Yosemite Elopement Photographer – Jeff and Christine

Christine and Jeff's wedding in Yosemite. Photos by Yosemite Elopement photographer, Liz Koston

Yosemite Elopement Photographer for Christine and Jeff’s 

Christine and Jeff’s elopement—my last elopement of the season—was hands down one of the best days I’ve had as a Yosemite elopement photographer! Not only was this my last trip to Yosemite for the season, but because the roads are closing for repairs for two years, this chance to celebrate one last “I do” in my favorite national park was a gift! And what a day it was. The weather was perfect. The skies were clear. The temperature was moderate…which is amazing, considering it was the end of November. In short, everything about their day was a dream come true! 

Planning a November Elopement in Yosemite

Magic was certainly at work in Yosemite on Christine and Jeff’s elopement day. Not only was the weather cooperating in the most remarkable way, but all of the roads were also open! For those of you who are not familiar with Yosemite, certain roads close seasonally due to snow and ice. The roads to Glacier and Taft Point tend to be closed from October to May.  So, when Christine and Jeff told me they wanted to plan a Glacier Point elopement in November, we worked together to come up with a few alternative ceremony sites.  In case Glacier Point wasn’t accessible for their elopement. One of them being Yosemite Falls, a location more likely to be open at that time of year. But remarkably, when their elopement day dawned, all the roads were open, and we were able to go with their first choice! And as luck would have it, the falls were overflowing because of all the recent storms, too!

A Dream Yosemite Elopement Day

As the morning sun smiled down on the morning of their wedding, I arrived at their cabin in Yosemite West.  Where Jeff and Christine were staying with their parents.  Everyone was in great spirits and so excited for the day.  Jeff and Christine were both relaxed and enjoying their time.  We photographed their getting ready and first look photos, before heading off to Tunnel View for a few quick photos on our way to the breathtaking Glacier Point. 

Jeff and Christine told me early on in the planning process that they didn’t want to do a ceremony where everyone was looking at them. They were looking for something a little more private. So, when we saw the crowds around the amphitheater, we decided to do a bit of hiking. We eventually got to the perfect spot—a tiny overlook with a stunning view for their wedding backdrop!  They were able to get the privacy that they wanted as well as the view of Half Dome as their backdrop.  As soon as they saw it, they knew it was the perfect ceremony site.  There wasn’t a single soul in sight!

Their ceremony was beautifully written by Cindie Wildling, an amazing officiant!  It was sweet and brought so many tears to Christine and Jeff.  I especially loved capturing Jeff wiping the tears from Christine’

We ended our night together with a hike around Sentinel Loop, which offers great views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Sentinel Rock. And what would a Yosemite elopement be without a jaw-dropping sunset? We found the perfect spot to watch the sun dip below the mountains and enjoyed every last bit of the alpine glow before night fell. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. 

Reflecting on A Yosemite Elopement To Remember 

As I look back on their day, I love that Jeff and Christine’s elopement really captured everything that was most important to them. They found a way to include their families while also having a private, intimate ceremony in nature. I think a common misconception about elopements is that they’re spur of the moment.  Their wedding day was deeply intentional and never felt rushed in the slightest. 

I had such a blast getting to know Christine and Jeff throughout this process, helping them find the perfect location, and bringing their elopement day vision to life. Guiding couples through this potentially very stressful experience and bringing them a sense of peace throughout is honestly the best part of what I do. Jeff and Christine’s elopement just embodied everything I love most about my work! I couldn’t have asked for a better way to wrap up the year.

Looking for a Yosemite Elopement Photographer and someone who would guide you through the planning process?  Contact me here!

 

