How to Elope in Utah

How to Elope in Utah: A Step by Step Guide

Salt Flats Elopement in Utah

Eloping in Utah can be a magical and intimate experience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to elope in Utah:

  1. Choose Your Ideal Location: Utah offers a diverse array of stunning locations for elopements. Whether you prefer the red rock landscapes of Moab, the majestic canyons of Zion National Park, or the enchanting beauty of Bryce Canyon, select a location that resonates with your vision and preferences. (Keep reading for more locations in Utah to elope)

  2. Obtain Necessary Permits: If your chosen elopement location requires permits for ceremonies, photography, or parking, make sure to obtain them in advance. Contact the appropriate authorities or park services for information on permits and regulations. Not all permit information can be found online with a google search. However, if you are planning to elope at a State Park or National Park, you can usually find all the permit information on the park’s website, along with any necessary information for planning your elopement at a specific park.

  3. Hire a Local Officiant: To make your elopement official, you'll need to have a licensed officiant to perform the ceremony. Consider hiring a local officiant who is familiar with elopements in the area and can help personalize the ceremony to suit your preferences. PRO TIP: If you hire Datura Photo, I am an ordained officiant and can officiate your elopement!

  4. Book Accommodations: If you plan to stay overnight or have multiple-day celebrations, secure accommodations in advance. Utah offers various lodging options, from luxurious resorts to cozy cabins, depending on your preferences and budget. Depending on where you choose to elope, I am happy to assist you with this.

  5. Plan Your Vows and Ceremony: Decide on the format and content of your vows and ceremony. Whether you choose to write personal vows or follow a traditional script, make it meaningful and reflective of your love story.

  6. Consider Witnesses: Utah requires two witnesses for a marriage ceremony to be legally binding. You can either invite close friends or family members to act as witnesses or inquire if your officiant can provide witnesses for you. If I am your photographer and/or videographer, I can officiate your wedding and act as a witness.

  7. Check the Weather: Utah's weather can be unpredictable, especially in certain seasons. Check the weather forecast for your elopement date and prepare accordingly with appropriate attire and accessories. Bear in mind, Utah’s forecast is not the most reliable and should be used as a guide, although I suggest to be prepared for any type of weather.

  8. Pack Essentials: Bring essentials for your elopement, such as your marriage license, identification documents, rings, and any personalized items you want to incorporate into the ceremony.

  9. Hire your photographer and/or videographer: I am an elopement photographer and videographer and can answer any questions you may have. Eloping allows for such epic wedding photos, and it would be my honor to show off your love as the work of art it already is.

  10. Educate yourself on “Leave No Trace”. It is imperative that you respect the places you go for epic views. “Leave No Trace” is a way you can do your part to minimize impact, allowing us humans the opportunity to visit such beautiful places. You can educate yourself and enroll in FREE courses to learn how to “Leave No Trace”, and keep our earth’s ecosystems running, keep animals safe, and protect the land. You can visit https://lnt.org for more info and enroll in free courses at https://learn.lnt.org/courses/101. It is important that everyone in your wedding party along with your wedding vendors are aware of “Leave No Trace” and do their part when you visit gorgeous places in Utah.

  11. Enjoy the Moment: Above all, remember that your elopement is about celebrating your love and commitment to each other. Embrace the beauty of the moment, savor the intimate experience, and cherish the memories you create on your elopement day in Utah.

Please note that laws and regulations may vary, so it's essential to do your research and check the specific requirements for eloping in Utah. Additionally, consider hiring a local wedding planner to assist you with logistics and ensure a seamless elopement experience.

I would love to learn more about you and the love of your life! It would be my honor to chat more with you and see if we’re aligned. Contact me HERE or schedule a call with me HERE so we can talk all about your day, your vision, and create an epic timeline and location for your story to unfold.

-Jules

Datura Photo
Wedding and elopement photographer in Utah and the PNW

Find an LGBTQ+ Friendly Photographer in Utah | Same Sex Bridals at Wadley Farms

lgbtq+ friendly wedding photographer in utah | datura photo

I believe it’s important to celebrate ALL types of love.

