A couple stands hand-in-hand atop a rock formation in Yosemite, with the sun glowing behind them and mountain peaks in the distance—captured during their adventurous elopement at sunrise.

Jess and Simon’s intimate Yosemite wedding was intentional, adventurous, and full of heart. Traveling from across the country, they wanted a celebration that gave them time to slow down, connect with nature, and be fully present with each other and with their closest people. Rather than a fast-paced traditional wedding, they planned two days for their intimate wedding in Yosemite that allowed them to experience it all: awe-inspiring landscapes, meaningful, unrushed moments together, and time to cherish with their loved ones.

A bride and groom walk side by side during golden hour in Yosemite Valley, with granite cliffs and pine trees in the background. The bride holds a bouquet of cream-colored roses and her dress train, smiling as they enjoy their elopement day.

Why They Chose an Intimate Wedding in Yosemite

After getting engaged in Switzerland, Jess and Simon were drawn to Yosemite for its equally breathtaking mountain scenery (without the international travel time for the whole family). They envisioned a wedding that felt immersive, where they could explore a beautiful location, share it with their family, and carve out quiet time together.

They were also drawn to the freedom an intimate wedding offers. With less stress and more space in the timeline, they could experience their day without rushing from one bullet point on the timeline to the next. (Putting your timeline together? Here are the five things I’ve found to be most important to creating a stress-free day!) Instead of spending the day tackling a busy timeline, they got to be fully present in the moment, from hiking to hidden overlooks to sharing a meal with family at sunset.

There's a misconception that it’s not very realistic to have a natural and relaxed wedding day when there are a lot of moving parts, but it absolutely is! Creating that balance of connection, intimacy, and adventure is possible because intimate weddings offer flexibility, intention, and space for what truly matters. And it eliminates the pressure of a traditional wedding timeline. That’s the difference: intimate weddings are built around you, not a schedule, so you can focus on what feels meaningful instead of checking boxes.

Want to know the difference between elopements and intimate weddings? Read this guide.

Elopements vs. Intimate Weddings

How to Create Your Elopement Timeline

2025 BEST OF THE BEST DESTINATION PHOTO by Junebug Weddings

A bride and groom stand on a rocky overlook in Yosemite with Half Dome in the background. This image was selected for Junebug Weddings’ Best of the Best Destination Photos of 2025, capturing a breathtaking elopement moment in the mountains.

We're honored that an image from Jess & Simon's day has been named one of Junebug Weddings’ Top 50 Destination Wedding Photos of the Year! It's a wonderful recognition to be selected from the thousands of gorgeous images in the 2025 BEST OF THE BEST DESTINATION PHOTO CONTEST from around the world. The competition has a panel of photo industry experts that judge photos and submissions anonymously, so being recognized based on technical skill, storytelling, and emotional impact is a truly meaningful acknowledgement, and we are so grateful! Seeing all the gorgeous work in the competition reminded us of the extremely powerful experience that elopements and intimate weddings are. Being able to guide, plan with, and photograph couples who've travelled across the country to elope in a place as incredible as Yosemite (which feels like our backyard) is incredibly satisfying and rewarding. Our goal is always to make sure that, regardless of how far you've traveled for your destination wedding or how long you've waited for this day, we can help create an unforgettable and intentional experience for you.

A close-up of a bride and groom sharing a kiss during their Yosemite elopement, highlighting the bride’s elegant engagement ring and hand resting on the groom’s cream suit jacket.

Yosemite Multi-Day Intimate Timeline

Day One: A Ceremony Surrounded by Nature & Family

Their first day focused on celebrating with family. Jess and Simon had their ceremony at Cathedral Beach in Yosemite Valley, a peaceful riverside spot with views of El Capitan. They started the morning slowly, had brunch with their families, and made their way to the park to begin their celebration.

Once there, they shared a quiet first look before exchanging vows under the trees. The ceremony was followed by family photos, a casual picnic with beautiful decorations that they had brought, and exploring more of the valley at golden hour for sunset portraits. With space to breathe, they were able to move through each part of the day with presence, calm, and connection.

Thinking about getting married in Yosemite? Here’s everything you need to know.

How to get married in Yosemite

A bride and groom pose together in a sunlit Yosemite meadow, with the bride holding a bouquet of pale roses and wearing a fitted gown. The groom, in a light suit and bow tie, embraces her as they enjoy their elopement surrounded by nature.

Day Two: Just the Two of Them at Sunrise

Day two was all about their adventure. While it takes a bit of planning, hiking prep, and checking the weather, sunrise can be the perfect time to share moments alone. Before sunrise, we met at Glacier Point to explore the cliffs and trails overlooking Yosemite Valley. With light pouring over Half Dome and a quiet stillness in the air, it was a chance for them to experience the park in an entirely different way.

From Hairpin Road to Pointy Rock to the museum overlook, we made the most of the morning light and took our time creating portraits that reflected their relationship. Meaningful, connected, and grounded in nature. After we were done with the photos, they rejoined their family for a hike to Taft Point to round out the experience.

Curious if a multi-day wedding is worth it for you? Check out this post.

Multi-Day Wedding Guide

A bride and groom hold hands while looking out at Half Dome during their Yosemite elopement, surrounded by pine trees and sweeping mountain views in the soft evening light.

Creating an Intimate Wedding with Purpose

Jess and Simon’s intimate Yosemite wedding is proof that your celebration can be both intentional and adventurous. They created a wedding experience that felt true to them: a balance of intimate time together and meaningful moments with their people.

Whether an intimate wedding involved a planner or not, we love to help couples and make their day flow as seamlessly as possible. We believe it’d be a disservice to our couples if we showed up to their wedding day without helping them plan a successful and intentional wedding experience.

From timeline guidance to location scouting to wedding flow recommendations, we all worked together to shape their day so it focused on what mattered most to Jess & Simon. As elopement and intimate wedding photographers, we’re not just there to document the day; our team is here to help design your elopement experience with you. Every decision is made with intention, so you’re not rushed, overwhelmed, or distracted. We want to make sure you can feel fully present while your story is told.

Not sure if you need a planner or a photographer who does more? Read this.

Elopement Photographers & Planners

A bride and groom share quiet moments inside Yosemite’s iconic stone lookout at Glacier Point, with sweeping mountain views and Half Dome in the background. Her lace train and veil cascade over the stone ledge as they embrace and kiss.

Kind Words From Jess & Simon

"We couldn’t be happier with the amazing job Will did with our wedding photographs! From start to finish, he was professional, attentive, and truly went above and beyond to capture every special moment. His creative eye and attention to detail resulted in stunning photos that perfectly tell the story of our big day. He made us feel comfortable and at ease, and his ability to capture both candid moments and beautifully composed shots is truly remarkable. We are so grateful for these memories that we’ll cherish forever. Our friends and family also enjoyed his warm personality and attention to detail. He was the perfect addition to such a memorable day!"

Curious what it’s like to work with us? Read real clients’ kind words here

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