Short and simple sunrise elopement in Glacier Point-Yosemite
About the couple
Their love story
Both lovers of nature, hikes, stargazing, long drives and delicious food-these two have been together for almost four years now! They met in college through mutual friends and have never left each other’s sides since.
Due to COVID, they had postponed their wedding twice! Since they were planning on honeymooning in Yosemite anyways, they decided this would be the perfect place to elope and their big reception would be hosted next year.
About the elopement day at Yosemite
This short and simple sunrise elopement started at Glacier Point. To catch the sunrise, we started their early day at 5:30am. The couple drove up together fully dressed and the couple played the game of not seeing the bride before the ceremony. Luckily, it was still dark out so the groom sat in the front seat and the bride in the back. We were able to successfully keep them from seeing each other on the drive up and it didn’t spoil the sweet surprise when we arrived at Glacier Point. They had their small ceremony with family there followed by the dreamiest sunrise photos.
After that, we headed to Taft Point where we played in the forest and on some pretty cool rock structures to wrap up this sweet elopement. I wanted to note that no plants were harmed while taking these photos.
About Glacier Point and Taft Point
Eloping at Yosemite
If you are looking for a much quieter time to elope, I would recommend sunrise. Especially in Yosemite’s busy summer months, this would be the time to go. Make sure you don’t forget to buy a permit ($150) to have the ceremony and take photos, because that is required to elope.
Also, when you get to Taft Point there is about a thirty minute walk from the parking lot to the point, so make sure you factor that in your general timeline for the day so you don’t miss any epic sunrise shots!
Parking and Lighting at Yosemite
Sunrise is the best time to elope because you avoid the summer crowds, there’s plenty of parking and you can see the light pouring over Half Dome. Even though the ceremony took place before the sun came up over Half Dome, you can see in their pictures that there was plenty of light out already!
If you are trying to decide whether to do a sunrise or a sunset elopement at Glacier Point, go take a peek at my last blog post, All-day elopement in Yosemite National Park. That elopement was a sunset shoot I did in Yosemite recently that shows how different light can look at different times of the day.
In my experience, sunrises tend to have cooler tones while sunsets can have warmer tints. I personally prefer sunrise light because I love how the light peeks through the forest ferns at Yosemite. Sunsets generally have a larger spread of light and more vibrant colors than sunrise. Both times of day are beautiful in their own ways, so I guess it just depends on whether or not you’re a morning person!
There you have it!
I’m always so grateful to all my clients who choose me to document their special day. Even when things don’t go as originally planned and you might decide to elope like this couple, reach out and I’ll help you plan and make all your elopement dreams come true!
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