How to Plan Your Elopement in Utah?
Just like in any other state in order to elope in Utah, you will have to apply in person for a marriage license. You can obtain it at any county clerk's office in Utah. The good news is that there is no wait period, so you are able to have the ceremony right after getting approved! I recommend getting the license at least day before your ceremony. The marriage license will only be valid for 30 days, so if you are traveling to Utah for your elopement, keep that in mind when planning your adventure. Other than that all you’ll need is a licensed officiant and two witnesses for your ceremony. Depending on your chosen location and group size, you'll need special use permit to elope in a National Park or on most public lands. I am here to assist you in getting those, or to scout a location that doesn't require any permits.
Best Locations to Elope in Utah
Now that you have your marriage license it's time to pick your dream location. Utah is an incredible state in terms of diversity of a landscape. It's no wonder five National Parks are located right here. Whether you dream of desert elopement, mountain scapes with lakes or wildflowers, sand dunes or salt flats, Utah has it all. I wrote an extensive blog listing my top 5 Elopement Locations in Utah, but in a meantime read to to find out more about how to plan your elopement in Utah.
The most popular locations are obviously the National Parks:
- The Arches, the Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef National Park. In order to elope in one of those you must obtain special use permit at least a month in advance, also to elope in national park you have to choose one from the designated ceremony locations. The easiest National Parks to elope in Utah i my opting are Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. Special use permits are much easier to get with shorter notice, ceremony locations aren't as restricted with time, plus you don' t have to worry about a ranger checkin in on you during your ceremony.
If you want less crowds and more possibilities where to have your ceremony I recommend public lands, national forest or state parks.
Some of my favorite are:
- Moab and Dead Horse point State Park(and I wrote 2 detailed blogs about Moab elopements)
- the Wasatch Mountains near Salt lake City
- Slot canyons and desert locations near Kanab
- Lake Powell
- Snow Canyon state park in Southern Utah (can read more about how to elope there bu clicking here)
- Bonneville Salt Flats is another incredible location for truly unique elopement or intimate wedding.
As always you need inquire about special wedding permits, and I am here to help you assist in obtaining any necessary permits.
Utah is an ultimate adventure land for those who want more than just pretty backdrop. There are countless off -road locations with the most unique landscapes, numerous canyons to rappel to, slot canyons to hike through or off the beaten path locations you'll need a jeep to get to- anything for that amazing adventurous wedding you have been dreaming of . You should contact me for location recommendations but in a meantime to learn more about good engagement photo locations near Salt Lake City you can click here.
The Cost of Eloping in Utah
The marriage license will cost you around 50$ at the time of writing this blog but the general cost of eloping in Utah will depend on a few factors. Where are you traveling from, how many people are you going to include (keep in mind the logistics get more complicated with larger groups and that can limit location options), vendors you're going to hire, accommodation you're going to boom (clamping, hotel or Airbnb) and photography coverage.
In general elopements and micro weddings cost fraction of the cost traditional weddings do. You can expect to spend anywhere between $4000 and up.
Great news, as a Utah Based photographer I offer special packages just for Utah. My packages start at 3hours of coverage and $2400.
Best Time to Elope in Utah?
The great thing about Utah is that is a year long wedding destination. Summers are always hot a dry but provide long days, almost always sunny weather and wildflowers, spring and fall are very pleasant with occasional rain and a few rainbows, winters deliver good amount of snow in the mountains up North, but still provide moderate temperatures and very little to no snow in Southern Utah (Zion or Bryce Canyon). As with any National Park June through August are the busiest months so you'd have to think ahead in terms of reservations, shuttles, camping or other accommodation reservation, but if you decide to elope on any BLM land that's always less crowded alternative. Ready to elope in beautiful Utah?
