Yosemite Wedding Photography

Our blog has moved!

2009-01-28T08:28:00.001-08:00

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new and improved blog for 2009! Please visit www.johnnystaffordphotography.com/blog for our most current work. Also, be sure to update your bookmarks and readers to the new address. This blog will remain active to retain all of our posts from 2008 and earlier, but will not have any new entries. Thanks!

Our Yosemite Wedding Photography Favorites

2008-12-31T12:44:00.000-08:00

Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and we are honored to be part of the weddings for couples who are married in this spectacular place. We have compiled this special Yosemite Wedding photo gallery to feature our favorite wedding images from Yosemite and the surrounding mountain communities, including Bass Lake and Oakhurst. (We are based in Coarsegold, CA, a gateway community to the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park). We have also provided links to many of the wonderful venues and vendors we have worked with who help make the magic of a Yosemite wedding come true. Enjoy! Johnny & Cindy

Yosemite Holiday Events

2008-12-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more beautiful than spending the holidays in Yosemite. Whether it's sitting by the fire at The Ahwhanee or ice skating under Half Dome in Curry Village, there is no shortage of holiday magic to be found.

Here are some links to special holiday events in and around Yosemite.

Yosemite Special Events
Winter Activities
Tenaya Lodge Events
Evergreen Lodge Events
Elderberry House
Bass Lake Events

And for ski and snowboard fans, depending on Mother Nature, the slopes at Badger Pass will be open in mid-December with brand-new ski lifts and major improvements.

Badger Pass Improvements
Badger Pass Information

Of course, just a drive through the park (or a brisk hike or bike ride for the brave) and a picnic lunch with a thermos of hot chocolate is always a pleasure as well. Just be sure to pack your chains.

Stephanie & Tyler's Tenaya Lodge Wedding

2008-09-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Ceremony & Reception: Tenaya Lodge
DJ: TNT
Bakery: Sweet Dreams Cakery
Floral: Simply That Flowers
Officiant: Rev. Autry Nassar

Stephanie and Tyler were married on August 23 at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, just South of Yosemite. Tyler proposed to Stephanie at Glacier Point and a Yosemite wedding was fitting for this bride who is from nearby Groveland. The natural setting was perfect and we loved the little touches that the couple chose with their decor and color scheme, including table placecards that were postcards of Yosemite landmarks and pine tree seedlings that were given to the guests as favors.

The ceremony took place on the lodge's wedding lawn with a canpoy of pine trees in the background. It was an emotional ceremony with happy tears and and sentimental vows. The whole day was full of laughter and fun with all of Stephanie and Tyler's family and friends. We really enjoyed being part of such a fun and beautiful celebration.

Jillian & Daniel's Bass Lake Wedding

2008-09-16T10:28:00.001-07:00

Jillian and Daniel were married on August 16 at the beautiful Pines Resort at Bass Lake. Jillian is one of our sweetest brides ever and the day was full of lots of love and sentiment from all of the couple's family and friends. The wedding included a heartwarming ceremony with lots of happy tears. Daniel surprised Jillian by singing a ballad he wrote for her during the lakeside reception. We truly know there is a lot of love between these two. The day was also made very special by the homecoming of Daniel's brother who arrived the day of the wedding from serving in Iraq. he arrived just in time to serve as Daniel's Best Man.

Venue: The Pines Resort
Hair & Makeup Stylist: Bellissimo Brides
DJ: Yosemite Entertainment
Bakery: Sweet Dreams Cakery

Melanie & Jonathan Evergreen Lodge Wedding

2008-07-15T00:11:00.000-07:00

Ceremony: Camp Mather
Reception & Catering: Evergreen Lodge
Officiant: Rev. Autrey Nassar
Band: Danjuma
Cake & Desserts: Devon's Delactables

Melanie and Jonathan were married on June 28th near the Hetch Hetchy entrance of Yosemite National Park with a lakeside ceremony at Camp Mather and beautiful reception at The Evergreen Lodge. The Lodge, which was built east of Groveland in the 1920's, is a charming resort of rustic and modern cabins. A large group of friends and family traveled from all over California and beyond to enjoy the week and weekend at this fabulous destination. Despite the wildfire that was burning just a few miles away, everyone enjoyed hiking, swimming, etc. in the area.

We really enjoyed spending time with the couple, who have a strong love for the outdoors and each other. Their ceremony was peaceful and serene and included a beautiful song sung by Jonathan's family. The reception followed with an incredible dinner and awesome music by Danjuma, an Afro-Cuban band from Santa Cruz. The music was so fun that the dance floor was packed the entire night.

