El Capitan Meadow Yosemite Elopement | Emily + Blake

When two self proclaimed introverts decided to tie the knot during a global pandemic, the best option is to elope in the most beautiful scenery in the country, with limited guest count of immediate family. Enter, the most beautiful and intimate El Capitan meadow Yosemite elopement. This beautiful National Park is basically the mecca for intimate elopements, but it also holds a special place in Emily’s heart too. Her family would often take trips to this beautiful park, and she just knew that Blake would love it as much as she did (spoiler; he does).

During this time of year, snow is still covering a majority of the upper roads in the park, so we got to play around all over the valley floor. The valley is one of my favorite areas in the whole park! With scenic spots like tunnel view, bridal veil falls, cathedral beach, and El Cap meadow, we had no shortage of photo locations.

Since they were traveling from the east coast, Emily wisely choose to order a dried flower bouquet from Fern + Sunpalm on their Etsy shop. This was a great alternative to a traditional fresh bouquet, and perfect for an elopement with a lot of moving parts. For those seeking fresh flower bouquets for any occasion, visit La Belle Fleur Floral Studio.

The weather was oddly warm for this time of year, as if the world was turning a corner on a new season and out of the pandemic. It was a fresh start, and a perfect day to get hitched. We started out in Oakhurst, Emily and Blake were staying at the Chateau du Sureau. This boutique hotel was *luxury*, styled as a french chateau that catered to their guests in a 5 star manor. Blake and Emily had their first look down the main steps of the Chateau, and we were off.

We headed into the park, and entered through the west entrance, where we were greeted with vibrant orange poppies cascading down the mountain slopes before enter the park gates. Then, just like magic, the intense sheer rock granite walls on either side of us as we entered the valley floor. Anyone who comes to visit Yosemite is always at awe as they strain their necks back to look up these magnificent natural wonders.

The pair were to say their vows in the meadow just below the famous El Capitan mountain. (Yes, the same one that Alex Honnold decided to climb up as a free solo adventure, wow.) Their immediate family and friends were already there waiting for them. As they took the long walk from the car to the meadow, they stopped mid way for a final hug. As they came forward, they said beautiful vows. Even though we were in one of the most busiest national parks in the country, we were all totally alone with their words in that meadow.

They said “I do”, and everyone cheered. This was such a beautiful moment. Hugs and kisses were passed around, and then we went off again on a little photo adventure. We drove around the park as the sun started to set, and these two were just so happy to be there and in that moment. (Even if they felt uncomfortable every time cars passed by and honked in celebration! These introverts wanted an elopement to avoid just that haha!)

If you enjoyed this elopement, don’t forget to check out more! Like this Adirondack Elopement or the intimate wedding in the Colorado Mountains.