summertime adventure elopement | yosemite national park

Before I was born, my parents got married in the Yosemite Valley in the spring of 1998.

28 years later, I found myself in the same park to photograph B + D's nuptials on a warm summer's day in June.

It was surreal to be standing in the place where my parents' marriage began, capturing the same chapter turn for another couple. Talk about full circle moment.

B + D's elopement began with a private ceremony in front of Half Dome. We all parked at Glacier Point, where I helped B shimmy into her lace gown and pin her veil while D was hidden by Shana (the videographer) in the woods for their first look. After their exchange of vows, rings & kisses, they celebrated with a small & personal wedding cake right on the steps of the Glacier amphitheater, no knife needed.

Eventually, we hiked through Yosemite on the Taft Point trail, stopping along the way for photo-ops & chatting about their love story. The weather was perfect; fluffy clouds, a warm, golden sky, and just enough wind to carry the dress without sweeping B off her feet. The remainder of our time was spent admiring the panoramic views of the Valley at sunset, listening to a group of hikers who brought wooden flutes, which lowkey made it a spiritual experience.

Oh, and there were bears. We didn't see the bears, but the hikers in front of us did.