Winter Elopement in Yosemite National Park
Megan and Zach began planning a wedding with family in Texas, but Megan's Father quickly stepped in when he began to see how much this was going to cost him. He promised Zach that he would give him a truck and a boat if they would skip the wedding and elope. That deal was OBVS too great to pass up, so they did just that, and ran far away from Texas to say their vows. They drove 21 hours to get to Yosemite National Park, and because it was dark when they got there, they couldn't see the amazing sights. The next day, I was able to see the pure delight on their faces as we drove down to the valley. Right before we left the lodge at the Redwoods to drive down to Cook's Meadow, it began snowing. SNOWING! It was SO magical! BUT, the park closed the roads. We patently waited, and, because the weather wasn't THAT cold, the snow on the roads melted pretty soon and we were on our way!
We stopped first at Tunnel View and watched the last of the snow clouds hanging a mile away between the large walls. We were able to see Bridal Veil Falls down below, and we stood on the wall gazing at the valley below.
Megan and Zach have been together since High school, and it is so sweet to see a couple that is still so in love after being together for so long!
The weather stayed cold for the first part of our portraits, with a heavy cloud cover, but then cleared up right when we began to get chilly! Luckily, Megan and Zach brought a sweet blanket to wrap up with and were able to stay warm with the evening temperatures. The vibe of the whole day was just so chill, and that's what I love so much about elopements. You are able to just spend the day how you want to, hanging out with the people that you want to. And if its just your partner that you want to hang out with, you totally can! Everyone has a different definition of an elopement, but I think that's pretty dumb to get held up by a definition. If you want to get married with two witnesses and call it a wedding, it's a wedding! If you want to get married with 30 people in a church in Italy and call it an elopement, it's an elopement! the point is that it is YOUR day. Not your parents. Not your friends. Not your Grandma who will be soooooo disappointed if you don't have a huge wedding. It is not FOR them, or ABOUT them. It is for YOU, and about YOU. So plan the day that you want!
