Yosemite Weddings & Adventure Elopements
“Experience you can trust. Guidance you can relax into.”
Investing in Your Memories
“Every love story deserves its own adventure.”
Picture this…
The sun is just beginning to rise over Yosemite Valley. The granite cliffs glow with the first light of morning, birds begin to sing in the pines, and for a brief moment, the rest of the world seems to disappear. Somewhere in this extraordinary place, the two of you are about to begin your greatest adventure together.
No two couples are the same, and no two wedding days should be either. Whether you’re looking for a simple exchange of vows or a deeply personalized celebration that preserves every unforgettable moment, there’s an experience thoughtfully designed for you.
Your ceremony isn’t simply another item on your wedding checklist. It’s the moment you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. Years from now, you’ll likely forget what flowers were in your bouquet or what song played during dinner. But you’ll remember how you felt standing together beneath Yosemite’s granite cliffs as you promised forever to one another.
My role is to create a ceremony that feels authentic, relaxed, and uniquely yours, so you can be fully present for one of life’s most meaningful moments. To make things simple, I’ve created five ceremony experiences inspired by the natural beauty of Yosemite: Trailhead, Meadows, Waterfalls, Peaks, and Reflections. The names reflect the character and level of each experience, not where your ceremony must take place. You can choose the experience that feels right for you and then choose the Yosemite location that speaks to you.
Every Experience Includes
- Unlimited planning support before your wedding
- Professional ceremony planning and guidance
- Guidance throughout the process
- Marriage license completion
- A relaxed, professional officiant
- Local Yosemite expertise and location recommendations
- Backup planning for weather, road closures, and changing conditions
No matter which experience you choose, my goal is always the same: to help you feel relaxed, present, and completely focused on one another while I take care of the details.
Package Comparison
Every couple’s vision is a little different. Some are looking for a simple, intimate ceremony, while others want a fully personalized experience that tells their story or even includes professional videography to preserve the memories for years to come.
To make it easy, I’ve created five ceremony experiences, each designed to meet different needs while providing the same thoughtful guidance, professionalism, and care from the moment you reach out until your marriage license is signed.
Package Name: | Best For: | Personalization | Starting Price |
Simple courthouse style ceremony | None | $450 | |
Beautiful legal ceremony | Very minimal | $600 | |
Personalized ceremony | Fully personalized | $650 | |
Personalized ceremony + video | Fully personalized | $1350 | |
Peaks + additional video time | Fully personalized | $3500 |
Not Sure Which Experience Is Right For You?
If you’re unsure which experience is the best fit, don’t worry, you’re not expected to have all the answers before reaching out. I’d be happy to learn more about your vision, answer your questions, and recommend the option that best fits your wedding, location, and budget. My goal isn’t to sell you the most expensive package—it’s to help you choose the experience that’s right for you.
Trailhead | Meadows | Waterfalls | Peaks | Reflections
Contact me using the below form if you have any questions or are ready to book.
Choose Your Experience: Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing Your Experience
No. The names are inspired by the natural beauty and spirit of Yosemite, but they do not indicate where your ceremony must take place.
For example, choosing the Meadows Experience does not mean your ceremony has to take place in a meadow, and choosing the Trailhead Experience does not mean you have to get married at a trailhead. Each Experience describes the level of service and personalization, not the type of location.
Your ceremony can take place at any location where weddings are permitted, subject to the applicable National Park Service restrictions and my travel requirements.
It really comes down to how much involvement and personalization you want from me.
Trailhead is for couples who simply want to be married: quickly, meaningfully, and without the extras.
Meadows is a traditional officiant service with a thoughtfully composed ceremony, but without extensive personalization.
Waterfalls is for couples who want their ceremony to tell their story. I’ll get to know you, learn about your relationship, and create a ceremony specifically for you.
Peaks builds on Waterfalls by adding simple HD video of your ceremony from multiple angles.
Reflections is the most immersive experience, combining the Peaks ceremony and video coverage with additional time dedicated to capturing moments before, during, and after your ceremony.
If you’re still unsure, I’m happy to talk with you about what you’re envisioning and help you determine which Experience makes the most sense.
Generally, yes, although the location can affect the final rate.
