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The Ultimate guide for your yosemite elopement

Yosemite elopement guide

Everything you need to know about a Yosemite Elopement (and why you might want to wait until 2023)

The beauty and adventure of Yosemite is undeniable, making it a perfect compliment to the adventure and beauty you two share between each other! Just a heads up, due to a construction project Glacier Point Road will be completely closed in 2022 and the National Park is not permitting any elopements there. And while they are permitting elopements up there for 2023 they’re recommending to plan for 30 minute road delays just in case. This is the road that provides access to the iconic pictures cliff photos at Taft Point and of the towering Half Dome at Glacier Point. 

jump to our most asked questions about eloping in Yosemite:

How do I elope in Yosemite?

When is the best time to elope in Yosemite?

How much does it cost to elope in Yosemite?

the unparalleled beauty of eloping in yosemite...

A group of elopement photographers and planners

You’re looking for the best advice to plan your Yosemite elopement and we happen to be experts on the matter…

We’re a team of dog loving, peak bagging, photography award winning adventure junkies – working together to help plan and document incredible Yosemite elopements.

Together we’ve photographed 300+ elopements, most of which are in Yosemite! This is our quick tips, best advice, and list of the absolute best places to elope in Yosemite.

Here's everything you need to know about your Yosemite elopement

Keep these pro tips in mind when planning our the best place to elope for your wedding day:

1. How do you elope in Yosemite?

A Yosemite elopement requires a Special Use Permit for any wedding ceremony no matter the size of your party. The application fee is $150. If your party is fewer than 11 people, you are not limited to the following locations with exception of open meadows and riparian environments. Click here for more info on permits.

Marriage licenses are about $65 and usually obtained at county clerk offices. You both have to be there in person with a valid photo ID. In California, there is no waiting period for the marriage license, so you could literally pick it up in the morning and get married that afternoon. A lot of our couples pick of their marriage license in the city they’re flying into or staying near.

2. When is the best time to elope in Yosemite?

Our favorite months for Yosemite elopements are early June and October for a few different reasons. In early June the temperatures are just starting to rise, and the waterfalls are still raging from spring’s snow melt. October is when the crowds start to die down, the fall colors come out, and the weather is usually that perfect 70 degrees range. Mid June – September is usually very hot with thousands of tourists visiting regularly, so we generally avoid these months.

*A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite National Park during peak hours (6 am – 4 pm) from May 20 through September 30, 2022.*

Check out our travel blog for visiting in April

3. How much does it cost to elope in Yosemite

Because of how remote Yosemite is, having a Yosemite elopement tends to be more expensive than other places. On average our couples typically spend $10,000 – $15,000 on their Yosemite elopement packages. One of our favorite places to find lodging is at Autocamp’s airstream camp!

Photographer $5,000-$10,000 | Hair & Makeup $800-$1,500 | Flowers $800-$1,000 | Officiant & License $600-$1,200 | Special Use Permit $115 | Lodging $800-$1,500 | Flights & Car Rental $500-$800 

Natalie and Kenny

“When we came across the Foxes and saw their amazing photos taken of Yosemite elopements, we knew we had to book with them!

They are extremely organized, knowledgeable, adventurous, patient and responsive — we knew we were in great hands from the get-go! They knew exactly what locations within the park would make for the perfect shots with the perfect lighting, and they were open to any personal touches we wanted to add throughout the day!”

-Natalie and Kenny

Read more of  our Yosemite elopement reviews on google to get a taste of what it’s like to work with us there ->

Where to elope in Yosemite

All the best places for your Yosemite elopement!

If you’ve looked at a map of the park, you may have realized that Yosemite is HUGE, making it difficult to know where you want to go for your Yosemite elopement. Not to fear – we’ve been planning and photographing elopements in Yosemite since 2017, have been everywhere in every month, and have put together this guide of the best places to elope in Yosemite. Working with our couples to plan the best day that perfectly blends a full tour of the park at the best times of the day depending on that time of year is one of our favorite things to do! *With the Glacier Point Road closure, we wont be able to easily access Glacier Point and Taft Point in 2022.* 

Taft Point

Glacier Point

Yosemite Valley

Teanaway

1. Taft Point

It’s hard to deny that Taft Point is one of the most unique, jaw dropping overlooks in the world. A beautiful hike through a forest of pines brings you to a giant cliff edge that overlooks El Capitan, a giant wall of granite topping out at 7,573. And the way the light hits at sunset is just *chef’s kiss* but it’s important to remember that you’ll likely be sharing this wild view with a few other couples on photo shoots, instagram influencers, hikers, high-liners, and other adventurers alike. We’re pro’s at photoshopping out other folks at Taft Point, haha, so if you don’t mind sharing the view with others then it’s a must-visit spot for your Yosemite Elopement!

Yosemite Elopement on taft point

2. Glacier Point

Glacier Point is another incredible overlook, but this one gives you mind blowing views of the iconic cliff Half Dome coming in at a whopping 8,839 feet tall! This area is also wonderful because the trails here are short, paved, and flat, making it an easy spot to visit if you don’t want to throw your hiking shoes on but still want those breathtaking views!

