Your wedding day (or days) can look however you want them to! There are no rules saying you have to choose between an intimate elopement or a full wedding celebration. You can have both! You can celebrate over multiple days, in multiple locations, and turn every part of your love story into an adventure. Vlad and Darlene embraced this fully, creating a three day Yosemite elopement and wedding experience that was intentional, meaningful, and completely their own.

We originally met Vlad and Darlene a few months before their wedding in Big Sur for their engagement photoshoot, because if you’re going to lean into adventure, why not add another epic location? From the very beginning, they knew they wanted every part of their engagement and wedding to feel like a new experience, a new memory, and something to truly savor together.

That mindset carried beautifully into their three day celebration in Yosemite National Park, a place that already held so much meaning for them.

Day One: Glacier Point and Taft Point in Yosemite National Park

Our Yosemite adventure began at Glacier Point under bright blue skies. We ran around the road, soaking in the views and stopping whenever something caught our eye, which was often because Yosemite is unreal. The energy was relaxed, joyful, and full of excitement for what was to come.

From there, we hiked out to Taft Point just in time for sunset. The sky glowed the most incredible shade of pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. With the valley stretching endlessly behind them, Vlad and Darlene exchanged vows in one of the most breathtaking settings imaginable. It was quiet, emotional, and completely them.

After hiking back, we returned to Glacier Point once more, this time under an incredibly massive full moon. The light was surreal and felt like the perfect, peaceful ending to such a powerful first day.

Day Two: Sunrise Coffee and Yosemite Valley Exploring

Day two started bright and early before the sun came up. We met at Tunnel View where Vlad and Darlene brought out their camp coffee kit and made steaming cups of coffee while watching the sun rise over the valley. It was calm, cozy, and intimate.

Once the sun was fully up, we spent the morning exploring the valley under bright, sunny skies. Yosemite is a place Vlad and Darlene truly love and visit often to camp, so getting to explore a place that already felt like home on their wedding days made it even more special.

Around midday, we headed to their all time favorite pizza spot whenever they visit Yosemite, the Deck at Curry Village. We grabbed a few big pizzas and were joined by a few of their friends who were arriving for the wedding the next day. It turned into a fun pizza picnic in the valley complete with champagne, laughter, and so much joy.

Day Three Details and Getting Ready

Day three was the big celebration. Vlad and Darlene hosted their wedding at AutoCamp Yosemite, where about fifty of their closest friends and family stayed in adorable Airstreams and luxury tents. The entire space felt intentional, warm, and full of love.

They both got ready in their cozy accommodations, soaking in the excitement of the day before sharing a sweet and emotional first look. It was a calm and meaningful start to such a special day.

Day Three The Forest Ceremony

From there, we all headed into the forest for their beautiful ceremony surrounded by towering trees and soft, filtered light. The setting felt intimate and timeless, like the world had slowed down just for them. With their closest friends and family gathered around, the forest became the most meaningful and natural backdrop for such an important moment.

As Vlad and Darlene exchanged vows, there were quiet tears, bursts of laughter, and so many moments where you could feel the love radiating through the crowd. Their ceremony was deeply personal and full of emotion, a true reflection of who they are and the life they are building together. Every word felt intentional, and every reaction from their loved ones made the moment even more special.

Day Three The Reception and Party

Then came the reception, and it was absolutely unforgettable! The space was filled with music, laughter, and the electric energy of everyone gathered to celebrate Vlad and Darlene. Friends and family mingled, shared stories, and toasted to the newlyweds, and WOW was it fun!

The dancing was nonstop, from the first upbeat song to late into the night, with everyone letting loose and celebrating the couple’s joy. Drinks flowed, shots were taken, pizza was served, glasses clinked, even a s’mores station popped up! The atmosphere was so alive! There were heartfelt toasts, spontaneous singalongs, and even a few surprise dance moves that had everyone cheering.

A Wedding That Broke the Rules in the Best Way

Vlad and Darlene are the perfect example that your wedding can look however you want it to! There are no rules about what a wedding “should” be, and their celebration proves that the best days are the ones that feel authentic to you as a couple. Want to have an intimate elopement AND a larger wedding with friends and family? Do it! Want to spread your celebration over multiple days in locations that hold special meaning to you? Absolutely! The only limit is your imagination, and the only requirement is that it reflects your love story.

Your wedding day—or days—should be a reflection of who you are together, what you love, and the memories you want to create. It should feel personal, joyful, and entirely yours. Vlad and Darlene dreamed big, embraced adventure, and designed an experience that blended intimacy, celebration, and so much heart. From starting their engagement with a Big Sur full-day engagement photoshoot/adventure. To starting their 3-day wedding with running all running along Glacier Point and watching the sunset at Taft Point and saying private vows, to sipping coffee at Tunnel View and eating pizza in the valley, to dancing the night away at AutoCamp Yosemite, every moment was intentional and full of meaning.

I love helping my clients dream without limits, push past tradition, and create experiences that feel completely unique. Weddings don’t have to fit into a box—they can be as unconventional, magical, and adventurous as you want them to be. Vlad and Darlene’s elopement and wedding is a perfect reminder that when you design your celebration around your love, you end up with something truly unforgettable—an experience that not only celebrates your marriage but also tells your story in the most beautiful way.

Ready to Plan Your Own Yosemite Wedding or Elopement?

Want to plan your own Yosemite wedding or elopement—or even both—but don’t know where to start? Reach out here, and I’d be so happy to help! I love guiding couples through every step of the planning process, helping turn your vision into a celebration that’s uniquely yours.

If you’re still in the idea phase and want some inspiration, I’ve written several blogs that can help with all things Yosemite:

Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet elopement, a multi-day adventure, or a full wedding with friends and family, Yosemite is a place that makes every celebration feel magical, and I’d love to help you bring yours to life!

Three Day Yosemite Elopement and Wedding Adventure