Russel and Noemi came into their elopement day with one main goal in mind. They wanted it to be memorable, fun, and completely stress-free. It was their first time visiting Yosemite, and instead of worrying about where to go or how to plan the flow of the day, they wanted to experience the park together and enjoy every moment.

Their elopement felt relaxed from start to finish. It was full of small adventures, meaningful moments, and a lot of laughter. From getting ready before the sun came up to ending the day with pizza in Curry Village, their timeline struck the perfect balance between intention and fun.

Getting Ready Before Sunrise in Yosemite

We started the morning early at their Airbnb in Yosemite National Park. It was still dark outside, and the house felt quiet and calm as they got ready together. The early start gave the morning a peaceful energy and set the tone for the rest of the day. Luckily, I was staying in Yosemite as well, which made it easy to meet up quickly and keep things simple.

Noemi made her own bouquet, which added such a personal touch to the morning. I love that there was no rush as they got ready. Just quiet excitement and the feeling that something special was about to happen.

Sunrise First Look and Private Vows at Glacier Point

We left before sunrise and made our way to Glacier Point as the sky began to change. Russel and Noemi shared their first look overlooking the valley, followed by private vows just the two of them. The moment felt calm and grounding, especially for a couple visiting Yosemite for the first time.

After their vows, we stayed around Glacier Point for portraits. The light was soft, the views were wide open, and everything felt unhurried. This part of the day gave them time to settle into being married before heading out to explore more of the park.

Exploring Yosemite Together

Once the morning light fully arrived, we drove to Tunnel View and then continued into Yosemite Valley. This portion of the day was all about exploration. We stopped at spots like the Yosemite Chapel, Cook’s Meadow, and Valley View.

One of the most meaningful moments happened in Cook’s Meadow, where Russel and Noemi shared their first dance. Surrounded by open space and incredible views, it felt intimate and joyful at the same time. There was no audience, no pressure, just the two of them dancing together in the middle of Yosemite.

Throughout the morning, the day stayed flexible. They trusted the process, followed the flow of the park, and allowed themselves to enjoy the experience without worrying about the clock.

Pizza, Cake, and a Perfect Ending

We wrapped up the day at Curry Village with pizza and cake. It was the perfect way to end their elopement. Casual, fun, and very them. Between bites of pizza and laughs at the picnic tables, I also had the honor of signing their Texas marriage license.

Their Early Morning Yosemite Elopement Timeline 

One of the reasons Russel and Noemi’s day felt so relaxed is because their timeline was simple and intentional. Starting early gave them quiet moments at Glacier Point, and the rest of the morning flowed naturally as we explored the park together.

5:45am – Meet at their Airbnb in Yosemite West for getting ready photos
6:30am – Leave for Glacier Point
7:00am – First look overlooking the valley
7:10am – Private vows at Glacier Point
7:15–8:30am – Photos around Glacier Point
8:30–9:15am – Drive to Tunnel View
9:15–9:40am – Tunnel View photos
10:00–11:00am – Exploring Yosemite Valley
11:15–11:45am – Pizza, cake cutting, and celebrating at Curry Village

Client Love from this Yosemite Elopement

From the start, my husband and I knew we wanted to elope at Yosemite National Park. We had no idea where to begin and I found Alyssa through a subreddit about Yosemite – Elopements. I immediately reached out to her and we scheduled a Zoom call the following week. From the start, Alyssa was kind and welcoming to any ideas we had for this elopement. She guided us through the permit process and gave us ideas for photo props for the big day! A few days before the big day, we had a Zoom call and we went over every detail that we discussed for our wedding day. (This gave us such a relief as we were traveling to YNP from Texas.) Alyssa is ordained and she signed our marriage license! (In case you are just hoping to elope with no guests; she has you covered!) We were very nervous on the big day, but Alyssa was prepared for any obstacle that we might face on our special day. With her covering all the basis, she allowed us to have a memorable day that was perfection! I cannot thank Alyssa enough for these photos. I will forever treasure them!

Planning a Yosemite Elopement for the First Time?

If Yosemite is on your list and you’re feeling unsure about where to start, you’re not alone. I love helping couples plan stress-free elopement days, especially when it’s their first time in the park. From guiding you to great photo locations to building a timeline that feels fun and flexible, I’m here to help make the experience easy and memorable.

If you’re dreaming of an elopement day filled with adventure, meaning, and maybe even pizza at the end, Yosemite might be the perfect place to do it. Get in touch here!