Love knows no boundaries, and it is a beautiful thing to witness couples coming together to celebrate their love and commitment. For LGBTQ+ couples in Utah, finding a wedding photographer who understands and embraces their unique journey can be of utmost importance. In this blog post, we will explore the beauty of LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographers in Utah, highlighting their support and dedication to capturing every heartfelt moment of love, acceptance, and celebration.

same sex couple detail shot

(I’m still drooling over these bridal photos of A + L. The romance, the vintage wedding vibes, I love everything about these two!)

The Changing Landscape of Wedding Photography

The wedding photography industry in Utah, like in many other places, has undergone significant changes over the years. With the growing acceptance and recognition of LGBTQ+ rights, photographers have stepped up to embrace diversity and inclusivity. LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographers in Utah understand the significance of love and union, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. When I first started photographing weddings, I specialized in same sex weddings as Utah was not as accepting as it is now. That was only 11 years ago. Utah has undergone significant changes, although it still has so much work to do, and even though I don’t specialize just in LGBTQ+ couples anymore, I absolutely love working with all couples of all types and believe each human being is individual- I will never categorize anyone. Every human is deserving of an amazing life, beautiful love, and a great experience with their wedding and wedding photography.

Did I properly introduce myself? HI! I’m Jules. I’m an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographer and videographer in Utah and the PNW. There is nothing I love more than showing your love in an artistic style. Your love itself is the work of art. I’m here to facilitate that love and translate it into photographs, creating moments that show the way your love FEELS. The way your love speaks to the universe. And representing same sex and LGBTQ+ relationships is so important. Society hasn’t always accepted LGBTQ+ relationships, and I believe with my whole heart that love is love, no matter who or how you love.

Representation Matters!

Having a wedding photographer who is genuinely LGBTQ+ friendly means they are attuned to the subtle nuances that make each love story unique. I believe in creating a safe space where couples can express themselves fully, leading to authentic and emotionally charged photographs that capture the essence of their relationship.

It’s important to work with an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographer who possesses the essential traits of sensitivity and understanding. You want your photographer to be well-versed in the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ couples and someone who can anticipate potential issues that may arise during the wedding planning process. I want you to know I empathize with you and will do all I can to foster a trusting relationship, allowing for candid and intimate moments to be captured in the most beautiful way. It would be my honor to celebrate your love and document it via photographs.

When couples feel comfortable and supported, the magic of candid photography unfolds. LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographers in Utah, including us Datura Photo, use inclusive posing techniques that showcase the love and chemistry between partners, regardless of gender identities. Additionally, they approach storytelling with an open mind, ensuring that every aspect of your relationship is beautifully depicted in their wedding album.

Supportive Vendor Networks

Collaboration is key in the wedding industry, and LGBTQ+ friendly photographers are often well-connected with other vendors who share their values of inclusivity and acceptance. This support network ensures a seamless and stress-free wedding experience, where every professional involved works together to make the couple's dream wedding a reality.

I have several colleagues in the wedding industry that are LGBTQ+ friendly that I would love sharing with you.

Love is a universal language,

and capturing its beauty through wedding photography is a privilege that LGBTQ+ friendly photographers in Utah fully understand. With sensitivity, understanding, and commitment to inclusivity, you will have a safe and supportive environment to express your love freely. Choosing an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographer in Utah ensures that every cherished moment of love and celebration will be captured in stunning detail, forming lasting memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.

If my work speaks to your heart, please reach out so we can get to know each other and create photos that encompass all that you are.

I would love to learn all about you and your partner!

You can contact me HERE or schedule a call HERE so we can get to know each other better.

