Evergreen Lodge Wedding Guide

Everything You Need to Know About the Evergreen Lodge Wedding Venue

Picture yourself standing under towering pines, mountain air filling your lungs, with the Sierra Nevada peaks in the distance. At Evergreen Lodge, you can tie the knot in a place that feels like a true mountain escape, just outside of Yosemite National Park. This isn’t your typical wedding venue, it’s a full mountain resort where you and your guests can stay, explore, and celebrate for the whole weekend. You get the wilderness feel without sacrificing any comfort. Plus! Your guests will have just as much fun as you do. Whether you’re planning a small or big celebration, this Evergreen Lodge wedding guide has all of the details you need to plan your day.

Reasons to Get Married at Evergreen Lodge

Here are a few things that make Evergreen Lodge a great place to tie the knot, and a few reasons it might be perfect for you!

Close to Yosemite!

This is a big one! Evergreen Lodge sits just outside the Hetch Hetchy entrance to Yosemite, so you’re close to the magic of Yosemite. You’ll have access to waterfalls, sequoias, granite peaks, and more, and this side of the park is quieter than Yosemite Valley. 

Everything in One Place

The convenience of Evergreen Lodge makes it an incredible venue. Your ceremony, reception and lodging are all in one place, so you don’t have to shuttle guests around or find somewhere else to stay. 

A couple dancing during their wedding reception at Evergreen Lodge.

Activities & Experiences

Evergreen Lodge isn’t just a place to have a ceremony. It offers a whole Yosemite adventure. The lodge offers tons of activities! This includes archery, yoga, a pool, guided park tours, and more! It’s perfect for a full weekend getaway!

Getting to Evergreen Lodge

Evergreen Lodge is in Groveland, California, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains at about 4,000 feet of elevation. It’s about 3.5 hours from San Francisco, or you can fly into Sacramento or San Jose. If you’re flying, a rental car is recommended to get to the lodge, and for exploring the area. 

The lodge is about an hour from Yosemite Valley, but you’ll be closer to the Hetch Hetchy area of the park. It’s just as stunning, but a lot less busy! 

A view of the groom's face during the wedding ceremony at Evergreen Lodge. He is facing the bride, tearing up.

Evergreen Lodge Wedding Packages

Evergreen Lodge offers a few different options, depending on the size of your wedding day.

Small Elopements

The elopement package is available Sunday through Thursday, for 20-40 people. It’s designed to take the stress out of planning,  and you can have your ceremony onsite. Or, you can apply for a permit for a ceremony in the park, then come back to Evergreen Lodge for a celebratory dinner. 

Intimate Weddings

With this option, you can tie the knot Sunday through Thursday, with 50-70 guests. You can get married on the property or in the park and come back for dinner at the lodge. 

Large Weddings

For bigger celebrations of up to 200 people, Evergreen Lodge offers a full wedding weekend experience! It’s three days with your loved ones. They’ll help you plan the event, so your wedding becomes a whole experience. Not just a wedding day!

A couple and their bridesmaids and groomsmen at their wedding at Evergreen Lodge. The bride and groom are kissing while the wedding party cheers.

The Best Time for a Wedding at Evergreen Lodge

Each season at Evergreen Lodge has a very different feel, so think about what kind of experience you want.

Summer weddings here are incredible! The weather is warm and predictable, the roads are usually open, and you can take full advantage of the pool, hiking trails, and Yosemite adventures. It’s the most popular time, so book early! 

Fall is when things quiet down a bit. There are fewer people around, but early fall is usually still pretty warm. Snow can start accumulating as early as October, especially at higher elevations. (Psst! It’s actually my favorite time in this area.)

Winter turns Evergreen Lodge into a snowy retreat. It’s cozy, intimate, and perfect for couples who love a winter wonderland! The downside is that some of the roads close due to snow, so you won’t be able to access the back country or high mountains.

Spring is perfect for waterfalls and wildflowers. Yosemite’s waterfalls are at their peak from the snowmelt, and the area comes alive after winter. Keep in mind that at higher elevations, snow can stick around until about mid July! The weather in Spring is more unpredictable, so definitely bring layers and be prepared for rain or late season snow storms.

A couple's wedding ceremony at Evergreen Lodge. The officiant is reading, the groom is laughing, and the bride is laughing while wiping a tear.

Amenities at Evergreen Lodge

Evergreen Lodge offers guided excursions into Yosemite, like hikes to waterfalls and tours of the giant sequoias. You don’t even have to leave Evergreen Lodge if you didn’t want to. Here are some activities you can expect at Evergreen Lodge:

  • Saltwater pool
  • Jacuzzi
  • Ziplining
  • Massages & other spa offerings
  • Yoga classes
  • Catering for your wedding!

Staying at Evergreen Lodge

One of the best parts about tying the knot at Evergreen Lodge is that you and your guests can stay on site! They offer cozy glamping tents, small cottages, bigger cabins, and houses you can rent. It has mountain lodge charm with all the comfort you need – comfy beds, private decks, and more. You’ll be surrounded by towering pine trees, connecting you to the nature that this area is known for!

A bride getting ready for her wedding, in the John Muir House at Evergreen Lodge. She is standing in front of the large windows, a bridesmaid adjusting the train of her dress.

Planning Your Evergreen Lodge Wedding

When you are getting married at Evergreen Lodge, you’ll want a photographer who knows the area and can help you make the most of your day! I’ll work with you from the planning stages, helping with timeline, location scouting, and all the details that make your day run smoothly. On the wedding day, I’ll be there to capture everything – the big moments, the candid ones, the mountain light, and all the little things that make your day uniquely yours. 

If you’re planning a wedding at Evergreen Lodge, contact me!

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Evergreen Wedding Inspiration

Erinn and Damien love the outdoors, and knew they wanted to get married at Yosemite. They also wanted to include their friends and family in their day. So….they planned an adventure session the day before, where they read their private vows to each other and explored the park. Then, they celebrated with loved ones at Evergreen Lodge, making a whole weekend out of it. 

Here are the vendors who were part of the day!

Hi, I’m Liz!

I believe that the connections we build with those in our lives is what makes life worthwhile. I am truly a people person. I thrive being around others, and being part of a couples’ wedding day feeds my soul!” My couples aren’t just my clients, they are my friends and we are building a friendship through your whole wedding journey.

As an elopement photographer, avid traveler, and outdoor enthusiast, I’ve visited tons of great places for elopement ceremonies. I’m excited to share them with you in this post!

Read more about me