Weddings

A Special Use Permit is required for any wedding held at any location within Yosemite National Park. The permit will cost a total of $150.00.

Weddings may be scheduled up to one year in advance and not less than 21 days prior to your ceremony. Please complete the Wedding Application Form [29 kb PDF].

Include your telephone number, address, number of people, date, time, exact location from the attached wedding location list or DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite facility, and any special needs of your party (i. e. handicapped access, elderly guests, etc.). Be sure to include the nonrefundable application fee of $50.00 with your application. (If you wish, the entire amount can be paid at this time instead of in two increments.)

After favorable review of your application, a Special Use Permit will be prepared and mailed to you for signature. At that time, a nonrefundable permit fee of $100.00 must be remitted with your signed permit if not remitted in advance.

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. Entrance fee information, road and weather information can be obtained by calling: 209/372-0200, or by visiting the Conditions Update page.

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
P.O. Box 700
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. Attached is a list of available sites and group size restrictions.

We do not issue permits for formal wedding receptions.

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. By doing so, your wedding would have more privacy. Time allowed for outdoor events is three hours. Wedding permits will not be issued for heavy use periods--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 DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite (DNC) facilities.

• The meadows of Yosemite are important components of the Park's renowned resources as well as important habitat for a host of plants and animals. These meadows 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 meadows, no special activities such as weddings, formal meetings or parties are permitted.
• Riparian zones (river banks and stream drainages) are also sensitive areas and may not be used.
• Weddings are not allowed around the bases of Sequoia trees.
• The release of butterflies is prohibited.
• Birdseed or rice may not be thrown within the park as this provides an unnatural food source for park wildlife.
• The use of balloons or other types of decorations will not be authorized.
• No event or directional signs are allowed.
• Picnic areas may not be reserved and are only available on a first-come basis. The permitted is responsible for the cleanup of the site and all trash. For activities of 25 or more people, all garbage is to be removed from the park.
• Yosemite National Park Rangers strictly enforce all laws relating to excessive drinking. The permitted and guests must comply with all applicable federal, state and county regulations.
• Chairs, tables or other furniture are not allowed at the site of your wedding unless a picnic area is used.
• Pets are prohibited on trails and must be leashed at all other locations.
• The Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 2.12) addresses audio disturbances and prohibits the following: 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.
• All fees are nonrefundable

The Yosemite Community Church (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 P.O. 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:

Protestant Interdenominational Minister for Marriage and Counseling, Reverend. John Paris....209/372-4831

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

The Honorable Donald Pitts (retired).................................................................................209/372-4775

Universal Life Church, Mr. Autrey Nassar............................................................................209/966-3231

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

Reverend Robert Campbell..............................................................................................209/357-5156

Jeanette E. Newton, Minister, Christian Ministry...................................................................209/769-0669

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

Reverend Russell Marsh, Non-denominational....................................................................209/379-2255

DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite (DNC) Facilities

Arrangements for use of the YCS reception facilities may be made
by calling Lori Lancaster, Special Functions at: 559/253-5673.

For all Areas

• All vehicles, including motorcycles, must be parked in designated areas only: no off-road traffic. Car-pooling is recommended.
• Special conveyances, including but not limited to horse drawn carriages and hot air balloons, are prohibited.
• Any activity not allowed to the general public will not be allowed to a wedding party.
• No formal receptions will be allowed in picnic areas

For More Information

For further assistance or information, please contact the Office of Special Programs at 209/379-1854 or send an email to: sue_clark@nps.gov.