My package pricing is based on the amount of time required to provide the service, including driving and hiking time. Locations that require significant additional travel or hiking may have an additional fee.
If you’re considering a location outside the areas covered by the standard package rate, just let me know. I’ll be happy to provide an accurate quote.
My starting price applies to ceremony locations throughout Yosemite Valley that do not require significant additional hiking or travel time. This includes many of Yosemite’s most beautiful and popular locations, such as Tunnel View, Cathedral Beach, Swinging Bridge, Cook’s Meadow, the Curry Village area, The Ahwahnee Hotel and surrounding areas, Lower Yosemite Falls, El Capitan Meadow, and many other locations throughout Yosemite Valley.
Locations that require additional driving and/or significant hiking time are subject to a separate rate. This includes destinations such as Washburn Point, Glacier Point, Taft Point, Sentinel Dome, Columbia Rock, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and other locations outside the Valley or requiring a more substantial hike. The rate will be adjusted based on the additional time and effort required to reach your ceremony location.
Have a specific location in mind? Let me know. I’m happy to discuss it with you and provide an accurate quote based on the time required to get there.
Absolutely. Yosemite has far more beautiful places than could ever fit on a website. If you have a particular location in mind, or you’ve discovered a spot you’d love to explore, send it my way. I’ll let you know whether ceremonies are permitted there, what the access is like, and how the location may affect the rate.
And I also like to joke, “If you want to send me to the Himalayas, just let me know. I’m absolutely down for an adventure.”
No. Trailhead is intentionally designed to be simple and streamlined. It’s similar in spirit to a courthouse ceremony, except that your “courthouse” happens to be surrounded by the incredible landscapes of Yosemite.
You’ll receive a brief, heartfelt ceremony lasting approximately 3–5 minutes, focused on your vows and “I do.”
If you’d like your love story, personal details, cultural traditions, or unity ceremonies incorporated, the Meadows or Waterfalls Experience may be a better fit.
The primary difference is personalization. With Meadows, I’ll create your ceremony based on your preference for a secular or religious ceremony and use my experience to determine the structure and content.
With Waterfalls, I take the time to get to know you. You’ll complete a questionnaire that gives me insight into your personalities, your relationship, your love story, your values, and the things that matter to you. I’ll use that information to create a ceremony that feels uniquely yours. Waterfalls also allows you to incorporate cultural traditions and unity ceremonies.
Meadows is intentionally not a fully personalized ceremony, but I may incorporate a small amount of basic information about you, such as how long you’ve been together. The distinction is that I am not conducting an in-depth interview or using your personal history to construct the ceremony.
If you want your love story, personalities, values, beliefs, and relationship woven throughout the ceremony, Waterfalls is the appropriate Experience.
In many cases, yes. If you initially choose one Experience and later decide you’d like additional personalization, video, or time, let me know as soon as possible. As long as I’m able to accommodate the change and the additional services are available, we can adjust your Experience accordingly.
This depends on how close we are to your ceremony date and whether work has already been completed for your original Experience. Because personalized ceremonies require preparation and time, and because video sessions require me to reserve additional time on my calendar, changes may be subject to the terms of your agreement.
If you’re considering changing your Experience, simply contact me and we’ll discuss your options.
That’s completely fine. You don’t need to make that decision before contacting me. Tell me what you’re envisioning for your wedding day—where you’d like to get married, how long you’d like the ceremony to be, whether you want personalization, whether you’d like video, and how much time you’d like to spend together. I’ll help you determine which Experience best fits what you’re looking for.
Yes. If none of the Experiences feels like quite the right fit, contact me.
While the five Experiences provide a clear starting point, every couple and every ceremony is different. Depending on what you’re envisioning, I may be able to create a custom arrangement that better suits your needs.
Custom services may be subject to a different pricing structure.
Personalizing Your Ceremony
Yes, within the Experiences that include personalization. Waterfalls, Peaks, and Reflections allow you to incorporate cultural traditions, unity ceremonies, and other meaningful rituals.
Examples include handfasting, ring warming, sand ceremonies, blessing of the hands, wine ceremonies, unity candles, and many others. If there’s a particular tradition you’d like to include, let me know. I’m always happy to discuss how we can incorporate it naturally into your ceremony.