Anna & Ed's Glacier Point Wedding

2008-06-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

Ceremony: Glacier Point
Reception & Catering: Yosemite Lodge
Hair & Makeup Stylist: Bellissimo Brides
Floral: Simply That Flowers
Officiant: Rev. John Paris
DJ: Kevin Musso

Anna and Ed were married at 7,200 feet at the stunning Glacier Point Amphitheater overlooking Yosemite Valley on May 31, 2008. With Half Dome and full waterfalls in the background they exchanged their vows in front of their closest family and friends. The couple enjoyed many activities during the week of their destination Yosemite wedding including hiking, a guys bbq and a ladies luncheon at The Ahwahnee. The wedding day could not have been more lovely. The previous week's storm left a light dusting of show on the upper peaks and the waterfalls were bursting at the seams with the Spring runoff. We really enjoyed spending the day with such a nice couple and family.

What are the bride and her father looking at behind them in the photo below? Right when they were about to walk down the aisle, a Mama Bear and her cubs were spotted nearby. If you look carefully in the upper right hand corner of the photo, you can see these furry little wedding crashers off in the distance.

Shashi & Matthew's Elderberry House Wedding

2008-06-09T08:15:00.001-07:00

Ceremony & Reception: Erna's Elderberry House
Event Coordination: Star Events
Floral: Apropos For Flowers
Cake: Sweet Dreams Cakery
Musicians: Philharmonia Strings
DJ: Party DJ Party

Shashi and Matthew were married at the exquisite Elderberry House in Oakhurst on May 17, 2008. They had a lovely outdoor wedding at the restaurant's Garden Court followed by a five-course dinner for family and friends. Shashi's dress was accented by a red silk shash that matched her beautiful red shoes. Matthew's family traveled from Minnesota for the wedding and joked how the warm weather was quite a contrast to the snow they had left back home. The evening was topped off with a fun reception where Indian music kept the dance floor packed long into the night.

Rebecca and Russ: Yosemite Wedding at The Ahwahnee

2008-04-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ceremony & Reception: The Ahwahnee Hotel
Hair & Makeup Stylist: Bellissimo Brides
Floral: Simply That Flowers

Rebecca and Russ were married at a beautiful ceremony at The Ahwahnee Hotel's wedding lawn in Yosemite on April 5, 2008. The day was perfect with incredible weather and the waterfalls running near maximum. You couldn't ask for a more gorgeous setting. With guests traveling from as far as France and Latvia and many from the East Coast, the day was truly a first-class destination affair. The celebration went late into the evening with a live band, lots of dancing and the traditional Hora.

We just love Rebecca's expression when she first saw Russ on the wedding day. Since we did portraits before the ceremony, the couple had their "first look" in the forest area near the Ahwahnee bridge.

The Ahwahnee Hotel goes back in time

2008-03-09T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Fresno Bee published a wonderful article about The Ahwahnee Hotel's Heritage celebration today in the Life section. To see the story and photos visit this link.

It's wonderful to see the rich history of the hotel celebrated in such a fun way.

Yosemite in Winter

2008-02-26T22:29:00.001-08:00

Yosemite is always breathtaking in the winter and our visit last weekend didn't disappoint. After meeting with Melanie and Jonathon, an incredible couple who are getting married this summer at The Evergreen Lodge, we just had to take some scenic pictures around the park on our drive home. Also, as a bonus, before leaving Johnny surprised me with brunch reservations at The Ahwahnee, where we celebrated Valentine's Day a few days early with a romantic meal in the Dining Room. There was awesome cuisine and beautiful views of the snowy meadow and mountains outside. We worked off the meal with a crisp hike in the snow.

Ashley & Matt's Bass Lake Wedding

2007-11-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

On a beautiful Fall day, Ashley and Matt were married on October 22 at The Pines Resort at Bass Lake. Ashley's dream of rich fall colors came through courtesy of mother nature. The trees were full of gorgeous gold and red hues. Dinner and dancing followed the lakeside ceremony up in the Pines Resort Lakeside Room.

Venue: The Pines Resort
Hair & Makeup: Revive Day Spa
DJ: TNT DJ
Floral: Sweet Pickins Floral

Gina & Brad's Yosemite Wedding

2007-10-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

Gina and Brad flew in to California from Texas with 20 of their closest friends and family for a beautiful destination wedding in Yosemite Valley on September 22. They had a morning ceremony at the historical Yosemite Chapel with a reception later in the evening at the Wawona Hotel. Rain storms rolled into Yosemite the morning of the wedding creating dramatic skies and rain, but did not put a damper on this beautiful day and celebration.

Ceremony: Yosemite Chapel
Reception: The Wawona Hotel
Hair & Makeup Stylist: Bellissimo Brides
Floral: Simply That Flowers
Cake: Sweet Dreams Cakery
DJ: Johnnie Rae
Rehearsal: Erna's Elderberry House

Stephanie & Tyler's Yosemite Engagement

2007-09-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Tyler were recently engaged up at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. For their engagement session, we of course went to Glacier Point and some other locations in Yosemite to capture some special portraits. We are looking forward to their wedding at Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp next summer!

