Try to arrive at 7:30am so you can be ready for the ceremony at 8am.
The whole reason why we're exchanging vows in a National Park instead of having our opulent dream wedding in Mexico is because of COVID-19. Here's a list of things we're doing to provide a reasonable level of safety: 1) Cut our guest list from 150 people to 30 people. 2) Outdoor ceremony. 3) Outdoor/Indoor after-party. Any guests who feel especially at-risk of COVID will have the ability to stay outside on the large decks at the rental house. We plan to allow all guests to wander inside and outside as much as they wish. 4) All of our events, including the "ceremony", intermission and "after-party" gathering will be starting much earlier than normal. This is so that we can utilize the outdoors as much as possible during the warmer and lighter hours of the day :) 5) We will provide ample amounts of hand-sanitizer at the after-party. 6) As much as it breaks our heart, none of our elderly family or friends will be joining us this weekend.
We strongly believe in individual liberties and responsibilities. As such, we will not be policing anyone's behaviors and we will not be requiring masks at any of our events. This should go without saying, but please stay home if you fall ill before the weekend. We trust everyone to make the right choices and appreciate everyone's understanding during these unprecedented times!
There's a general California rule about wearing masks if you're within 6' of strangers. We will not be asking people to wear masks at the ceremony but please bring one and have on-hand in case one becomes necessary. Assume that masks are required within all park restrooms and shops, at the very least.
There are not restrooms at Washburn Point, where the ceremony will be taking place, but there are restrooms at Glacier Point, 2-mins away. Please be mindful these are park restrooms.
Here are a few reasons: 1) The park doesn't allow us to privatize a location, so the entire public can help themselves to our ceremony location. Going first thing in the am helps ensure the minimal amount of strangers join our party. 2) This way it's still daylight out after the ceremony (as opposed to a typical evening ceremony). 3) What an opportunity! Being awake and sipping a morning coffee while the cool, crisp air refreshes your face as the sun rises over the horizon is just about one of the most special and free things the world can offer. We're embracing this opportunity and can't wait for it!