I cannot wait to work with you and learn everything about your love story.

xoxo

Jules

Datura Photo

Inclusive Red Ledges Elopement Photography in Utah?! (Tips included) | Utah Wedding Photographer

Red rock elopement - Same sex elopement in Utah

I photographed this gorgeous red rock elopement in Utah and can’t wait to share some of the photos. Getting married on red rocks is like making a statement: “we’re adventurous and we’re cooler than other couples” Or is that just what I think? (Ok you’re all cool). But seriously, having red rocks for your elopement venue brings in gorgeous earthy elements. I love how it adds dimension to the background and enhances everything about your elopement photography.

If you haven’t decided where to elope, there are so many red rock areas to elope in Utah. Red ledges, Moab, Canyonlands, Goblin Valley, St. George, the list goes on. It’s been especially nice with our weird winter to have red rocks as a plan B, and they have made all my clients so happy! (YAY.)

This couple eloping in Utah was a dream to work with. The boho feel of the details and location with their colors worked out so beautifully.

And the white pantsuit, SO gooooood!!! It almost feels like a boho fairytale, right? If you’re considering eloping in Utah or at red rock areas, I got you.

What should I know about eloping at the Red Rocks or Red Ledges?

If you’re thinking about eloping or getting elopement photography at red rocks or red ledges, there are a few things to note:

  1. Your photographer needs to have a commercial permit. How to get a commercial permit depends on a few things, like location (who owns the land?), and what the permit is for. Your photographer should apply for the permit at least 30 days before the event so that the photography permit is active in time. There are substantial fees and consequences if you don’t have the proper permits, so make sure this is taken care of! Some permit-givers are only in charge of 1-2 cities in specific forests, and others you would go to Salt Lake City Bureau Management. (You can always start there and ask for specific contacts) This particularly applies if there will be a grouping or if you will have any props, like a backdrop stand, or other setups.

  2. Your shoes and outfits may get dirty. Make sure that if you are doing bridals in wedding attire that you have enough time between your session and wedding or elopement to dry-clean your gown and/or suit.

  3. Some areas, like the red ledges, have rock climbers. We were almost hit head-on by a piece of heavy equipment with no warning. That taught me to be in clear communication with anyone else on the premises- let them know where you will be and what you are doing so you can both stay out of each other’s way and avoid accidents.

  4. Respect the land. Leave it better than you found it. If you see other people’s garbage- toss it. Be kind to the earth or permits will no longer be allowed for photography in these adventurous spots.

5. Time of day is important!!! Shoot for either trekking out 30 minutes before sunrise or starting 1 hour to 90 minutes before sunset. Utah has sunsets that come and go quickly. Sunrises in Utah are also gorgeous, but once you have sunlight, it tends to be harsh, so make sure you are there and ready to go EARLY. Same goes for sunset. You don’t want to be running behind when you’re on the sun’s clock. Avoid an elopement taking place in the afternoon, not only for photography, but for your own well being.

6. Do red rocks in Utah get snowy? Sometimes! This depends which red rocks you’re eloping at and what time of year. Even south areas like Moab have been getting snowfall, but you’re less likely to have snow in St. George or further South, unless there has been a strong recent snow storm. Spanish Fork, Springville, Salt Lake City, and anywhere North of Salt Lake City gets the most snowfall, and there WILL be snow throughout the winter season. Every year is different, but roughly late November to mid-April is when canyons are covered in snow. The higher the altitude of the red rocks, the higher chance of snow-cover. The Red Ledges in Springville don’t typically have snow covering them, unless there has been a strong recent snow storm. (I should note I have never photographed the red ledges November through February, but March and April there was not any snowfall the last couple of years).

7. Wear proper footwear. You will likely be hiking up rocks and hills or in mud or sand… definitely wear hiking shoes and you can bring heels in a bag if you want to show them off for any photos. (I personally love the adventure wedding look of wedding dress with hiking boots or docs and we can incorporate both!)

Elopement photography is such an intimate yet adventurous way to both create and preserve memories. I will ALWAYS recommend eloping - you can have a wedding celebration too at a later date! There’s just something so magical about going on an adventure on your own and making a big decision without the pressure of other people.

