STORMY fall elopement in yosemite
Jami and John tied the knot in Yosemite during a record-breaking rainstorm, and it was one of the most breathtaking days I’ve experienced out there! October in California is usually warm and dry, but this particular year was a little different – a few days before the elopement, a massive storm rolled in from the ocean, bringing rain to the valley and snow to the peaks! And this wasn’t just any storm, it was a “bomb cyclone” (so dramatic, haha) that broke rainfall records all across the state. The Sierra Nevada mountains received a whopping 16 INCHES of rain in a single day, which is insane to think about!! Needless to say, it was a bit unexpected 😝
Despite the challenging conditions, these two were so in love and ready to embrace whatever Mother Nature threw at them!! We kicked off the day with a walk through the valley, taking in the scenery. The silver lining to all the rain was the waterfalls were raging like I’d never seen before! They transformed from their usual autumn trickle to a thundering spray. And the fall colors were poppin’, with glistening raindrops adding even more contrast to the trees and meadows. Half Dome and El Capitan had a fresh dusting of snow, with fog swirling across the rock faces. It was absolutely gorgeous and so unique!
Finally, it was time for Jami and John to make it official, with El Capitan towering above as their witness. After exchanging rings, they cuddled close for a romantic first dance in the meadow. On our way out of the valley, we stopped by Tunnel View to catch the last bit of light on the peaks. Our original plan had been to hike up to Taft Point, but the unexpected snow had closed the road for the season. Tunnel View is always an incredible plan B though, with epic views of Half Dome and the newly-replenished Horsetail Falls. Jami’s cape drifted in the wind as they soaked in the view and the adventurous day that they’d shared. Definitely one of the most memorable elopement days ever, and proof that Yosemite is unbeatable in any kind of weather!
ELOPEMENT VENDORS
Photography | Hannah of The Foxes Photography
Want to learn more about eloping in Yosemite? Check out our Yosemite Elopement Guide.


