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Get Married at Yosemite National Park Self-Book Venue Guide
Here's exactly how to get your permit, what it costs, and what to expect, from the Our Little Wedding team.
Yosemite · Self-Book Venue Guide
Can you get married at Yosemite National Park?
Yes. A Yosemite National Park micro wedding is one of the most rewarding self-book ceremonies in Yosemite, you handle the permit, and the setting does the rest. Capacity is up to 50 guests.
Yosemite Valley requires a timed entry reservation in peak season (typically May–September). Book your park entry reservation the moment your ceremony permit is confirmed, as they sell out weeks in advance.
In brief
Yosemite National Park micro wedding: book it yourself with a permit, keep it to 50 guests or fewer, and bring everything in. We can coordinate the permit, the vendors, and your day if you’d like a hand.
The Details
What to know
Capacity
Up to 50
Guests for an intimate ceremony at Yosemite National Park. We usually recommend 20–30 for the best experience in this kind of setting.
How to book
Permit required
Contact Yosemite's Special Park Uses / Film and Weddings office: (209) 379-1858. The official page is nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/weddings.htm. Mail your application with a check or money order to the address provided on the NPS page.
Sound policy
Acoustic only
Strict rules: no decorations of any kind (no arches, balloons, or props). No amplified music or PA systems. Maximum 2-hour event duration. No drones. The signed, approved permit must be present at the ceremony.
Good to know
Bring it in
Yosemite Valley requires a timed entry reservation in peak season (typically May–September). Book your park entry reservation the moment your ceremony permit is confirmed, as they sell out weeks in advance.
Ceremony spaces
On the land
Permit fee: $150 base fee (non-refundable, included with application). An additional $50/hour event monitoring fee may apply for larger groups (typically 30+ guests). Park entrance fees are not waived for ceremony participants or guests.
How to book
How to book Yosemite National Park for your ceremony
The exact process, sourced from the permit office and verified by our team.
1
Step 1
Contact Yosemite's Special Park Uses / Film and Weddings office: (209) 379-1858. The official page is nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/weddings.htm. Mail your application with a check or money order to the address provided on the NPS page.
2
Step 2
Permit fee: $150 base fee (non-refundable, included with application). An additional $50/hour event monitoring fee may apply for larger groups (typically 30+ guests). Park entrance fees are not waived for ceremony participants or guests.
3
Step 3
Applications accepted up to 1 year in advance. Submit more than 21 days before your event date, as applications less than 21 days out are not accepted.
4
Step 4
Strict rules: no decorations of any kind (no arches, balloons, or props). No amplified music or PA systems. Maximum 2-hour event duration. No drones. The signed, approved permit must be present at the ceremony.
From the Team
Things the permit office won’t tell you
OLW tip
Valley views with El Capitan and Half Dome as your backdrop. The permit restrictions sound strict but in practice they free you up, as no décor means no setup stress.
OLW tip
Valley permits can be for meadow or forest locations, not just the Valley floor. Ask the permit office about less-crowded alternatives to the obvious spots.
OLW tip
Yosemite Valley is very crowded in summer. Weekday ceremonies are significantly calmer. Spring (late April–May) and fall (September–October) are the sweet spots, with better light, fewer day visitors, and stunning color.
Where to go for dinner after
A couple of favorites near Yosemite National Park for celebrating once the ceremony’s done.
The Ahwahnee Dining Room
Historic dining room inside The Ahwahnee hotel, private dining and event space available
Inside Yosemite Valley, 10 min from most ceremony sites
Other self-book venues
More venue guides to explore
A starting point for your shortlist. Every one is a real place we've planned or scouted, permit info, costs, and insider tips inside each guide.
Garrapata State ParkPfeiffer Big Sur State ParkRoberts Regional Recreation Area
Questions
Yosemite National Park wedding questions, answered
Do I need a permit to get married at Yosemite National Park?
Yes. Contact Yosemite's Special Park Uses / Film and Weddings office: (209) 379-1858. The official page is nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/weddings.htm. Mail your application with a check or money order to the address provided on the NPS page. Permit fee: $150 base fee (non-refundable, included with application). An additional $50/hour event monitoring fee may apply for larger groups (typically 30+ guests). Park entrance fees are not waived for ceremony participants or guests.
How many guests can I have at Yosemite National Park?
Yosemite National Park accommodates up to 50 guests for a ceremony. Our Little Wedding recommends keeping it at or under 50 for a comfortable, intimate micro wedding at this site.
How far in advance do I need to book Yosemite National Park?
Permit fee: $150 base fee (non-refundable, included with application). An additional $50/hour event monitoring fee may apply for larger groups (typically 30+ guests). Park entrance fees are not waived for ceremony participants or guests. We recommend starting the process at least 6–8 weeks before your date, or earlier for peak summer weekends.
What can I bring to Yosemite National Park, chairs, decor, flowers?
You found the spot. Now let's make it happen.
Want us to coordinate the permit, vendors, and your day?
Our packages start at $4,500 for up to 10 guests. You make the calls, venue, photographer, caterer. We coordinate everything else, from the paperwork to the walk-through.
Free consultation · No obligation · We reply within 24 hours
Yosemite photo: chensiyuan, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
