While Yosemite National Park rangers are used to seeing young backpackers come through the park, they are still surprised by how much gear comes along for a wedding.
“They’re usually really well prepared—you can tell they’ve spent a lot of time in Yosemite,” says Yosemite National Park Ranger Angie Williamson. “I’ve even seen one couple brought their own firewood.”
Nina Barbour and her husband Matthew Williamson didn’t need to bring any wood, however, because the Yosemite Valley Chapel offered them an indoor alternative to their typical outdoor weddings. The chapel is located at Yosemite’s historic Camp Curry Village.
The bridal party arrived early on Thursday for hair and makeup before walking over to the Yosemite Valley Chapel where Yosemite Rangers helped guide them over the incredible suspension bridge Yosemite Rangers had built for the wedding.
“It was really cool to see Yosemite Rangers building something like that,” Williamson said. “They’re incredible craftspersons.”
After exchanging vows, the bridal party walked back across the same bridge that brought them in before continuing on to celebrate at Yosemite’s Ahwahnee Hotel.
While some weddings take place outside in Yosemite National Park, there are some restrictions when it comes to where people can have their special day. There are only two locations inside Yosemite National Park where Yosemite Rangers will give a permit for an outdoor wedding: Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. Both of these locations are subject to weather conditions so Yosemite Wedding planners should be flexible with their selected dates. Yosemite Wedding planners should also be aware that Yosemite Rangers do not allow barbecues or open flames during Yosemite’s peak season from April to October.
Michele Landes is a Yosemite wedding photographer specializing in Yosemite weddings, Yosemite engagement photography, and destination weddings throughout California, Oregon, and Colorado. In addition to her passion for travel and photography, Michele is an active member of the Professional Photographers of America Association. Follow her adventures on Facebook or Pinterest! Note: This article was republished with permission from the author. The original post can be seen here: Yosemite Wedding.
