Cathedral Beach Yosemite Wedding Guide

Cathedral Beach Yosemite Wedding Planning

Frequently Asked Questions:

Permits

Do you need a permit to get married at Cathedral Beach in Yosemite? 

You need a special-use permit from Yosemite National Park, to have a wedding at Cathedral Beach. The permit fee is $150. Download the application from the NPS Weddings & Ceremonies Page then mail it with a check. Once approved, you'll sign and mail it again. The process takes time, so apply early to avoid any stress.

Cathedral Beach weddings are only allowed from the Tuesday after Memorial Day through October 31st. Don't forget you'll also need a California Marriage license!

Guests

How many guests can you have at a Cathedral Beach Wedding?

You can have up to 50 people (including you two) at Cathedral Beach Picnic Area since it's a designated Yosemite ceremony location. (Monitoring by a ranger is required for for 35–50 people) If a big traditional wedding isn't your vibe, you’re in the right place!

If you’re eloping just the two of you or your group size is less than 10 people, you can get married almost anywhere in the park including our favorites like Taft Point and Glacier Point.

Time of Year

When is the best time to elope at Cathedral Beach?

Late June or October are the best months to get married at Cathedral Beach. Since it's a popular swimming and picnic spot, it get's very busy during Summer.

Best time of day: Early morning or late afternoon will give you the fewest people around (mid-day is busiest) plus the best lighting for photos with soft and directional sunlight. (Our favorite as photographers!)

Best day of the week: We highly recommend eloping on a weekday (Monday-Thursday) for a more private, intimate elopement experience with significantly fewer visitors.

 In Spring/Summer the river occasionally get's so high that there's almost no beach, in which case you have to have your ceremony in the picnic area. For this reason we recommend a different ceremony location during those months.

Chairs, Decorations, Parking

Can we have chairs or decorations at our Cathedral Beach Wedding? 

No, Yosemite doesn't allow any decorations or chairs to be setup for weddings at Cathedral Beach. They only allow a light fabric runner on the beach, and decorations on the picnic tables.

Cathedral Beach Parking & Accessibility:

Cathedral Beach Picnic Area has a parking lot that holds 20-30 cars, accessible restrooms, and multiple picnic tables. This makes it convenient for any guests and great for a mini-reception. The parking lot fills up fast in Summer and there's no good overflow location, so we recommend a morning or late afternoon ceremony, and guests carpooling as much as possible.

How do you get to Cathedral Beach Picnic Area?

Drive on Southside road to reach Cathedral Beach Picnic Area in the middle of Yosemite Valley, on the banks of the Merced River. It's a 30-60 minute drive from the park entrance, depending on the entrance. There's no hiking required to reach Cathedral Beach, you walk onto the beach from the parking lot. 

Can you swim at Cathedral Beach?

Yes, it’s generally safe to swim at Cathedral Beach, especially in late summer when the Merced River is calm and shallow near the shore. However, conditions change throughout the year. Early summer snowmelt can create stronger currents, colder water, and deeper sections. Always follow posted warnings, stay close to shore, and supervise children closely, there are no lifeguards at Cathedral Beach.