You’re planning to elope in Yosemite National Park – YAY! I’m so excited for you! But now you’re wondering, “Do I need a Yosemite Wedding Permit? How do I get one and what do I need to know?”
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here’s what you need to know about Yosemite Wedding Permits!
What is a Yosemite Wedding Permit?
A Yosemite Wedding Permit is issued by the National Park Service for any wedding or commitment ceremonies taking place anywhere in the park. This permit allows you to hold your commitment ceremony within Yosemite National Park, either at specific locations listed below, or at other places in the park, depending on your party size.
Do you need a permit to get married in Yosemite National Park?
If you are holding any sort of commitment ceremony, you need a Yosemite Wedding Permit. This includes elopements (with or without guests), small weddings, or even vow renewal ceremonies. If you are just taking photos in the park, however, without any sort of commitment ceremony involved, you do not need a permit.
As you plan your elopement, keep in mind that you will need a permit for the specific ceremony location you choose. After your ceremony, however, we can adventure around the park to take gorgeous photos of the two of you, without an additional permit being required for those photos.
How much does a Yosemite Wedding Permit cost?
Yosemite Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Permits cost $150. This cost is the same, whether you elope by yourselves, or bring guests along. The number of people attending the ceremony does not impact the cost of your permit!
The cost also stays at $150 regardless of where in Yosemite you hold your ceremony. This means you aren’t paying more for the more popular locations. The cost stays the same anywhere you go in the park. Keep reading for more information on where you can elope in Yosemite National Park!
How many people can attend my elopement in Yosemite National Park?
Where you can elope in Yosemite depends on the number of people attending your wedding or elopement. This includes your photographer, videographer, officiant, and the two of you!
If you have 11 people or more attending the ceremony, you are allowed to have your ceremony at one of Yosemite’s twelve site-specific wedding locations! Scroll down to see the list of places you could get married!
Where can I elope with my Yosemite Wedding Permit?
Site-specific Yosemite Wedding locations
If you have 11 people or more (including yourselves, photographer, videographer, and officiant) attending your Yosemite wedding ceremony, you are allowed to get married in these locations:
- Cascades Picnic Area
- Lower Yosemite Falls Paved Trail
- Swinging Bridge Picnic Area
- Cathedral Beach Picnic Area
- Sentinel Beach Picnic Area
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Glacier Point Amphitheater
- Chilnualna Falls Trailhead Parking Lot
- Tenaya Lake Beach
- Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Area
- Tuolumne Grove
- Merced Grove
Keep in mind – several of these locations are closed seasonally due to being inaccessible because of weather. Not only that, but all of these locations have varying guest count maximums, depending on which location you choose.
For a full list of these locations, guest counts, seasonal closures, and other info, visit the NPS’s Yosemite Wedding Locations Website.
Other locations in Yosemite for smaller elopements
If your ceremony involves less than 11 people, you are not limited to these twelve locations! You are able to hold your ceremony almost anywhere else in the park. You will still need to secure a permit however, even if you don’t get married at one of the site-specific locations.
Can I get married in Yosemite National Park on a weekend?
Yosemite National Park does not grant Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Permits for holiday weekends, or holidays (including holiday weekends that extend into Mondays).
The best time to have your commitment ceremony in Yosemite is on a weekday, to avoid tourists as much as possible. For more info on the best times to get married in Yosemite National Park, visit my Yosemite Elopement page.
Will we have the entire ceremony location to ourselves?
The short answer is no. You will have the ceremony location reserved for you, meaning you won’t be competing with other couples trying to get married there at the same time. However, because it’s a public park, visitors will be able to be in the same space as your ceremony. Don’t worry though – most of the time, visitors seeing a wedding or elopement ceremony taking place are respectful and give you space.
The Yosemite National Park Service recommends a morning timeframe, before 10 am, for your ceremony to minimize the number of park visitors that might be present during your ceremony.
When can I get my Yosemite Wedding Permit?
Yosemite wedding permits are issued up to a year in advance of your wedding date, and must be at least 21 days prior to your wedding date.
Some other national parks have one specific date each year on which they open up applications for the entire season, which creates a lot of competition and stress to secure your date and location. Unlike those parks, Yosemite is a rolling calendar which allows you to apply for your permit 1 year before your date. This means if you are planning to elope on May 1, 2027, you can apply for your permit on May 1, 2026.
How do I get my Yosemite Wedding Permit?
Go to the NPS’s Yosemite Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Permit page for the most up to date info, but here are the basics:
- Download and print the application found here and fill it out
- Prepare a check or money order for the application fee of $150
- Mail the application and nonrefundable payment to the Yosemite Special Use Permit office (address found on their page linked above)
Once your permit is approved, make sure to bring your permit with you to your ceremony!
Yosemite Elopement Packages
Planning your Yosemite Elopement can be confusing and many couples don’t know where to start in the planning process! The good news is, you don’t have to plan it alone!
If this information has been helpful to you, just know this is a small portion of the Planning Assistance I offer in my Yosemite Elopement Packages! Not only do you get stunning photos of your Yosemite wedding or elopement, but my Elopement Packages also include permit info, location assistance, timeline planning, local vendor, lodging and activity recommendations, answering all of your questions, and lots more!
I would love to photograph this once-in-a-lifetime day, and help you plan the whole thing! If you have more questions about securing your Yosemite Wedding Permit, and you’re ready to book your Yosemite photography, let’s chat! Simply fill out my contact form and we’ll get started!
What else do I need to do to elope in Yosemite National Park?
Music, decor, and seating
No amplified music is allowed at your wedding ceremony, however you may have musical instruments, as long as they don’t exceed a noise level of 60 decibels.
Decor, arches, and signage are not allowed in Yosemite National Park. You are, however, allowed to have decoration on the picnic tables if your ceremony is being held in one of the picnic area locations. If you have a beach in your location, you are allowed to have one lightweight mat on sand only for you to stand on during the ceremony.
You and your wedding party are allowed to have bouquets and boutonnieres at your wedding! For some incredible florists, check out my Yosemite Wedding Vendors post!
Chairs, tables and other furniture are not allowed, except for those with special needs. You are welcome to use the existing tables and benches in your ceremony area.
Parks Pass
Don’t forget your pass into Yosemite National Park! Each car of people attending your wedding or elopement must have their own pass into the park – your wedding permit does not count as entry into the park!
If you plan to go into the park more than once on your trip, or you plan to visit any other national parks within the next year, I suggest purchasing an America The Beautiful annual National Parks Pass. Be sure to bring your ID as well.
Marriage License
You will also need to get a marriage license to make your ceremony legal! You can get your marriage license for $60 from Mariposa County. Appointment are required to get your marriage license, so plan ahead.
Other resources for your Yosemite Elopement
I have lots of free resources to help you plan your Yosemite Wedding or Elopement!
Visit my Yosemite Elopement page for lots of information about getting married in Yosemite National Park!
Check out my Yosemite Wedding Vendors blog post for lots of great vendor recommendations for the big day!
COME HANG OUT WITH ME!