Full Day Adventurous Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park Elopement with Picnic and Sunrise Ceremony

by Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park wedding photographer Sydney Sims

Emily and Michael’s Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park elopement was a peaceful, full-day adventure. If you’re considering eloping in these parks, check out their beautiful day and our guide on how to elope in a national park. Their day began at sunrise with vows exchanged over a stunning vista in Sequoia National Park.

Winter storms had been intense, and we drove through snow—despite it being June. When we reached the ceremony spot, we had the entire area to ourselves. The light filtering through the trees before their ceremony was one of my favorite moments to capture. A major perk of eloping here is that Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks border each other, offering a variety of landscapes to explore.

Next, we drove to a meadow for a picnic, where Emily treated us to homemade carrot cake—brought all the way from the Midwest! After enjoying the cake, we hiked through the meadow and spotted countless deer. We then ventured to the lake for portraits by the water.

To end the day, we drove to the top of Kings Canyon for stunning views, since the road into the canyon was closed due to winter storm damage. Ryan and I agree: it’s an underrated park. We’re so happy to have helped Emily and Michael celebrate their elopement in these two beautiful national parks.

Here are some highlights from their day: