Salt Lake City Elopement Photographer

For a city location or a private venue, there's no park permit process at all: it's just you, your officiant, and a marriage license. Big Cottonwood Canyon itself sits on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land, and the Forest Service only requires a special use permit once your gathering hits about 75 people, well above the headcount at almost every elopement I shoot. If you did need one for a larger group, plan on getting the application in at least 45 days ahead. Either way, it's nothing like the multi-week national park permit process.

Head to the Salt Lake County Clerk's office (or any Utah county clerk, since it's valid statewide) with both of you present and a valid government-issued photo ID each. If either of you has been married before, bring your divorce decree: a photo on your phone works. There's no waiting period, so you can get it the same week as your ceremony, and it's good for 32 days once issued.

Yes, Utah law requires an officiant to perform your marriage ceremony, wherever in the state you elope, and at least two witnesses over 18 need to be physically present too, which surprises a lot of couples planning a truly just-the-two-of-us day. Bring along family or friends who can serve as witnesses, or ask your officiant ahead of time whether they can supply one. I can also point you toward officiants I've worked with who are used to small, low-key elopement ceremonies rather than big formal weddings.

It depends on the look you want. Winter in Big Cottonwood Canyon gets you a hushed, snow-covered ceremony like Mavely and Tyler's at Jordan Pines. Fall brings gold aspens through the canyons. Summer opens up alpine lakes and long evening light. There isn't a wrong season here, just a different mood each time.

Often, yes. The mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon is about 25 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, with another 10-20 minutes up-canyon depending on which spot you pick: call it 30-45 minutes door to ceremony site. I usually recommend booking a flight home after 6pm so you're not racing the clock between vows, photos, and airport security, especially if winter roads add a few extra minutes.

Absolutely. Most of the locations I recommend around Salt Lake City work well for just the two of you or a handful of close family and friends: there's no fixed guest cap the way there is at a permitted park ceremony site, though very large groups may need a private venue rather than a public canyon spot.