Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah Wedding Guide

WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE

Bonneville Salt Flats UTAH

FROM ENGAGEMENT PICS TO YOUR GETAWAY & ALL OF THE LOOKS IN BETWEEN

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Rocky Mountain Bride Magazine is published by RMB Media, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publisher. We greatly appreciate those who have contributed to this publication. Contributors’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Rocky Mountain Bride.

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clockwise from the top: madison delaney photography, lisa young & madison olling, bri parkin photography, lisa takke photography, loren b photography

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Table of Contents LOVE STORIES engagement

10.

sydney + matthew

bridals

14.

bailey + derek

18.

london + kelton

14.

elopement

22.

haley + colton

wedding

26.

jada + morgan

INSPIRATION 32.

racing hearts

INFORMATION 6.

inside scoop - Seasonal weather and activities

9.

make it official - Special permit information and where to get your marriage license

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26.

Bonneville Salt Flats Stretching across 30,000 acres of Utah, the Bonneville Salt Flats is one of the most picturesque destinations to capture your love story. The land, covered in miles of white salt crust, provides a dreamy backdrop in any season including a mirror-like optical illusion after a rainfall.

madison delaney photography

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inside scoop AREA INFORMATION

Also known as ‘The Salt Flats’ this iconic backdrop draws in thousands of visitors each year to observe the pristine desert landscape. When the ancient lake Bonneville dried up, it formed the natural beauty we now know today. Located just an hour and a half west of Salt Lake City, there are plenty of dining and overnight accommodations available for those willing to make the short drive. There is no entrance fee and it’s open to the public, but be mindful that there are no restrooms!

The best time to visit is in summer and fall, but be aware in mid-July and August it can get extremely hot! We’ve compiled our favorite local vendors, activities, and tips and tricks to plan your dream wedding at The Salt Flats.

FAST FACTS

Elevation: 4,236 ft Population: The nearest major city is Salt Lake, home to a population of 200,133 The Salt Flats are an international hub for car racing and known as ‘The Fastest Speedway on Earth.’ In fact, the speed limit is stated as 1,000 mph! (For races, not recreation).

During the late fall and through spring, The Salt Flats can become completed covered with water.

Several movies have been filmed here such as ‘Independence Day.’

HOW TO GET THERE

You can get to the Bonneville Salt Flats by car via the Salt Lake City International Airport, the drive takes about an hour and a half.

by plane

by car

salt lake city international airport slcairport.com

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exotic car collection by enterprise | enterprise.com hertz hertz.com

rugged rental ruggedrental.com national nationalcar.com wendover rentals

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES

SPRING

SUMMER

AUTUMN

WINTER

53° | 33°

92° | 68°

62° | 42°

36° | 20°

RMB Tip: The Salt Flats are in a remote location so it’s important to pack accordingly! With temperatures that vary dramatically throughout the year, we recommend packing layers. Essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and water are also must-haves.

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lisa young & madison olling

WHAT TO DO Area Activities Most visitors choose Bonneville Salt Flats for the beauty itself, but there are a few other options when it comes to area activities. Keep in mind when it comes to accommodations and dining, a majority of people travel to Salt Lake City.

You can also opt to travel to Wendover, a small town situated on the Utah/Nevada border that is home to a campsite and few hotels. For more information, visit: visitutah.com/articles/bonneville-salt-flats-planning-guide

Adventure Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials | bonnevillemst.com Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway | bonnevillemst.com Kayaking the Bonneville Salt Flats | blm.gov/visit/bonneville-salt-flats

Accommodations Best Western Plus Wendover Inn | Wendover, UT Peppermill Wendover | West Wendover, NV Quality Inn Stateline | Wendover, UT Rishel Peak Campsite Super 8 by Wyndham | Wendover, UT Wendover KOA Journey

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MAKE IT OFFICIAL PERMITS & MARRIAGE LICENSE While there is no fee to enter The Salt Flats, there is a special permitting process in place. In order for couples to elope, or hold any type of wedding ceremony at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Bureau of Land Management requires you to obtain a ‘Special Recreation Permit,’ and fill out a wedding questionnaire. You must fill out the application and questionnaire at least three months prior to your date. If your event is longer than two hours, you plan on having more than 20 people in attendance, or you plan serving food and beverages, there may be additional requirements and your application could take longer to process. The permit fee is $115, but if you have more than 19 people in attendance, including the bride, groom, officiant, etc. - the fee will be $6 per person.

