Yosemite is one of the most famous and iconic National Parks in the world. A Yosemite Wedding or Yosemite Elopement is an amazing and beautiful way to make lasting memories and start the next chapter of your life together! In this article, I’ll discuss the details of how to legally get married in Yosemite National Park.

Marriage License: This is by far the most important thing for yout to obtain. Without this, you cannot legally be married. If you are visiting from Texas, you can actually bring a license from that state with you and they will accept it regardless of where your ceremony is held within the United States. Otherwise, you will need to arrange to pick up a marriage license at any California County Clerk’s office. The Mariposa County Clerk is the closest to Yosemite, and feedback from many couples over the years, they seem to be the most accommodating to work with.

Scheduling: Weddings and commitment ceremonies may be scheduled year round up to one year in advance and more than 21 days prior to your event.

Permits: A special use permit is required for any wedding or commitment ceremony held at any location within Yosemite National Park (YNP). The permit cost is $150 (if event monitoring is required, you will be charged an additional $50 per hour). You can complete the application and include any special needs of your party (e.g., access for persons with disabilities, elderly guests, etc.). Make sure to include the nonrefundable application fee of $150 when submitting your application.

Mail the original application with payment (check or money order) to:

Postal mail:
Special Park Uses/Film and Weddings
Yosemite National Park, National Park Service
P.O. Box 700
El Portal, CA 95318

Overnight (FedEx/UPS):
Special Park Uses/Film & Weddings
Yosemite National Park
5083 Foresta Rd
El Portal, CA 95318

For wedding permit information contact Catherine by email or by phone 209/379-1858. Permits cannot be processed until they receive your original application and any required payments.

After favorable review of your application, a permit will be prepared and mailed to you for signature. Upon receipt, please review, sign and return the permit to the National Park Service (NPS) office for final approval. The application fee and permit processing fees are non-refundable once the permit office has received your application. The applicant’s Social Security number (bride or groom) must be listed on the wedding application. If the Social Security number is not listed, the permit will not be processed. (If you do not have a Social Security number, please contact NPS.) If your ceremony plans change, notify the NPS office immediately. After the permit is approved they will send you an authorized copy. The approved permit must be in your possession at the time of the ceremony.

Entrance fees into the park are not waived for either ceremony participants or guests.

Restrictions and Event Management

A visit to the park is highly recommended prior to finalizing your plans in order to decide on a site for your ceremony. Review the ceremony locations list and all group size and site specific restrictions. The NPS does not issue permits for formal ceremony receptions in day use areas.

The ceremony permit does not allow your event to restrict other park visitors from your chosen location nor does it guarantee you a specific site. It is recommended that you avoid sites that attract a large number of visitors, or schedule your ceremony for early or late in the day, and/or on weekdays, when there are fewer visitors in the area. The wedding or ceremony party is allowed up to two hours for the event. Permits will not be issued on holidays or over holiday weekends due to heavy visitor use activity.

An additional charge of $50.00 per hour will be incurred for an event monitor for those outdoor activities of 30-50 people or more. All fees are non refundable. Additional restrictions are imposed as follows:

• Natural Resource Protection: The meadows and riparian areas (riverbank and stream drainages) areas of Yosemite are important components of the park’s renowned resource, and an important habitat for a host of plants and animals. These areas attract a great deal of visitor use, which results in considerable environmental impact. To minimize such impacts and to maintain the scenic and ecological integrity of these sensitive sites, any other environmentally sensitive areas, no events will be permitted in them that will cause unacceptable impacts.
• Cultural Resource Protection: The Permittee and participants will not disturb, adversely effect, alter, damage, or remove any natural/cultural resources, archeological or historic artifacts. Digging, scraping, chiseling or defacing natural features is prohibited. Cultural Resources in Yosemite National Park are protected by the Historic Preservation Act of 1996 (16 USC 470), and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended (16 USC 470aa), which carries criminal and civil penalties for removing or damaging archaeological resources.
• Sequoia Groves: Ceremonies are not allowed around the bases of sequoia trees.
• Releases: Butterfly releases, and all other living and/or inanimate object releases or dispersal, including birdseed and rice, are prohibited. Food items provide an unnatural food source for park wildlife.
• Decorations/Signing: The use of balloons or any other type of decorations will not be authorized. Event or directional signs are not allowed.
• Seating: Chairs, tables or other furniture are not allowed at the ceremony site. Consideration is given to those with special needs. Use existing picnic tables and benches only, for events in picnic areas. An additional food table and chairs may be used, for those with special needs.
• Audio Disturbance: The Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 2.12), addresses audio disturbances and prohibits the following: use of radio, television sets, tape deck or musical instruments, in a manner that exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet. No amplified music or public address systems are allowed.
• Vehicles: All vehicles (including motorcycles) must be parked in designated areas only; no off-road traffic. Car pooling is recommended and may be required at specific locations. Vehicle limits are imposed at specific locations.
• Pets: Pets are not allowed at any ceremony sites.
• Conveyances: Special conveyances, including but not limited to horse drawn carriages and hot air balloons, are prohibited.
• Law Enforcement: Yosemite National Park Rangers strictly enforce all laws relating to excessive drinking. Permittee and guests must comply with all applicable federal, state and county regulations.
• Receptions: Formal receptions are not allowed in picnic areas.
• Drones: Operating a drone is prohibited.

Unexpected Events

Yosemite is a wild place and wedding plans often go awry. On any given day, chances are everything will be fine. However, you should be aware of some events that commonly disrupt weddings:.

• Smoky conditions: This is possible all year, with wildfires in the region common in summer and fall, and prescribed burns possible fall through spring. Smoky conditions are most common in August and September, when one to three weeks of unhealthy or worse air quality occurs most years.
• Road closures: Road closures are possible on all roads at any time, most commonly due to winter conditions, fire, or rockfall. Tioga and Glacier Point Roads are normally closed due to snow from sometime in November through late May or June, however closures on these roads do sometimes occur in October and occasionally in September. While other main roads remain open all year, winter weather can cause closures for a few hours or few days. All roads in or to Yosemite can close due to fire in summer or fall, or due to rockfall at any time of year.
• Floods: Yosemite’s largest floods historically have occurred in winter. These large floods are not common (less than 10% chance in any given year) but can cause the entire park to close. Spring floods are more common (often in May, but possible in April and June) and can result in partial or full park closures.

What else should you be thinking about?

Vendors: Besides an officiant, you should consider hiring a professional local photographer to capture your special day.

Weather: Weather varies significantly throughout the year in Yosemite. Summer months are generally very dry, and rainfall is at a minimum. Day time temperatures are generally warm but comfortable, staying in the upper 70s to the low 90s at the lower elevations. At night, temperatures can dip to a chilly 40 degrees. Spring is the rainy season, and temperatures range from the upper 60s to the low 30s. Winter is a very unpredictable season and storms can approach rapidly and stay for days, dumping heavy snowfalls across the park.

Where to stay: There are several accommodations within Yosemite run by the concessionaire, which are relatively overpriced considering what amenities are offered. I highly recommend staying in one of the gateway communities or in a nearby vacation rental. 

What to bring: Here is a list of must haves as well as some useful items to bring with you.

• NPS wedding permit
• Marriage license
• Rings (if applicable)
• Personal vows (if applicable)
• Weather appropriate clothing (spring, winter and fall can be very cold and wet)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Food & beverages (depending on how long you will be out with your photographer getting epic shots)
• Personal care items: bandages (for blisters), toothpicks, makeup, mirror, bobby pins, safety pins, etc.