Absolutely. The option to write personal vows is included in all of my Experiences, and I encourage couples to make their vows their own. Your vows don’t need to be lengthy or poetic. Sometimes the simplest words are the most powerful.
If you’re nervous about writing personal vows, I can provide guidance and suggestions to help you find the right words. Please read my article, Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Vows: What is Right For You?
Absolutely. Your ceremony can be secular, spiritual, or Christian/non-denominational Christian, depending on your preferences. If you would like scripture, prayer, references to God, or other religious elements included, simply let me know.
For more information, please read my article, Religious vs. Secular Wedding Ceremonies: Which Is Right for You?
Absolutely. A secular ceremony can still be deeply meaningful, emotional, and personal. It simply focuses on your relationship, your values, your promises, and the life you’re building together rather than incorporating religious elements.
For more information, please read my article, Religious vs. Secular Wedding Ceremonies: Which Is Right for You?
Absolutely. One of the advantages of working with an experienced officiant is that you don’t have to know exactly what you want before you contact me. I’ll help guide you through the process, explain your options, and make recommendations based on what you’ve told me about yourselves and what you’re hoping your ceremony will feel like.
You don’t need to become an expert in wedding ceremonies. That’s my job.
The length depends on the Experience you choose and the elements you include.
Trailhead is approximately 3–5 minutes.
The other Experiences generally produce ceremonies in the neighborhood of 13–17 minutes, although the actual length can vary depending on personalization, readings, personal vows, unity ceremonies, and other elements.
I don’t believe in rushing a ceremony simply to make it fit a stopwatch. Your wedding day is not something you need to hurry through.
Locations, Travel & Guests
Absolutely. Yosemite has far more beautiful places than could ever fit on a website. If you have a particular location in mind, or you’ve discovered a spot you’d love to explore, send it my way. I’ll let you know whether ceremonies are permitted there, what the access is like, and how the location may affect the rate.
And I also like to joke, “If you want to send me to the Himalayas, just let me know. I’m absolutely down for an adventure.”
Yes. If you’re not sure where you want to get married, tell me a little about what you’re looking for—your level of adventure, how much hiking you’re comfortable with, what scenery you love, the time of year, and any other considerations. I’m happy to make recommendations based on my experience in Yosemite.
If you’re also working with a photographer, I strongly recommend including them in the conversation. They know how to use light, landscape, and composition in ways that can make a tremendous difference in your photographs.
The Experience you choose and the number of guests are separate considerations. Yosemite National Park has specific restrictions governing wedding and commitment ceremonies, including limitations that can vary depending on the location and group size.
Before finalizing your plans, make sure your proposed ceremony complies with current National Park Service requirements. If you’re unsure whether your desired location and guest count will work, I’m happy to help you think through the options.
Yes, I will consider larger, more traditional weddings. Because larger weddings generally require additional time and coordination, I may quote a different rate and will want to learn more about your ceremony, guest count, location, timeline, and overall plans before confirming.
If you’re planning a larger wedding, please contact me with the details and we’ll discuss what’s possible.
Absolutely. In fact, I encourage you to hire professional photographers and/or videographers if preserving those memories is important to you. If you’re choosing Reflections and working with a photographer, I’ll coordinate with them when appropriate so that we can work together rather than competing for the same moments.
Yes. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside many photographers, videographers, planners, florists, musicians, and other wedding professionals throughout the Yosemite and Sierra Nevada region.
Good vendors understand that the goal isn’t for each person to work independently. It’s for all of us to work together to create a great experience for you.
Video, Licensing & Practical Details
Peaks includes HD video coverage of your ceremony from multiple angles. I’ll position video cameras on multiple tripods so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own recording equipment, tripods, microphones, or devices.
The footage receives minor editing before being provided to you on a USB thumb drive, generally within two to four weeks following your ceremony. This is intended to preserve the memory of your ceremony, not replace a professional wedding videographer.
If you’re looking to capture more of your Yosemite wedding experience with additional footage before or after the ceremony, Reflections is the better option.
No. Peaks is designed to provide you with a recording of your ceremony from multiple angles so you can relive the moment later. It is not intended to be a professionally produced wedding film with cinematic composition, extensive editing, professional audio production, or dedicated videography throughout your wedding day.
