding Restrictions & Rules

Yosemite National Park is an incredible place to get married, especially for couples who value simplicity, natural beauty, and a meaningful ceremony over elaborate setups. To protect the landscape and ensure everyone’s safety, there are a few important guidelines to follow.

• Ceremony – When applying for your permit, you must select a specific ceremony site if there will be more than 11 people. For smaller ceremonies, you can get married anywhere in the park. The only location where you can’t have ceremony is at the base of sequoia trees.
• Timing – Reserving a ceremony location provides a two-hour window for your wedding. Outside of that time, you’re free to explore the park, enjoy the scenery, and take photos throughout Yosemite.
• Reception – Receptions aren’t permitted at ceremony sites or picnic areas within the park. However, you can host a reception at lodges inside Yosemite, such as The Ahwahnee or Wawona Hotel, or at venues outside the park.
• Pets – While you can have pets in certain areas of Yosemite, they can’t be on trails or at wedding ceremony locations.
• Decorations – Yosemite’s scenery truly serves as the decor. Arches, signs, and large installations aren’t allowed. You can have simple table decor at picnic areas, and use lightweight fabric runners for beach ceremony locations.
• Seating – Chairs aren’t provided or permitted at ceremony sites unless needed for accessibility. Ceremonies are usually standing, which makes planning and setup simple. 
• Vehicles – Due to limited parking and a fee for each vehicle, I recommend carpooling for your Yosemite wedding.

Yosemite National Park Wedding Packages

Many couples who want a simple yet special experience choose to get married at Yosemite National Park. While you can have a laid-back experience in a unique setting, you’ll need to do some coordinating to choose the perfect location and plan for guests.

I offer wedding photography coverage tailored to intimate weddings at Yosemite. I also provide planning guidance and vendor recommendations, including officiants, florists, accommodation ideas, and hair and makeup artists.

My Yosemite wedding photography packages include:

• A phone consultation
• Ceremony location guidance
• Timeline planning support
• Planning resources tailored to Yosemite weddings
• A custom online gallery with edited high-resolution images
• 48-hour sneak peek photos
• Printing rights

Let’s Plan Your Wedding at Yosemite National Park 

A wedding at Yosemite National Park is a magical experience, and I love working with couples who want a meaningful celebration in an outdoor setting. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony with a small guest list or a more traditional wedding at one of Yosemite’s designated locations, I’m here to help guide the process and capture every moment.

If you’re ready to start planning your Yosemite National Park wedding, I’d love to connect and help bring your vision to life.