Yosemite National Park Wedding

Jenna and Stephen got married during the fall in California. During this time the wild fires created smog all over the state of California. The smoke from California fire hid some of the details from the mountains, giving you just enough wanderlust vibes while keeping the couple in front, crystal clear and in focus! –– a truly special condition for a unique elopement!

I came to Glacier Point & Taft Point a day in advance to scout out the best spot for them. Jenna planned on waking down the “aisle” but things were running late. So the boss lady said “I want to do the first look now and then take pictures before the ceremony since I don’t want to waste the golden hour light!” so I literally coordinated the first look on the spot!! Haha Luckily, I knew that this might happen and already positioned Stephen to look away from Jenna from the start. So the first look went very smooth, a super emotional and sweet moment for them.

After many hugs and a few tears, we knocked down a few Insta Banger pictures before the ceremony because that’s what Jenna wanted and she can do whatever she wants on her wedding day haha

Golden hour is precious, so I picked a ceremony location that could easily be accessed and close to a photogenic spot for quick photos. And it paid off!

We then started the ceremony. A very emotional ceremony I must say!

It was wonderful to see their family members be 100% supportive of Jenna and Stephen as they chose to get married in a place far from home. Stephen’s mom injured her foot a two days before the ceremony and she managed to hike with us the day before and attend this special ceremony! She deserves a mom of the year award for sure!

In the middle of this circle of friends, the officiant declared their marriage and everyone blessed the cheers! The super-casual setting felt very intimate –– They decided to save their vow exchange for later that day. They wanted to keep their vow exchange as intimate as possible! Jenna and Stephen, and their family went the extra mile to curate super personal and intentional details into their elopement day. Their family carried the cake all the way from NC to CA! The cake almost didn’t make it through TSA haha

This was a great example of how elopements with family should be –– intentional, authentic, and all about the couple getting married. Jenna and Stephen have an amazing family support system, which was a beautiful thing to witness!

After the ceremony, we explored more of Glacier Point and took family portraits. One thing about family portraits — small guest lists combined with flexible timeline create amazing and fun family portraits!

After that we had breakfast! –– everyone just hung out in the mountains, picnicking amongst the rocks, laughing, and spending time together! Ohh and the cake! The cake was so beautiful, I’m surprised it survived that far! They also popped champagne to celebrate their marriage! And I definitely got wet from that haha

Everything about this elopement ceremony embodied what a wedding should be –– everyone was there to fully support Jenna and Stephen, and this family-oriented elopement was full of love all around!

I met back up with Jenna and Stephen at 6pm to hike to Taft Point for more photos and the vow exchange. I love when elopements do the family ceremony first –– now, there’s nothing to worry about or plan, and the couple can be fully present and enjoy their “just married” life!

The lookout at Taft Point is the perfect place to sit and watch the sun go down –– the sky turning orange, then red. Again with the California fires going on, the smoke created a unique atmosphere. It felt like we were dreaming. Jenna and Stephen pulled out their vows to read to each other –– It was an emotional one to say the least!

But one thing is missing, they never got their First Dance! Well, that’s not going to happen on my watch! So I started playing music from my portable speaker and just let them do their thing.

Helping couples create beautiful moments like this is very important to me. Not only do you get better photos but the experience is going to take it home. It just brings me so much joy to see couples let loose and authentically express their love for one another.

This day was such a great day, and I was honored to capture such an epic and beautiful elopement –– we got to visit one of the most beautiful places to elope in California or the US even! But most importantly, Jenna and Stephen treated me like family, and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity and friendship they have given me. This will always be remembered as one of my favorite elopements ever!