Utah Salt Flats Elopement

How to Elope at Utah Salt Flats

UTAH ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

So you’ve decided you wanted to have your dream elopement at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah! The idea of eloping may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! I’ve created an easy guide below to help you! Let’s get started!

Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah

The most famous salt flats in Utah are the Bonneville Salt Flats! Sunrises, sunsets, and starry night skies are breathtaking in this vast landscape, making it the perfect setting for adventurous couples to tie the knot! Here are THREE easy steps to have your elopement at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Step One: Choose your Elopement Date!

The Bonneville Salt Flats can offer a beautiful elopement setting all year round, but take note that Fall is the best times to get married there! During the winter, temperatures can get below freezing. During the summer, temperatures can get over 100 degrees Fahrenheit! During the spring, there are higher chances of rainy weather and you can’t drive on the salt flats without risk of getting your car stuck. That being said, after rain fall makes the salt flats literally look like a mirror that reflects the sky and it’s quite stunning & magical. Also note that the Bonneville Salt Flats can also be very windy. Luckily, when we went to capture these photos in the fall, there was little to no wind!

There are events that occur annually at the Bonneville Salt Flats that could disrupt your elopement plans if you don’t plan carefully around them! The most up-to-date schedule of events occurring at the salt flats is here.

Step Two: Get a Permit!

If you already legally married and have your marriage license, then you do not need a permit if you are going to the Bonneville Salt Flats just to take photos! However, if you plan to actually get married at the Bonneville Salt Flats you will need a special use permit since the land is part of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). You can apply for your special use permit here. Additionally, if you plan to get legally married in Utah at the Bonneville Salt Flats, you will need to obtain a marriage license from the Salt Lake County Clerk here. For additional Wedding Laws in Utah, click here!

Step Three: Travel to Bonneville Salt Flats

If you are flying in for your elopement, the closest airport to the Bonneville Salt Flats is the Salt Lake City International Airport. There are no restaurants or gas stations along the 1.5 hour drive from the airport to the salt flats so make sure to grab food and water before heading out! You can easily type in “Bonneville Salt Flats” into Google Maps for directions! If you’re not looking forward to the drive back to Salt Lake City after your elopement, then the nearest town to the Bonneville Salt Flats you can stay overnight is Wendover. Note that you cannot stay overnight on the salt flats.

Bonus Elopement Tips!

  • You can drive on the salt flats, but at your own risk. Cars have gotten stuck in the mud at the edge of the salt flats. If it is deemed unsafe by BLM, then they will have closures and post signage prohibiting cars from entering the salt flats. If signs are posted when you visit, you can park your car on the lot and walk onto the salt flats.
  • The only restrooms at the Bonneville Salt Flats are portable potties. Make sure to go before heading onto the salt flats!
  • Make sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles. Respect the area and don’t leave trash behind.
  • The salt will get all over your clothes! Do not worry though, the salt from your clothes can easily be washed out or dry cleaned.
  • To get stunning starry night photos, ensure zero cloud coverage and wait an additional hour after sunset to see the stars!
  • As photographed here, get your wedding dress from Ava Gowns!

If you’re looking for a Destination Wedding Photographer for your elopement in Utah, let’s chat! I’d love to chat about your dream elopement and help you capture your special day! Click here to contact me!

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alexis & blake,
italy multi-day elopement

Beyond her incredible work, she is truly a wonderful human being inside and out. What made the experience even more special was how she made every step of the planning feel custom and tailored just for us as a couple. She is thoughtful and intentional—not only with what she captures through her lens but also behind the scenes in ways you might not even realize.  On top of it all, Sheryl goes above and beyond. She is professional, reliable, and trustworthy—qualities that made us feel completely confident and at ease every step of the way. Her kindness, professionalism, and genuine care made the whole journey effortless and joyful. We are grateful for the beautiful memories she captured. These photos are not just pictures—they’re a timeless treasure we will cherish forever. 

uyen & aaron,
thailand multi-day elopement

From our first call, I could feel Sheryl’s excitement and passion for what she did. As a type A girly, I loved how organized and detailed Sheryl was. From her intake form to our Zoom calls to texts and emails back-and-forth, I knew Sheryl would carry out our day exactly how we envisioned it. And she did just that! We are over the moon at how our photos turned out. Sheryl was our biggest hype man, kept us (mainly me) calm and collected when things didn’t pan out the way we expected, and weathered every storm with grace.  She captured our day perfectly.

tracy & Carlos, switzerland multi-day elopement

From planning out our adventures, and even scouting the day before at each location, she helped with everything. She was always in constant communication from the first day we reached out to her, till the day that our gallery was sent to us. Our photos truly captured the pure bliss and love that we felt in each moment, and we will cherish them forever. We were so comfortable with traveling with Sheryl throughout our multi-day elopement, and had so much fun as well! We truly don't know what magic Sheryl has in her, as well as those cameras of hers, but every picture was so magically beautiful, and we love her so much (I mean, she even slept in an igloo for us, how could we not?!).