Your Guide for a Beautiful Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement

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I have been lucky enough to visit all 7 continents as well as over 40 countries, and I promise you there are few places in the world as striking as the Bonneville Salt Flats. 12 miles long, and 5 miles wide, this expanse of white, salt-packed land redefines the term, “vast.” Standing on the flat surface—surrounded either by reflective waters or the crystal-like patterns the flats are known for—I guarantee you will be absolutely blown away by this natural marvel and the gorgeous elopement backdrop it offers.

Located just two hours out of Salt Lake City, Utah, this spot is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever had the privilege of photographing. Having walked dozens of couples through the process of eloping at the flats, I know the process inside and out, and can’t wait to share my top tips below!

A woman in a flowing brown dress and a man in a white shirt and green pants hold hands and run across a dry, flat landscape with mountains in the background under a clear sky.

Frequently asked questions about eloping at the Bonneville Salt Flats:

How do you get married at the Bonneville Salt Flats?

The Bonneville Salt Flats are extremely popular thanks to their accessibility year-round, but their remote and temperamental nature can make it a bit hard to navigate the process of eloping there, so here is everything you need to know to plan your own Bonneville Salt Flats elopement:

Pick a Date

I have a section below outlining the best times to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats, but generally, early Fall would be ideal for weather and convenience. Those months offer cooler temperatures than the scorching Utah summers and the flats are still dry, meaning you get to fully experience the famous crystal patterns they are known for!

Pro Tip: The Bonneville Salt Flats are actually a big racing hub with a lot of events happening year-round, so I would double check when those are before nailing down your date. You can do that on the official Bureau of Land Management website here!

Finalize Your Guest Count

Your guest count will mainly impact whether or not the Bureau of Land Management feels you need a permit for the event, which in turn impacts the cost. For example, if you’re looking to have more than 20 guests, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll need a Special Recreation Permit which can start at $130 and increase with each additional guest.

Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations

The beauty of the salt flats is that they are easily accessible and don’t require any hiking to reach once you’ve parked, but they are extremely remote, which means you’ll want to account for driving time to and from the location. An experienced destination elopement photographer (like me!) can help you plan the best timeline for your day so you have the smoothest experience possible as well as the most epic photos to capture it.

Obtain Your Marriage License & Permit

For the Bonneville Salt Flats, the best place to get your marriage license from will be the Salt Lake City County Clerk’s office. You’ll need to apply for a marriage license appointment here, then complete the online application (which I’ve linked here to make your life easier!). Once you’ve done that, all that’s left is to go to your appointment in person at the Salt Lake City County Clerk’s office and pay the $50 license fee (be sure to bring your credit card since they don’t accept cash). Your license will be valid for 32 days and just needs to be returned within 30 days of your ceremony, signed by two witnesses—the good news is that if you don’t want any guests, your photographer and officiant can count as witnesses!

As for a permit, the salt flats are part of lands run by the Bureau of Land Management, so their field office in Salt Lake City will be responsible for determining whether or not your elopement requires a Special Recreation Permit. As of the writing of this guide, the point of contact you’ll need to reach out to is Tyler Jutte and you can do so at blm_ut_sl_recpermit@blm.gov or (385) 460-5441.

Pro Tip: Permit applications should be submitted at least 180 days ahead of your ceremony, so I recommend reaching out to inquire about a permit as soon as possible in case you do end up needing one!

Get Married!

That’s it! All that’s left is to exchange your vows on the stunning salt flats and take in every single moment!

A couple holding hands walks across a sandy landscape under a clear sky with a large, visible moon. The man wears a red shirt and dark pants; the woman wears a flowing, light-colored dress.

When’s the best time to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats?

While the salt flats are open year-round, the best time to visit would be in the early fall! That’s when the temperature starts cooling down and the flats are still dry enough to give you a clear view of the crystal-like patterns along the ground. However, I will say that there is an opportunity for some absolutely stunning photos in the spring if you manage to visit just after a rainfall. The flats take on a reflective sheen that makes the entire area look like an endless mirrored surface–it’s truly breathtaking.

Since the salt flats are so vast and remote, you won’t have to worry too much about crowds. Nevertheless, you’re less likely to find them if you visit during a weekday and either early morning or late evening. Those also happen to be the best times of day for wedding portraits thanks to the gorgeous golden light that illuminates the flats as the sun rises and sets!

How do you get to the Bonneville Salt Flats?

The Bonneville Salt Flats are located just off of I-80, about an hour and a half’s drive west of Salt Lake City. If traveling from there, you’ll be on the highway for about 104 miles before taking the exit for Wendover. Follow that road for 0.2 miles and you’ll immediately find a rest stop on your right located at 40°44’25.5″N 113°51’06.7″W. It’s an open lot with plenty of parking and a few restrooms, just steps away from the flats!