Vanessa & Mark's Bass Lake Wedding

2007-08-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

Vanessa & Mark were married on August 2 at The Pines Resort at Bass Lake. Close family and friends travelled from Southern California for a week of fun at Bass Lake for the couple's destination wedding. Their rehearsal dinner was held at a vacation house right on the lake. The wedding day started with the gals at the hair salon and the guys getting pedicures. Vanessa wore her Mom's wedding dress for this special day and walked down the aisle which was covered in a sea of gorgeous flower petals. The reception was held lakeside at The Pines and everyone enjoyed dinner and dancing with a special Elvis performance.

Venue: The Pines Resort
Hair & Makeup: Bellissimo Brides
DJ: Johnnie Rae
Floral: Coarsegold Flower
Cake: Sweet Dreams Cakery

Ashley & Matt's Yosemite E-Session

2007-08-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

Ashley & Matt's engagement session was taken up at the breathtaking Glacier Point overlooking Yosemite. The couple are geologists so the location was ideal. During the drive, we stopped at Wawona for some scenic portraits in the river. The couple's wedding is in October at Bass Lake and we look forward to being part of their beautiful Fall wedding.

Sara & Brad's Tenaya Lodge Wedding

2007-07-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Sara and Brad were married on July 14 at the beautiful Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, near Yosemite. Surrounded by many family and friends and majestic pine trees, the day was truly special. Sara, Brad and the wedding party ventured into the forest-area near the resort for some memorable portrait time to capture the natural beauty of the area (and of the bride). They were so awesome and we thank them for getting their shoes a little dirty. Into the evening guests enjoyed a first-class dinner, dancing at the new wedding pavillion, cooking smores over the fire pits and watching the couple's slideshow.

Venue: Tenaya Lodge
Hair & Makeup: Bellissimo Brides
Rehearsal: The Wawona

Katie & John's Bass Lake Wedding

2007-07-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

The popular 7-7-07 was one of the hottest wedding dates of the year and the Central Valley weather did not disappoint. Katie and John were married at the Pines Resort at Bass Lake with a beautiful ceremony and a lively reception with family and friends from near and far. Katie and her bridesmaids went on to rule the dance floor late into the night!

Venue: The Pines Resort
Hair & Makeup: Bellissimo Brides

Katie and the girls "get down" to "Shout" by the Isley Brothers!

Larissa & Rocky's Bass Lake Wedding

2007-07-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

Larissa and Rocky were married on June 30 at the beautiful Pines Resort at Bass Lake. They had a garden ceremony and incredible lakeside recpetion. We had a lot of fun taking portraits of the bride and bridesmaids out on the boat dock and the guys poolside. This was truly a destination wedding with guests coming from as far away as Kazakhstan. They were a really fun couple and yes, Rocky is really tall (6' 7")!

Venue: The Pines Resort
Hair & Makeup: Revive Day Spa
DJ: Joyful Noise
Floral: Coarsegold Flower
Cake: Sweet Dreams Cakery

Sara & Brad's Yosemite E-Session

2007-02-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

Sara and Brad chose a beautiful winter day for their e-session in Yosemite National Park. With snow still on the ground, park was stunning and a little bit chilly. Sara and Brad went for a spin at the Curry Village Ice Rink, a favorite spot of Sara's. They are getting married this summer at Tenaya Lodge, located near the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park.

Nicole & Patrick's Bass Lake Wedding

2006-10-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Nicole and Patrick were married at the beautiful Bass Lake Lodge, an incredible log-cabin style estate. They were married on a balcony overlooking the lake followed by a cocktail hour and multi-course "nuevo latino" meal created by chef James Schenk of Destino restaurant in San Francisco. Fun and dancing went well into the night!

Ashley & Brent's Yosemite Wedding at The Ahwahnee

2006-09-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

Ashley & Brent were married in one of nature's most stunning settings in Yosemite Valley, one of our favorite places. The ceremony was held at The Ahwahnee Hotel in a meadow under the shadow of Yosemite Falls. It was followed by an elegant dinner reception in The Ahwahnee's Solarium. Ashley & Brent were amazing and the whole wedding was a delight for all of their family and friends who travelled to attend their destination wedding. (One groomsmen travelled from England for this special day.)

On Sunday we did a special "day after" portrait session of the couple in the woods next to The Ahwahnee. It was a beautiful location next to the Merced River where we were able to capture some incredible portraits.

There are more images from Ashley & Brent's wedding on our website in the Wedding section galleries.