This Couple Hiked to Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park for Their Outdoorsy Elopement
When it came time to tie the knot, Margaret and Chris wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life so they decided to elope in one of the most picturesque spots imaginable—Yosemite National Park. Hiking has always been a central part of the couple's relationship (they got engaged while hiking in the Faroe Islands), so a hiking-centric elopement fit the bill perfectly. The couple exchanged vows at Glacier Point, with Half Dome in the background, before spending the day hiking with their photographer to snap pictures all over the park. Margaret and Chris ended the day with an intimate picnic on a mountain ledge at Taft Point while watching to sunset on their love-filled day.
The couple explains that their decision to elope domestically came about when the pandemic made an international destination wedding an impossibility. "We always thought that we'd get married abroad since we love to travel," Chris says. "Unfortunately, that wasn't a possibility with the pandemic, so we chose the next best option. We love adventure and the outdoors and happened to have reservations to visit Yosemite National Park. Margaret threw out the crazy idea that maybe they should elope on their next trip there and didn't think I would actually say yes! Once I was on board though, we planned the elopement and booked all of the vendors in less than a month."
When it came to details, the couple kept things minimal, opting instead to allow the beauty of Yosemite National Park to shine through. "It doesn't get more beautiful than Yosemite National Park, so we didn't want to compete with it by bringing in decor. Since this was a simple elopement, we opted for a faux bouquet and boutonniere. Not only was booking Simply Borrowed Blooms a more sustainable option, but it was also an incredibly easy process. The floral arrangements were shipped directly to the hotel and were returned after the ceremony," explains the couple.
Looking back on their wedding, the couples shares that "honestly, our whole day was so special to us because we did everything our way. We booked a private cabin at Tenaya Lodge where we were able to get ready the morning before our elopement. We woke up that morning, ate breakfast together, and relaxed in each other's company before our vendors arrived which really set the tone for the day. While we had a rough outline of the day and the destinations for the ceremony and photos, we wanted to keep everything fluid and maintain a low-stress environment. After all, the day was about enjoying every moment together. We think sometimes couples get so caught up in the stress of the big day that they aren't able to fully enjoy the moments together, so our best advice is to do whatever makes you happy! This day is all about the two of you and nobody else—don't feel the need to adhere to tradition or others' expectations if that's not your thing."