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Yosemite Weddings at Rush Creek Lodge

Elopement Celebration Conveniently located at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park, Rush Creek is a superbly designed ‘destination within a destination’ making it perfect for wedding parties seeking a meaningful nature experience that is also stylish, exciting, and yet relaxing.

The first new lodge to be built in the Yosemite area in more than 25 years, Rush Creek embodies a contemporary, rustic sensibility inspired by the breathtaking expanse of nature surrounding its 20-acre wooded hillside setting.

Having hosted weddings for over a decade at our neighboring sister property, the Evergreen Lodge, we appreciate that every wedding party has specific needs, and we’re happy to work with you on lodging options, budget realities, meal options, facilities choices, recreation ideas, and more. You can rely on our flexibility and creativity in realizing the celebration of your dreams. We reduce the pressure of planning, giving you more time to enjoy your guests and the beauty that surrounds you.

Packages

Wedding packages at Rush Creek include a variety of services, facilities, and equipment for weddings of up to 200 guests:

  • Time spent with you throughout your wedding planning process, including face to face meetings, telephone consultations & email correspondence
  • A personal Wedding Day Assistant to help with the arrangements of all facilities and details for your special day
  • Exclusive use of event facilities
  • House linens for meal events
  • Table settings
  • Farm tables & chairs
  • Silver cake service
  • Service staff throughout your event/s
  • All setup & breakdown of equipment

We can arrange additional enhancements, including table decorations, specialty linens, floral service, cake service, archway, dance floor, and DJ. We can also deliver gift baskets and wedding mementos for your guests.

Additional events can also be arranged, including

  • Engagement Parties
  • Bachelor/ Bachelorette Parties
  • Personalized Wedding Meals
  • Day-after Wedding Brunches & Breakfasts
  • Live Music & Entertainment

Catering & Menus

Yosemite is a feast for the senses, and Rush Creek’s culinary methods follow suit. Our menus embody a flavor profile that is rooted in American dishes with a California flare. We serve authentic mountain lodge cuisine that is fresh, thoughtful, delicious and environmentally sound.

Our on-site planning and catering experts can design all of your meals to suit your party’s budget and dietary realities. As with the rest of your event, we’ll focus on crafting menus and presentations that help realize your vision. Options range from “backpacker” lunches (for your day hike) to a variety of buffets to “mountain elegant” plated reception dinners. Please contact our Weddings Coordinator for menu options, pricing, and further details.

Groups can choose the dining venue that suits their needs, enjoying meals indoors or outdoors – or both! No matter where you dine at Rush Creek, you will be treated to invigorating views of the surrounding forest and spectacular Sierra sunsets that pair perfectly with your meal.

Our grand main lodge houses our main dining room, tavern, and adjoining terraces. The main dining room and terrace can seat groups up to 220, and for a more intimate occasion, our private dining room and terrace can accommodate banquets of up to 48 guests.

Please contact Yoanna Logan at [email protected] or (209) 379-2373 x 1516 for menu options, pricing, and further details.

Note: all food & beverage for your event is provided by the Lodge, with exception of the wedding cake.

Facilities & Map

Wedding ceremonies can take place at a variety of idyllic outdoor venues or in our main event hall. We are thrilled to bring this magnificent event hall to the Yosemite area! With its high-beamed ceilings, massive picture windows, and walls that slide completely open to let the outdoors in, you’re free to enjoy the best of all worlds.

Couples can also have their ceremony in the Park and return to the Lodge for their reception.

Our main restaurant, private dining room tavern, and spacious outdoor terraces provide groups with great flexibility for both their functions and their leisure time. Rehearsal dinners and brunches can be held in any of our several venues.

Booking & Reservations

To reserve a date, a non-refundable deposit of the facility rental fee is due within 14 days after booking your date. An additional $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due at 90 days out from the event. At 30 days an additional deposit is due equal to 50% of the estimated invoice balance. The remainder is due at checkout. We require a two-night minimum rental on lodging.

Exact pricing depends on your specific program and group size. Rush Creek Lodge books weddings up to 2 years in advance. Please email your contact information to Yoanna Logan at [email protected] so we can arrange to discuss your needs and check availability of your desired date.

Rentals

For rental of additional items for your event that Rush Creek Lodge does not have in-house, we are happy to coordinate rental of any of the items listed below. For our services, which include coordinating delivery and covering associated costs, we charge a fee of 10% of the rental costs as listed below.

