Mother Nature forces plan B on Tiffany and Ross’ Yosemite Elopement
Always Be Prepared
Nature forced a Plan B for this Yosemite Elopement, but it turned out even better than imagined! A snow storm rolled in the night before Tiffany and Ross’ wedding so a ceremony at Glacier Point wasn’t possible. The park closes those roads during snow storms, but I knew exactly what we should do. As a photographer who works primarily in nature (and committed to adventure), I always have a plan B-Z!
Plan B
For couple’s photos we wanted a sunrise backdrop, because honestly, is there anything more beautiful than being in nature at sunrise? With the roads closed to Yosemite, we headed to Valley View for our morning photos at Cathedral Beach for the ceremony.
We met Ross at Tenaya Lodge and gave him a ride into the park. It was still dark as we made our way to Valley View but you could see the snow on the road. It was reflecting off our headlights from the trees so beautifully. That’s when we knew we were going to have a magical backdrop.
Breathtaking Scenery
The sun was coming up over the Merced River between El Capitan, which reaches 3,000 feet up to the sky, and opposite it, Cathedral Rocks and Spires. Fog rested in the valley and steam was coming off the Merced River, it was absolutely breathtaking. I would say Plan B worked out to be even better than plan A which I often find to be the case!
The Proposal
It was so special to witness a picnic with Ross and Tiffany, because to them, a picnic has a special memory attached: an engagement. Ross proposed at the same location where they had their first date picnic. He packed a beautiful lunch (much better than the first date Tiffany says!) and part way through eating cheese and crackers, Ross got down on one knee and proposed. After the proposal, Ross and Tiffany went back to their house where Ross had arranged to have dinner with their parents to celebrate.
Intimacy in an Elopement
Tiffany and Ross both really wanted to have a smaller, more intimate wedding. It was important for them to have their closest family and friends there to celebrate. They wanted people there who have supported their relationship up to this point, and who would help guide them in the future. Yosemite was the perfect location because they both love the outdoors so much and can see themselves coming back in the future with loved ones. I absolutely love shooting in Yosemite.
A Vintage Rug
I have to say, after many beautiful picnics with couples, Tiffany and Ross’ touched me immensely. Their decision to purchase a vintage rug to say their vows on was brilliant to me. They wanted something tangible to take away from the day, and said they look forward to having the rug in their home as a reminder of the vows recited to each other that day.
Favorite Moments
For Ross, his favorite moment of the day was after the exchange of rings and vows. “When our officiant declared to everyone that we were man and wife. Thats when all of the emotion hit me and all of the build-up and anticipation washed over and I just remember being so happy!”
And for Tiffany, it was the first look. “It was so nice to have that time together without all of our friends and family there yet. Yosemite at sunrise is so still and so quiet. It was incredible to take it all in with just the two of us. I’m so glad that we did that.”
Advice from a Happy Couple
We asked Tiffany and Ross to share some advice to our readers. Here’s what they shared with us: “Have a well thought out plan, but be flexible enough to change it at the last minute. We went over the weekend plan and schedule in incredible detail together before the weekend. We both knew exactly what was supposed to happen from memory. But then, we got to Yosemite and everything we had planned to do was closed or inaccessible, so we had to make some last minute changes. Because we both knew each other’s expectations, we were able to work together to make it all happen beautifully. We wouldn’t change a thing!”
Wedding Vendors
Hair and Makeup | Glamology Beauty Lounge
Flowers | Something Borrowed Blooms
Dress | Reem Acra sample purchased at Glamour Closet LA
Alterations | LoveSewTrue
Catering | Willow Creek Catering
