Planning an Elopement
Helping couples that want to plan an adventure elopement is what I do. More couples are choosing for to elope so they can create an intimate and meaningful way to get married during the pandemic. Many are choosing to plan an adventurous elopement now and throw a big celebration later.
I absolutely love elopements and believe an adventure elopement is one of the most epic ways to get married! So CONGRATS to you for making the brave decision to elope! Utah has so many wonderful choices when it comes to locations to elope.
I find Utah is the perfect places for adventure elopements!! With it’s four seasons, beautiful landscapes, stunning backdrops and many national parks it’s simply an amazing place to get married at!
Stunning Utah Locations For Adventure Elopements
With colorful rock formations, cliffs, epic mountain vistas, beautuilf salt flats, incredible sandstone ridges, tower arches, unique eroded hoodoos, and vast canyonlands Utah has a little bit of everything!! Let’s help you with the first step in planning your Utah elopement… choosing a location!!
Location and Seasons
Utah is known for its bipolar weather! Utah summers in the south are hot and dry yet it’s also famous for it’s snowy winters in the north. Utah actually has beautiful 4 seasons, which means you can absolutely expect a stunning elopement all year round if you plan correctly.
- FALL: SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER The fall colors in UT are stunning and you will find pops of color in the the Southern Utah parks .
- WINTER:DECEMBER-MARCH If you are dreaming of a snow wedding with beautiful mountain backdrops and powder for miles this is the season for you.
- SPRING: MARCH-JUNE The mild temps and canyon blooms make spring and ideal season to elope to the National parks for Southern Utah. The views are epic but so are the crowds so sunrise elopements are perfect at this time of year.
- SUMMER: JUNE-SEPTEMBER This time of year can be hat and harsh but Lake Powell makes for a wonderful lakeside elopement. And you can cool off with a little cliff jumping.
Laws and Regulations to Eloping in Utah
Utah Marriage Licenses
- License Fees vary from each county but range about $40-60.
- Be sure you take your social security cards/numbers along for both of you, name and birthplaces for each of your parents. (This includes your mother’s maiden name), valid photo ID for proof of age such as a passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, or State ID Card.
- If you’ve been divorced you will need to have a copy of your recent divorce decree.
I have provided a link with a full list of county clerks offices here and for more information about getting legally married in Utah check out the official website here.
Jumping through these hoops can be annoying. So if you prefer you can have your ceremony in UT be symbolical and get legally married before or after where you live!
What you will need to make your Elopement Official in Utah
- You need to have an officiant
If you want to be legally married in Utah you will need to have an officiant who is legally ordained.
- You have to apply for your marriage license in person
You will need to apply in person and can’t do it online. So, you will have to plan on stopping to get your license.
- There’s no waiting period
Once you apply for your license you can go out and get married that day if you wanted. Easy Peasy!!
- You need to two witnesses
If you wanted you could bring along those who really mattered to you such as your parents or closest friends. Or you can have vendors such as your photo and video team sign too.
Top 10 Places to Plan Your Adventure ELopement in Utah
1. ZION NATIONAL PARK
Zion National park is an amazing place to visit!! Because Zion is a popular park it is also crowded, but the views make it worth it!! You can avoid crowds by having a sunrise elopement, which is what I recommend for the best lighting anyways.
2. MOAB
Moab is a little town filled with big adventure. This was one of my favorite areas to explore when I was in college in Utah! You’re close to Canyonlands National Park which is home to famous landmarks such as Mesa Arch and Grandview Point. It’s also right by the Colorado River!
3. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Arches is located in Moab, but it this park is INCREDIBLE place to elope. Full of red rocks and crazy rock formations that Utah is known for!
4. BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS
Salt flats are gorgeous at sunset and make the perfect backdrop to say I DO!! It’s a great location if you want to include a few guest in your celebration! This location looks amazing in late winter or spring.
5. GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK
Goblin Valley is pretty far out there if your looking for privacy and something off the beaten path this is a great location.
6. Snow Canyon
This canyon is filled with stunning canyon overlooks much like Zion National Park. The views and locations here provide lots of places to adventure around! But without the crowds!!
7. Quail Creek
The elopement featured in this post was taken at Quail Creek in the late spring. It has beautiful blooms, red rock formations and blue skies.
8. BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
This park is the one my son is named after and the 18 mile drive through this park is nothing short of amazing!! If you’re up for camping you can stay at one of their campsites and do a sunrise elopement that will be out of this world!
9. WASATCH MOUNTAINS
The Wasatch Mountains are full of lakes and gorgeous hikes! Go here during the spring to see gorgeous flowers blooming. There are incredible hikes and locations that you can go to to have an private and intimate ceremony.
10. LAKE POWELL
I love Lake Powell in the summer!! It is perfect for cliff jumping, hiking, camping, or backpacking through the backcountry. There is so much to explore here! And wouldn’t it be epic to have a houseboat reception?
Want to learn more about planning elopements? I recently created a post all about planning elopements HERE
