So glad you asked!
YES!! If you want to have your wedding at the Salt Flats in Utah, you only need a couple of things to make it happen. The Salt Flats is on federal land, so you do need a special use permit along with a marriage license and two witnesses over 18 years of age. (I’m an officiant and can legally marry you as well! But I do not count as a witness.)
How to get married at the Salt Flats:
Step 1: Go get your marriage license (You can now apply online here)
Step 2: Obtain your “organized group permit” from the Bureau of Land Management Salt Lake City Office here (current contact information is available using that link)
Step 3: Create your timeline for your Salt Flats wedding or elopement (After you reserve your date with me, I will send over a wedding or elopement timeline guide)
Step 4: Make sure you have at least two witnesses over age 18. The officiant does NOT count as a witness, so if I am your officiant, you will need two other witnesses present.
Step 5: Secure your date with me and get everything in order
Step 6: Buy your dress and/or suits. Hire awesome decor and floral. Get hair and makeup in order. (I have vendor referrals for all of these.)
Step 7: Decide if you want to have an intimate affair or a bigger wedding at the Salt Flats. Send me your timeline!
Step 8: Do the damn thing. (BEST DAY EVER!!!!!)
This photo is at an area near the Salt Flats in Utah that is a little more “desert vibe” than the actual Salt Flats.
Engagement photos at the Salt Flats after rainfall
Bridals at the Salt Flats in Utah
The Salt Flats is a stunning place to get married any time of the year. There are also locations nearby that have a “desert-like” and earthy feel to them near the Salt Flats in Utah.
If you are coming from out of town to see or be photographed at the Salt Flats, a couple of things to note:
Most of us photographers drive a couple of hours to get there. (It is ALWAYS worth it.) If you’re wondering where to stay, there are a couple of options. Wendover is just a few minutes from Bonneville, where the Salt Flats are located (I actually have never been to Wendover to this day), but Wendover has hotels, entertainment, and casinos, if you’re looking for accommodations nearby. Salt Lake City is a little over an hour away and is your best bet for hotels, things to do, and people to meet, if you’re planning a trip to Utah just for the Salt Flats. Salt Lake City is central to many other site seeing areas in Utah, whereas Wendover and Bonneville are kind of in the middle of nowhere.
What do the Salt Flats look like?
Here are some photos I’ve taken in the last year at the salt flats:
Taking bridals at the salt flats after rainfall is the actual best, this look can only be achieved after it rains but is my favorite
candid family photos at the Salt Flats are so fun too
Engagement photos at the utah salt flats by Datura Photo
Bridals at the utah salt flats by Datura Photo
Intimate wedding photography details
I cannot WAIT for you to have the best day of your life at the Salt Flats. In the meantime, send me any questions you might have. I’m just a call, email, or text away!
-Jules
Datura Photo
Wedding + Elopement Photographer