Item Details
Aisle runners $75, up to 100 feet
Wrought Iron Arch $150  (includes set up/breakdown)
Circular Steel Arch $200 (includes set up/breakdown)
House Dance Floor $700 (18 x 24 solid wood dance floor)
Patio Heaters $65 each per event
Generator (Honda EU2000i) $50 an hour
Small Portable PA System $400 per day (Includes 2 Lapel Mics, 1 Handheld Mic and Stand)
Portable Screen and Projector $150 per day
Flip Chart with 30-Sheet Post-it Pad and Markers $50 each per day ( 2 available)
Dry Erase White Board and Markers $25 each per day ( 2 available)
Wood Display Easel $15 each per day ( 2 available)
Plug & Play Wireless Presenter Remote (Laser, timer, and slideshow controls) $25 per day
Podium 48″H x 22″W x 18″D $75
Colored Linens/Skirting/Napkins Please contact us for a quote
Tents for Outdoor Events Pricing depends on size and specifics of tent and event

Farm Tables and Chairs are included in the facility fee for meetings, receptions, and ceremonies of up to 200 people. Additional tables will be rented from an outside vendor, pricing varies.

Prices are subject to change without notice, due to market changes.

Additional Vendors

This list of vendors is supplied as a courtesy; Rush Creek Lodge cannot be held responsible for arrangements or accuracy of information. All arrangements and fees are made directly with the individuals.

Florists

Koller Design Studio
209.484.9045
kollerdesignstudio.com

Natalie Galasso Designs
209.723.6411
nataliegalasso.com

Willow Floral Designs
209.640.3121
willowfloraldesign.com

Sweet Dreams Cakes & Flowers 
559.641.7606
sweetdreamscakery.com

Sweet Lilacs
209.840.2949
[email protected]
sweetlilacsstudio.com/

Bakeries

Tangled Hearts Bakery
209.962.0907
tangledheartsbakery.com

Cover’s Apple Ranch
209.928.4689
coversappleranch.com

Donuts A Go Go
209.966.2900
f/donutsagogo

Heavenly Pies from the Heart
Tonya Higby
925.447.4797
[email protected]
f/heavenlypiesfromtheheart

Lila and Sage
209.728.2604
[email protected]
lilaandsage.com

Mix Bakery
209.769.4901
@mixbakerymerced

Transport Services

Incredible Adventures
incadventures.com

Mother Lode Adventures
209.677.3183
mlachartes.com

Videographers

ARCH & Co.
archandco.us

Modern 8 Films
modern8films.com

Agape Creative Studios
www.agapewith.us

The Goodfolk Film Co.
Mauricio Ageno
925.723.2122
@thegoodfolkfilmco
thegoodfolkfilmco.com

Denin and Doyle
Tyrone Spencer
1.800.944.9585
djay.com

Heart of Gold DJs
www.heartofgolddjs.com

Photographers

D.Lillian Photography
916.662.3513
@d_lillian
www.dlillianphotograpy.com

Toni G Photo 

Joleen Willis Photography
209.768.6016
@joleenwillis
www.joleenwillis.com

Patrick Pike Photography
877.767.8719
patrickpike.com

Elisabeth Millay
707.775.0203
www.elisabethmillay.com

Charleton Churchill
209.603.1741
charletonchurchill.com

Tracy Barbutes
209.559.4477
www.tracybphoto.com

Michael Morse
714.721.4559
mikemoresephotography.com

Underwood Photography
Melanie Underwood
775.772.2595
@underwood_photography
underwoodphotography.com

Erin Northcutt
[email protected]
@erinorthcutt

Erin Milnik
209.559.0450
[email protected]
@erinmilnik
erinmilnik.com

Kristen Currette
kristencurette.com
@poorartist

Nichols Photographers
512.585.9786
nicholsphotograpgers.com

Brandon Smith
563.613.2084
www.alpengloproductions.com

Skyler Greene
415.847.5607
www.skygreene.com

Kate Michelle
www.katemichellephotography.com
@katemichelleyosemite

Giggle & Riot
giggleandriot.com

Hair & Stylists

Melissa Marie
209.213.4441
melissamariehair.com

Blush On Location Bridal Beauty
Melanie Lopez
559.355.8992
yosemitemakeup.com

Alyssa Jones
[email protected]
@braidedblondelocks
f/braidedblondelocks

Blissful Beauty Salon
[email protected].com
blissfulbeautysalon.net

Musicians

Sierra Entertainment
Pop, Jazz, Classical, Chamber
John Kilburn, Violin, Viola, Cello
800.781.9199

