Melding Traditions: A Yosemite National Park Wedding
When Yooree contacted me about eloping in Yosemite, I was SO stoked. The two of us had met years ago through a book club in the Bay Area. So, it was awesome to see her name come up again. Besides, who doesn’t want to photograph a wedding in Yosemite? That’s absolutely a dream spot for outdoor wedding photographers.
I was extra excited because this was my first time shooting a wedding there—a throwback to the time I took couples photos back in 2019! I’ve learned so much since then, and I was excited to share it all with Yooree and Jarrod.
A Yosemite Elopement
It was clear both Yooree and Jarrod valued their families. So despite eloping, they wanted to bring their families along. Yooree’s family was near the area. But Jarrod’s parents made the trip from Australia!
I met with Yooree and her family early in the morning at her Airbnb. The house was lovely, with cabin vibes that fit in perfectly with the grove area outside. Isiah and I introduced ourselves to her mom, cousins, and aunts; each glowing with anticipation for the big day. As the bride-to-be got ready, Isiah practiced his ceremony script in the van and I marveled at Yooree’s three—yes, three—wedding dresses.
The first dress was a flowy white wedding dress for the ceremony. The second was a traditional Korean hanbok (Chosŏn-ot), for just after the ceremony. And the final dress was a stunning red gown for evening photos. I really struggle to find words to explain how amazing this all was. Luckily, these pictures tell a much better story than I can.
But why three dresses? Well, this was a wedding that blended traditions. A little bit of Western tradition with the white dress, a little bit of Korean tradition with the handmade hanbok to match Yooree’s side of the family, and a little bit of personal flair with the red dress.
You really can do whatever you want at your wedding, including wearing all your favorite dresses.
Isiah greeted Jarrod and his parents when they arrived. Which was especially nice for me, because it meant that we could transition right into the first-look photos. There was a lovely wooden walkway between the house and the driveway, so we had Jarrod turn his back and Yooree come up behind him while I snapped photos. The families took a few sneak peeks from the window, eager to see the couple’s reactions.
Afterward, we headed into the park for the wedding. Yosemite National Park has a list of approved locations for wedding ceremonies—our location was Cathedral Beach. When we arrived, we saw a few deer sipping water, which seemed like a delightful omen for the day.
The family gathered around the couple on the beach. And as soon as Isiah started the ceremony, Yooree started happy crying. It was a sweet and vulnerable moment—and as an outdoor wedding and elopement photographer, I love tears because they make for beautiful pictures.
After the ceremony, the couple had family photos, portraits, and a picnic with champagne, juice, and beautiful mini cakes. Before parting ways, Yooree changed into her traditional hanbok for more photos with the family—where they told me all about the dress, how it was made, the history, and more. It was an absolute delight. Jarrod’s sister couldn’t make it to the USA for the wedding, but his parents brought her in spirit with a cut out of her face so she could still be in family photos.
Later in the day, we met up with Yooree and Jarrod for some one-on-one time. Our couple wanted to take portraits in the valley during sunset with just the two of them. This is always a good idea. It’s so important to have some alone time together on your wedding day to let everything sink in. Yooree and Jarrod danced, posed, and spent more than a little time just laughing and basking in each other’s joy. It’s so valuable to soak up that “we just got married in this epic location” vibe!
Have Your Own Yosemite Elopement or Outdoor Wedding
Want to explore all the grandeur Yosemite has to offer on your wedding day or elopement? The park is amazing in all seasons—each with its own charm and challenges. So whether you’re excited to hike around Mirror Lake, watch nighttime climbers under El Cap, or stargaze from the valley—you’ll adore this location for your outdoor wedding.
Book your Yosemite photographer and I’ll help you hash out the details, take you on an amazing adventure, and snap some gorgeous wedding photos you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
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Meet Your Photographer
I'm Diana Lustig, a California-born adventurer with a camera for a hand and an inborn love for the outdoors. I'm a professional photographer of 15 years and counting. In my free time you'll find me traveling with my husband in our van, Clyde. I first visited Yosemite National Park with my family many years ago. I look back fondly on one of my core memories—sitting in the runoff of Yosemite Falls on a rather warm day after exploring the valley.
How did i get into wedding and elopement photography? In 2019, I hired adventure photographers for my own wedding and they showed me there’s a different, more personal way to get married. It was such a special day, I want to bring it to so many more couples who believe in getting married their own way.
