Your Complete Guide to Securing a Yosemite Wedding Permit

Imagine exchanging vows surrounded by Yosemite’s iconic landscapes—the towering granite cliffs, misty waterfalls, or even ancient sequoias. There’s a quiet magic in standing in a place where nature feels vast and timeless, yet the moment feels so personal, so entirely yours. For couples drawn to the natural beauty and serene atmosphere of Yosemite, this guide will walk you through one of the most important steps: securing a Yosemite Wedding Permit. Here’s everything you need to know to get your permit in place, so you can focus on planning a celebration surrounded by nature’s wonders.

Why You Need a Yosemite Wedding Permit

A Yosemite Wedding Permit isn’t just a formality; it’s essential for any couple planning to exchange vows within the park. This permit supports Yosemite’s mission to preserve its natural beauty, manage visitor activity, and protect fragile ecosystems, ensuring that all weddings held here respect and uphold the park’s values.

With a wedding permit, you’re not only following guidelines but also contributing to the conservation of the very landscapes that drew you here in the first place. Having this permit in place allows you to focus on your celebration, knowing your ceremony is officially approved and aligned with the park’s values.

Leave No Trace: Protecting Yosemite’s Natural Beauty

Obtaining a Yosemite Wedding Permit goes hand-in-hand with respecting Leave No Trace principles. These guidelines are crucial for preserving the park’s delicate landscapes and minimizing human impact on the environment. Couples are encouraged to follow practices like staying on designated trails, managing waste responsibly, and avoiding any actions that could harm local flora and fauna. By embracing Leave No Trace values, you’re helping to protect Yosemite’s beauty and ensure that future visitors can enjoy its unspoiled views.

To learn more about Leave No Trace and its principles, visit their website here.

Who Needs a Yosemite Wedding Permit?

Any couple holding a wedding or commitment ceremony within Yosemite National Park needs a Yosemite Wedding Permit. This requirement applies to all ceremonies, regardless of group size, location, or formality. Whether you’re planning a small, intimate elopement or a larger gathering with family and friends, a permit is essential to ensure that your celebration aligns with park regulations and respects Yosemite’s protected environment.

By requiring permits, the park can manage overlapping events, reduce crowding, and provide the necessary resources for conservation and upkeep. This way, your wedding becomes part of a collective effort to preserve the beauty and tranquility of Yosemite for everyone who visits.

When to Apply for Your Yosemite Wedding Permit

Applications for a Yosemite Wedding Permit can be submitted up to one year in advance and must be completed no later than 21 days before your ceremony date. For the best chance of securing your ideal date, location, and time, it’s wise to apply for your permit as soon as you’ve settled on a date.

Yosemite’s most popular ceremony locations, like Glacier Point, tend to book up quickly due to limited seasonal availability and high demand. By planning ahead and applying early, you can improve your chances of securing the spot and time that best aligns with your vision.

What Do You Need to Apply for a Yosemite Wedding Permit?

To complete the application for a Yosemite Wedding Permit, you’ll need a few essential details:

• Ceremony Date

Decide on the date you want to get married. It’s helpful to have a backup in mind in case of availability issues.

• Ceremony Time

Decide on your preferred time slot as well as a back-up

• Ceremony Location

List your preferred ceremony location, and consider having a backup in case your first choice is unavailable. Be sure to check for any seasonal closures or restrictions.

• Estimated Group Size

Knowing the number of people attending helps the park determine if the location can accommodate your group within its guidelines.

Yosemite Wedding Permit Cost & What It Covers

As of 2024, the cost of a Yosemite Wedding Permit is $150. This fee covers basic processing and helps support the resources needed to manage and oversee wedding ceremonies within the park. If your ceremony requires monitoring by park staff, an additional fee of $50 per hour will apply.

The permit ensures that your ceremony aligns with Yosemite’s conservation guidelines, helping to protect the park’s natural beauty for all visitors. By applying early, you can avoid potential delays and secure your permit well in advance of your wedding date.

