Name: Salt Lake City Elopement
Brand: Wedy

Question 1

Do I need a permit to elope in Salt Lake City?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most public ceremony locations near Salt Lake City require a special use permit. National Forest spots (Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Millcreek Canyon) may require a permit from the Salt Lake Ranger District (801-733-2660), particularly for commercial services — contact the district to confirm requirements for your group size and ceremony type. Antelope Island State Park requires a Utah State Parks wedding permit ($60 base fee, minimum 30 days notice). The Bonneville Salt Flats requires a BLM special use permit for organized events — contact the BLM Salt Lake Field Office at 801-977-4300 for current permit fees. City parks like Liberty Park require a Salt Lake City special event permit — fees vary based on event scope and services required. Your Wedy planning team can help coordinate the right permit for your chosen spot.

Question 2

How many guests can I have at a Salt Lake City elopement?

Accepted Answer

Guest limits vary significantly by location. Most National Forest canyon spots work best for intimate groups of 15-25 guests. Antelope Island State Park accommodates up to 25 guests comfortably. Bonneville Salt Flats has no hard guest cap but works best for 2-50 guests. Liberty Park's gazebo allows up to 100 guests (50 recommended). Private mountain venues like Solitude Mountain Resort and Snowbird accommodate 75-400+ guests. Keep in mind your photographer and officiant typically count toward permit limits at public lands locations.

Question 3

When is the best time to elope in Salt Lake City?

Accepted Answer

June through October is the ideal window for a Salt Lake City elopement. July–August offers peak wildflowers in the mountain canyons, but trails fill by 8-9 AM on weekends. September and October are locals' favorite months — golden aspen foliage blazes in Big Cottonwood Canyon, temperatures are mild, and crowds thin out noticeably. June is great for shoulder-season pricing, though some high mountain roads may still be snow-closed early in the month. If you want Bonneville Salt Flats, avoid March–May when the flats often flood. Note that Antelope Island State Park does not issue ceremony permits September 15 – November 15 due to the annual Bison Roundup.

Question 4

How do I get a marriage license for a Utah elopement?

Accepted Answer

A Utah marriage license costs $50 and includes two certified copies. You can start the application online at saltlakecounty.gov/clerk/marriage and then complete an in-person appointment at the Salt Lake County Clerk Office (2001 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84190) — both parties must appear in person with a valid government-issued photo ID. There is no waiting period — the license is valid immediately upon issuance and remains valid for 32 days. If your ceremony is at Bonneville Salt Flats (Tooele County), you'll need to apply with the Tooele County Clerk instead (fee is also $50).

Question 5

How much does a Salt Lake City elopement cost?

Accepted Answer

A Salt Lake City elopement can range from a few hundred dollars for a simple ceremony to several thousand for a full-service mountain experience. Permit fees alone range from $60 (Antelope Island base fee) to several hundred dollars for National Forest commercial permits — contact the relevant agency for current fee schedules. A marriage license is $50. Accommodation near ceremony spots ranges from $150-$300/night for downtown hotels to $500-$1,500/night for mountain lodges. Wedy's all-inclusive elopement packages bundle photography, officiant, planning coordination, and florals at different price tiers — check the listing for current package pricing and what's included at each tier.

Question 6

What's included in a Wedy Salt Lake City elopement package?

Accepted Answer

Wedy's all-inclusive Salt Lake City elopement packages typically include professional photography, a licensed officiant, planning coordination, and florals. Your Wedy team handles logistics like location scouting, permit coordination, and ceremony timeline planning so you can focus on the experience. Specific inclusions and package tiers vary — check the current listing details for exactly what's included at each price point and what add-ons are available.

Question 7

What should I wear to my Salt Lake City elopement?

Accepted Answer

Practical footwear is essential for canyon and mountain locations — sturdy flats or hiking boots work far better than heels, which sink into soft alpine soil. Always bring layers: mountain temperatures run 20-30°F cooler than downtown Salt Lake City, and mornings can be cold even in August. For Bonneville Salt Flats ceremonies, white and light-colored clothing photographs beautifully against the white expanse, but dark soil and salt residue can stain — dress thoughtfully. Bridal gowns with longer trains should be lifted during any trail walking; consider a detachable train for hike-to locations. If you're changing into ceremony attire at the location, plan and pack accordingly.