Quinn DeVeaux
Soul/Gospel/Dance
quinndeveaux.com

Sequoia Electric
Folk/Rock/Blues/Celtic
[email protected]
209.532.5526

Alec La Roche
[email protected]
209.347.7894

Jump Start
Pop/Audience Participation
jumpstartyourparty.com

Officiants

Kathleen Malloy
(Universal/Non-Denominational)
209.840.4777
[email protected]

Event Planners & Design

Roshel Ryan
559.999.9174
https://addyroseweddings.com/

Katie Brauer
[email protected]

Jennifer Valdez

[email protected]
anoccasionevents.com

Private Yosemite Tour

Yosemite Valley View SelfiesGather your wedding party, family and friends for a private guided tour customized to fit your schedule and group interests. We can tour Yosemite Valley, the Yosemite High Country, or Glacier Point. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your wedding guests while also enjoying the special area where you chose to get married. We can customize outings to include short hikes, visits to photo locations and even a champagne toast at a scenic vista or The Ahwahnee. Freshly made trail lunches are included in the trip.

  • Typically a 5-8 hour tour scheduled to fit your itinerary, usually beginning at 9am
  • Trip includes personalized itinerary, snacks, lunch, vehicle, Park entrance fee and naturalist guide/driver
  • Pricing based on itinerary, please email Yoanna Logan at [email protected]

Hetch Hetchy Hike

Hetch Hetchy from the DamCome see and explore one of Yosemite’s best kept secrets: Hetch Hetchy. An absolutely beautiful area close to the lodge and seen by few, our hike to Hetch Hetchy’s Wapama Falls is 4.5 miles roundtrip. At its peak, Wapama Falls is the most powerful waterfall in Yosemite and is more than 1200’ high. This trip is ideal for a picnic lunch (which is included in the trip) and hanging out before your big event. These are great trips to spend quality time with a smaller, select group of friends and family.

  • Typically 10am-2:30pm
  • Trips include snacks, lunch, vehicle, Park entrance fee and naturalist guide/driver
  • For 2-9 guests ages 8 & up- $135/adult, $90/youth ages 8-15
  • For groups over 9, please email Yoanna Logan at [email protected] for pricing

Whitewater Rafting on the Merced River

Beginning in the high peaks of Southern Yosemite, the Merced River is best known for creating the spectacular Nevada and Vernal Falls before it enters Yosemite Valley. Further downstream we offer an 11 mile whitewater trip, making this a fun and exciting way to cap off the perfect wedding weekend! Whether you choose to open this adventure to all of your wedding guests or would rather give this as a special gift to your wedding party, the class 3 rapids (rated 1-5) are suitable for first time rafters and children over the ages of 12. Low water family trips, great for ages 6 and above, begin in the late season and offer fun technical rapids as well as stops along the way for swimming opportunities, sunny beaches, rock diving boards and snacks!

  • Trips run every day through the Spring and Summer from 8am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-6pm
  • Trips include all river gear for a fun and safe trip, beverages at the end of the trip, parking at launch site and shuttles back to your car
  • Please email Yoanna Logan at [email protected] for pricing and details

Other Trip & Activity Options

Sierra Sunset HikeAdditional trips and activities that can be arranged include:

  • Fly Fishing
  • Biking
  • Rock Climbing
  • Horseback Riding
  • Sunset Tours
  • Massage Therapy

For more details please email Yoanna Logan at [email protected] and she’ll get you moving in the right direction!

Guided Trip Notes

  • All trip start and end times are flexible based on the needs of the wedding party
  • Trips can be planned and paid for in a variety of ways, ask about hosted and non-hosted trips
  • Guests must sign up for trips at least 30 days in advance
  • Full cost is due at time of booking

Photo Gallery

To receive more information about Rush Creek Lodge hosting your Wedding, please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to have a wedding at Yosemite National Park?

How much you spend on your wedding at Yosemite National Park depends on several factors including group size, catering, entertainment, and so forth. Reach out to Yoanna Logan at [email protected] or (209) 379-2373 x1516 for more information.

Where do people get married in Yosemite?

Rush Creek Lodge is the perfect place to get married in Yosemite. Choose from several of our gorgeous outdoor venues for your wedding ceremony or our main event hall. Wedding ceremonies can also be held within Yosemite National Park. Reach out to Yoanna Logan at [email protected] or (209) 379-2373 x1516 for more information.