November 2021

How to Plan Weddings in Yosemite National Park The Ultimate Guide for Planning Weddings in Yosemite National Park (complete with pricing and photos) If you are looking for information on planning weddings in Yosemite National Park you have come to the right place! There’s little doubt as to why it is among the most popular national parks in the US, with its granite domes, scenic viewpoints, and towering waterfalls. It is one of the best backdrops to have your wedding photos taken in any season! Read below for information  How to Get a Permit for Weddings in Yosemite National Park Every ceremony requires a nonrefundable $150 permit, as well as a separate photo/video permit You can schedule your wedding event for up to a year in advance or at least 21 days before the date. Yosemite is one of most popular National Park Wedding Venues so I highly recommend submitting your application sooner than later to avoid any delays and headaches in sheduling. Locations for Yosemite National Park Weddings and Photos Yosemite has iconic photo backdrops that blend perfectly with the surrounding. If you want the best sunset view, you can check out Taft Point for its daring views of the falls and valley. Glacier Point serves as the must have Yosemite background of Half Dome, followed closely by Tunnel View. If you want waterfalls, Bridalveil Falls is the most accessible and is a short easy hike. And finally on the outskirts of the park, Mariposa Grove serves as a more unexpected Yosemite National Park wedding venue if you want to be dwarfed by these majestic trees. The indoor locations include the central Ahwahnee Hotel, and the nearby Convict Lake Resort and Evergreen Lodge. Check out the more complete list of ceremony specific locations. Check the availability of these locations as some are closed down during certain times, especially in the winter (such as Glacier Point). Best Times for Weddings at Yosemite National Park Choose a date or season that is special to you and will be for years to come. Have other options available because Yosemite tends to get crowded in peak seasons, during the summer and spring, when the waterfalls are gushing.  Summer is the most popular time, but doing a winter wedding can also allow for some spectacular and quiet images. Springtime has the most color and most water in the falls, however. If you are real lucky, you can be there during a “snowfall” whereas the trees are colored from the spring change, but there was a fresh coat of snow the day before to have the unique view of Yosemite that I personally have only seen once in my life! Places to Stay There are plenty of places to explore, so a single day wouldn’t be enough for your wedding in Yosemite National Park. To get the whole experience, check out accommodations in camping locations, cabins, and resorts within and outside the park or even Airbnbs. Top places include Yosemite Valley Lodge, Autocamp, and the Ahwahnee Hotel. Groveland is the nearest town right outside Yosemite. Oakhurst is a 30 minute drive outside the Park as well. Most Popular Yosemite Elopement Locations There are plenty of picturesque places for Yosemite National Park weddings. Some of the places for smaller elopements you can consider include Tenaya Lake, Mirror Lake, Cook’s Meadow, and Washburn Point. Each of these places is available all-year-round, but all still require a Yosemite National Park wedding permit. Conclusion Yosemite National Park Weddings offer the most magical outdoor experiences you can imagine. If you have ever been there, you know why it is one of the most popular national parks in the USA…and why it is one of my favorite places in the world to visit! With so much natural beauty, and so much variety all within the Park, it is arguably the best place to elope in the US! If you are thinking of other California elopement locations, see my posts about the Best Places to Elope in San Francisco or the Best Places to Elope in Lake Tahoe for more wedding planning help. If you would like to discuss your Yosemite National Park wedding please CONTACT ME to discuss ideas! Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

Planning a Wedding in Catalina Island (updated 2022) The Ultimate Guide for Planning a Wedding in Catalina Island(complete with pricing, photos, and venues) A Caribbean wedding, especially a wedding in Catalina Island, is matched by few if any. The gorgeous location is perfect for every wedding, from the small, intimate elopement to the extravagant and lavish celebration. There are dozens of places to explore, from towering hikes to alluring beaches, all eager to make yours the next big event of the Island. Planning a wedding in Catalina Island is as exciting as it is adventurous. Lets look at how you can make your Catalina Island wedding an epic one! Getting to Catalina Island You can sail into Catalina Island through San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach, or Dana Point ports, which are about an hour from the island. If you feel like flying, you can take a private chopper ride from Long Beach, San Pedro, Burbank, or John Wayne airports, which will take close to 15 minutes.  Wedding in Catalina Island – Legal Stuff You’ll need a California marriage license for any wedding on Catalina Island. If you choose to have your wedding on any outdoor location, you will need an officiant, at least two witnesses, and a location permit to be on the safe side. Make reservations or bookings early enough.  Plus, it advisable to get familiar with the guidelines and permits for the location you choose. Wedding Venues in Catalina Island You can pick from two main sides to host your wedding in Catalina Island. There’s Avalon to the east, where all the big fun typically happens, and Twin Harbors to the west for the more intimate villa experience. There are dozens of places to choose from, including Lover’s Cove for smaller events and elopements and Little Harbor and Shark Harbor Trail for the couple that loves a little adventure. There’s also Catalina Adventure Tours for an over-the-top luxury wedding on a boat in the ocean! Overlook Hall for something a bit rustic and artistic, Descanso Beach Club for a chill event on the beach, Hotel Metropole for a sleek and lavish event and so much more! If you want a smaller, more intimate setting, you can explore Airbnb options which offer more customization. Explore lodging places since hotels get booked up pretty quickly when it’s high season. Also, shop ahead of time. Wedding Packages in Catalina Island I offer special rates for your wedding in Catalina Island, since its such a gorgeous location to photograph! Wedding packages in Catalina Island start at $3200. Please CONTACT ME to discuss your Catalina Island wedding today! Best Time for a Wedding in Catalina Island Of course, the best time to have your wedding depends on what you prefer and your schedule. However, if you wish to have your wedding during more temperate whether, then spring is the best time to schedule it. Summer days can sometimes be overcast until noon or later. The island tends to be extra busy during this period, so amenities and activities can be a bit more expensive.  Catalina Island Wedding Vendors A Catalina Island wedding is a unique event in one of the most gorgeous places in the world. You have an elopement as personalized as you want! Few vendors live within the Island so you will need to get them “off island”, and they’ll probably charge a fee as part of their total fee.  Conclusion A wedding in Catalina Island is incomplete if you don’t get to explore the rest of the Island. Treat your guests to a Zip Line Tour, an aerial adventure & helicopter tour, a tour of Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden, cocktails at Luau Larry’s, Kayaking, or a Mini Golf tournament. Since it’s a small island, things get booked up fairly easily, especially during the summer months.  If you would like to discuss your Catalina Island wedding, please CONTACT ME to chat! Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118