If you are eloping in Utah or the PNW and looking for the best elopement photographer, I hope you’ll reach out! I would love to connect and get to know you better. We have limited dates left in 2023 and are booking 2024 weddings and elopements.

If you have any other questions about eloping or elopement photography, reach out, I’d love to help.

xx

Jules

Datura Photo
Utah + destination elopement photographer

Can you get married at the Salt Flats? | Utah Wedding Photographer

So glad you asked!

YES!! If you want to have your wedding at the Salt Flats in Utah, you only need a couple of things to make it happen. The Salt Flats is on federal land, so you do need a special use permit along with a marriage license and two witnesses over 18 years of age. (I’m an officiant and can legally marry you as well! But I do not count as a witness.)

How to get married at the Salt Flats:

Step 1: Go get your marriage license (You can now apply online here)
Step 2: Obtain your “organized group permit” from the Bureau of Land Management Salt Lake City Office here (current contact information is available using that link)
Step 3: Create your timeline for your Salt Flats wedding or elopement (After you reserve your date with me, I will send over a wedding or elopement timeline guide)
Step 4: Make sure you have at least two witnesses over age 18. The officiant does NOT count as a witness, so if I am your officiant, you will need two other witnesses present.
Step 5: Secure your date with me and get everything in order
Step 6: Buy your dress and/or suits. Hire awesome decor and floral. Get hair and makeup in order. (I have vendor referrals for all of these.)
Step 7: Decide if you want to have an intimate affair or a bigger wedding at the Salt Flats. Send me your timeline!
Step 8: Do the damn thing. (BEST DAY EVER!!!!!)

This photo is at an area near the Salt Flats in Utah that is a little more “desert vibe” than the actual Salt Flats.

Engagement photos at the Salt Flats after rainfall

Bridals at the Salt Flats in Utah

The Salt Flats is a stunning place to get married any time of the year. There are also locations nearby that have a “desert-like” and earthy feel to them near the Salt Flats in Utah.

If you are coming from out of town to see or be photographed at the Salt Flats, a couple of things to note:

Most of us photographers drive a couple of hours to get there. (It is ALWAYS worth it.) If you’re wondering where to stay, there are a couple of options. Wendover is just a few minutes from Bonneville, where the Salt Flats are located (I actually have never been to Wendover to this day), but Wendover has hotels, entertainment, and casinos, if you’re looking for accommodations nearby. Salt Lake City is a little over an hour away and is your best bet for hotels, things to do, and people to meet, if you’re planning a trip to Utah just for the Salt Flats. Salt Lake City is central to many other site seeing areas in Utah, whereas Wendover and Bonneville are kind of in the middle of nowhere.

What do the Salt Flats look like?

Here are some photos I’ve taken in the last year at the salt flats:

Taking bridals at the salt flats after rainfall is the actual best, this look can only be achieved after it rains but is my favorite

candid family photos at the Salt Flats are so fun too

Engagement photos at the utah salt flats by Datura Photo

Bridals at the utah salt flats by Datura Photo

engagement photos at the salt flats

Intimate wedding photography details

I cannot WAIT for you to have the best day of your life at the Salt Flats. In the meantime, send me any questions you might have. I’m just a call, email, or text away!

-Jules
Datura Photo
Wedding + Elopement Photographer

What's the best month to get married? | Destination Wedding Photographer

What is the ideal month to get married?

Planning your wedding and don’t know when to seal the deal? Read this post for all the tips on when the ideal time is to have your wedding. Especially for amazing wedding photos.

First, ask yourself these questions:

What state am I getting married in? What is the weather typically like throughout the year?

What tones do I like in wedding photos?

Do I want my wedding ceremony to be outside or inside?

Will I be happy with wedding photos at any time of year as long as I have bridals taken at a gorgeous location at a separate time in ideal weather and lighting

What wedding colors do I like and want to have at my wedding?

What time will the sun set in the month I’m wanting to get married?

What do I want my anniversary date to be every year?

Do I like light and bright and colorful wedding photos with sunlight? