When Connie and Max first reached out to me, they had already planned a big celebration with all of their friends and family just a few weeks later. But they also knew they wanted something else—something quieter, more personal, and just for the two of them.

So, a few weeks before their large wedding, they drove up to have a private Yosemite adventure elopement. It was a day full of beauty, intention, and peace. Just them, their love, and the mountains around them.

And if you’re wondering—can I really do both?—the answer is a big, joyful yes.

Eloping doesn’t have to mean instead of a big wedding. It can be the perfect “just us” moment to complement the celebration to come. Whether you want a private day for vows, an adventurous photo session in a place you love, or a moment to slow down and connect before the big party, you don’t have to choose one or the other. You can absolutely have both.

A Sunrise First Look at Cathedral Beach 🌲

We started the day before sunrise, while Yosemite was still quiet and still. Connie and Max shared a first look at Cathedral Beach, surrounded by mirrored reflections on the water and the towering cliffs of El Capitan in the background. The soft, golden light and peaceful morning air made it feel like the entire valley had paused just for them.

They ran along the sand, laughing, soaking in the calm before the day began. The beauty of Yosemite in the early hours is like no other—no crowds, no distractions—just connection, stillness, and that breathtaking Sierra Nevada magic.

Planning a sunrise first look in Yosemite? You’ll want to stay nearby for an early start. Here’s a list of romantic Yosemite cabins with perfect light for getting ready photos to help you plan the morning.

Exploring Yosemite Valley 🌿

From there, we spent the morning exploring Yosemite Valley, visiting all their favorite spots: the iconic Yosemite Chapel, quiet wooden bridges, and the base of a roaring waterfall. It was relaxed and fun, full of movement, laughs, and small, quiet moments between them as the sun began to rise over the valley.

We eventually made our way up to Tunnel View, just as sunlight poured into the park below. It felt like the perfect way to take in all of Yosemite’s grandeur—from wild meadows to granite cliffs—before heading off for a midday break to rest and recharge.

A Golden Sunset at Taft Point 🌄

After some downtime (and a little lunch + rest), we met up again in the evening and headed to Glacier Point to explore some more before our sunset hike. Then we made our way out to Taft Point, one of the most iconic and breathtaking places in the park.

As the sun dipped behind the horizon and lit up the sky in hues of gold and rose, Connie and Max found a quiet little corner of the cliffs and shared their private vows, just the two of them. It was heartfelt, quiet, emotional—everything they hoped it would be.

Want to hike to epic Yosemite spots like Taft Point and Glacier Point? My Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Yosemite National Park has everything you need to plan the perfect day.

Starry Skies + The Milky Way 🌌

But the day wasn’t done yet.

One of the most important parts of the experience for them? Star photos. We had timed their trip for a new moon, when the skies would be the darkest and the stars the brightest. And Yosemite absolutely delivered.

Even late into the night, the park was warm and peaceful. The Milky Way stretched across the sky as we explored under the stars—snapping photos, soaking it all in, and creating magic with the glowing night sky above us.

Two Outfits, One Beautiful Story 👗✨

Something I loved about Connie and Max’s day was how intentional it was from start to finish. Connie wanted to honor both her heritage and her personal style by wearing two different outfits: her traditional outfit and a classic white wedding dress.

So, we built that right into the timeline.

Throughout the day, we planned natural breaks for outfit changes—starting with her traditional look for sunrise portraits and private vows, then switching into her white dress for their Yosemite Valley adventures and for her vows at Taft Point. The changes felt seamless and allowed us to capture two different sides of their story, both equally beautiful and meaningful.

Whether you want to change outfits, include cultural traditions, or even split your elopement over multiple days, I'm here to help design a flow that fits you and what matters most to your relationship.

Because this isn’t just about photos—it’s about telling the full story of your day.

Creating a Day That’s Yours

I truly believe there’s no “right” way to get married. Whether you’re planning a big celebration, an intimate elopement, or a mix of both—this is your day. It should look and feel exactly the way you want it to.

And I’m here to help make that happen.

From building your timeline to helping you pick the best locations, choosing the right time of year, securing permits, or planning around sunrise, sunset, and even the stars—I’m with you every step of the way. Whether it’s just the two of you, or you bring a handful of guests, I’ll help you build the day that feels most true to you.

Want to Bring Guests and Celebrate Your Full Wedding in Yosemite?

Eloping doesn’t have to mean it’s just the two of you. If you’re dreaming of a Yosemite celebration surrounded by your closest friends and family, that’s absolutely possible—and incredibly special.

There are amazing venues inside and around Yosemite that are perfect for intimate weddings. Whether you want a cozy cabin reception, a forest ceremony with a handful of guests, or a larger outdoor celebration with epic views, we can build a day (or even a weekend!) that includes your loved ones and leaves space for private moments just between you two.

From national park lodges to charming Airbnbs and meadow ceremony spots, I can help you find the ideal setup for your guest count, style, and vision. You can even combine a private sunrise vow exchange with a later group celebration—you don’t have to choose one or the other.

If you want help with location ideas, permits, or how to split your day between adventure and togetherness—I’ve got you! Let’s make it unforgettable.

Instant Memories You Can Hold Onto 💌

One of my favorite things to gift every couple I work with? A little something tangible to take home right away.

All of my wedding and elopement couples receive a beautiful collection of Polaroid photos—captured throughout your day and handed to you that same night. It’s such a special way to wind down after your celebration, flipping through those instant memories with your partner and soaking it all in while the day is still fresh in your heart.

While your full gallery is carefully edited and delivered within 6 weeks, I also send over sneak peeks within 48 hours, so you can start sharing, reliving, and celebrating your day with friends and family almost immediately.

Because some moments are too good to wait for.

Want to See More from Connie & Max’s Day?

You can view their full gallery here:
👉 Connie & Max’s Yosemite Adventure Elopement

Planning Your Own Yosemite Elopement?

To help you start dreaming up your perfect Yosemite experience, don’t miss these guides:

When you’re ready to start planning, reach out here and let’s build something unforgettable—together.

A Note From the Bride 💛

After such an unforgettable experience, Connie shared these kind words that truly capture the spirit of their day:

“Wow! What a wonderful adventure with Julia. My partner and I enjoy being outdoors and hike a good amount, but this was a new, fun, and special experience. Julia was able to give us such a sweet and romantic elopement day. The pictures came out beautifully, but the experience is what I will remember and cherish the most. We had lots of laughs and a good amount of adrenaline :p
My partner is not super into these types of festivities, but even he enjoyed this experience. People at Yosemite were very kind and hyping us up, the views were spectacular, we got a great hike in; the whole experience was healthy and wholesome, which was a great vibe to have for our special day and to start our marriage off with.
Thank you Julia for planning the day and leading us. We appreciate your hard work all day (and night!) with artistic angles and lighting, great direction so we felt comfortable, keeping us on time, and crowd control while my husband and I just got to skip around happily and enjoy each other's company without a worry. I could tell you listened to us about what we wanted, which I really appreciated!
Julia also gave us access to our photos ASAP, so we could enjoy them right away. You could not pry those polaroids out of my hands for the first day lol. Our families and friends also enjoyed the sneak peek, we got lots of wow's and some great laughs. Great times! Thank you Julia!!!”