Yosemite Elopement on taft point

3. Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley is a must do for your elopement. The valley is filled with beautiful beaches that line the Merced River, fields of tall grass that stretch on forever, and tall trees that bud up against the base of massive granite cliffs. As you wander through any part of the valley, you’re constantly looking up at these granite giants in awe. 

Yosemite elopement packages

4. Teanaway

Looking to escape the crowds in the Valley and Glacier Point Road, but still want the magical charm and granite  walls of Yosemite? Teanaway is the spot. Between the beautiful lakes and distant overlooks of Half Dome, there are some really incredible places to explore outside of all the popular spots.

Yosemite Elopement in teanaway the foxes photography1

There you have it, our guide for your Yosemite Elopement!

We’re Gabi and Brandon (aka the Foxes) and Hannah and Zoe. Together we make the Foxpack – a team of adventure elopement photographers. Together we’ve shot over 300 elopements (and counting) and are experts on planning and documenting epic days for our couples. We can help guide you through the nitty gritty details of your dream adventure elopement!

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We value diversity, support the LGBTQ+ community, and strive towards inclusion in the outdoor community.

We practice Leave No Trace ethics in the outdoors and teach our couples on how to incorporate these ethics into their day.

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CUSTOM PHOTO ALBUM AGREEMENT

THE FOXES PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC

These Terms and Conditions are a legally binding agreement is between you (“Client”) The Foxes Photography, LLC (“Photographer”) (collectively the “Parties”, or in the singular “Party”), for the purpose of Client purchasing a custom photography album from Photographer. This Agreement shall become effective upon the date you complete the checkout process.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. Fees & Retainer

Client shall commit to a custom album package by signing and returning this Agreement along with the initial payment for album service. Photographer will not begin its custom album services until the Agreement is signed and the album design fee is received. No final album will be printed until the full payment is made. In the event Client fails to remit payment as specified, Photographer shall have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement with no further obligation and retain any monies already paid as liquidated damages. Full payment must be completed by Client within 60 days of this Agreement’s date.

The fees in this Agreement are based on Photographer’s current album pricing at the time of booking. The price list is adjusted periodically, and any changes to custom albums will be charged at the prices in effect at the time.

  1. Album Design Procedure

The following outline indicates the general procedure of a custom album design. Client understands and agrees to this procedure.

  1. Photographer will use photos and album specifications to create their first custom album design.
  2. Photographer will send Client first draft of album design.
  3. Client will approve or send in revisions to album design.
  4. Photographer will make edits to album design. Only two rounds of edits are allowed.
  5. Client will approve final album design.
  6. Photographer will send in album for printing.
  7. Album is printed and shipped.
  8. Client receives final printed album.
  1. Album Spreads

Albums will include 35 spreads and no less. The definition of a “page” is one side of a spread in an album (for example, a 70-page album contains 35 spreads). If Client requests more than 35 spreads, additional spreads are $50.00 each. 

  1. Revision Rounds

The first draft will include photos selected by the photographer and will be sent to Client for approval. Client may request modifications to be made. Photographer shall complete modifications and send the second draft of album design to Client. Client may then accept the design or request one more round of modifications. Photographer will complete this second modification request and send the final draft of album to Client. After these two rounds of revisions to the album design, no further revisions are allowed. Any additional revisions are invoiced at a rate of $75.00 per round. All additional revision rounds must be paid before the revision is made by the Photographer. Photographer requires up to 10 days to complete a revision request. Client has 50 days to send Photographer any and all revision requests. Any revisions requested by Client more than 50 days after this Agreement’s date will not be accepted by Photographer.

  1. Final Approval

Photographer will not place an album order with the album Manufacturer until Client approves the design draft, and the balance is paid on any upgrades or additional spreads. Client agrees to check the final album design very carefully before giving final approval. Once final approval is given, Photographer is not responsible for typos, image defects, duplicate images, or other errors that may have been missed. 

  1. Parent/Duplicate Albums

Parent/duplicate albums cannot be altered from the original designs. All parent/duplicate albums shall be ordered at the time of final approval of the original album design and will be invoiced and must be paid prior to Photographer sending in album for printing. No parent/duplicate albums are available after the original album ordering phase is complete.

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Client understands and agrees that Photographer’s album manufacturer (“Manufacturer”) generally takes 6-8 weeks to print and manufacture the album. While every possible precaution is taken and Manufacturer has been selected by Photographer for its superb quality, Photographer assumes no liability for the loss or damage of album while in possession of Manufacturer. 

  1. Ordering Date

Client shall agree to final album design within 60 days of this Agreement’s date. Any delay by Client in approving final album design will result in termination of this Agreement and no further obligation by Photographer.

  1. Retouching and Edits

Photographer will use the final edited images delivered to Client to make the album design. Photographer will not re-edit or retouch any images.

