Bonneville Salt Flats bride and groom walking

Best Places to Elope in Utah

Elopements

HEY - I'm Annette

An Arizona based Wedding, Elopement & Couple's Photographer. I am here for the wild, messy and imperfect moments. Let me help you create an experience that will last a lifetime.

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FILED ON //

January 8, 2021

Places to Elope in Utah | January 6th, 2021

Bonneville Salt Flats bride and groom walking

Utah has some of the most epic landscapes in the United States. There are so many gorgeous locations in Utah it can be hard to narrow down your options. Being a Washington state local, Utah is one of my favorite states in America. There are all different types of climates, seasons, rock terrains, mountains and flats that get outdoor junkies to visit yearly.

Location Choosing

Choosing a location where to elope can get difficult and overwhelming. There are a million places in the world to choose from. Try and imagine a place that will allow you to be present in the moment and draws to your adventurous eye. Here are some things to think about: do you want to choose a place that is meaningful? Do you want to explore a new place together and make new memories? What type of scenery do you want to be surrounded by?  Here are some ideas what I think are some of the most gorgeous locations around the state.

Zion National Park Overlook Landscape

Zion National Park.

The second you get close to Zion’s park entrance, your jaw is already dropping with all the incredible views driving in. It’s one of those parks that is so beautiful and the cliffs are so tall, there is nothing like it. Zion is located in southern Utah close to St. George. There are a ton of hikes in the area and after a long hike, there’s a local brewery at the bottom you can enjoy a cold one. The little town that is next to the park is called Springdale where you can find local restaurants, breweries, boutiques and my favorite: ROCK SHOPS! Zion has so much to explore and the views are breathtaking.

There are a lot of ceremony locations to choose from in Zion. You can go inside the park or outside the park. Some locations are:

  • Kolob Canyons
  • Zion Overlook Trail
  • Watchman’s Trail
  • The Narrows
  • Canyon Junction Trail

bride and groom leaning against eachother

bride and groom kissing over mountain

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Bonneville Salt Flats.

The salt flats is one of the craziest terrains I’ve ever seen. There are miles and miles of just flat salt grounds with the mountains overlooking in the distance. The view is incredible and there is nothing like it! You can even drive your car onto the flats and pick your location where you want to take incredible pictures that will last a lifetime in a dreamy location. My favorite part about the salt flats is that it’s so big you can avoid crowds and pick your own spot away from others where nobody can see you eloping thus making it more intimate. Like I said, the flats go for miles so pick your place and enjoy the gorgeous views in whatever elopement attire you want. There is no such thing as a bad picture in this dreamy location!

Remember, don’t forget the tequila or lime because the salt is provided on your wedding day!

Bride and groom hip bumping

bride and groom kissing in salt flats

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bride and groom kissing

Florals by Whitney De Groot, The Block Florist

Moab, Utah.

After living in Arizona for six years, I was spiritually connected to the red rocks. Moab blew my mind with all the incredible landscapes. It is a hidden gem of a location in the United States that is vastly unique and has many locations to visit and explore. Moab is the town that connects all of the national parks and state parks together. It’s located in the eastern part of the state in the desert.

The locations around Moab are:

  • Dead Horse Point State Park
  • Arches National Park
  • Canyonlands National Park
  • Castle Valley

If you’ve never been to Moab, I highly suggest to put it on your list of places in the united states to visit. There are a couple of craft breweries, local restaurants, local boutiques, and plenty of outdoor activities for all to enjoy.  The red rocks will forever have my heart.

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Little Sahara Sand Dunes.

Utah’s sand dunes are located south of Salt Lake City about an hour and a half drive. It is the complete opposite landscape that Salt Lake City has to offer with a short drive away. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest we always went to the sand dunes in the summer. Utah’s sand dunes are miles and miles of hilly dunes that are so stunning it makes you want to just run around in it. This is another location where there are no crowds and where you can have more of an intimate ceremony. During sunset, the golden light setting on the hills of the dunes is breathtaking. It reminds me of a Moroccan sunset in except it’s located in the United States.

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Utah’s Seasons

There are a couple things to keep in mind when eloping in Utah: the seasons. Utah is known for their winter snow in the north and the further south you go it tends to be drier like the desert with higher temperatures in the summer. I have been to Utah during every season and I love each and every one of them there. Whatever activities you decide to do will decide which season you want to elope in.

Overall, I am SO overwhelmed by the beauty of this state. I love getting to hangout with couples in wild places. If you need more guidance on eloping head over to the “Elopement” page on my website to find more information on what I can offer you in hopes of finding that perfect spot.

Dead Horse State Park landscape overlook

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HEY - I'm Annette!

An Arizona based Wedding, Elopement & Couple's Photographer. I am here for the wild, messy and imperfect moments. Let me help you create an experience that will last a lifetime.

explore

Annette Ambrose

Weddings, Elopements, & COUPLES

photographer

PHX // AZ