Begin Your Forever in Yosemite
Yosemite National Park offers breathtaking outdoor venues perfect for ceremonies with 11 guests or more.
For intimate gatherings, smaller parties have the freedom to choose from even more magical locations across the park. Or, for a completely private celebration, the Wedding and Event Center at The Redwoods In Yosemite provides an unforgettable setting tucked away among towering pines.
Ceremony Locations
Where to Say Your Vows
Wawona
Private Cabin Ceremonies
Indoor & Outdoor
Wedding and Event Center
Park Venues
NPS-Approved Locations
Near Wawona
Wedding Ceremony Locations Close to Wawona
Wawona Setting
Wawona sits inside Yosemite National Park with access to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the South Fork of the Merced River. Redwoods In Yosemite cabin rentals nearby cover a wide range of budgets for your guests.
Chilnualna Fall Trailhead
An NPS-approved ceremony location just southwest of the Chilnualna Falls parking area. Accommodates up to 50 people.
Vacation Rental Cabins
Several cabins offer expansive decks or open yards overlooking the South Fork of the Merced River. Hold your ceremony without other park visitors wandering through. River Lodge, Steven's Retreat, and Longview are popular choices for larger wedding parties.
Wedding and Event Center
Planning in Wawona also gives you the option of hosting your rehearsal dinner or reception at the nearby Wedding and Event Center. Seats up to 80 indoors, with an outdoor deck, catering kitchen, and outlets for lighting and warming ovens.
Giant Sequoias
Wed Among the World's Largest Trees
Tuolumne Grove
A short hike from Crane Flat leads to a quiet stand of sequoias. Small ceremonies work well here. The grove is closed to vehicles, so guests walk in together.
Merced Grove
The most secluded of Yosemite's three groves. No shuttle service, which keeps crowds down. A 3-mile round-trip hike through mixed conifer forest brings you to the trees.
Mariposa Grove
The largest grove in the park, with over 500 mature sequoias including the Grizzly Giant. A tram runs seasonally. NPS permits are required for all wedding ceremonies.
Permit Requirements
All three groves fall under NPS jurisdiction. A Special Use Permit is required. Group size limits apply and vary by location. Apply through the Yosemite permit office well in advance.
Clifftops
Wedding Ceremony Locations atop Yosemite's Iconic Cliffs
Getting There
All three clifftop venues are accessed via Glacier Point Road, which closes in winter and during late fall or early spring snowstorms. Plan for summer or early fall.
Glacier Point Amphitheater
The only wheelchair-accessible clifftop option, with a direct view of Half Dome. No weddings in July or August. Accommodates up to 50 people; NPS monitoring required for groups over 35. About 28 miles from The Redwoods In Yosemite cabins.
Sentinel Dome
Groups of 11 or fewer only. A steep mile-long walk up granite flanks leads to a 360-degree panorama: Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the High Sierra. Great for sunrise or sunset ceremonies. Trailhead is about 26 miles from Wawona.
Taft Point
The dramatic cliff-edge location you've seen in photos, with El Capitan far below. Available for wedding parties of fewer than 11 people only.
Riverside
Wedding Locations by the River in Yosemite Valley
The Cascades Picnic Area
One of the lowest-elevation venues along the Merced River corridor, good for winter ceremonies. Cascade Fall is just across the road. Ceremonies are not permitted in the falls viewing area.
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area
Set along the Wild and Scenic Merced River with white granite cliffs on all sides. Maximum 20 guests. A quiet, intimate spot with valley icons visible from the ceremony site.
Cathedral Beach Picnic Area
A wide sandy beach on the Merced with open views of Cathedral Rocks. One of the more spacious riverside venues. Group size limits apply.
Sentinel Beach Picnic Area
The largest riverside venue, with a maximum of 100 guests. Set along the Merced with views of Sentinel Rock. Popular for larger ceremonies that still want a natural, riverside feel.
Waterfalls
Yosemite Wedding Sites Near Waterfalls
Spring Timing
Spring is the best season for waterfall ceremonies, when snowmelt pushes Yosemite's falls to their fullest.
Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
A designated spot along the paved path accommodates up to 50 people. Wheelchair accessible with restrooms nearby. Ceremonies are not allowed on Yosemite Creek Bridge or at the base of the fall.
Bridalveil Fall
A forest clearing with Bridalveil Fall as your backdrop. Up to 50 guests can gather here for the ceremony.