Yosemite National Park designated outdoor public wedding venues inside the park for groups of 11 or more. These stunning locations highlight the most beautiful and iconic features that Yosemite has to offer. Smaller groups of less than 11 people have even more choices for possible wedding venues. These small wedding parties are free to choose a location anywhere in the park, with just a few exceptions. You need to stay out of open meadows, off river banks/ riparian areas, and away from the bases of giant sequoia trees. Avoid these areas because they are particularly sensitive to human impacts and erosion.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the destinations you might be interested in.
Keep in mind that if you’re in a public space, the public is allowed to be there – even if you’re in the middle of a wedding ceremony. Don’t let them phase you. Most people are respectful, but if you want to be alone consider planning a ceremony for the early hours of the morning. Alternatively, choose a private venue like the Wedding and Event Center at The Redwoods In Yosemite.

Large vacation homes and a beautiful centrally located event center provide options for indoor and outdoor wedding celebrations.
Wedding Ceremony Locations Close to Wawona
Since we’ve already mentioned our favorite location, let’s start with options in Wawona. If you’re planning to stay in a vacation rental cabin in Wawona, you won’t find a wedding ceremony location more convenient than these.

Some vacation rental cabins have beautiful open spaces that are perfect for an intimate wedding ceremony.
Chilnualna Fall Trailhead. This wedding venue is one of the NPS-approved locations in Wawona. It is just southwest of the parking area for Chilnualna Falls and accommodates up to 50 people.
Vacation rental cabins inside Yosemite. Several vacation rental homes provide a perfect setting for a small wedding ceremony or reception. Choose a cabin with an expansive deck or an open yard overlooking the South Fork of the Merced River. You can plan to hold your wedding service at any time, without wondering if any other members of the public will wander into your special moment.

The Wedding and Event Center at The Redwoods In Yosemite includes indoor and outdoor seating options.
The Redwoods in Yosemite Wedding and Event Center. By planning your wedding in Wawona, you also have the option of hosting your rehearsal dinner and/or Yosemite wedding reception at the nearby Wedding and Event Center. This is an affordable and welcoming wedding venue with the amenities you need. A spacious outdoor deck allows you to stay connected to the fresh air and natural scenery in Yosemite. A convenient Catering Kitchen and outlets for extra lighting or warming ovens make serving food simple. The Event Center accommodates up to 80 people for indoor seated dining. Find out more about the Wedding and Event Center.

Nature provides the best backdrops.
Wedding Venues Among Yosemite’s Giant Sequoias
Say your vows with centuries-old giant sequoia trees standing witness. Both the Tuolumne and Merced Groves have designated outdoor wedding ceremony venues. While you’re there, be sure to respect these ancient trees by giving them plenty of room. Giant sequoia tree roots are very shallow and are easily compromised when people walk close and compact the soil around those fragile roots. Standing on sequoia roots and near sequoia trees is not allowed.
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The designated wedding site in the Tuolumne Grove is about a 2.5 mile (4 km) round-trip hike with 400 feet (120 m) elevation loss then gain along a paved trail. The ceremony needs to stay on the footpath. This location can accommodate up to 30 people.
Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias. The hike to the wedding site in the Merced Grove is a little longer than the Tuolumne Grove. It is 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip and the hike loses 600 feet (180 m) that you will have to climb again to leave. Again, the ceremony needs to be on the footpath, and standing on sequoia roots or near the sequoia trees is forbidden – and uncool.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Unlike the smaller groves in the park, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias doesn’t have a dedicated wedding ceremony venue. However, if your wedding party is fewer than 11 people, you can get married here as well. During the winter months, the road to the Mariposa Grove closes. This adds an extra 2 miles (3.2 km) in each direction to get from the Welcome Plaza near the entrance gate to the lower grove. Like the other sequoia groves, it’s important to stay on the footpath and off the vulnerable roots of these giant trees.

With a stunning location directly across from Half Dome, Glacier Point is a popular wedding ceremony location.
Wedding Ceremony Locations atop Yosemite’s Iconic Cliffs
Looking for an adventurous and airy setting for your wedding ceremony? Access for all three of the locations is along the Glacier Point Road. Each venue boasts spectacular views of Half Dome, El Capitan, or other iconic Yosemite features. Note: the Glacier Point Road closes in winter. In the late fall or early spring, snowstorms could cause the road to close as well. Think of these as summer and early fall options.
Glacier Point Amphitheater. The Glacier Point amphitheater commands an impressive and iconic view directly across from Half Dome. Of the three options in this section, this is the only one that is wheelchair accessible. However, dates are limited. Not only do you need to account for the winter Glacier Point Road closure, weddings are not scheduled here in July or August. If you can work around this schedule, Glacier Point is your destination. This venue accommodates up to 50 people, and NPS monitoring is required for parties larger than 35 people. Glacier Point is about 28 miles from The Redwoods In Yosemite cabins.
Sentinel Dome. Sentinel Dome is only an option for wedding groups of 11 or fewer. The top of the dome is just over a mile from the trailhead and the last section involves a steep walk up the granite flanks of the dome. That means it may not be for everyone. However, the summit views provide a 360-degree panorama of the Yosemite landscape with views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the High Sierra peaks. This is a great spot to catch either sunrise or sunset, though if you plan an evening ceremony, prepare to be surrounded by other park visitors. Sunrise is usually much quieter. The trailhead is about 26 miles from Wawona.
Taft Point. You might have seen the photos of wedding couples posed at the edge of a cliff at sunset with El Capitan far below. That would be Taft Point. Although a popular photo location, Taft Point is also only a wedding ceremony option for wedding parties of fewer than 11 people.
Wedding Locations by the River in Yosemite Valley
There are several popular wedding ceremony locations along the river in Yosemite Valley. Each of these destinations has specific group size limits and restrictions.
The Cascades Picnic Area. This is one of the lowest-elevation wedding venues along the Merced River corridor, making it extra appealing for a winter wedding. In addition to the nearby river, Cascade Fall is just across the street. Wedding ceremonies are not permitted in the falls viewing area, however.
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area, Cathedral Beach Picnic Area, and Sentinel Beach Picnic Area are located in Yosemite Valley along the shores of the Wild and Scenic Merced River. White granite cliffs rise up all around and you’ll be surrounded with views of Yosemite Valley’s icons. Each area has its own group-size limits. These range from a 20-person maximum at Swinging Bridge to a 100-person maximum at Sentinel Beach.

Yosemite’s waterfalls provide gorgeous wedding backdrops.
Yosemite Wedding Sites Near Waterfalls
The spring season invites couples to say their vows in the presence of one of Yosemite’s famous waterfalls.
The Lower Yosemite Fall trail has a location along the paved path designated for wedding ceremonies with up to 50 people. This site is wheelchair accessible and restrooms are nearby. Note that you are not allowed to have your ceremony on Yosemite Creek Bridge or at the base of the waterfall.
Bridalveil Fall. Was there ever a location name that was so appropriate for a wedding ceremony? Get married in a forest clearing with Bridalveil Fall in the background. Up to 50 people can gather together for a wedding here.