How Much Does It Cost to Elope in Yosemite?

A wedding couple standing on top of a mountain kissing during sunset

If you’re dreaming of a breathtaking, adventurous elopement in Yosemite National Park, you might be wondering: How much does it actually cost to elope in Yosemite?

The short answer: It can range from a few hundred dollars to many thousand, depending on the experience you want to create.

Let’s break it down so you can plan with clarity and confidence.

Basic Yosemite Elopement Costs

Here are the absolute essentials you’ll need to budget for:

Special Use Permit Fee: $150 (required for all weddings and elopements)
Park Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days)
Officiant (optional): $600–$850 (unless you have a friend or family member officiate) – We highly recommend Don Alexander for your Yosemite elopement.

Photography & Videography Investment

Your photographer (and optional videographer) will likely be your largest and most important investment.

Typical ranges for high-quality Yosemite elopement photographers:

Photography Only Packages: $4,500–$7,500+
Photo + Highlight Film Packages: $7,000–$10,000+
Photo + Full Narrative Film Packages: $9,500–12,000+

(Our Yosemite elopement packages include photography, optional highlight films, and even full narrative storytelling films depending on your vision.)

Hiring a team who knows Yosemite inside and out is invaluable for helping you choose locations, plan timelines, avoid crowds, and fully enjoy your day.

Lodging Costs

Depending on where you stay, prices can vary widely:

In-Park Lodging (e.g., The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge): $300–$800+/night
Vacation Rentals (Yosemite West, Foresta, Wawona): $250–600+/night
Hotels Outside the Park (El Portal, Mariposa, Groveland, Oakhurst): $200–400+/night

If you’re considering eloping in Tuolumne Meadows, or the Eastern Sierra (like Mammoth Lakes or June Lake), we can suggest beautiful places to stay closer to those areas too.

Travel Costs

Flights: If you’re flying, Fresno (FAT) is the closest major airport to Yosemite Valley. While Reno (RNO) is closest to Tuolumne.
Rental Car: $400–800/week
Gas, Food, and Other Expenses: Budget extra for picnics, celebratory dinners, and adventure snacks!

Optional Add-Ons to Consider

Depending on your vision, you might also budget for:

The Flying Dress Experience: $400–$800+ (incredible for epic engagement or elopement photos)
Florals (bouquet, boutonniere, floral crown): $250–$750+
Hair & Makeup Artist: $300–$1500
Adventure Gear (hiking boots, attire layers, backpack): Varies

Sample Total Budgets for Yosemite Elopements

Type of Experience	Estimated Total Cost
Bare Bones — You’re keeping things simple with a permit, minimal travel, and a friend or family officiated ceremony. No photography or just a friend with a camera.	$1,000–$2,000
Photography is important and you’re nearby — You’re within driving distance and want professional photos with a half-day package (about 4 hours) to capture the most important parts of your day.	$5,000–$7,500
Photography is a priority and you’re planning around it — You’re traveling in, staying multiple nights, and want a full day (8 hours) of coverage for getting ready, ceremony, portraits, and an epic golden hour session.	$7,500–$12,000
Full experience with photo + video over 1–2 days — You want the works: multi-day coverage with both photography and film, multiple locations, and a fully immersive Yosemite adventure. Great for sunrise to starlight coverage or celebrating with guests one day and adventuring another.	$12,000–$20,000+

Remember: you can make your elopement as simple, luxurious, or as adventurous as you want!

Eloping in Yosemite Is an Investment in Experience

Unlike a big wedding that often feels rushed, elopements allow you to:

Spend your day soaking up breathtaking landscapes
Have intentional, meaningful moments without stress
Invest in memories & time in nature, not just stuff

And the best part? Yosemite gives you a setting that’s so magical, you really don’t need much else.

Ready to Start Planning Your Yosemite Elopement?

We’re a photo and video team specializing in adventure elopements in Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra.

We’ll help you:

Plan an epic, stress-free timeline
Find the best hidden gem locations
Capture every real, emotional, beautiful moment