Everything You Need to Know About a Utah Salt Flats Elopement
If the Bonneville Salt Flats are calling your name. Here is your complete guide to saying “I do” on the salt crust. As a photographer, I’ve seen my fair share of mountain peaks and desert red rocks, but there is something truly haunting in the best way possible about the vast, white expanse of the salt. Eloping here isn’t as simple as just driving out and saying “I do.” here is the ultimate guide to eloping at Bonneville.
What Your Elopement Day Looks Like
The beauty of a Salt Flats elopement is the minimalism. There are no trees to block the light and no buildings to clutter the horizon. It’s just you and your love center stage.
What I recommend for making the most of your salt flat elopement is building an experience with unique vendors. The salt flats are known very well for being a location to push your vehicle to their limit. the flats have no speed limit making it a great place to let out your inner speed demon for a little joy ride. whether you’re envisioning pushing the limits of a rugged jeep or a or just a leisurely drive on the salt.
The salt flats make for a beautiful location for a sunset/sunrise picnic. sitting on the flats with no one else in sight enjoying a meal sounded by the scenery of salt crust and dipping horizon
Depending on when you go, your photos will look like two different planets:
- The Wet Season (November – May): A thin layer of water covers the salt, creating a perfect, 360-degree mirror. You’ll look like you’re walking on clouds.
- The Dry Season (June – October): The water evaporates, leaving behind iconic hexagonal “cracked” patterns in the salt. It’s stark, textural, and incredibly modern.
A Sample Timeline
- 2:30 PM | getting ready: We start in an Airbnb in Erda. you and your best friend get dressed in your elopement attire, write your vows and make a few moments to soak in the moment.
- 3:30 | the drive: The mountains slowly flatten out until all you see is white. It’s a bit of a drive to the flats so jam out to your favorite tunes!
- 5:30 PM | The Vows: We walk out onto the salt. You exchange rings as the sun begins to dip.
- 6:15 PM | Golden Hour Portraits: We’ll take some time to get those perfect Mr + Mrs photos to hang on your wall and share with family
- 7:00 PM | Picnic & relax: As the sun begins to disappear the sky turns deep shades of indigo and violet. We pop a bottle of champagne as you enjoy a luxury catered picnic right there on the salt.
The Logistics: What You Need to Know
- Permits: You must have a Special Recreation Permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to legally elope here. I help all my couples navigate this, so you don’t get a surprise fine on your big day!
- The salt: This isn’t soft sand; it’s hard, jagged salt. If you’re wearing a long dress, the hem will turn “crunchy” and grey by the end of the night. Embrace it it’s part of the story.
- Footwear: Most couples opt for hiking boots or sandals for their salt flat elopement to protect their feet from the sharp salt.
- The Drive: It’s a straight shot on I-80. There are no gas stations or services for about 40 miles. So make sure you have a full tank before you make the drive out.
The Salt Flats are a blank canvas for your love. Whether you want a high fashion editorial vibe or a quiet ceremony, this landscape delivers every single time.
