When it comes to dream wedding locations, it honestly does not get better than out in nature.

And, if you are looking for a natural themed wedding and want somewhere in the US which will have some of the best natural scenery to appreciate then going with one of the 54 national parks around the country will be a great idea.
When it comes to choosing one of these amazing national parks to get married in, one of the popular choices is Yosemite, and this is a popular choice for a reason.
This spot can be seen as an alpine wonderland, and you will find some amazing, well-known, and more hidden gem options to get married in this stunning part of the country!
This is the alpine wonderland of California, and even though you will likely end up in Yosemite Valley, this is not the only option, however, this spot is popular because of how many hotels, parks, activities, and attractions are based.
You will also get some great landmarks nearby like Yosemite Falls, the Half Dome, as well as El Capitan rock wall which is over 3000 feet tall.
If you want somewhere breathtaking with some beautiful views and nature all around and close by, then Yosemite is an option you are going to have to look out for.
Because of how well known the beauty of Yosemite is, there are plenty of different options available when it comes to wedding venues.
There is a pretty wide variety, so no matter what kind of wedding you are looking for, and for whatever size wedding you want, you will be able to find a suitable venue.
However, because of how popular Yosemite is for weddings, there is a massive range of options available.
This means that the quality can be pretty varied, so because of this, we have put this list together so you can see all of the best options we have selected. So, if you want our list of the best of the best wedding venue options in Yosemite, keep reading!
1. The Ahwahnee Hotel – Yosemite Valley
For our first option, we are spotlighting the Ahwahnee Hotel which is in Yosemite Valley.
If you have ever heard of the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, this is what that location rebranded into, and it is one of the best hotels for a wedding celebration available in the area.
The spot was built back in the 20s and was made to accommodate wealthy guests visiting Yosemite from all around the state.
The trip to get to Yosemite would often take so much effort that this hotel was made particularly luxurious to make it a reward for guests to arrive at.
Of course now getting to Yosemite is a lot easier, but that does not change the fact that this is still a beautiful spot that is perfect for hosting weddings all year round.
With how much nature there is surrounding this spot, whatever time of year you visit, you will have amazing sights all around.
If you get married here, the reception will usually be held in the impressive dining room with its lofty ceiling helped up by stunning wooden beams, and a two story fireplace which has been practically unchanged since the 20s.
For one of the top choices in Yosemite Valley, The Ahwahnee Hotel is one which you should consider.
2. Vista Ranch And Cellars – Merced
If you have always dreamed of having a farm wedding, and you want a California twist, then going to Vista Ranch and Cellars in Merced is one of the best options for you. The ranch covers more than 20 acres, in that includes lawns, vineyards, and picnic areas too.
This means that you will have a variety of different choices for the aesthetic of your big day. All of the catering is also handled in house, so you do not have to worry about caterers being able to reach the venue.
This spot also has a private cottage which is most commonly used as a spot for the wedding party to get ready on the big day.
Vista Ranch also features a tasting room on site, so if you want your guests to be able to partake in an activity like wine tasting, then that would be an amazing unique experience.
You can also arrange for a tour operator based in Merced to host tours around this part of Yosemite as another fun wedding activity.
3. Yosemite AutoCamp – Midpines
Now, if you want a national park wedding, but you want it to have a slightly more modern twist, then you will have to head to Midpines to get married at Yosemite AutoCamp.
This is a resort that features AirStream trailers as well as safari style accommodation for all of the guests.
The main draw for this beautiful spot is all of the amazing common space which is available. This includes fire pits, indoor and outdoor couches, as well as a swimming pool, and decks which overlook the amazing property.
There are plenty of options for a stunning wooded backdrop for the wedding all around the property.
One thing we love about this spot is that the resort works with different local vendors to provide almost everything so you can trust that it is locally sourced, whether it is wine tasting, or yoga classes.
You can also get the wedding itself to be catered by restaurants that are based nearby as well. There are also plenty of options for what style of wedding you are looking to have here.
For example, you could just have a small wedding, or you can even buy out the whole resort and make it so each wedding guest will have a vintage trailer to themselves.
4. Sparks Ranch Resort – Sonora
If you want something a little more intimate and private, then this 10 acre ranch resort is a great choice. The spot is surrounded by oak trees towering up high making it an amazing spot to have a wooded wedding.
There is also the cute cottage house which is painted yellow and surrounded by native plants as well making it a great spot for the wedding party to get ready.
If you are having a wedding here, it is worth knowing that you will have to rent the venue for the entire weekend, however, this also means that there will also not be any other guests on site which is perfect if you are looking for something more private.
Other than this though, the wedding packages here are completely customizable and come with plenty of options. So, whether you want to hire their mixologist to prepare drinks on the day, or if you want brunch around the pool, there is plenty to choose from.
5. Tenaya Lodge – Fish Camp
This spot is only minutes away from the southern entrance into Yosemite, and this spot is a larger more modern resort which is in Fish Camp.
This spot has some amazing wedding packages which you can simply choose from, or you can work out a completely custom wedding with them as well.
This makes making your celebration exactly how you want it, while also not going overboard with cost not too much of a challenge.
Even though this spot is not technically in Yosemite, it is so close that you will have all of the same views, but not have to deal with any of the strict curfews which can be an issue inside the national park.
We love Tenaya Lodge because of how amazing it is for an outdoor wedding in the warmer months.
You also get an amazing view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and since you will get lodging on site, this is also a pretty stress free location for your guests as well.
6. Yosemite Valley Chapel – Yosemite Valley
If you are looking for a church wedding, but you still want to be surrounded by the grandeur of Yosemite, then this spot is amazing, and also historic.
Just opening the doors to this chapel gives you amazing views of some of the falls in Yosemite, and you can even see the shadow of the Half Dome.
This means that you can get some absolutely amazing backdrops for the wedding photos as well. This spot was also built back in the 1800s, and was originally the centerpiece of a small town just called Yosemite before it became what it is today.
Summary
Hopefully this guide has given you all the information you need on where you can have the best wedding possible in Yosemite.
As you can see, there is a massive variety of options available in this one national park alone, so you are sure to find an option which is best suited to your needs.
While we have provided an overview here, our top advice is to contact the venue and have a conversation with a consultant so you can get all the specific advice and information you need before committing to any ideas.
Also, it is worth considering other practicalities when choosing a location, like how easily vendors will be able to reach the venue, and guest list size.
- 10 Stunning Weddings In Jamaica We Highly Recommend - May 16, 2023
- How To Choose A Color Theme For Your Wedding - May 16, 2023
- 26 Amazing Alternative Wedding Ideas You Need To Check Out - May 16, 2023