Wedding planners will also need to get a special recreation permit in order to plan/organize weddings on the Bonneville Salt Flats or on any BLM-managed lands. Planners will need to apply for the wedding permit themselves. Florists and photographers do not need a special permit from the BLM to be part of a wedding on BLM-managed public lands but do need a business license from Utah.

Bureau of Land Management BLM Salt Lake Field Office 491 North John Glenn Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 801-320-8300 blm.gov/visit/bonneville-salt-flats *information provided by the BLM

The Bureau of Land Management is a federal agency and does not issue Utah Marriage licenses. You can receive a Utah Marriage License from any Utah County Clerk and you must get married within 30 days of obtaining one. In Salt Lake City, the marriage license fee is $50 and can be paid online or via mail. In nearby Wendover, Nevada, the marriage license fee is $100 and you both must be Nevada residents.

lisa takke photography

Salt Lake County Clerk, Marriage Division 2001 South State Street, Suite S2 200 PO Box 144575 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4575 slco.org/clerk/marriage

engagement

Sydney + Matthew The Couple

Sydney and Matthew’s love story dates back to middle school when Sydney caught a crush! They maintained a friendship through high school but it wasn’t until college that they actually got to know one another. After dating for over six years, Matthew popped the question on a warm July day on a beautiful bridge in Minneapolis. “As we walked, Matthew stopped and called me back to him, claiming that our dog had something wrong with his paw.

Then suddenly, I saw a shiny diamond out of the corner of my eye and immediately stood up and proceeded to cry my eyes out. I don’t recall a thing he said, but it was absolute perfection!” – Sydney

Why Salt Flats The couple’s decision to shoot their engagement photos at the Bonneville Salt Flats was a last-minute intuition and what they call ‘the best decision,’ thanks to Madison Delaney Photography. “Matthew isn’t the biggest fan of getting his photos taken, so I was racking my brain to come up with ways to make it more fun for the both of us, which is when I remembered that Madison offers destination shoots. The Salt Flats happened to be one of her bucket list locations and as soon as we looked at her inspiration for it, we were sold. It felt like such a unique option that would also be an adventure for Matthew and I.” – Sydney Madison perfectly captured the couple’s photos amidst the glistening sand and white backdrop. Some of her favorite parts of the session include being able to shoot in all different types of lighting from blue hour light to golden hour and even overcast. “You feel like you are walking onto another planet, so that right there makes The Bonneville Salt Flats stand out from other locations because of its unique beauty. The texture and shapes carved into the salt ground that is surrounded by mountains makes it such a magical location and leaves so much room for creativity!” – Madison Delaney Photography Getting to their area was a little bit of a trek, but worth it. They drove two hours at 5 am to get there right in time for the perfect lighting. “We went at sunrise! We only saw a couple of others at this time and had so much room to ourselves without others in our shots which was amazing! It was however very windy and about 34 degrees this day which we weren’t totally expecting when we planned the trip, but there was a snowstorm rolling in that night and we were able to beat it! The breathtaking views of The Salt Flats helped us forget about the temperature and wind while we also played music and kept moving and playing around. We still had a blast despite the chilly weather conditions!” – Madison Delaney Photography Sydney and Matthew are planning their wedding for September 2022.

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Best Advice “We found that it was cheapest to fly into Vegas and rent a car to drive up to Salt Lake City, which is where we stayed before driving out to The Flats. This also allowed us to get the chance to stop at Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks to experience even more of the beautiful nature that Utah has to offer. Our shoot was in October, which tested our luck on getting dry ground at the flats - once it gets closer to winter, it’s more common that the flats are covered in a layer of water, this can also be a cool look though like you’re walking on water! Based on how cold it was, I would highly recommend planning a shoot for late summer or early fall. All in all, my biggest advice would be to have fun with it, it’s a breathtaking location that makes for the absolute best engagement photos!” –Sydney Delaney Photography “I found The Salt Flat webcams incredibly helpful to see the current conditions as rain can completely change the way the flats look. When I go back I would plan to go in the summer or early fall for warmer temps. I would also drive my car a little closer to the mountains! Shooting at sunset or sunrise is my favorite time to shoot as it gives more flexibility on where the subject(s) places to avoid harsh shadows as there is no shade here. The biggest thing was the condition of the flats due to rain or snow. Checking the webcams with such back and forth weather in the forecast was super helpful to give us the confidence to make the road trip and ensure we were getting the look we were hoping for! However, I have seen photos when the flats are wet and that also looks stunning.” – Madison Delaney Photography Photographer: Madison Delaney Photography | madisondelaneyphotography.com Engagement Ring: Brilliant Earth | brilliantearth.com

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BRIDALS

Bailey+Derek The Couple Bailey and Derek met thanks to mutual friends who were all part of a Snapchat group. They dated for four years and Derek knew it was time to ask Bailey to marry him. While the two were golfing at Alpine Country Club, Bailey was putting the last hole and turned around to find Derek on his knee with both of their families standing by holding signs reading, ‘Will You Marry Me?.’

