There’s no rule that says an elopement has to be completely private or that inviting family means giving up time alone together. Soli and Carrick’s Cathedral Beach elopement was such a good example of how you can have both. They split their day between a sunrise adventure just the two of them, an intimate ceremony with their family, and an evening exploring Yosemite Valley. It gave every part of their day its own space without ever feeling like they were trying to cram everything into a few hours!

From Private Vows to Their Cathedral Beach Elopement

Soli and Carrick stayed at the Ahwahnee Hotel and started their wedding day early with a first look at Tunnel View. With the entire valley stretching out behind them, they exchanged private vows before meeting up with everyone else. The forecast had been calling for rain, but somehow it held out all day with even a few little bursts of sun. And honestly, those cloudy Yosemite days photograph so well. The softer light, hazy mountains, and moody skies gave the morning such a different feel.

Later, everyone met at Cathedral Beach for their ceremony. Their family wasn’t just there to watch either, they were part of it. Soli’s mom played violin, family members shared readings, and her mom even surprised them with an old favorite song that everyone sang together. Afterward, they stayed right there for a picnic on the beach and family photos. It was simple, personal, and gave them actual time to hang out with the people who had traveled to Yosemite to celebrate with them.

A Private Yosemite Adventure After Their Cathedral Beach Elopement

After spending the first half of the day with family, Soli and Carrick had a little break before we met back up for round two. This is one of my favorite things about a split-day elopement timeline. Instead of rushing from the ceremony straight into hours of portraits, you can take a break, reset, and make the second half of the day feel like its own adventure.

We spent the evening making our way through Yosemite Valley, stopping at the meadows, El Capitan, and Valley View along the way. They walked through the tall grass, snuggled up on the ground, ran around a little, and really just got to enjoy being married in Yosemite. Then, after a full day of exploring, they met back up with their family at Curry Village for pizza, which might be one of the best possible ways to end an elopement day.

Planning Your Own Yosemite Elopement? Would Love To Chat!

Christina Perhac Photo | Adventurous California Elopement Photographer

If you’re trying to decide between an intimate adventure and having your family there, you really don’t have to choose. A split-day timeline can give you private vows, time to explore, a meaningful ceremony with your favorite people, and plenty of room to actually enjoy all of it. If a Cathedral Beach elopement or your own version of a Yosemite adventure sounds like you, I’d love to help you figure out a day that brings all of those pieces together. Head to my contact page so we can chat about the ideas you have! If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here. Can’t wait to hear from you!