Question 8

What time should I schedule my Salt Lake City ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Golden hour light is stunning around Salt Lake City at every ceremony spot. In summer, sunrise is around 6:00 AM and sunset around 8:45 PM — late afternoon ceremonies capture incredible warm light on canyon walls and mountain peaks. In spring, sunrise is around 6:45 AM with sunset around 8:00 PM. Fall golden hour is dramatic: sunrise around 7:15 AM, sunset around 7:00 PM, with golden aspen trees lit up magnificently. For Bonneville Salt Flats, sunrise or sunset is essential — the sky-mirror reflection on a thin layer of brine is unlike anything else, and midday produces harsh glare. For mountain canyon spots in July-August, plan morning ceremonies (finish by noon-1 PM) to avoid afternoon monsoon thunderstorms that build rapidly over the peaks.

Question 9

Where should I stay near Salt Lake City for my elopement?

Accepted Answer

Downtown Salt Lake City offers a wide range of lodging — from boutique hotels like Hotel Monaco ($$) and the Grand America ($$$) to Airbnb and VRBO options throughout the city. For a mountain immersion, Silver Fork Lodge in Big Cottonwood Canyon is the most charming and affordable mountain lodge option, and actually includes a complimentary night's stay with wedding bookings. Alta Peruvian Lodge and Snowbird's Cliff Lodge in Little Cottonwood Canyon are also excellent. Mountain resort accommodations book up 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends, so plan early. Canyon ceremony spots are just 20-45 minutes from downtown, making it easy to stay in the city and drive up.

Question 10

Do I need to bring my own officiant to a Salt Lake City elopement?

Accepted Answer

Utah does not allow self-solemnization — you must have an officiant present. Any ordained minister (including those ordained online through Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries), judge, or justice of the peace can legally officiate. Online ordination is widely accepted in Utah; the minister must be at least 18 years old and there is no state registration requirement. Your officiant must return the signed marriage license within 30 days of the ceremony. Wedy's elopement packages include a licensed local officiant, so you don't need to source one separately.

Question 11

Do I need witnesses for my Utah elopement?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Utah law requires two witnesses aged 18 or older to be physically present at your ceremony and sign the marriage license. Virtual witnesses are not legally recognized. Importantly, witnesses must be someone other than the officiant — your officiant cannot double as a witness. Your photographer or videographer can serve as one of the two required witnesses. If you're eloping with just the two of you, your Wedy coordinator can arrange for two witnesses to be present.

Question 12

What restrictions apply at Salt Lake City elopement locations?

Accepted Answer

Restrictions vary significantly by location. Dogs are NOT allowed anywhere in Big Cottonwood Canyon or on the Cecret Lake trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon due to watershed protection — but Millcreek Canyon is one of the few canyons that allows dogs (on even-numbered calendar days only). Drones are restricted or prohibited in many National Forest wilderness areas — check with the ranger district. Swimming is prohibited in most mountain lakes (watershed protection). Antelope Island issues no permits September 15 – November 15 for the Bison Roundup. At Liberty Park, BBQ and amplified music may require additional permits. The Bonneville Salt Flats prohibits digging or damaging the salt crust and requires strict Leave No Trace compliance.

Question 13

How do I get to the best Salt Lake City elopement spots?

Accepted Answer

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is a major hub with direct flights from most US cities — the valley is just 15-20 minutes from downtown. A rental car is strongly recommended for canyon and mountain ceremony locations, as Uber and Lyft are not practical for these remote spots. Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon are about 25 miles east of downtown (30-45 min drive). Millcreek Canyon is even closer — under 20 minutes from most SLC neighborhoods. Antelope Island is 35 miles north via I-15. The Bonneville Salt Flats are 90 miles west via I-80. Download offline maps (Google Maps or AllTrails) before heading into the mountains — cell service is unreliable above canyon entrances.

Question 14

What if it rains or there's bad weather on my Salt Lake City elopement day?

Accepted Answer

Salt Lake City weather varies significantly by location and season. The biggest summer risk is afternoon monsoon thunderstorms in July and August — these build rapidly over the mountains after noon, so scheduling your mountain ceremony for the morning minimizes risk. In winter (December-February), the SLC valley can experience temperature inversions that trap haze and smog at ground level, while mountain locations above 6,000 ft are often crystal clear and sunny above the clouds. In fall and spring, the weather is generally stable but can surprise. Private mountain venues like Silver Fork Lodge, Solitude Mountain Resort, and Snowbird all have indoor backup spaces. If you're planning a Bonneville Salt Flats ceremony, spring flooding (March-May) can make the surface inaccessible — check current BLM surface conditions before booking.

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Pick Your Package

Meet Your Planner

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