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California: wedding photo & video

We photograph and film weddings and elopements in California at Yosemite and the Redwood Coast, with one team and travel in the quote. Both parks require a permit for every ceremony, and drones are not allowed. Ask for the price list for your place and we reply within one business day.

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Wedding couple portrait
Wedding detail
The couple seen from behind in a tall frame

Wedding photo & video across California

In California we shoot in two park destinations, Yosemite and the Redwood Coast. One team makes the photographs and the film, an independent partner photographer is matched to your location and date, and your contract is with them.

In both places the first decision is a permit, not a venue. Yosemite requires a Park Service special use permit for any wedding or commitment ceremony1, and Redwood National Park requires a permit for all weddings, elopements and vow exchanges2. Drones are not allowed in either park12, and the permit sets the group size, the hours and what you may bring.

The price list is written for the place you name, with travel built in; it arrives within one business day, with a partner's recent work.

Locations in California

Each destination has its own pages. For Yosemite there is wedding photographer and film in Yosemite and eloping in Yosemite. For the Redwood Coast there is its wedding page and its elopement page. Each lists the sites, the light and the permit rules. Yosemite's approved ceremony sites run from Swinging Bridge Picnic Area in the Valley to Tenaya Lake Beach at 8,150 ft3; Redwood National Park's pre-approved sites include Crescent Beach Overlook and High Bluff Overlook2.

California marriage license basics

California licenses come from a county clerk, and the fee varies by county4. A public license is usable anywhere in California5 and stays valid for 90 days4; it needs at least one witness, and no more than two sign5. A confidential license is for couples aged 18 or over who already live together as spouses, and needs no witnesses5.

Both of you appear in person with valid picture ID, and some counties also ask for a birth certificate4. California asks for no residency and no blood test, and proxy marriage is not allowed: the couple, the officiant and any witness must be present together4. The officiant returns the license to the county within 10 days of the ceremony4.

Marriage license

Issued by
County clerk in any California county (public license usable anywhere in California, filed in the issuing county)
Fee
varies by county4
Valid for
90 days4
Witnesses
public license: at least 1, no more than 2 sign; confidential license: none5
  • Both parties appear in person with valid picture ID (photo, date of birth, issue and expiration dates); some counties also ask for a birth certificate.4
  • No California residency requirement; no blood test; no proxy marriage — the couple, officiant and any witness must be physically present together.4
  • The officiant returns the license to the county clerk or recorder within 10 days of the ceremony.4
  • A confidential license is for couples aged 18+ already living together as spouses; it is registered with the county clerk and only the couple can obtain copies.5

California questions

01How far in advance should we book a wedding photographer in California?

Start with the permit. Yosemite accepts applications up to one year ahead and requires them more than 21 days before the ceremony1. A California license stays valid for 90 days4, so it is the last piece to collect. Book the team when the date is firm, and a deposit holds it.

02Do you travel to California, and is travel included?

Travel is built into the quote for the location you name. Yosemite and the Redwood Coast have their own pages here; for another part of California, send the town on the form and we say whether we can match a partner photographer to it. A public license bought in any county can be used anywhere in California5.

03Can we book photo and video together in California?

Yes. One crew shoots both and the film is planned beside the gallery. In the parks, note that drones are not allowed in Yosemite1 or Redwood National Park2, so the film is shot from the ground, with ceremony audio recorded on the officiant.

04Can we get the raw files?

Whether a partner releases unedited files is set in their contract, so ask on the first call. Every photo collection includes an edited gallery with print rights and a sneak peek within days, and the full gallery follows on the date in your contract.

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We reply within one business day with the price list for your place. Privacy policy · Terms

Sources

  1. National Park Service, Yosemite — Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies (permit, fee, restrictions, unexpected events) nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/weddings.htm
  2. NPS — Redwood National and State Parks: Weddings and Celebrations (accessed 2026-11-06) nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/supweddings.htm
  3. National Park Service, Yosemite — Ceremony Locations nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wedloc.htm
  4. California Department of Public Health — California Marriage License General Information cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/California-Marriage-License-General-Information.aspx
  5. California Department of Public Health — Types of Marriage Licenses cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Types-of-Marriage-Licenses-.aspx