Alternatively, you can also access the salt flats from the Bonneville Salt Flats International Raceway entrance. To get there, you would just take Exit 4 off I-80 then turn right onto N Bonneville Speedway Rd. After about a mile, keep right on that same road and drive deeper into the salt flats for 3.9 miles until you reach the end where you’ll find an open parking lot located at 40°45’45.2″N 113°53’45.3″W and a sign for the Bonneville Salt Flats. While there are no restrooms there, it’s a great option if you want to park then walk or even drive right onto the salt flats, weather allowing!

How much does it cost to get married at the Bonneville Salt Flats?

Assuming you end up needing a permit to elope at the Bonneville Salt Flats, you’re looking at a cost of around $180 total. This includes the $50 marriage license and the permit fee which is $130 as of the writing of this guide.

Luckily, the venue doesn’t require paid access so beyond those considerations, your total elopement/wedding budget can be whatever you want it to be! It typically depends on how many guests you have, what vendors you choose, travel costs, etc. The real focus with an elopement like this is the experience. The couples who hire me usually prioritize having an adventure in a uniquely stunning location like the Bonneville Salt Flats and capturing every second of it, which is why they spend most of their budget on photography. If you want more details, you can find my full cost of eloping guide here!

Are dogs allowed at the Bonneville Salt Flats?

Yes, dogs are allowed at the salt flats! Just keep in mind that the salt can damage their paws, so you might want to consider bringing booties to protect them.

Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement & Wedding Photos

Robin & Dillon’s Bonneville Salt Flats Fall Elopement

Robin & Dillon took an epic 3-day adventure across Utah to celebrate their engagement and ended it at the Bonneville Salt Flats, one of my favorite spots in the entire state. I pitched this to them because I love the way everything here just glitters, but when they saw it, their film buff status took over and we wound up recreating the iconic ice scene from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

They wanted a few things out of this road trip, and that was to feel like they were on an adventure, avoid super strenuous hikes, and see things from the ground. Bonneville is a great solution to all three of those things!

Because you can drive out onto the flats easily with a Jeep (when they’re dry), I knew this would be a great spot to take them so that they could feel like they were in the middle of nowhere in totally unseen terrain without having to hike 15+ miles or go up in a helicopter.

Out here at golden hour and blue hour, as the moon is rising and the sun is setting, you get some seriously insanely beautiful lighting. All of the salt is shimmering, the horizon goes on forever, the whole sky turns pastel, and it lights up faces in the most gorgeous way.

I especially love how Robin wore a sparkling dress that matched the flats!

After this, they headed back to their rental house and had more fun exploring the area above the flats. I was super sad that this trip came to an end. Robin & Dillon were such a joy to work with and were so down to hit some of my favorite locations in Utah! This was so much fun to plan.

A straight, empty road stretches into the flat, barren desert under a clear blue sky, with dry grass lining the sides and no visible structures or vehicles in sight.

Three rings rest on clusters of white crystals atop a sandy, textured surface, creating a striking contrast between the jewelry and the natural background.

Three gold rings are placed vertically along the edge of a rough, brown crack in a textured, white, crystalline surface, resembling salt or mineral deposits.

A white Jeep Wrangler SUV drives across a vast, flat, salt-covered desert plain with distant mountains under a clear sky.

A single off-road vehicle is parked on a vast, cracked salt flat under a clear sky, with no other objects or people in sight.

A lone off-road vehicle drives across a vast, flat, dry salt plain with distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

A couple stands on top of a white Jeep parked on a vast, dry salt flat with distant mountains in the background, sharing an embrace under a clear sky.

A person in a tan outfit stands on top of a white SUV parked on a vast, dry salt flat with distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

A man and woman stand on top of a white Jeep parked on a vast, dry salt flat. The woman’s dress flows in the wind, and mountains rise in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Two people stand on the roof of a Jeep parked on a vast, cracked desert plain with distant mountains in the background. The image is in black and white, casting long shadows on the ground.

A couple stands on top of a white Jeep in a vast, dry desert with mountains in the background. The woman’s flowing dress billows in the wind as they embrace under a clear blue sky.

A man and woman hold hands and walk across a dry, white desert landscape with mountains in the background. The woman wears a flowing brown dress, and the man is dressed in a white shirt and khaki pants.

A couple walks hand in hand toward a white Jeep parked on a dry, sandy desert plain with mountains in the background under a clear sky. The woman wears a flowing orange dress, and the man wears a white shirt and pants.

A couple holding hands walks on a vast, dry salt flat. The woman wears a flowing copper dress and the man wears a white shirt and dark pants. Both wear sunglasses, with mountains visible in the distant background.

