A Special Use Permit is required for any wedding held at any location within Yosemite National Park. The permit cost is $150 (if event monitoring is required, you will be charged an additional $50 per hour).

Weddings may be scheduled up to one year in advance and more than 21 days prior to your ceremony. Please complete the wedding application [51 kb PDF] and include any special needs of your party (e.g., access for persons with disabilities, elderly guests, etc.). Be sure to include the nonrefundable application fee of $150 with your application.

Please review the wedding location list for ceremony sites in Yosemite and indicate the specific location on the application. If you are interested in reserving facilities operated by our concessioner, please contact DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite.

After favorable review of your application, a Special Use Permit will be prepared and mailed to you for signature. Upon receipt, please review, sign and return the permit to our office for final approval. After favorable review of your application, a permit will be prepared, and mailed toyou for signature. The application fee ($50) is nonrefundable after application review and the permit processing fee ($100) is non-refundable after the permit is issued.  If your wedding plans change, notify our office immediately. After the permit is approved we will send you an authorized copy. The approved permit must be in your possession at the time of the wedding. 

Entrance fees into the park are not waived for either wedding participants or guests (read more about entrance fees).

Get current road and weather information by calling 209/372-0200 (press 1).

The nonrefundable application and permit fees made by check or money order only, are made payable to: DOI/National Park Service and should be sent to:

Yosemite National Park
Special Park Uses/Weddings
PO Box 700 
El Portal, CA 95318

(Street address: 5083 Foresta Road, El Portal, CA 95318)

Restrictions and Event Management

A visit to the park is highly recommended prior to finalizing your plans in order to decide on a site for your wedding. Review the wedding locations list and all group size and site specific restrictions. We do not issue permits for formal wedding receptions in day use areas.

The wedding permit does not allow your ceremony to restrict other park visitors from your chosen location nor does it guarantee you a specific site. It is recommended that you avoid sites that attract a large number of visitors, or schedule your ceremony for early or late in the day, and/or on weekdays, when there are fewer visitors in the area. The wedding party is allowed up to two hours for the ceremony. Wedding permits will not be issued for heavy use periods such as Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend.

An additional charge of $50.00 per hour will be incurred for an Event Monitor for those outdoor activities of 50 people or more (excluding events managed inside facilities operated by DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite).All fees are non refundable. Additional restrictions are imposed as follows:

• Natural Resource Protection: The meadows and riparian areas (riverbank and stream drainages) areas of Yosemite are important components of the park's renowned resource, and an important habitat for a host of plants and animals. These areas attract a great deal of visitor use, which results in considerable environmental impact. To minimize such impacts and to maintain the scenic and ecological integrity of these sensitive sites, any other environmentally sensitive areas, no events will be permitted in them that will cause unacceptable impacts.
• Cultural Resource Protection: The Permittee and participants will not disturb, adversely effect, alter, damage, or remove any natural/cultural resources, archeological or historic artifacts. Digging, scraping, chiseling or defacing natural features is prohibited. Cultural Resources in Yosemite National Park are protected by the Historic Preservation Act of 1996 (16 USC 470), and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended (16 USC 470aa), which carries criminal and civil penalties for removing or damaging archaeological resources.
• Sequoia Groves: Weddings are not allowed around the bases of Sequoia trees.
• Releases: Butterfly releases, and all other living and/or inanimate object releases or dispersal, including birdseed and rice, are prohibited. Food items provide an unnatural food source for park wildlife.
• Decorations/Signing: The use of balloons or any other type of decorations will not be authorized. Event or directional signs are not allowed
• Seating: Chairs, tables or other furniture are not allowed at the wedding site. Consideration is given to those with special needs. Use existing picnic tables and benches only, for events in picnic areas. An additional food table and chairs may be used, for those with special needs
• Audio Disturbance: The Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 2.12), addresses audio disturbances and prohibits the following: use of radio, television sets, tape deck or musical instruments, in a manner that exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet. No amplified music or public address systems are allowed
• Vehicles: All vehicles (including motorcycles) must be parked in designated areas only; no off-road traffic.  Car pooling is recommended and may be required at specific locations. Vehicle limits are imposed at specific locations (See "Wedding Locations" information.)
• Pets: Pets are not allowed at any wedding ceremony sites
• Conveyances: Special conveyances, including but not limited to horse drawn carriages and hot air balloons, are prohibited.
• Law Enforcement: Yosemite National Park Rangers strictly enforce all laws relating to excessive drinking. Permittee and guests must comply with all applicable federal, state and county regulations.
• Receptions: Formal receptions are not allowed in picnic areas.

Yosemite Chapel

The Yosemite Community Church (Chapel) secretary schedules all weddings in the Chapel. The Yosemite Valley Protestant minister and the church secretary can be reached at: 209/372-4831, or by writing to:

Yosemite Community Church
PO Box 456
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

You may arrange to have someone from outside the park perform the ceremony. Listed below are local individuals that perform wedding ceremonies:

Cheryl Brindeiro, Non-denominational, 209/375-1205 

Dr. Emily Susann, Personalized Ceremonies, 559/683-7998

Honorable Donald Pitts (retired), 209/372-4775

Father Ray Duffy, Yosemite Catholic Priest, 209/372-4729

Minister Jeannette Newton, Christian Ministry, 209/769-0669

Minister Kathleen Malloy, Unitarian Universalism, 209/840-4777

Reverend Autrey Nassar, Universal Life Church, 209/966-3231    

Reverend John Paris, Christian Ministry,
209/742-6633           

Reverend Michael G. Ireland, Minister, 209/962-5142

 

 

DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite (DNC) Facilities

There are limited park facilities for receptions and other group events. Arrangements for use of the DNC reception facilities may be made by calling Lori Lancaster or Kevin Anderson, Special Functions, at: 801/559-5050.

For further assistance or information, please contact Chris Thorpe at 209/379-1858 or by email.