  1. Returns

Client understands and agrees that once final approval of album design has been given to Photographer, no returns or refunds are allowed whatsoever. In the event Client receives the printed album and sees any manufacturer defects or dislikes the album quality, Photographer will work with Manufacturer to the best of their ability to remedy the situation. Client is responsible for any additional fees associated with returning or reprinting the album.

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Photographer shall keep a copy of final approved album design for 90 days but does not permanently archive the final album design. Client understands that after 90 days the album design will not be available to order additional copies and a new agreement must be signed to start the process over.

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The final album design by The Foxes Photography, LLC is their property, will remain their property, and are protected by United States Copyright Laws (USC Title 17). Client hereby waives any claims for ownership, income, editorial control, and use of the images and album design. Violations of this federal law will be subject to its civil and criminal penalties.

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The sole remedy for any actions or claims by Client shall be limited to a refund, the maximum amount not to exceed the total monies paid by Client under this Agreement.

  1. Limitation of Liability

If, during the production and/or before the album(s) are delivered to Client, the media has been lost, stolen, or is unusable because of defect, damage, equipment/platform malfunction, processing, or other technical error caused by Photographer or by forces outside the control of Photographer, Client agrees to relieve and hold Photographer harmless and will not impose any additional liability.

In no event shall Photographer be liable under this Agreement to Client or any other third-party for consequential, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, punitive, or enhanced damages, arising out of, relating to, or in connection with any breach of this Agreement, regardless of (a) whether such damages were foreseeable, (b) whether or not Client was advised of such damages, and (c) the legal or equitable theory (contract, tort, or otherwise) upon which the claim is based.

  1. Force Majeure 

No Party shall be liable or responsible to the other Party, nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement, for any failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of this Agreement (except for any obligations to make payments to the other Party hereunder), when and to the extent such failure or delay is caused by or results from acts beyond the impacted party’s (“Impacted Party”) control that are unforeseen and unpredictable at the time of contracting, including, but not limited to, the following force majeure 

events (“Force Majeure Events”): (a) acts of God; (b) a natural disaster (fires, explosions, earthquakes, hurricane, flooding, storms, explosions, infestations), epidemic, or pandemic; (c) war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; (d) government order or law; (e) actions, embargoes or blockades in effect on or after the date of this Agreement; (f) action by any governmental authority; (g) national or regional emergency; (h) strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns or other industrial disturbances; and (i) shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities. The Impacted Party shall give Notice (as defined in Section 27) within 10 days of the Force Majeure Event to the other Party, stating the period of time the occurrence is expected to continue. The Impacted Party shall use diligent efforts to end the failure or delay and ensure the effects of such Force Majeure Event are minimized. The Impacted Party shall resume the performance of its obligations as soon as reasonably practicable after the removal of the cause. In the event that the Impacted Party’s failure or delay remains uncured for a period of 15 days following Notice given by it, the other Party may thereafter terminate this Agreement upon Notice. The Retainer and all other payments made by Client up to the date of Notice of a Force Majeure Event are non-refundable.

  1. Cancellation of Album Services by Photographer

In the event Photographer determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot or will not perform its obligations under this Agreement due to circumstances including, but not limited to, injury, illness, death of family member, pregnancy, military orders, religious obligations, other personal emergencies, or total breakdown of communication with Client, it will:

  1. Immediately give notice to Client;
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Should any sale and/or use tax be imposed on any part of this Agreement, such tax shall be collected from Client and remitted by Photographer. All sales tax will be included on invoices.

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This is a binding Agreement that incorporates the entire understanding of the Parties, supersedes any other written or oral agreements between the Parties, and any modifications must be in writing, signed by all Parties, and physically attached to the original agreement.


22. Venue and Jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington including all matters of construction, validity, performance, and enforcement and without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. The Parties agree that any dispute or lawsuit arising out of, or concerning, this Agreement that is not first resolved by arbitration shall be resolved exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Whatcom County, Washington. The Parties assume responsibility for their own collection costs and legal fees incurred should enforcement of this Agreement become necessary.

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Any and all disputes or disagreements rising between the Parties out of this Agreement upon which an amicable understanding cannot be reached, shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with the procedural rules of the American Arbitration Association. The Parties agree to be bound by the decision of the arbitrator(s). The arbitration proceeding shall take place in Whatcom County, Washington, unless another location is mutually agreed to by the Parties. The cost and expenses of the arbitrators shall be shared equally by the Parties. Each Party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses in presenting the dispute for arbitration.

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In the event that any part of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain valid and enforceable. Any failure by one or both Parties to enforce a provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other portion or provision of this Agreement.

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This Agreement cannot be transferred or assigned to any third-party by either the Photographer or Client without written consent of all Parties. 

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  1. Notice

Parties shall provide effective notice (“Notice”) to each other via email at the date and time which the Notice is sent: Photographer’s Email: [email protected]

  1. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures 

The Parties agree that a facsimile copy (electronic copy) of this Agreement, which contains the Parties’ signatures, may be used as the original.

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