Yosemite Wedding Photographer – Glacier Point Wedding

The Journey Begins

I can still vividly remember my first consultation call with Ariel and Brandon.   They had reached out about finding a photographer for their Yosemite wedding.  A Glacier Point ceremony in Yosemite National Park was still just a dream, but it was one we were immediately captivated by. And then I remember just as vividly the moment my heart broke for them when I found maintenance was scheduled for the area during their desired date, taking Glacier Point off the table. I hated to have to be the one to break that news to them, but they took it in stride. We came up with new plans together, but a beautiful surprise was on the horizon!

While we explored new options for their wedding day, we also planned not one but TWO breathtaking engagement sessions! The first was at a coffee shop in downtown Davis, which ended with an epic ice cream fight. The second was a hike along the American River, and their sweet dog, Baron, was invited to come along for this one!

All the while, we tossed around wedding ideas, but I could tell their Yosemite wedding dreams at Glacier Point were still alive. So, when I discovered that the maintenance was postponed until 2022, I couldn’t believe it! Just like that, their dream wedding day was back on! They immediately applied for the permit, and we began planning their perfect Glacier Point wedding celebration.  

The Glacier Point Wedding Dream Becomes A Reality

When their wedding morning finally dawned, I met Ariel and Brandon at their airbnb to document the getting ready process. From there, we traveled to Glacier Point Amphitheater—a.k.a the most beautiful backdrop for a ceremony ever—for the wedding ceremony. It truly felt like I was looking at God’s painting, and it almost made you feel like you could reach out and touch it. 

 

Tenaya Lodge Reception in Yosemite

After their intimate wedding ceremony at Glacier Point, Ariel, Brandon and their guests enjoyed an intimate picnic at the amphitheater before heading down to the reception at Tenaya Lodge.  It’s a beautiful venue just outside Yosemite before the couple broke away for some time alone.

At Tenaya Lodge, they had a beautiful dinner under the stars and served s’mores, played board games, and set up telescopes for guests to view the stars. It was such a magical and relaxing evening unlike any other reception I’d ever witnessed.  And in true Ariel and Brandon form, their cake cutting ended in an epic cake fight turned sword fight! Brandon technically won by taking Ariel’s sword, but then the bridesmaids swooped in for backup, so the girls ended up winning. The guests and I couldn’t stop laughing and cheering! What an unforgettable moment! 

 

Ariel and Brandon

After spending so much time with Ariel and Brandon, we’ve all become such great friends. They made me feel like part of the family from the moment I arrived on their wedding day. Ariel even told me when I had something in my teeth, so  you know we’ve gotten pretty close! I wasn’t just there to document the day, but also to celebrate the beautiful love story these two share.

Against all odds, Ariel and Brandon got married exactly the way they wanted to. Of course, there was a lot of uncertainty because of Covid and the difficulty landing their venue. But they had an unshakable dream of saying “I do” in a beautiful, natural setting surrounded by their closest friends and family, and I couldn’t believe how perfectly everything came together. I am so grateful to have been a part of their Glacier Point wedding day, and we’re already talking about our next adventure together. I can’t wait to photograph them (and their adorable dog!) again in the future! 

 

Want to have me photograph your epic wedding?   Reach out to me here!

 