If professional cinematography is important to you, I recommend hiring a professional videographer.
Reflections takes the video component of Peaks and expands it into a dedicated video session. Depending on the option you choose, I’ll spend an additional 2, 3, or 4 hours with you before and/or after your ceremony. This gives us time to capture more than just the ceremony—including planned moments, candid interactions, and the little pieces of your wedding day that happen naturally.
I may also work alongside your photographer, when applicable, and coordinate certain moments that I can’t capture while simultaneously officiating your ceremony. The result is an opportunity to preserve more of the experience, not just the ceremony itself.
No. Reflections is a video experience, not a photography package. If you’re hiring a photographer, I can work alongside them so that we can coordinate certain moments and avoid getting in each other’s way. Your photographer remains responsible for your photography, while I focus on capturing video.
Reflections is currently structured around 2-, 3-, and 4-hour video sessions. If you have something outside those options in mind, you’re welcome to ask. Depending on my availability and the circumstances, I may be able to accommodate a different arrangement.
My package pricing is designed to be straightforward and my starting prices are for locations within Yosemite Valley that do not require significant hiking.
If your ceremony location is outside of Yosemite Valley, your quoted Officiant Fee includes the services described in your selected Experience and will also reflect any significant additional driving or hiking. I’ll always quote those costs with you beforehand so there are no surprises. I will not change my quoted rate unless your location changes or you choose to upgrade your Experience.
No. The cost of obtaining your California marriage license is separate from my officiant fee. However, depending on your selected Experience, when applicable, I will mail it to the appropriate County Clerk’s office.
You can find more information on California marriage licenses in my article, How Do We Get a California Marriage License?
The couple is responsible for obtaining their California marriage license before the ceremony. I’ll be happy to provide general guidance about the process, but the license itself must be obtained through a California County Clerk.
You can learn more information on California marriage licenses in my article, How Do We Get a California Marriage License?
No, my package prices do not include your special use permit. You are required to apply for a special use through the National Park Service. More information can be found in my How Do We Get a Special Use Permit For Our Yosemite Wedding?
For Meadows, Waterfalls, Peaks, and Reflections, I will generally mail your completed marriage license to the appropriate County Clerk after the ceremony, unless you prefer to hand-deliver it yourself.
Trailhead is different: you are responsible for returning your marriage license to the County Clerk’s office.
I use the United States Postal Service and will return the marriage license in the envelope provided by the county clerk’s office.
Yosemite Weddings & Adventure Elopements
“Experience you can trust. Guidance you can relax into.”
Investing in Your Memories
“Every love story deserves its own adventure.”
Picture this…
The sun is just beginning to rise over Yosemite Valley. The granite cliffs glow with the first light of morning, birds begin to sing in the pines, and for a brief moment, the rest of the world seems to disappear. Somewhere in this extraordinary place, the two of you are about to begin your greatest adventure together.
No two couples are the same, and no two wedding days should be either. Whether you’re looking for a simple exchange of vows or a deeply personalized celebration that preserves every unforgettable moment, there’s an experience thoughtfully designed for you.
Your ceremony isn’t simply another item on your wedding checklist. It’s the moment you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. Years from now, you’ll likely forget what flowers were in your bouquet or what song played during dinner. But you’ll remember how you felt standing together beneath Yosemite’s granite cliffs as you promised forever to one another.
My role is to create a ceremony that feels authentic, relaxed, and uniquely yours, so you can be fully present for one of life’s most meaningful moments. To make things simple, I’ve created five ceremony experiences inspired by the natural beauty of Yosemite: Trailhead, Meadows, Waterfalls, Peaks, and Reflections. The names reflect the character and level of each experience, not where your ceremony must take place. You can choose the experience that feels right for you and then choose the Yosemite location that speaks to you.
