The Best Places to Elope in Utah

Best Places to Elope in Utah | Utah Elopement Locations

Our Utah Elopement Packages

All of our Utah elopement packages include 2 professional elopement photographers, unlimited planning assistance, and all the goodies you need to live out your Utah elopement with zero stress.  Ain’t no way we’re leaving you out to dry as you try to navigate eloping in one of the best places to elope in Utah.

Here is our base photography package:

includes all contiguous US elopement locations

8 hours of elopement photography with 2 professional photographers

unlimited planning assistance

personalized full vendor referral list (so you hire folks you can trust)

elopement timeline assistance and drafting

unlimited, online high resolution gallery

permit assistance if applicable

personalized elopement location scouting and referral list

personalized packing list

online, personalized print store for your gallery

print credit

all photographer permit and travel fees included

All of this (plus our undying love and support) comes to $5500!  This is our half day elopement package, but hey… let’s chat about your day!  Maybe you want a full day package, and we’d be stoked to do it!  Hit the contact button below to chat about your day at one of these best places to elope in Utah!

Make Your Utah Elopement Legal

One thing you must plan for before you elope in Utah is getting all the legalities out of the way if you’re planning to seal the deal legally in Utah. Make sure to bring your ID, and you must be 18 years or older.

• Obtain your marriage license at the County Clerk’s Office. You will get the marriage license immediately, and it’ll be valid for 30 days. It can cost anywhere from $20-$60, and the price will vary by county.
• Utah requires that you have two witnesses to sign your marriage license at your Utah elopement. If your family or friends aren’t present, you can always ask your vendors or me, your photographer, to sign! I will assist you through every step of the planning process.
• You must have an officiant at your Utah elopement. We have a list of officiants we’re stoked to refer to clients, or you can bring along a pal to officiate the whole deal easily. Getting ordained is simple and can be done with just a few clicks and less than an hour’s time.
• If you are eloping in a national park or state park, you will need an elopement permit. We give all of our couples permit assistance so you don’t have to stress about paperwork. We’ll hand over our checklist of how, when, and where to apply for your Utah elopement permit at one of these best places to elope in Utah.

Best Places to Elope in Utah: Faq Edition

Finding the best places to elope in Utah is no small feat, but you’re well on your way to living out your wildest elopement dreams in one of these Utah elopement locations.  There are, however some frequently asked questions we’d love to answer for ya!

What season should I choose to elope in Utah?

Choose one of the best places to elope in Utah and pick the right season for the type of day you’re creating!

• Summer – Utah summers (June-September) can be sweltering. Expect temperatures to be over 100+ degrees. Summer offers a range of activities such as kayaking, boating, and paddleboarding.
• Fall – September through December is a beautiful time to elope, with the pop of color from the fall leaves will make for amazing photographs. Hiking and mountain biking are fun in the fall because it is not too cold and not too hot.
• Winter – As the snow coats the mountain tops, your elopement will become a winter wonderland. December through March is cold but worth the magnificent view of the Utah mountains. Have fun snowboarding with your love for added adventure!
• Spring – March to June is usually the busiest months, and it is possible to have some viewers at your elopement. What is excellent about Spring is the beautiful flower blooms and waterfalls you can discover.

Depending on what you plan to do during your day at one of these best places to elope, you’ll need to pick the season accordingly!

Can I bring friends and family to my Utah elopement?

Short answer: HECK YES!

Long answer:

Some of the best places to elope in Utah will allow your friends and family to come along for the ride; consider the following:

• How many guests will be joining you? Each elopement location has different regulations on how many people can attend. Follow the links to the application forms and know your headcount.
• Where are the closest accommodations, and how many people can stay there?
• What restaurants are nearby in each area for a reception to celebrate with loved ones?
• Can your guests reach the elopement destination?
• Let your loved ones know what to expect so they can plan their attire as well.

What should I wear to my Utah elopement?

Believe it or not, it is possible to choose the WRONG dress when eloping in Utah! You want to dress for the season and comfort at all of these best places to elope in Utah.

Mobility! Moving in your elopement outfit is essential. You must be able to hike, climb, jump, and spin around with your love in a romantic dance in the woods without letting your dress hold you back. Lightweight materials such as chiffon, organza, and batiste are perfect fabrics for a wedding dress. Summers in Utah are scorching hot! The dress you choose must be breathable and lightweight.

During those cold fall evenings and winter snow, pick layers to keep you warm. Wear cardigans, a sweater, and leggings if it is cold. Layers can always come off!

Tip: Go for a dress that can be windswept or dance around in the desert dust!  Just because they look dull on a hanger doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be killer Utah elopement dresses. The pictures you get out of your elopement day from your dress’s movement are works of art.

Play around with the color of your elopement attire. A black dress looks fantastic against the red rocks of Utah. A white dress with red trimming from the dust staining your dress creates a unique shade that photographs beautifully. Be daring and switch things up however you like. You could wear a skirt and blouse to switch things up with two different colors for contrast.

