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!