FAQs

Question

What if I can’t travel to California?

Answer

The invitation to the ceremony in California is only an offering to join us on our special day. However, we know it is a long trip and can be too much for some of our loved ones. We appreciate any best wishes from those of you who are unable to come to the ceremony, and do not expect you to travel if you are unable.

Question

When do we RSVP by?

Answer

The RSVP for this wedding will be earlier than most due to the travel and booking time necessary. The cut off for RSVP will be by the end of January 2025.

Question

What can I give as a gift?

Answer

Although we do not expect anything, we have a few options for gifts. Due to lack of space at home and traveling circumstances, we will not be accepting physical gifts. There is an option on the registry tab on this website to donate to one of the areas we would appreciate help i.e. our honeymoon trip. There will also be a QR code at each event that brings you directly to the Zola registry or the zelle app to directly gift to our financial account.

Question

When do we book our lodging and flights?

Answer

It is recommended to book lodging as soon as possible, as June is a very popular time for Yosemite National Park. Many of the Air BnB's and Vrbo vacation rentals are getting booked up 10-12 months out. For flights, to get the best prices, it is recommended to book about 6-8 weeks out from the date of travel. The link for the Southwest Low Fare Calendar is in the Travel Tab of this website.

Question

Where do we stay during our visit?

Answer

There are many places to stay near the National Park. Please see the Elopement and Travel Only page for the list of affordable lodging. The recommended areas are nearby Fish Camp, Oakhurst, and Bass Lake.

Question

What do we do to enter the National park?

Answer

For the day of the ceremony, they allow up to 8 cars to enter without a reservation It is recommended that you carpool so that we can get less than eight cars in the park under the wedding permit. The wedding permit only allows you to bypass the reservation or that day, however, if there are other days that you would like to attend the park, you should reserve those days in advance as well. Please see the travel tab on this site or contact Jillian if there is any confusion. Otherwise, the park requires a reservation during certain times of the year. There is a website link to the national Park service for Yosemite on the elopement travel only tab on this website. The reservation is only $5. The admission fees range from $20-$35 and are for the car that you are driving into the park. Admission is good for 3 days.

Question

What do we wear for the elopement ceremony?

Answer

The approximately 30-45 minute elopement ceremony will be taking place outdoors during mid-day. It will likely be warm and sunny. It is recommended to wear nice but breathable clothes and bring an extra set of clothing to change into to ensure you are comfortable even after the ceremony. We will be staying in the park for a short while after for photos and a small lunch at the village.

Question

Will there be a reception?

Answer

In short, we will not be having a formal reception. After the wedding and some quality time with each other in Yosemite National Park, we will be gathering at one of the vacation rentals for a big family dinner and drinks. This will be very informal and more like a casual family party than a reception.