Yosemite National Park, California

the hearnes » adventure elopement photographers

erin + justin's destination elopement in yosemite valley | adventure wedding portraits at glacier point + a romantic ceremony at taft point | national park elopement photographer

Erin and Justin’s elopement in Yosemite was our last one of the season and the perfect way to end such an amazing Yosemite stint!! My brother Ben came down from Oregon to officiate their ceremony, which made the day even more sweet. Erin and Justin traveled here from their home in Western Australia to elope in Yosemite among the gorgeous views and epic landscape. The idea of a big, traditional wedding didn’t feel right to them, and they both agreed they’d rather spend their money on an amazing holiday with a little wedding thrown in. When Erin told me their priorities were to get dressed up in a beautiful place, tell each other they love each other, and then have some incredible photos to show future children and grand children, I knew we’d be the perfect match! 

Their elopement day started the evening before, with Erin’s hair and make up beginning at 11pm so they could be all ready income for their sunrise first look. We met up with them in the parking lot in the dark, and Callen and Justin headed out to a little ledge overlooking Half Dome while I helped Erin with the final touches of her stunning bridal look! For their first look, Erin surprised Justin by bringing a little speaker and playing a couple of their favorite songs. Then, we spent the next hour taking in one of the most amazing sunrises I’ve seen out there. The sun was right behind Half Dome, creating these amazing streaks of light from both sides of the mountain. After wrapping up the morning portion of photos, and a quick visit to our van so Erin could meet Charlie (which may or may not have been the highlight of her morning), they headed down the mountain for a lunch cooked by a private chef (Private Dinners by Chef Bill) and some naps. I have to mention, during this between time while I chose to nap, chill, and get ready for their sunset hike/ceremony, Ben and Callen decided to drive down the valley and climb Nutcracker, a fun little route that left them stoked, sunburned, and exhausted 😂 Thankfully, they came back in time for some naps before meeting up with Erin and Justin again :)

We all hiked out to Taft Point together and picked a quiet little spot for their ceremony 3000 feet above Yosemite Valley. After their elopement ceremony, a celebratory announcement complete with cheers from random hikers (one of my favorite things about National Park elopements!), and a little bit of chill time for them to take it all in together, we spent the rest of the evening watching the gorgeous sunset and taking some epic portraits around the cliffs. Because it was our last Yosemite elopement of the season, I took extra time to really take it in, and as we were hiking back up I was a little sad but full of thankfulness for this epic job. The fact that in June, we got to hike out to Taft point so many times and watch the sunset that many days, all for a job that brings us amazing new friends like Erin + Justin. Some days it’s just insane that this is what we get to do!

Bridal Bouquet: The Flower Method

Private Meal: Private Dinners by Chef Bill

Hair & Make-Up: Blush Make-Up and Tans

Bride's Dress: Mariana Hardwick Emporium

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The Hearnes Adventure Photography is run by Abbi and Callen Hearne, a husband & wife wedding photography team with an emphasis on adventure. They live on the road as full-time nomads in their big white van, allowing them to serve a large portion of the western US including California, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming. They believe love is the greatest adventure and strive to create photos that are epic, romantic, true, and timeless.

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