Clare and Tom traveled from the United Kingdom to spend nearly a month exploring some of the most incredible landscapes in the American West. Their trip included Big Sur, San Francisco, Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley, Zion, and Las Vegas. When it came to their wedding, they wanted the experience to be adventurous and carefree. Since they were traveling all this way, they wanted to make the most of their time in the parks. As an adventure elopement photographer, that’s exactly the kind of experience I love helping couples create.

From the very beginning, they knew they wanted mountains, forests, and incredible views. They weren’t interested in a traditional wedding timeline or spending their day rushing from one event to the next. Instead, they wanted an experience that felt relaxed, scenic, and completely centered around exploring together. Their two-day elopement in Yosemite and Sequoia ended up being the perfect way to make that happen!

Why They Chose a Two-Day National Park Elopement

One of the biggest advantages of a multi-day elopement is time. Instead of trying to squeeze every location, every portrait, and every experience into a single day, Clare and Tom were able to spread everything out across two separate days. That meant multiple golden hours, two completely different national parks, and plenty of opportunities to slow down and actually enjoy where they were.

We started planning their Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park elopement more than a year in advance. That extra time allowed us to thoughtfully plan every detail of their two-day elopement. I knew June was the perfect fit for their vision. Glacier Point Road and Taft Point are typically open, Yosemite’s waterfalls are still flowing beautifully, and the weather is usually mild. Crowds also tend to be lighter before schools let out for summer break.

As part of my two-day elopement package, I helped with location recommendations, timeline planning, and permit assistance throughout the process. Their package also included sneak peeks delivered within one week and more than 500 edited high-resolution images delivered through an online gallery. You can learn more about my elopement packages here!

Sunrise Wedding Ceremony at Glacier Point

We met at Glacier Point as the sun began to rise. After a quiet first look overlooking the mountains, we made our way to their ceremony location where their officiant, Donny from Yosemite Adventure Elopements, was waiting.

As the first light reached Half Dome, Clare and Tom exchanged handwritten vows surrounded by one of the most iconic views in Yosemite National Park. Because it was just the two of them, every part of the ceremony felt incredibly personal. They read letters from family members back home, exchanged rings, and took their time soaking in the moment together before signing their marriage license.

One of the things I remember most about that morning was how peaceful everything felt. There was no pressure to move quickly or stay on a schedule. They had space to fully experience every part of the ceremony. Afterward, we spent time exploring Glacier Point for portraits while the morning light filled the valley below.

Exploring Yosemite Valley at a Relaxed Pace

After Glacier Point, we headed down into Yosemite Valley. One of my favorite parts of the entire day happened at Swinging Bridge Picnic Area. Instead of rushing between locations, Clare and Tom planned a simple picnic. They spent time enjoying the view, talking about the morning, and letting everything sink in before continuing on.

From there, we explored several classic Yosemite locations including Cook’s Meadow, Yosemite Valley Chapel, and Valley View. Because we weren’t trying to fit every photo into a short window of time, the day felt relaxed from start to finish. There was room for spontaneous moments, quiet conversations, and simply enjoying Yosemite together. They even shared their first dance in a meadow surrounded by towering granite cliffs. Little moments like those are often the moments couples remember most!

Sunset at Taft Point

After a midday break, we met back up for the second half of their wedding day. This time, our destination was Taft Point. The hike itself became part of the experience. Clare and Tom enjoyed the walk and took in the changing views along the way.

As the sun dropped toward the horizon, they celebrated with locally brewed Tioga beers inspired by Yosemite and spent the evening overlooking the valley below.

Taft Point is always beautiful, but sunset there feels especially dramatic. The cliffs catch the last light of the day while the valley slowly transitions into shadow. We ended the evening with lantern photos after dark, creating a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the gallery. Between the sunrise ceremony and the sunset adventure, the first day of their two-day elopement in Yosemite and Sequoia felt full without ever feeling rushed.

Day Two in Sequoia National Park

Two days later, we met again for the second half of their adventure. This time, we traded granite cliffs and mountain overlooks for giant sequoia trees. We explored Crescent Meadow, Tunnel Log, Parker Group, Beetle Rock, and several quiet areas throughout the forest.

What I love about combining Yosemite and Sequoia is how different they feel from one another. Yosemite is expansive and dramatic while Sequoia feels immersive and almost otherworldly. The giant trees create a completely different atmosphere!

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the wildlife. Deer seemed to be everywhere. For Clare and Tom, that was especially exciting since wildlife encounters like that aren’t something they regularly experience back home in the UK.

We spent the evening wandering through the forest, taking photos, and enjoying a slower pace than the first day. It was the perfect contrast to our time in Yosemite!

Why I Love Multi-Day Elopements

Clare and Tom’s experience is exactly why I love offering multi-day coverage. Instead of treating your elopement as a single event, you get to build an entire experience around it. You can explore multiple locations, experience multiple sunrises and sunsets. You can take breaks throughout the day and actually enjoy the places you’ve traveled so far to see.

Two-day elopements never feel rushed or forced. There’s room for adventure, exploration, and all the little moments in between. For couples traveling long distances or planning a destination elopement, multi-day coverage often creates a far more relaxed experience than trying to fit everything into a single day.

Planning Your Own Yosemite and Sequoia Elopement?

If you’re dreaming about turning your wedding into a true adventure, a two-day elopement in Yosemite and Sequoia elopement might be the perfect fit.

As an adventure elopement photographer, I help couples with location recommendations, permits, timeline planning, officiating, and all the logistics that make these experiences feel seamless. My goal is to help you spend less time worrying about details and more time enjoying the places you’ve traveled to see. Reach out here to start planning your own Yosemite or Sequoia elopement adventure!

Their Elopement Vendors

Photography: Alyssa Michele Photo
Officiant: Yosemite Adventure Elopements