Bonneville Salt Flats Wedding Planning Guide [2025 & 2026]
Searching for an unforgettable location in Utah to get married? The Bonnevile Salt Flats are a wedding and elopement destination for couples near and far. In total, the Salt Flats are 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, making it appear as if you’ve stepped off the edge of the earth on your wedding day. This gorgeous all white natural setting is a beautiful location to host your vows or just your wedding photos. Keep reading for more details on how to plan your wedding, elopement, or photography-only experience at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Obtaining a marriage license in Utah
To make your union in Utah official, you’ll need to apply for a marriage license at any county clerk's office and have your marriage solemnized. Each county has its own requirements, so you’ll need to check with your preferred location to see if there are any specific documents required. Additionally, the state of Utah does not have a waiting period for marriage once you have obtained your license. Once your license is in hand, you are free to get married. However, please keep in mind that your license is only valid for 32 days, so you'll need to apply in accordance with the day of your wedding.
In order to apply for your marriage license in Utah, the following is required.
- You must both be present to fill out an in-person application
- The clerk's office will require your addresses along with the dates and places of birth for both of you
- Social security numbers for each of you
- The names and birth places of both sets of parents, including mother's maiden name
- Valid picture ID such as a passport, birth certificate, driver's license, or state ID card
- Marriage license fee must be paid, which includes two certified copies of your license. Some counties do not charge a fee for your license but will charge a fee for the certified copies
Your Bonneville Salt Flats Wedding Ceremony
If you intend on hosting your wedding ceremony at the Bonneville Salt Flats, you will need to obtain a special use permit. However, if you are heading to the Salt Flats just for photos, there is no permit required.
Obtaining a special use permit is a process, and you will need to submit your application at least 30 days in advance of the day of your wedding. In order to submit a special use permit, you will be required to pay a $10 processing fee along with any applicable special use permit fees that apply. You can download a copy of the special use permit at this link.
2025 Events Happening at the Bonneville Salt Flats
Before planning your Bonenville Salt Flats wedding, it’s important to check for closures. Below is the current schedule of events taking place at the Bonenville Salt Flats in 2025. This schedule is not inclusive of weather or other factors that may cause cancellations or delays.
- June 27-20 | USFRA Test and Tune
- July 11-13 | ECTA Bonneville Mile
- August 2-8 | SCTA Speed Week
- August 25-29 | Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials
- September 5-8 | USFRA World of Speed
- September 27-30 | SCTA World Finals Event
Best Location for Salt Flats Wedding Photos
The best way to access the Bonneville Salt Flats for your wedding or wedding photos is through the Westbound rest area. There is ample parking and restrooms available, additionally, you will only experience a short walk to access the Salt Flats. However, when heading to the Salt Flats, you will want to come prepared. There are no stops along the way, so be sure to fuel up, pack food or snacks, and ensure that you have everything you could possibly need and more tucked away in a “go” bag.
Leave No Trace
The Bonneville Salt Flats are undeniably one of Earth’s most beautiful wonders. In order to keep this exquisite place special while enjoying it on your wedding day, we recommend you follow our lead and adhere to the 7 principles of the ‘leave no trace” mentality. Here are some helpful tips for enjoying this beautiful stretch of land on your wedding day.
- Plan and prepare
- Properly dispose of waste (yours or any you find)
- Minimize any fire impacts
- Respect the local wildlife
- Do not drive on the Salt Flats when they are wet
- Travel/camp on durable surfaces
- Be considerate of other visitors
Make Your Bonnevile Salt Flats Wedding or Elopement Stand Out
Looking for unique ways to make your Bonneville Salt Flats wedding even more special? Here are two ideas that embody the natural landscape of the Salt Flats while teasing out the creativity of your wedding day vision.
Salt Lake City Wedding Flowers
Undoubtedly, one amazing way of enhancing the experience of your Bonnevile Salt Flats Wedding or Elopement is through the use of fresh wedding flowers. Bouquets, boutinerres, flower crowns, and other easy wearables will add a layer of depth and beauty to your overall experience as well as your wedding photos. For the wedding depicted here, the bride selected a wedding flower color palette that would “match” the Salt Flats.
In other words, she wanted to steer away from bright, bold colors and embrace light tones paired with the use of subtle, deeper tones. We worked with her to incorporate lilac, wine, maroon, and other shades of purple into her wedding bouquet. It was all tied together with an extra-long silk ribbon that extended past the length of her bouquet, creating a statement that drew attention not only to the bouquet but also to the bride. The tulips, sweetpeas, and ranunculus were all locally grown by Wild Earth Designs using sustainable growing practices.
Salt Flats Wedding Photos
By far one of the most amazing times to capture your wedding photos at the Salt Flats is at sunrise. It is entirely possible to enjoy the same glowing light and majestic views during sunset. But, with sunrise wedding photos at the Salt Flats, you will enjoy fewer crowds and less onlookers for a more private experience. Want to capture whimsical wedding photos with that famed mirror reflection? You’ll need to head to the Salt Flats after it rains when the water is still pooled in specific areas. All of the photos featured here were captured by our sister company, Branson Maxwell Photography & Videography.
Utah Wedding Venues
Do you want to check out even more stunning places to get married in Utah while you're here? Click through the articles below to explore some of our favorites.