A couple lies on a cracked, textured ground. The woman wears a flowing, light dress and the man wears a red shirt and dark pants. They are close together, gazing up, and the scene is viewed from above.

Aerial view of a person in a flowing dress lying on cracked, dry earth, creating a striking contrast between the human figure and the textured surface.

A lone person walks across a vast, cracked salt flat under a clear sky, with distant mountains on the horizon. The landscape appears barren and expansive.

A couple stands together on a vast, cracked salt flat, with distant mountains under a clear blue sky. The landscape is expansive and textured, emphasizing their small figures in the center of the scene.

A couple dances on a vast, cracked salt flat under a clear sky, with distant mountains on the horizon; their shadows stretch behind them in the open, desolate landscape.

A couple walks hand-in-hand across a vast, sunlit salt flat with mountains in the background. The man wears a red shirt and dark pants, while the woman wears a long, white dress.

A couple holding hands walks across a sunlit, sandy landscape with mountains in the background; the woman wears a flowing dress, and the man wears a red shirt and dark pants.

A couple walks hand in hand across a vast, sunlit desert plain. The woman wears a flowing white dress, and the man wears dark pants and a red shirt. Mountains rise in the hazy background under a pale sky.

A couple sits close together on a vast, sunlit salt flat with mountains in the distance. The woman wears a flowing dress, leaning on the man, who has his arm around her. The landscape appears serene and expansive.

A couple sits close together on a vast, sunlit salt flat with mountains in the distance. The woman wears a flowing dress while the man is in dark clothing. They embrace affectionately, surrounded by textured ground.

A couple sits close together on a vast, sunlit salt flat. The man, in a red shirt and black pants, kisses the woman's hand. She wears a long, flowing beige dress. Mountains are visible in the background under a clear sky.

A couple sits closely together on a vast, sunlit salt flat. The woman wears a flowing, textured gown, and the man wears dark pants and a red shirt. They gaze at each other affectionately, mountains in the background.

A couple sits close together on a vast, sunlit salt flat, with mountain ranges visible in the distance. They are holding hands and leaning in for a kiss, wearing casual and elegant attire.

A couple sits close together on a vast, sunlit salt flat, with distant mountains in the background. The woman wears a flowing light dress, and the man is dressed in dark clothing. The scene feels serene and romantic.

A textured, semi-transparent fabric, possibly a dress or veil, is spread out on a rough, snow-covered ground, creating a contrast between the delicate material and the coarse surface. The scene is in black and white.

A woman in a long, elegant gown holds hands with a man in a red shirt as they stand on a vast, flat, and sandy landscape. She looks back over her shoulder while he faces forward, both surrounded by a hazy horizon.

A woman in a long dress stands on a ladder, reaching toward the moon in the sky, while a man in a dark shirt stands on the ground looking up at her. The scene is set on a flat, open landscape at dusk.

A couple stands on a vast, flat, sandy landscape under a clear sky with a visible moon. The woman in a flowing white dress holds her skirt, while the man in a dark suit faces her.

A couple walks hand in hand on a sandy landscape at sunset; the woman wears a long, flowing dress, and the man wears a red shirt. A large, pale moon is visible in the clear sky above them.

A couple stands on a salt flat at sunset. The woman in a long, shimmering gown holds hands with a man in a red shirt as he kisses her hand. The sky is clear with a visible moon above them.

A couple stands on a flat, sandy landscape at sunset. The woman in a long dress leans back dramatically while holding hands with the man in a red shirt, both smiling with the moon visible in the sky above them.

A woman in a long, sparkling gown dances with a man in a red shirt and black pants on a sandy, open landscape at sunset, with the moon visible in the clear sky above them.

A couple dances on a vast, snowy plain under a clear sky with the moon visible. The woman wears a long, flowing dress, and the man is in dark pants and a red shirt. They appear joyful and carefree.

Two people holding hands, standing on a vast, open landscape. One person wears a sparkling dress, the other dark pants and a red top. The image is softly focused, with a clear blue sky and soft horizon in the background.

A blurred couple holding hands stands on a vast, snow-covered landscape, gazing toward the distant horizon under a clear sky at sunset.

A blurred image of a couple facing each other and smiling, standing on a flat, snow-covered landscape at sunset with a clear sky in the background.

Two people extend their arms toward each other against a twilight sky, with a full moon centered between their outstretched hands. One wears a sparkly dress; the other has a red shirt. The scene feels dreamy and romantic.

Two hands reaching toward each other against a dusky sky with a full moon above, one hand adorned with a sparkling sleeve and the other bare.

A couple embraces and kisses on a vast, sandy landscape at sunset, with mountains in the background and soft, golden light illuminating the scene. The woman wears a long, light dress, and the man is in dark pants and a red shirt.