Every Experience Includes
- Unlimited planning support before your wedding
- Professional ceremony planning and guidance
- Guidance throughout the process
- Marriage license completion
- A relaxed, professional officiant
- Local Yosemite expertise and location recommendations
- Backup planning for weather, road closures, and changing conditions
No matter which experience you choose, my goal is always the same: to help you feel relaxed, present, and completely focused on one another while I take care of the details.
| Package Name: | Best For: | Personalization | Starting Price |
| Trailhead | Simple courthouse style ceremony | None | $450 |
| Meadows | Beautiful legal ceremony | Very minimal | $600 |
| Waterfalls | Personalized ceremony | Fully personalized | $650 |
| Peaks | Personalized ceremony + video | Fully personalized | $1350 |
| Reflections | Peaks + additional video time | Fully personalized | $3500 |
Trailhead | Meadows | Waterfalls | Peaks | Reflections
Contact me using the below form if you have any questions or are ready to book.
Choose Your Experience: Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing Your Experience
No. The names are inspired by the natural beauty and spirit of Yosemite, but they do not indicate where your ceremony must take place.
For example, choosing the Meadows Experience does not mean your ceremony has to take place in a meadow, and choosing the Trailhead Experience does not mean you have to get married at a trailhead. Each Experience describes the level of service and personalization, not the type of location.
Your ceremony can take place at any location where weddings are permitted, subject to the applicable National Park Service restrictions and my travel requirements.
It really comes down to how much involvement and personalization you want from me.
Trailhead is for couples who simply want to be married: quickly, meaningfully, and without the extras.
Meadows is a traditional officiant service with a thoughtfully composed ceremony, but without extensive personalization.
Waterfalls is for couples who want their ceremony to tell their story. I’ll get to know you, learn about your relationship, and create a ceremony specifically for you.
Peaks builds on Waterfalls by adding simple HD video of your ceremony from multiple angles.
Reflections is the most immersive experience, combining the Peaks ceremony and video coverage with additional time dedicated to capturing moments before, during, and after your ceremony.
If you’re still unsure, I’m happy to talk with you about what you’re envisioning and help you determine which Experience makes the most sense.
Generally, yes, although the location can affect the final rate.
My package pricing is based on the amount of time required to provide the service, including driving and hiking time. Locations that require significant additional travel or hiking may have an additional fee.
If you’re considering a location outside the areas covered by the standard package rate, just let me know. I’ll be happy to provide an accurate quote.
My starting price applies to ceremony locations throughout Yosemite Valley that do not require significant additional hiking or travel time. This includes many of Yosemite’s most beautiful and popular locations, such as Tunnel View, Cathedral Beach, Swinging Bridge, Cook’s Meadow, the Curry Village area, The Ahwahnee Hotel and surrounding areas, Lower Yosemite Falls, El Capitan Meadow, and many other locations throughout Yosemite Valley.
Locations that require additional driving and/or significant hiking time are subject to a separate rate. This includes destinations such as Washburn Point, Glacier Point, Taft Point, Sentinel Dome, Columbia Rock, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and other locations outside the Valley or requiring a more substantial hike. The rate will be adjusted based on the additional time and effort required to reach your ceremony location.
Have a specific location in mind? Let me know. I’m happy to discuss it with you and provide an accurate quote based on the time required to get there.
Absolutely. Yosemite has far more beautiful places than could ever fit on a website. If you have a particular location in mind, or you’ve discovered a spot you’d love to explore, send it my way. I’ll let you know whether ceremonies are permitted there, what the access is like, and how the location may affect the rate.
And I also like to joke, “If you want to send me to the Himalayas, just let me know. I’m absolutely down for an adventure.”
No. Trailhead is intentionally designed to be simple and streamlined. It’s similar in spirit to a courthouse ceremony, except that your “courthouse” happens to be surrounded by the incredible landscapes of Yosemite.
You’ll receive a brief, heartfelt ceremony lasting approximately 3–5 minutes, focused on your vows and “I do.”
If you’d like your love story, personal details, cultural traditions, or unity ceremonies incorporated, the Meadows or Waterfalls Experience may be a better fit.
The primary difference is personalization. With Meadows, I’ll create your ceremony based on your preference for a secular or religious ceremony and use my experience to determine the structure and content.
With Waterfalls, I take the time to get to know you. You’ll complete a questionnaire that gives me insight into your personalities, your relationship, your love story, your values, and the things that matter to you. I’ll use that information to create a ceremony that feels uniquely yours. Waterfalls also allows you to incorporate cultural traditions and unity ceremonies.
Meadows is intentionally not a fully personalized ceremony, but I may incorporate a small amount of basic information about you, such as how long you’ve been together. The distinction is that I am not conducting an in-depth interview or using your personal history to construct the ceremony.
If you want your love story, personalities, values, beliefs, and relationship woven throughout the ceremony, Waterfalls is the appropriate Experience.
In many cases, yes. If you initially choose one Experience and later decide you’d like additional personalization, video, or time, let me know as soon as possible. As long as I’m able to accommodate the change and the additional services are available, we can adjust your Experience accordingly.
This depends on how close we are to your ceremony date and whether work has already been completed for your original Experience. Because personalized ceremonies require preparation and time, and because video sessions require me to reserve additional time on my calendar, changes may be subject to the terms of your agreement.
If you’re considering changing your Experience, simply contact me and we’ll discuss your options.
That’s completely fine. You don’t need to make that decision before contacting me. Tell me what you’re envisioning for your wedding day—where you’d like to get married, how long you’d like the ceremony to be, whether you want personalization, whether you’d like video, and how much time you’d like to spend together. I’ll help you determine which Experience best fits what you’re looking for.
Yes. If none of the Experiences feels like quite the right fit, contact me.
While the five Experiences provide a clear starting point, every couple and every ceremony is different. Depending on what you’re envisioning, I may be able to create a custom arrangement that better suits your needs.
Custom services may be subject to a different pricing structure.
Personalizing Your Ceremony
Yes, within the Experiences that include personalization. Waterfalls, Peaks, and Reflections allow you to incorporate cultural traditions, unity ceremonies, and other meaningful rituals.
Examples include handfasting, ring warming, sand ceremonies, blessing of the hands, wine ceremonies, unity candles, and many others. If there’s a particular tradition you’d like to include, let me know. I’m always happy to discuss how we can incorporate it naturally into your ceremony.
Absolutely. The option to write personal vows is included in all of my Experiences, and I encourage couples to make their vows their own. Your vows don’t need to be lengthy or poetic. Sometimes the simplest words are the most powerful.
If you’re nervous about writing personal vows, I can provide guidance and suggestions to help you find the right words. Please read my article, Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Vows: What is Right For You?
Absolutely. Your ceremony can be secular, spiritual, or Christian/non-denominational Christian, depending on your preferences. If you would like scripture, prayer, references to God, or other religious elements included, simply let me know.
For more information, please read my article, Religious vs. Secular Wedding Ceremonies: Which Is Right for You?
Absolutely. A secular ceremony can still be deeply meaningful, emotional, and personal. It simply focuses on your relationship, your values, your promises, and the life you’re building together rather than incorporating religious elements.
For more information, please read my article, Religious vs. Secular Wedding Ceremonies: Which Is Right for You?
Absolutely. One of the advantages of working with an experienced officiant is that you don’t have to know exactly what you want before you contact me. I’ll help guide you through the process, explain your options, and make recommendations based on what you’ve told me about yourselves and what you’re hoping your ceremony will feel like.
You don’t need to become an expert in wedding ceremonies. That’s my job.
The length depends on the Experience you choose and the elements you include.
Trailhead is approximately 3–5 minutes.
The other Experiences generally produce ceremonies in the neighborhood of 13–17 minutes, although the actual length can vary depending on personalization, readings, personal vows, unity ceremonies, and other elements.
I don’t believe in rushing a ceremony simply to make it fit a stopwatch. Your wedding day is not something you need to hurry through.
Locations, Travel & Guests
Absolutely. Yosemite has far more beautiful places than could ever fit on a website. If you have a particular location in mind, or you’ve discovered a spot you’d love to explore, send it my way. I’ll let you know whether ceremonies are permitted there, what the access is like, and how the location may affect the rate.
And I also like to joke, “If you want to send me to the Himalayas, just let me know. I’m absolutely down for an adventure.”
Yes. If you’re not sure where you want to get married, tell me a little about what you’re looking for—your level of adventure, how much hiking you’re comfortable with, what scenery you love, the time of year, and any other considerations. I’m happy to make recommendations based on my experience in Yosemite.
If you’re also working with a photographer, I strongly recommend including them in the conversation. They know how to use light, landscape, and composition in ways that can make a tremendous difference in your photographs.