Half Dome in Yosemite National Park California Bushels of lavender for Yosemite weddingWedding rings surrounded by lavender flowers White rose boutonnieres with lavender Wedding rings with wedding invitation and two sprigs of lavenderLace from bride's wedding dress for her Yosemite wedding Lace shoulder of wedding dress hands on wooden hanger with Yosemite forest in backgroundBride getting ready for her Yosemite elopement. Bride sitting in her robe as she gets ready for her Yosemite weddingMother of the bride helps button the back of the bride's wedding dress.Mother of the bride helps button the back of the bride's wedding dress as she gets ready for her Yosemite wedding. Bride laughs with her mom as she helps her get ready for her Yosemite wedding.Bride gets ready for her Yosemite wedding. Photos by Yosemite wedding photographer Liz KostonHalf Dome seen from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park Entire wedding party as the bride and groom get married at Glacier Point in Yosemite National ParkBride and groom get married at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park Guests watch bride and groom get married at the Glacier Point amphitheater in Yosemite National ParkBride says her vows during her Yosemite weddingBride reads her vows as the groom tears up during their Yosemite wedding ceremony.Groom reads his vows to the bride during their Yosemite wedding ceremony.Guests sitting on the Glacier Point amphitheater steps watching bride and groom get married in YosemiteBride and groom touch foreheads as officiant says final words in front of Half Dome at Glacier PointBride and groom presented as husband and wife after they get married in Yosemite National ParkBride and groom go in for a kiss overlooking Half Dome after their Yosemite wedding. Bride and groom embrace after their Yosemite wedding at Glacier Point.Groom hugs bride from behind while they smile widely after their Yosemite elopement. Bride and groom hold each other while gazing in each other's eyes with Half Dome in the distance. Bride and groom hold each other with Half Dome in the background after their Yosemite elopement.Bride and groom embrace after their Glacier Point wedding. Close up of bride and groom holding hands with Half Dome in the distance.Bride and groom embrace after their Glacier Point wedding with Half Dome in the distance of Yosemite National Park.Dramatic image of bride and groom embracing each other with Half Dome and Yosemite National Park in the background. Bride and groom sit on a rock touching foreheads with Half Dome in the background after their Yosemite wedding.Bride and groom walk down a trail in Yosemite that leads to rock hut where they have a private moment. Bride leads groom by the hand down a trail in Yosemite surrounded by Pine trees.Groom whispers in his bride's ear and they lean in for a kiss after their Yosemite elopement. Bride holds grooms arm and looks at him lovingly as they walk into their intimate wedding reception.Bride and groom lean in for a kiss surrounded by bride's veil after their Yosemite wedding. Bride and groom lean in for a kiss captured by Yosemite wedding photographer Liz KostonWedding table centerpieces of books and lavender Wedding cake detail with small dog figurine Two tier wedding cake decorated with trees and dog figurines on wood cake stand. Wedding cake is perfect for a Yosemite wedding.Dining table with gold plates for intimate wedding dinner after couple's Yosemite wedding. White flower and lavender basket as centerpieces for a Yosemite wedding receptionBride and groom walk into their Yosemite wedding reception holding hands and smiling big. Bride and groom work with blue yarn at their Yosemite wedding reception.Bride and groom work with blue yarn at their Yosemite wedding reception. Bride and groom kneel with blue yarn draped around their shoulders during their Yosemite wedding receptionBride and groom kneel holding hands with blue yarn draped around their shoulders during their Yosemite wedding receptionBride and groom kiss with blue yarn wrapped around their shoulders Bride talks animatedly with guests at her Yosemite wedding reception at Tenaya Lodge.Bride and groom sit in chairs back to back holding the others shoe during their Yosemite wedding reception at Tenaya Lodge Bride and groom sit in chairs back to back holding the others shoe during their Yosemite wedding reception at Tenaya LodgeBride and groom fight with swords during their Yosemite wedding reception at Tenaya LodgeGroom steals bride's sword during a sword fight and bride runs away. Bridesmaids provide backup for bride during sword fight with groom during Yosemite wedding reception at Tenaya LodgeGroom backs down from sword fight and bridesmaids hold swords up in victory. Bride and groom cut their cake at their Yosemite wedding reception at Tenaya Lodge Bride and groom have small cake fight after cutting their cake at their Yosemite wedding reception.Bride and groom kiss passionately after their cake fight during their Yosemite wedding reception. Bride and groom leave their Yosemite wedding reception under a shower of Champagne

Vendors

Ceremony:  Glacier Point

Reception:  Tenaya Lodge

Dress:  Coco Melody

Hair and Makeup:  Yosemite Makeup

Florist:  Sweet Dreams Cakery & Flowers

Suit:   Indochino

Caterer: Tenaya Lodge

Cake:  Sweet Dreams Cakery & Flowers

Styling Mat:  Suzy Pierce

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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