The same tips will apply to elopement suits! Accessorize with a fedora or opt for a bowtie. Be yourself in your elopement outfits.

Tip: Choose fabrics that won’t wrinkle, such as lace or polyester, so your clothes aren’t wrinkled by the time you reach your destination.  If you find your Utah elopement dress does have some wrinkling, we’ve got all the tips to help those out.

One more bonus tip: PLAN ON GETTING DIRTY.  If you’re choosing one of these best places to elope in Utah and trying to avoid getting amongst it, then you’d be better off choosing another location.  Your Utah elopement day will be most satisfactory when you both give into the idea that you’ll be sweaty, covered in dust, and have a little grime under your fingernails.  That’s when you know you’ve had an epic Utah elopement day!

What about flowers for my Utah elopement?

There are oodles of crazy talented floral designers near all of these best places to elope in Utah.  As we know, flowers won’t do well in extreme cold and extreme heat. Try to avoid wilting flowers or drooping ones so they hold up throughout the day.

Flowers to avoid:

• Tulips – They don’t live very long out of the ground and might not make it through the day.
• Hydrangeas – Not the right choice for boutonnieres and bouquets because their flowers will only bloom for approximately three hours out of the water. Hydrangeas are too fragile for an adventure elopement.
• Daffodils – Handling daffodils can lead to what’s known as the ‘daffodil itch.’ It’s skin irritations from handling the flowers. If you have experience with them, then go for it!

The best elopement flowers to use for your bouquet:

• Wooden roses – Wooden roses are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a keepsake from your elopement day! Not only are they unique, but they will last forever.
• Roses – You don’t have to carry typical red roses; you can find some with solid hues and bicolor varieties for something different.
• Ranunculus – These stunning flowers are perfect for bouquets and boutonnieres. Some of the colors you can choose from are white, orange and pink.

Where should I stay nearby these best places to elope in Utah?

Near Moab:

• Sorrel River Ranch – This luxurious ranch is the definition of luxury! Excellent resort and spa for a weekend of pampering.
• Vacasa Utah – Rent this beautiful condo with a hot tub and have a luxurious stay with an epic view! Located a few minutes from Arches National Park, the Vacasa has easy access to your elopement destination and a few shops and restaurants.
• Wayward Desert Casita – Also 15 minutes from Arches National Park and expect a short drive downtown, this stunning townhouse is entirely decorated with desert colors to set the mood of your elopement in Utah.
• Desert Oasis – The Desert Oasis has the perfect view of the La Sal Mountains. Spend your evening in a private hot tub or go for sunset walks at the nearby trails. They are pet-friendly too!

Near the Bonneville Salt Flats:

• Cozy Apartments – These beautiful comfy apartments will sleep up to 6 people, and you can celebrate your Utah elopement at the casino just a mile away if that’s your jam.

Near Zion National Park:

• The Hideaway offers hiking trails, a comfy bed with AC and heat in the tent, and outstanding mountain and garden views.
• Wander Camp is just 25 minutes from Zion National Park, and you get to experience an untouched wilderness and a sunrise you may never see twice!
• Under Canvas is one of our favorite lodging recommendations, because the experience is unparalleled. Not to mention, it’s one of the most insta-worthy places to stay near the best places to elope in Utah!

Near Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest:

• Fantasy Treehouse and Resort – Rustic treehouse cabin is ideal for feeling like you are in another world. Sleep in the trees 30′ off the ground and immerse yourself in the sounds of nature.
• Snowbasin Vacation Rental in Huntsville – Relax in the jacuzzi with a mountain view. It is just what you need after your elopement day! Let the romance continue in this idyllic setting.

What should I pack to adventure these best places to elope in Utah?

Before your Utah elopement journey, make sure that you come prepared with all the essentials.

Pack a hiking backpack and include these items for your trek:

• Sunscreen! Utah temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. A bad sunburn can take the fun out of your elopement.
• Plenty of water – You might walk for miles. It is essential to stay hydrated.
• Snacks – Don’t be a hangry partner and bring some snacks for your journey.
• Headlamps or a torch if you’re eloping at sunset. It can get dark quickly.
• Bring a raincoat and a cover for your backpack.
• Layers that can get removed as the day progresses and added on in the evening.
• First aid kit and a multiuse tool because you never know when you will need a band-aid or alcohol wipes.
• Maybe the most essential item on this list – toilet paper! Am I right, ladies? Be sure to read the Leave No Trace guidelines on what to do when nature calls.

Wear comfortable hiking shoes and if you prefer different shoes for the ceremony, bring them along!

Desert landscape imagery by: The Dropped Pin

Wowzers.

That was a lot of valuable info!

And we have more where that came from.  Contact us about photographing your elopement or keep reading some of our other free resources to keep planning and brainstorming!