Yosemite's granite mountains reflected in a still lake in Yosemite National Park. Wedding dress hangs from wood a deck as seen from the bottom of the stairs. Suit jacket with flower hangs in wood cabin entry way. three gorgeous wedding rings in a row by Yosemite elopement photographer Liz Koston Bouquet of white, yellow, and sage flowers lean up against a Yosemite cabin wall. Mother and Father of the bride talk while the bride gets ready for her Yosemite elopement. Bride getting her makeup done while laughing with her father in her Yosemite cabin.Father of the groom helps his son tie his tie on the deck of their Yosemite cabin Father and son help each other with the final touches on their suits for a Yosemite elopement. Father helps his son get into his suit jacket before his Yosemite National Park elopement. Mother of the bride helps her daughter button the back of her wedding dress before her Yosemite elopement. Mother of the bride helps her daughter, the bride, finish buttoning up the back of her wedding dress on the deck of their Yosemite cabin. Mother of the Bride buttons the sleeve of her daughter's wedding dress as they get ready for her Yosemite National Park elopement. Mother of the Bride buttons the sleeve of her daughter's wedding dress as they get ready for her Yosemite National Park elopement. Mother of the Bride smiles widely as she fluffs her daughter's bridal veil as they get ready for her Yosemite elopement. Groom nervously awaits his fiance to see her for the first look before they elope in Yosemite National Park. Bride taps the groom on the shoulder just for the first look before their Yosemite elopement. Bride and groom smile widely and hold their arms out to each other during their first look on the deck of their Yosemite cabin before they elope in Yosemite National Park. Bride and groom talk excitedly during their first look before going into Yosemite National Park to elope!Mothers of the bride and groom help each other finish getting ready before their children get married. Mothers of the bride and groom talk with each other in traditional wedding attire before their children getting married in Yosemite National Park. The entire family with the bride and groom laugh together before their Yosemite wedding. Bride and groom hold hands and gaze at each other with the Yosemite landscape as their backdrop. Three images. First image is of the groom smiling and looking off in the distance. Second image is of the bride holding flowers by her side with Yosemite in the background. The third image is of the bride looking down at her flowers. Bride and groom holding each other before their Yosemite elopement. Close up of brides floral bouquet. Bride and groom stick their tongues out at each other while both holding the bouquet. Groom embraces his bride from behind with Yosemite's Half Dome in the background. Bride and groom sit on Yosemite overlook with Half Dome in the distance. Groom helps bride climb to an overlook in Yosemite National Park. Bride and groom sit side by side looking into each other's eyes with Half Dome in Yosemite as their background. Bride and groom standing on rock with forest in the distance taken by Yosemite elopement photographer, Liz KostonBride and groom dance on a rock in Yosemite National Park surrounded by pine trees. Groom kisses bride on the cheek as they're surrounded her veil and an ethereal glow. Bride and groom smile at each other under the brides veil. Wedding party walks to the bride and groom's wedding location in Yosemite National Park. Mother, bride, and groom hike to their elopement location in Yosemite National Park. Wedding party hikes through Yosemite forest for the couple's elopement. Mothers of the bride and groom take pictures with their smartphones of the view in Yosemite. Groom dries his eyes as he says his vows and the bride and officiant smile at him. There are views of Yosemite in the distance. Photos taken by Yosemite elopement photographer, Liz Koston. Bride dries her eyes as she says her vows and her groom looks at her lovingly. Groom dries his bride's eyes as they elope in Yosemite National Park Bride and groom kiss and then celebrate their elopement in Yosemite National Park. Bride and groom fist pump in celebration of their Yosemite elopement with Half Dome in the distance.Parents are excited and happy watching the bride and groom get married in Yosemite National Park. Bride and groom's parents celebrate and hug after the bride and groom elope in Yosemite. Bride and groom hold hands as they look out at Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Bride and groom walk down a path holding hands smiling big with Half Dome in the distance after their Yosemite wedding. Close up of bride and groom holding hands with Half Dome in the distance after their Yosemite wedding. Bride and groom dance in Yosemite after getting married in an intimate elopement. Bride and groom dance in Yosemite after getting married in an intimate elopement. Bride and groom smile at each other in Yosemite after their elopement. Groom helps bride cross a rock so they can stand head to head in an embrace overlooking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park Bride and groom embrace head to head overlooking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park Bride rests her head on her groom's chest as they embrace after their Yosemite elopement. Groom kisses his brides forehead in the sunlight after their Yosemite wedding.Hiking boots worn by the bride and groom on their Yosemite elopement. Bride and groom hike down a Yosemite hiking trail in between tall pines in their wedding attire Bride and groom smile in a warm embrace as the sun is setting in Yosemite National Park Groom helps his bride hold her wedding dress as they walk down a hiking trail in Yosemite as the sun sets after their elopement. Bride and groom make funny faces at each other as the walk hand in hand down a Yosemite hiking trail. Groom kisses his bride on the forehead as she leans in and holds his arm after their Yosemite elopement. Groom kisses his bride on the forehead as she leans in and holds his arm after their Yosemite elopement. Bride and groom gaze lovingly at each other as she holds his arm. Then she leans in so he can kiss her forehead. Bride and groom gaze a Yosemite Falls in their wedding attire. Bride and groom kiss in front of Yosemite Falls after their Yosemite elopement. Bride and groom hold hands on a wood walking path in front of Yosemite Falls after their Yosemite wedding. Half Dome in Yosemite National Park taken by Yosemite elopement photographer Liz Koston

Vendors

Venue:  Yosemite National Park

Dress:  Leanne Marshall

Suit:  Calvin Klein

Hair and Makeup:  M by Mickie

Officiant:  Cindie Wilding

 

For other Yosemite Wedding and Engagement 

Check out Ariel and Brandon’s Ceremony at Glacier Point and Reception at Tenaya Lodge

 

Trang and Travis’s Adventure Session

Trang and Travis’s adventure session through the Yosemite Valley with breathtaking views and easy hike

LGBTQ couple interlocked hands having a moment together as one bride kisses her partner's hand on the beach of San Francisco during their elopement

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