The Best Places to Elope in Utah

Utah is full of magical places from the well known “Big Five” National Parks to the smaller trails off the beaten path. Slot Canyons, wide open desert vistas, mesas, towering peaks, and wild places await you in one of our favorite outdoor paradises on Earth!

Here’s our list of the best places to elope in The Beehive State, and your FAQ guide on how to elope in Utah!

Top 6 places to elope in Utah | Utah Elopement FAQ

MOAB

We cannot even begin to describe how incredible of a place Moab, Utah is. Surrounded by both Arches National Park & Canyonlands National Park this small city bisected by the Colorado River is a true desert oasis. You can do it all here. Slot Canyons, world famous rock climbing, mountain biking, or flying out to remote parts of Canyonlands, and taking in the stars at Dead Horse Point, an international dark sky park! Moab is also surrounded by Castle Valley and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land with tons of trails for the adventurous and adventurous at heart. You can have a five star luxury elopement getaway at one of the resorts nearby, or keep it laid back and full of love by exploring the area by campervan. #vanlife

THE WASATCH RANGE

If the desert is not quite your scene and you are looking for those big mountain alpine view we suggest flying into Salt Lake City then driving only 30 minutes east into the heart of Utah’s dramatic Wasatch Range. Our best take on how to celebrate your marriage here is hitting the slopes and saying “I Do” while shredding some of the best fresh powder in the world.

KANAB

Kanab is one of our favorite launch points for big adventure in all of Utah! The surrounding area is known for miles and miles of off-roading, the longest slot canyon network in the world, amazing sand dunes, unbelievably beautiful geological features, and within easy proximity to both Bryce Canyon National Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and Zion National Park.

BONEVILLE SALT FLATS

Minimalist landscapes offer a beautiful blank canvas where you can focus on the most important thing, your love. Bonneville Salt Flats is a massive expanse stretching miles across near the Utah/Nevada border within close proximity to Salt Lake City. Also nearby Salt Lake City is Antelope Island, the largest island in Great Salt Lake. This is your chance to see tons of wildlife!

Capitol Reef National Park

One of the most remote parks in the lower 48 has our hearts. This is definitely one of the most underrated parks in the United States. Golden sandstone reflects bright orange under the desert sunset, natural bridges, monuments, and vast desert views will give you such a sense of calming peace while exploring this incredible park. Don’t miss out on getting a cinnamon roll or freshly baked pie from the Gifford Homestead in order to toast your vows with something sweet! Due to Capitol Reef’s off the beaten path location you will have privacy for those just us moments. Only one hour from Capitol Reef is also Goblin Valley State Park for a little something different! There your can walk among the hoodoos and amazing rock features.

Monument Valley & Lake Powell

Lake Powell and Monument Valley are in the far southeast corner of Utah located close to Bear’s Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Lake Powell is an oasis in the desert and popular boating destination while Monument Valley during golden hour will give you chills. There are so many wild places to say your vows in this area!

Utah Elopement FAQ

Do I need a permit to elope in Utah?

Sometimes! It all depends on when, where, how many people are attending, and so on. Details matter in many cases, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you navigate the entire permit process so your elopement day is stress free. Did you know that as your photographers we actually take care of the cost of most permits for you?

What time of the year is best for eloping in Utah?

Again, time of year completely depends on the location you choose to elope in! For any elopements in the colder areas such as Salt Lake City we suggest June-October or mid winter if you want to elope on skis! For the southern Utah desert we recommend March-May and September-November as the best months. Winter in the desert can be cold, but if that doesn’t scare you than it is an amazing time with far fewer crowds! Avoid the heat of summer if possible in south Utah. Temperatures can soar well over 100 on any given day.

I want a private location in a popular park, how do I avoid the crowds?

We recommend following one or all of these tips in order to help ensure your privacy. A) Eloping off season and/or midweek, B) Eloping at sunrise, C) Being open to different or less popular ceremony locations within the park of your choice. You can always grab portraits at the more iconic view points later!

What do I need to do in order to make my marriage official?

The legal stuff! In order to get married legally in Utah you need an ordained officiant to oversee your elopement ceremony and the signatures of two witnesses. We’re both ordained officiants so we have that box checked for you already and include officiant services free of charge in all elopement packages. If you don’t plan on inviting guests, any of your vendors who are present (including at least one of us) can sign off on your marriage certificate.

How do I begin booking my adventure elopement in Utah?!

Reach out and inquire today! We would love to help plan, officiate, and document your adventure elopement in Utah. We have all inclusive destination elopement packages.


We specialize in epic “just us” experiences for couples who want something truly unique for their elopement day.