Why Salt Flats “Shooting at The Salt Flats is different from most locations because it is just one large stretch of flat ground that goes on for miles and miles. You can drive onto them and set up anywhere, be as close or far away from others as you’d like and there is nothing to distract from the couple and their loved ones around them.” – Bri Parkin Photography

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Best Advice “Make sure you know how far away it is from where you are because your photographer may charge for miles. I liked our sunset session but I’m sure a sunrise session would also be very pretty. I recommend summertime on a night that isn’t too hot.” – Bailey “When planning your shoot, good things to keep in mind is the 2-hour drive from Salt Lake City so either be prepared to do the drive there and back or stay in Wendover, 10 minutes west. Summertime is a beautiful time of year to shoot because you get those warm sunsets, but in turn it can get a little hot. The best place to meet is at the west rest stop and walk or drive out onto The Salt Flats from there.” – Bri Parkin Photography Photographer: Bri Parkin Photography | briparkinphotography.com Engagements Ring Designer: East West Gem Company | eastwestgemco.com

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BRIDALS

London + Kelton

The Couple

London and Kelton met while working together at Bullfrog Lake Powell. They lived a few dorms down from one another and reminiscence about falling in love in such a beautiful place. London recalls Kelton asking her for ketchup from the cafeteria and it being love at the first sight! The two began dating and exploring the area doing everything together from cliff jumping to star gazing almost every night. After dating for nearly a year, Kelton proposed at the place where it all began, Lake Powell, in none other than a helicopter!

Why Salt Flats “We wanted somewhere where we would stand out with all of the contrast. We had gone camping at The Salt Flats and knew how beautiful it was in the evening. We never considered another spot.”

- London “Shooting at The Salt Flats is so calm compared to the wonderful chaos of a wedding day. Bridals are one of my favorite shoots because there are no outfit changes or distractions. The whole focus is on the couple and the posing. Shooting at The Salt Flats can be difficult with the wind, this day was particularly windy but we embraced it and worked with it to create magic.” - Loren B Photography

Best Advice “The salt will stick to everything and get everything wet. Make sure you clean your clothes and shoes after you go or they will be ruined. Bring a tarp to change and stand on and extra clothes.” - London “My advice for couples planning at The Salt Flats is to keep a close eye on the weather, wind especially, and drive out onto The Salt Flats to get away from other cars and people. This will create such an intimate scene and be so fun for the family.”

- Loren B Photography

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Planner: Cynthia Thorsen | instagram.com/customizedbycynthia Photographer: Loren B Photography | lorenbranca.com Videographer: Kylee Rae Videography | kyleeraemedia.com

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ELOPEMENT

Haley + Colton

The Couple Haley and Colton met in 2008 at a get-together with friends and immediately hit it off. They have Haley’s best friend to thank who was dating one of Colton’s friends! After dating for several years, Colton proposed on a beautiful September day at their long-time favorite picnic spot at Oquirrh Lake in Utah. During their 7-month-long engagement, they planned an intimate and romantic elopement at The Salt Flats. bonneville salt flats / rockymountainbride.com

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Why Salt Flats “The Salt Flats are so beautifully minimal. The crackled stark white salt is like nonother. During the day the salty ground contrasts the bright blue of the sky and the jagged deep blue mountains in the distance. And as the sun sets, the light becomes golden as it goes behind the mountains and then the ground turns all different shades of pinks, purples and blues.” – Forever to the Moon

Best Advice “Salt Lake City is about a two hour drive and so depending on when the sunset is, it makes it challenging to get back to Salt Lake City for a reception or dinner, especially in the summer when the sun sets late and Wendover does not have a lot of great options for a nice meal after your wedding. Plan accordingly and don’t be afraid to get creative. Maybe pack a charcuterie board and bring a cake for dessert, apply for a permit to have a table and food catered there or find an Airbnb in Wendover so you can have a private chef come and cook something wonderful.”

