Located on over 30,000 acres in the middle of Utah, the Bonneville Salt Flats give you an adventure unlike any other. With vast, open land and mountainous backdrops, it’s the ideal location for a pair of explorers to have their perfect elopement! As an adventure elopement photographer, I adore working with couples to have their dream celebration. Here’s everything you need to know for your Bonneville Salt Flats elopement.
Plan Your Dream Adventure With This Guide To A Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement
When You Should Elope in The Bonneville Salt Flats & How to Pick Your Date
Most people who plan a Salt Flats elopement are looking for the iconic flat, dry land. The former lake is expansive, feeling as though you’ve just stepped foot onto another planet. If that’s the vibe you are going for, you will want to plan your wedding for late Spring through the Summer. This is when you are going to get the crystallized texture. The land becomes so dry that you can easily walk across the desert barefoot for your ceremony. If you do plan your wedding for this season, just remember that Utah can get hot in the summer. Really, really hot. If you decide to get married this past May, I would recommend skipping the long, stuffy dresses and bringing lots of snacks and water. A sunrise wedding will let you skip some of the scorching temps, but you still need to be prepared.
So, what about the rest of the year? Early Spring and Fall are the flooded season for the flats. Essentially, the entirety of the grounds is covered by an inch or so of water. If you do pick this season, you can get some pretty epic photos with the entirety of the sky reflected in the waters. It seriously feels otherworldly! It can get muddy, however, so be prepared for the hem of that gorgeous white dress to get pretty dirty. Oh, and if you can, avoid Winter. This is the season when the big racing events happen throughout the flats. Expect torn-up ground and revving engines throughout this time.
When you are planning your wedding, I would aim for a weekday ceremony regardless of the season. This will help you avoid all the crowds throughout any season.
Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement Locations
For your Salt Flats elopement, you really don’t need to have one specific location. No matter what you choose, you are going to have a jaw-dropping backdrop. Instead of focusing on one specific view, I would encourage you to look at the nearby amenities. As I mentioned earlier, the flats are located on over 30,000 acres. That means it can get pretty darn isolated! The closest town is Wendover. While this city does have a casino, there’s really not much else to do. Many people choose to stay in Salt Lake City, which is about 90 minutes away. You can spend the night in the city, get up early the next morning and make the drive, and then get back for a reception with plenty of ways to celebrate!
How to Get a Salt Flats License
The Salt Flats are located on federally managed land so you will need to get a Special Use Permit to use it for your ceremony. In order to obtain one, you can fill out all the info online, or you can contact the Bureau of Land Management.
Next up comes the Utah Marriage License. If you want to have your official ceremony out here, you will need to obtain this form and have it signed by an officiant and two witnesses. Utah does not have a wait time for the license. If you would like, you can get it on the first day of your trip and have it ready for your ceremony. Because Utah does require an officiant, you can either hire one or ask a friend or family member to serve in this role. Getting ordained is a pretty easy process, and the only requirement is that your person of choice is over the age of 18.
What to Wear to Your Elopement
A lot of thought goes into planning your elopement outfits. For starters, be prepared for the flats to ruin your clothing. It’s definitely worth the experience, but you probably don’t want to bring a dress or a suit you were planning on wearing again. Your shoes especially will not be long for this world following your elopement. You can always bring along a cheap pair so you can still hike to your spot. Then, once you are back in the car, you can throw them out.
As for your clothing, remember to dress according to the weather. Breathable fabrics are an absolute must! Flowy dresses, especially during the wet season, look pretty amazing in pictures!
How Much Does a Salt Flats Elopement Cost?
Okay, so what about the cost? The Salt Flats are completely free to visit. The Special Use Permit will cost around $50, and you also will need to pay a $10 processing fee. Your marriage license will likely cost around $50, depending on the county. From there, you have the freedom to decide what you want for your wedding day. I always encourage my clients to factor in lodging, food, transportation, clothing, flowers, an officiant, and accommodations for any guests.
Hiring a Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement Photographer
The final cost you will want to factor into your elopement is your photographer. While I always think good pictures are a worthwhile investment, finding your perfect photographer is especially important in this location. This is such a breathtaking space, and you need a photographer who knows how to capture all the natural beauty of the area! Seriously, this is not the spot to settle.
If you are looking for an adventurous elopement photographer ready to go the distance with you, I think I might just be the one! As an adventure elopement photographer, I have worked all across the country, capturing weddings in pretty legendary spaces. If you think we might be a match, I would love to tell you all about my process so you can decide if I am the one for you.
You Deserve A Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement As Beautiful As Your Love
Hopefully, this guide helps you as you start to plan your Bonneville Salt Flats elopement! If you do want to learn more about working with me, let’s get the conversation started! Send me a message today so we can start planning your dream adventure!
