About Me...
“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”~ John Burroughs
I’m Donny, a wedding officiant specializing in Yosemite adventure elopements and Yosemite weddings. While my heart belongs to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Yosemite, I’m always eager to travel, officiating in other stunning destinations. In addition to Yosemite, I’ve had the pleasure of officiating weddings in Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, Nelder Grove, and even atop Mount Whitney.
My Yosemite elopement ceremonies are typically spiritual and last between 12 to 15 minutes. They begin with a brief introduction followed by a thoughtful quote on love. I then delve into the themes of love and marriage, often including one or two poems, before proceeding with the proclamation, vows, and ring exchange. The ceremony concludes with the final pronouncement and, of course, the iconic “you may now kiss.” While my ceremonies tend to be spiritual, I’m happy to incorporate religious elements, custom-written vows, or any unique unity ceremonies and cultural traditions that hold significance for you. If family or friends are part of your Yosemite wedding adventure, I welcome their participation, offering them poems or readings to make the occasion even more personal.
My journey in the wedding industry began in 2006 as the banquet manager at The Ahwahnee Hotel. In 2010, I officiated my first wedding on the side of Half Dome, and since then, I’ve had the honor of marrying countless couples from around the world. Originally from Maryland, I’ve lived in Yosemite on and off since 1996, embracing all the outdoor activities the Sierra Nevada has to offer. While I’m an avid hiker and backpacker, my true passion is rock climbing, and I’ve recently fallen in love with paddleboarding on alpine lakes.
I’m always up for an adventure, whether that’s in the heart of Yosemite or another remarkable location, and I look forward to working with you to create a truly unforgettable Yosemite wedding or adventure elopement.
About Me...
“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”~ John Burroughs
Hi, I’m Donny. I specialize in officiating adventure elopement wedding ceremonies in Yosemite, but I love to travel and am happy to go wherever you want to send me. In addition to Yosemite, I’ve officiated in Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, the Nelder Grove, and Mount Whitney. Scroll down to learn more.
My Yosemite Adventure Elopement wedding ceremony is more spiritual in nature and lasts around 12-15 minutes. I start with a short introduction and then I read a quote about love. I continue talking about love and marriage, read a poem or two, and then move into the proclamation, vows and ring exchange. Last is the pronouncement, and of course the “you may kiss”. While my ceremony is more spiritual in nature, I am happy to incorporate religious passages or perform a custom ceremony written by you or someone else. I’m also happy to incorporate any unity ceremonies or cultural traditions that are meaningful to you. If family members or friends will be joining your adventure and one or two of them would like to participate, I’m happy to provide poems or other readings for them to read.
I started my career in weddings in 2006 when I became the banquet manager for The Ahwahnee Hotel. Four years later I officiated my first wedding on the side of Half Dome. Today, I still work in Yosemite and have enjoyed officiating for a countless number of couples from all over the world. Originally form Maryland, I have lived in Yosemite on and off since 1996 and have taken advantage of many of the recreational activities Yosemite and the Sierra’s have to offer. I am an avid hiker and backpacker, but rock climbing is my true passion. I’ve recently discovered paddle boarding and enjoy long, quiet paddles on alpine lakes. I’m up for any adventure and love exploring new places and creating new memories. I look forward to collaborating with you to help create a memorable Yosemite Adventure Elopement wedding.
