Picture this: A breathtaking backdrop of pine and oak trees, a stream glistening in the sunlight, and the love of your life by your side. Planning a wedding in Yosemite isn’t just about exchanging vows; it’s about creating a moment that’s as timeless as the scenery that surrounds you. Yosemite offers a wedding experience like no other, where nature’s grandeur meets your love story.
In this article, we’ll guide you on how to plan a wedding in Yosemite, ensuring that your special day is as awe-inspiring as the iconic park itself.
Choose the Perfect Yosemite Wedding Location
For weddings inside Yosemite National Park, a special use permit is required. A number of restrictions must also be observed for in-park weddings, such as group size restrictions, designated ceremony spots, and time restrictions.
There are also Yosemite wedding venues just outside the park that feature the natural wonder and beauty of an in-park setting.
At the doorstep of Yosemite National Park lies the perfect destination for your Yosemite wedding: Rush Creek Lodge. Rush Creek provides a gorgeous wedding venue that blends stunning natural beauty with modern, perfectly-tailored touches by the expert event team to make your wedding day exactly what you dreamed of.
With over a decade of experience hosting unforgettable Yosemite weddings, Evergreen Lodge presents couples with a serene outdoor wedding venue among majestic pine and oak trees, lined by a stream on one side. The Evergreen’s dedicated event team will work with you to ensure you get the magical 3-day wedding experience you deserve!
Consider the Time of Year for Your Yosemite Wedding
Winter weddings in Yosemite are magical! Temperatures typically range from the mid-40s to the low 20s (Fahrenheit) in Yosemite in the winter, so couples looking to get married in Yosemite during the winter should keep that chill in mind – and plan for a s’mores night by the fire after the reception.
Yosemite is a beautiful setting for a fall wedding, with temperatures in the mid 80s dipping to the high 50s by the end of the season. Fall is one of the most popular times to visit Yosemite National Park, with the famous changing leaves adding an extra element of beauty to the already stunning scenery.
Spring weddings in Yosemite offer mild temperatures and the return of blooming wildflowers, peppering the landscape with pops of bright color. Temperatures typically range from the high 50s to mid-70s by the end of the season, giving you and your wedding party the opportunity to enjoy everything Yosemite has to offer – including hikes to nearby waterfalls, rushing at their peak capacity thanks to melting snow.
A summer wedding in Yosemite boasts warm temperatures and fewer rain days to contend with, making summer one of the most popular times to get married in Yosemite. Summer temperatures in Yosemite range from the 90s in the valleys to the 70s in the mountains, dipping into the 50s after sunset.
Choose the Right Vendors
Evergreen Lodge and Rush Creek Lodge provide couples with a list of trusted local vendors to bring their wedding dreams to life. In addition to the team of event experts dedicated to every wedding at these stunning locations in Yosemite, you can rely on local creatives and professionals to handle everything from the wedding cake and florals to photography and entertainment.
Wedding catering is provided by Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge, with the exception of the wedding cake. Couples tying the knot at Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge love Tangled Hearts Bakery and Mix Bakery for their wedding cakes, and many couples choose to add other fun desserts to their reception, like delicious homemade pies by Heavenly Pies from the Heart.
With a wedding destination as popular as Yosemite, there is no shortage of phenomenal photographers and videographers nearby ready to capture your big day. Choose from world-renowned photographers like Charleton Churchill, Millay and Young, and Arch & Co.
You can browse the full list of rental opportunities and local wedding vendors for Evergreen Lodge, and local wedding vendors for Rush Creek Lodge.
Pick the Right Yosemite Hotels
When planning a Yosemite wedding, choosing the right place to stay matters. Minimize stress for you and your guests when you stay at Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge. Rush Creek Lodge is located minutes from the Big Oak Flat Entrance to Yosemite National Park, and Evergreen Lodge sits just outside the Hetch Hetchy Entrance. Both hotels are near Yosemite’s west entrance.
Both hotels offer convenient guest accommodations and bridal suites. Whether a small elopement or a gathering of up to 200 loved ones, Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge provide rooms, suites, and even fun camping options, depending on the season and availability.
See more details about accommodations at top Yosemite hotels.
Stick with a Budget
Wedding packages at Rush Creek Lodge include a host of services, facilities, and equipment for weddings of up to 200 guests. Starting at the planning process, when you’ll spend time working through the details of your wedding weekend with a dedicated day-of coordinator, and all the way through to a farewell brunch on the last day of your weekend, Rush Creek Lodge is your one-stop destination for a stunning Yosemite wedding that won’t break the bank.
You’ll be granted exclusive use of the event facilities, keeping your special moments private. Tables and chairs, linens, catering, and even setup and breakdown of your ceremony and reception are included.
Nearby at Evergreen Lodge, where couples have been making the big leap for over a decade, you can expect top-notch service with unimaginably beautiful ceremony and reception spaces. Create a weekend-long itinerary with the lodge’s event planners for 75-200 guests, celebrate with an intimate ceremony of 50-70 guests – you can even apply to get married inside Yosemite National Park, and return to Evergreen for your reception – or take the pressure off planning and choose a Yosemite elopement package.
As you plan your Yosemite wedding, let your choice of venue take care of the other items on your list!
Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge offer unparalleled beauty and event planning services, in addition to impeccable guest accommodations and budget-friendly inclusive packages. With trusted local vendors and Yosemite’s breathtaking natural beauty as the backdrop, your Yosemite wedding at Rush Creek Lodge or Evergreen Lodge is sure to be the enchanting experience of a lifetime.