However, it’s important to note that this permit does not grant private access to any area within Yosemite. Other visitors may still be present at your chosen location, and the permit doesn’t include any exclusive use or reserved space. Your permit simply allows you to hold your ceremony within the park and that no other ceremonies will occur at that same location during your time slot.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out Your Permit Application

To ensure your Yosemite Wedding Permit application is completed accurately, here’s a breakdown of each step:

Applicant Information

• Full Name: Provide your full legal name.
• Telephone Number: Your primary contact phone number.
• Organization: Leave this blank if you are applying as an individual for your own wedding permit.
• Cell Phone Number: Provide your cell phone number, or leave blank if you don’t have a secondary number.
• Social Security or Tax ID Number: This must be provided, or the application will be returned. 

If you don’t have a Social Security number, contact the National Park Service by email at yose_special_use_permits@nps.gov.

• Fax Number: If available.
• Email Address: The email address where you’d like to receive contact.
• Mailing Address: Complete your full mailing address.

Activity Details

• Description of Proposed Activity: You can simply write “Wedding Ceremony.”
• Dates: Include your preferred date and time, along with an alternative date if you have one.
• Location: List your preferred ceremony location, consider including a backup in case your first choice is unavailable. 

Make sure to check openings and availability for seasonal closures.

Participants, Vehicles, and Equipment

• Estimated Group Size: Indicate the estimated number of people attending, including guests and vendors.
• Vehicles: Provide an estimate of the number of vehicles you’ll bring into the park. This does not have to be exact, but it helps the park assess potential impact.
• List of Equipment: This section is typically for commercial filming and can usually be left blank for wedding ceremonies.

Individual in Charge

•  This is usually one of the couple, or, if applicable, a designated wedding planner who can be contacted if needed.

Activity Questions

• First Amendment Rights: Most applicants can mark this as “No.”
• Have You Visited the Requested Area: If you haven’t visited your chosen ceremony location but have a trusted expert, like a photographer who has, mention that here.

 

Anything further down the application is for internal use by the National Park Service and does not need to be completed. Be sure to fill out each section thoroughly and correctly to help ensure that your application is processed smoothly and on time.

For more details or to download the application, visit the official Yosemite National Park wedding permit page.

What Happens if You Don’t Have a Yosemite Wedding Permit?

Hosting a wedding in Yosemite without a special use permit can lead to serious consequences. Without a permit, park officials may interrupt or even halt your ceremony, and you could face hefty fines or other penalties. These regulations are in place to protect Yosemite’s environment and ensure all visitors can enjoy their time in the park.

Securing a permit not only keeps your ceremony in line with park regulations but also gives you peace of mind, knowing that everything is officially approved and your chosen Ceremony location is yours. By having the permit in place, you’re free to enjoy the moment, surrounded by Yosemite’s beauty, without worrying about unexpected disruptions.

How I Provide Expert Guidance Through the Permit and Entire Planning Process

As a Yosemite wedding photographer and a past Yosemite bride myself, I know firsthand what it’s like to navigate getting married in this incredible national park. I’m here to support you every step of the way, whether it’s securing your Yosemite Wedding Permit, finding preferred LGBQT+ vendors, logistics, or planning a full-day adventure with your partner.

I’ll work with you to scout ideal locations, coordinate timing for the best lighting, and assist with logistics and planning. My goal is to help you create an elopement that’s everything you dreamed it would be.

Ready to Make Your Yosemite Wedding a Reality?

Securing a Yosemite Wedding Permit is a crucial first step in bringing your elopement dreams to life in one of the most awe-inspiring places on earth. With this permit in place, you’re not only following the park’s guidelines but also contributing to the protection and preservation of Yosemite’s natural beauty.

Bringing Your Yosemite Wedding Vision to Life

Securing a Yosemite Wedding Permit is an essential step in planning a wedding in this unforgettable place, ensuring your celebration aligns with park guidelines while preserving the beauty of the landscape for everyone to enjoy. With the right preparation, you can relax and focus on each moment in one of the most awe-inspiring settings on earth.

For more tips and insights on making your Yosemite wedding everything you’ve envisioned, explore my guide: How to Elope in Yosemite