– Forever to the Moon

Photographer: Forever to the Moon | forevertothemoon.com Floral Designer: Jolley’s Floral | jolleysgifts.com/collections/floral Cake & Desserts: The Sweet Tooth Fairy | thesweettoothfairy.com Invitations: minted. | Minted.com Bridal Boutique and Jewelry: Fantasy Bridal | fantasy-bridal.com Gown Designer: Rebecca Ingram | maggiesottero.com Bride’s Shoes: David’s Bridal | davidsbridal.com Hair: Copper and Salt Hair Co | copper-salt-hair-co.business.site Makeup: Fresh Face and Lovely Locks | instagram.com/freshfaceandlovelylocks Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse | menswearhouse.com Groom’s Accessories: The Tie Bar | thetiebar.com

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wedding

Jada + Morgan

The Couple Jada and Morgan hit it off immediately after meeting online! Since their first date, they never stopped spending time together and recall being inseparable ever since.

They dated for two years before Morgan popped the big question in the midst of a beautiful hot air balloon ride. It had been on Jada’s bucket list for years and she recalled it as her dream proposal, and of course, said ‘yes!’ Shortly later, they began planning theirW dream wedding at The Salt Flats.

Why Salt Flats “We decided on The Salt Flats because it was one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. We wanted our ceremony to be memorable and beautiful and special.” - Jada

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Best Advice “The Salt Flats are definitely only a good idea for smaller ceremonies as it is a very far drive. We had our ceremony at the end of August, and it started around 5:45-6:00 pm. The lighting and sunset was perfect timing. I would advise bringing refreshments for guests cause it was a little hot out and keeps them preoccupied while taking pictures. The Salt Flats also have a layer of water covering them the majority of Winter/Fall/Spring. So just check weather reports over the last several years to make sure it is a good time to have it.” – Jada “Since it does get very bright, make sure you angle your ceremony space accordingly! My couple brought a moving truck with all their chairs, setup, and speakers! Remember that there’s nothing there so you’ll need battery power or a generator if you’re doing any lights or music. There are also usually quite a few people around, so make sure you're aware that it's not super private. You can set up away from people and it is a huge area but don't be surprised if a car goes speeding by during your ceremony.” - Lisa Takke Photography

Photographer: Lisa Takke Photography | takkephotography.com Rentals: All Out Event Rental | eventrentalutah.com

Racing

Hearts

styled elopement inspiration

The day From the bright sky to the white sand floor and pops of blue decor, this simple yet naturalistic styled shoot perfectly captured the natural beauty of the location. Lisa Young Photography took the approach of shooting in a minimal and feminine way. bonneville salt flats / rockymountainbride.com

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“It was my first time shooting at The Salt Flats, so just being there and standing on the salt grounds was a memorable moment for me because I had dreamed of shooting there one day. The simplicity of The Salt Flats, you simply can’t beat.

The texture and the smooth transition from the sky to the mountains, to the salt grounds - it was picture perfect.” - Lisa Young The vendor team perfectly curated a minimally chic wedding look. The bride wore a modest, feminine gown from The Dress Theory while the groom’s suit mimicked the gorgeous coloring of The Salt Flats with blue and gray hues.

Petal to the Metal SLC completed the shoot with a simple and small white and green bouquet.

White and green-based florals created by Petal to the Metal SLC, gave off a chic and modern vibe to the shoot.

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Best Advice “My advice to couples who plan to have a wedding or creatives who want to shoot at The Salt Flats is to shoot June-August for the complete ‘dry’ look. You just need to treat it with respect and kindness, just as if you were at a National Park. The best lighting is ultimately up to your photographer, I have shot in harsh lighting until ‘blue hour’ and it was all beautiful.” – Lisa Young

- creative team Planning & Design: Madison Olling | madisonolling.com Photographer: Lisa Young | lisayoungphotos.com Florist: Petal to the Metal SLC | petaltothemetal.design Bridal Boutique: The Dress Theory | thedresstheory.com Dress Designer: Natalia by Sarah Seven | sarahseven.com Bridal Accessories: The Jane Earring by Simone Martin | simone-martin.com Bride’s Shoes: Zara | zara.com Groom’s Suit: Express | express.com Groom’s Shoes: ASOS | asos.com Models: Emma & Kayden

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