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Get Married Outdoors · Yosemite Valley · Yosemite
Here's exactly how to get your permit, what it costs, and what to expect — from the Our Little Wedding team.
The Quick Answer
Permit Office
Yosemite's Special Park Uses / Film and Weddings office
NPS Yosemite Film and Weddings office as of Jul 2026
Capacity
Up to 50 guests
Micro wedding context — intimate ceremonies
Permit Required
Yes
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.
Lead Time
4–8 weeks minimum
The Permit Process
Here's the exact process — sourced from official permit offices and verified by the Our Little Wedding team.
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.
NPS Yosemite Film and Weddings office as of Jul 2026Permit 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.
NPS Yosemite permit office as of Jul 2026Applications accepted up to 1 year in advance. Submit more than 21 days before your event date — applications less than 21 days out are not accepted.
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 — from the Our Little Wedding team and couples we've worked with here.
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 — 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 — better light, fewer day visitors, and stunning color.
Our top recommendations from the team for celebrating nearby.
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
Village Grill Deck
Casual outdoor dining in Yosemite Village, good for a post-ceremony lunch
Yosemite Village, 5 min drive
Real Weddings
Our Little Wedding has planned intimate ceremonies across Yosemite. More wedding stories from Yosemite National Park are coming soon.
Browse real wedding storiesFrequently Asked Questions
You found the perfect spot. Now let's make it happen.
Our micro wedding package starts at $4,500 for up to 10 guests. We handle everything — from the paperwork to the last dance.
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