A couple stands embracing and kissing on a vast, flat expanse with mountains in the distance, bathed in the warm glow of a sunset. The woman wears a long, flowing dress and the man wears a dark shirt and pants.

A couple dances on a sandy plain at sunset. The woman wears a flowing cream-colored dress, holding one side out, while the man in a dark shirt and pants holds her other hand. Mountains are visible in the background.

A couple embraces at sunset on a sandy, open landscape. The man lifts the woman, who wears a flowing dress, while the sky glows orange and mountains are visible in the background.

A close-up of two people standing on a sandy landscape at sunset; one person in a flowing cream dress, the other in dark pants and boots. The dress billows in the wind, partially obscuring their legs.

A couple stands on a snowy field at sunset; the man lifts the woman as she smiles and her long beige dress flows. The sky is pastel pink and blue with a full moon above them.

A couple poses on a sandy, open landscape at sunset. The man in a maroon shirt dips the woman in a gold dress, both smiling as they gaze at each other, with a full moon and pastel sky in the background.

A couple shares a romantic kiss while dancing on a vast, snowy landscape at sunset, with the moon visible in the pastel-colored sky above them.

A black-and-white photo of a man giving a piggyback ride to a woman on a sandy beach under a full moon, with an expansive sky in the background.

A woman in a long, light dress joyfully rides piggyback on a man in dark clothing as they walk across a sandy, open landscape at sunset, with a pastel pink and purple sky in the background.

A person carries another on their back across a vast snowy landscape under a pastel sky at dusk, with a visible moon above the horizon.

A woman in a dress stands on a sandy landscape at sunset, reaching up toward a glowing sun. Above her, a man appears upside-down, mirroring her gesture as if reaching down, creating a surreal, mirrored effect.

A person in a red shirt takes a photo with a smartphone of a woman in a long white dress standing with arms raised on a vast, flat, white landscape at sunset.

A person in a flowing, light-colored dress stands on a sandy landscape at dusk, with a full moon visible in the soft, pastel sky above.

A bright, full moon is centered against a dark, clear night sky. The moon's surface details and craters are visible, and there are no clouds or stars present in the image.

Two people dance expressively on a flat, sandy landscape under a pale sky with a full moon. One wears a dark outfit, the other a flowing white dress, both bending dramatically in different directions.

A couple stands on a flat sandy landscape at dusk. The man holds the woman as she leans back, both wrapped in glowing string lights. Mountains and a darkening sky appear in the background.

A couple embraces and smiles at each other at dusk, wrapped in glowing string lights, with dark mountains and a dim sky in the background.

A couple embraces at sunset, wrapped in string lights. The woman touches the man's face gently as they look into each other's eyes, standing outdoors with mountains in the background.

A couple embraces tenderly at dusk, wrapped in glowing string lights. The woman wears a sparkling, flowing gown, while the man wears dark pants and a red shirt. Mountains and a serene landscape are visible in the background.

Two people with string lights around them look toward distant mountains at dusk, with a glowing heart shape outlined on the mountains in the background. The scene is peaceful and romantic.

A couple stands close together on a desert-like landscape at dusk, illuminated by string lights and two lanterns on the ground, with distant mountains silhouetted against the darkening sky.

A couple in formal attire embraces on a salt flat at dusk, surrounded by glowing lanterns and soft string lights, with mountains silhouetted in the background.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement Photographer

If you’re looking for someone with years of experience photographing adventure elopements in different cities and countries, then you’re in the right place! For over a decade, I have been designing, planning, & photographing elopements around the world, so I can help you navigate the logistics of planning one for yourself and make sure it’s the most stress-free experience possible.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She wears a black blazer, a black top, and a pendant necklace. The background is a plain light gray wall.

Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement Packages

Contact me here to check my availability and for a free planning consultation—I promise to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!

Always included:

8+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae with relaxed sightseeing & exploring

The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™

Unique & secluded locations, bespoke activity ideas with pre-vetted guides, fun & luxurious lodging options, an experience-focused timeline, mood board & personalized styling suggestions, travel advice, VIP Planning Guide, and customized packing checklists

Free initial planning consultation call, direct access to Maddie Mae via text & email, unlimited planning consultations, unlimited collaboration & revisions, pre-vetted local vendor recommendations, and advice &and help with permits & marriage licenses

Guided + FUN photography experience, empathetic posing & directing, creative GIFS &and drone photography, hand-crafted editing, full-resolution image files with printing rights, digital gallery to view, download, & print, complementary album design, and convenient print ordering

My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in the U.S.A (including Alaska & Hawaii)

$9,800 for all of the above including 8-hours of photography

Full-day, multi-day, and custom packages available.

No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.

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Hey there!

I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant  

For the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.

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