Yosemite National Park, California, USA Elopement Photo Story Award

The groom turns back to offer encouragement to his wife as she descends the wet stone stairs in front of a dazzling waterfall and misty rainbow at Yosemite National Park, California.

This hiking-loving couple originally planned a big wedding, but cancelled it when it just didn't feel like them. Instead, they planned a month long road trip to the west coast to tour all the National Parks, and decided to elope in Yosemite halfway through the trip. The couple was up for anything, in all weather and with an upbeat attitude.

We started by hiking before sunrise up a granite dome to have their ceremony on the mountain top, where Matt was nearly brought to his knees when he saw Kyrielle's dress for the first time. They playfully joked during the ceremony, and embraced often while reading their heartfelt vows, often touching their foreheads to one another. The sunrise was mostly obscured by clouds, but when the rays of sunshine did break through, they celebrated by dancing on the rocks at the top.

We continued hiking to a cliff view, where Matt inched up to the edge on his belly to get a better look as his new wife looked nervously on. It soon began to rain on us for over an hour of wet, sloppy, muddy hiking, but this couldn't stop them from twirling and grinning ear to ear as they made their way down into Yosemite Valley, crossing river bridges hand in hand and ending with a rainbow over a misty waterfall. 

During her vows, Kyrielle leans her head against Matt to show affection. They are both grinning.

Matt winds up his arm to give the bride a playful bum tap.

Kyrielle dances in the rain across a river bridge, not caring at all that her once white dress is now stained brown with mud.

The newlyweds stroll across a bridge, high in the mountains of Yosemite National Park.