The Experience you choose and the number of guests are separate considerations. Yosemite National Park has specific restrictions governing wedding and commitment ceremonies, including limitations that can vary depending on the location and group size.
Before finalizing your plans, make sure your proposed ceremony complies with current National Park Service requirements. If you’re unsure whether your desired location and guest count will work, I’m happy to help you think through the options.
Yes, I will consider larger, more traditional weddings. Because larger weddings generally require additional time and coordination, I may quote a different rate and will want to learn more about your ceremony, guest count, location, timeline, and overall plans before confirming.
If you’re planning a larger wedding, please contact me with the details and we’ll discuss what’s possible.
Absolutely. In fact, I encourage you to hire professional photographers and/or videographers if preserving those memories is important to you. If you’re choosing Reflections and working with a photographer, I’ll coordinate with them when appropriate so that we can work together rather than competing for the same moments.
Yes. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside many photographers, videographers, planners, florists, musicians, and other wedding professionals throughout the Yosemite and Sierra Nevada region.
Good vendors understand that the goal isn’t for each person to work independently. It’s for all of us to work together to create a great experience for you.
Video, Licensing & Practical Details
Peaks includes HD video coverage of your ceremony from multiple angles. I’ll position video cameras on multiple tripods so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own recording equipment, tripods, microphones, or devices.
The footage receives minor editing before being provided to you on a USB thumb drive, generally within two to four weeks following your ceremony. This is intended to preserve the memory of your ceremony, not replace a professional wedding videographer.
If you’re looking to capture more of your Yosemite wedding experience with additional footage before or after the ceremony, Reflections is the better option.
No. Peaks is designed to provide you with a recording of your ceremony from multiple angles so you can relive the moment later. It is not intended to be a professionally produced wedding film with cinematic composition, extensive editing, professional audio production, or dedicated videography throughout your wedding day.
If professional cinematography is important to you, I recommend hiring a professional videographer.
Reflections takes the video component of Peaks and expands it into a dedicated video session. Depending on the option you choose, I’ll spend an additional 2, 3, or 4 hours with you before and/or after your ceremony. This gives us time to capture more than just the ceremony—including planned moments, candid interactions, and the little pieces of your wedding day that happen naturally.
I may also work alongside your photographer, when applicable, and coordinate certain moments that I can’t capture while simultaneously officiating your ceremony. The result is an opportunity to preserve more of the experience, not just the ceremony itself.
No. Reflections is a video experience, not a photography package. If you’re hiring a photographer, I can work alongside them so that we can coordinate certain moments and avoid getting in each other’s way. Your photographer remains responsible for your photography, while I focus on capturing video.
Reflections is currently structured around 2-, 3-, and 4-hour video sessions. If you have something outside those options in mind, you’re welcome to ask. Depending on my availability and the circumstances, I may be able to accommodate a different arrangement.
My package pricing is designed to be straightforward and my starting prices are for locations within Yosemite Valley that do not require significant hiking.
If your ceremony location is outside of Yosemite Valley, your quoted Officiant Fee includes the services described in your selected Experience and will also reflect any significant additional driving or hiking. I’ll always quote those costs with you beforehand so there are no surprises. I will not change my quoted rate unless your location changes or you choose to upgrade your Experience.
No. The cost of obtaining your California marriage license is separate from my officiant fee. However, depending on your selected Experience, when applicable, I will mail it to the appropriate County Clerk’s office.
You can find more information on California marriage licenses in my article, How Do We Get a California Marriage License?
The couple is responsible for obtaining their California marriage license before the ceremony. I’ll be happy to provide general guidance about the process, but the license itself must be obtained through a California County Clerk.
You can learn more information on California marriage licenses in my article, How Do We Get a California Marriage License?
No, my package prices do not include your special use permit. You are required to apply for a special use through the National Park Service. More information can be found in my How Do We Get a Special Use Permit For Our Yosemite Wedding?
For Meadows, Waterfalls, Peaks, and Reflections, I will generally mail your completed marriage license to the appropriate County Clerk after the ceremony, unless you prefer to hand-deliver it yourself.
Trailhead is different: you are responsible for returning your marriage license to the County Clerk’s office.
I use the United States Postal Service and will return the marriage license in the envelope provided by the county clerk’s office.
