Sunrise Yosemite Elopement with Cliffside Views and Private Vows
Mary (she/her) and Sam’s (she/her) Yosemite elopement was all about doing things their way. Instead of navigating guest lists and timelines, they focused on what mattered most: celebrating their love surrounded by family and wonderful scenery. Picture granite cliffs rising out of the valley, pine trees stretching into the horizon, and that soft golden light Yosemite is known for. They shared private vows, laughed with family, and soaked up the quiet moments, all captured beautifully by Vows And Peaks. It was simple, intentional, and every bit as breathtaking as the park itself.
Why did you choose to elope?
Wedding planning stressed us out. We never pictured ourselves doing the big traditional wedding thing, so eloping felt like a natural fit. After returning from that Yosemite proposal trip, Mary had a client who mentioned booking a wedding there, and we looked at each other like yep, that’s it. That night we booked it.
Walk us through your elopement day.
Mary: My brother joined us for some early morning photos, which meant a lot because he’s one of my favorite people. We stayed with my family the night before, cooked dinner, drank, danced and told stories which was the perfect vibe leading into the day.
Sam: I was so happy my oldest sister and her kids could make it at the last minute. She gave a toast that meant the world to me. The weather was supposed to be rainy, but as soon as we left for morning photos, the sun came out and stayed out. After the ceremony, we celebrated with a sweet treat from Upper Crust, keeping the day relaxed and intimate.
What was it like telling your family?
Mary: My family was excited and supportive from the start. They know we do things our own way, so an elopement didn’t surprise them. My mom’s biggest worry was whether she would be cold, which is kind of her trademark move, so we just packed extra layers and called it good.
How did you pick your outfits?
We brought family and friends with us to our favorite boutiques and actually found dresses really quickly. It was a fun, easy process which was nice, because we were not in the mood for any wedding shopping stress. On the day itself, Wild Brides Backcountry took care of both hair and makeup, keeping us looking polished while still feeling like ourselves.
Did you write your own vows?
Sam: We didn’t. I’m neurodiverse and get a lot of anxiety around public speaking, so we decided to share private vows instead. It was intimate and way less overwhelming for me.
Who were the key vendors?
Mary: Our photographer Vows And Peaks was actually recommended by one of my clients. Their website had a quote from The Office which was enough for me to know we’d get along. They spent the whole day traveling with us through Yosemite and knew the park like the back of their hand, which took so much stress out of the day. Having Wild Brides Backcountry for hair and makeup was such a bonus too, making the whole process seamless and fun.
What advice would you give to other couples considering eloping?
Be true to who you are and make choices that feel like you. We never once regretted eloping. Having our closest family there while keeping it intimate was perfect. People often say their wedding day is a blur, but we remember everything because we weren’t running around stressed.
Photography by Vows And Peaks
Cake Maker Upper Crust
Dress Boutique Always Elegant & Grace Loves Lace
Dress Designer Grace Loves Lace & Stella York
Hair & Makeup Wild Brides Backcountry
Rings Kirk’s Jewelry
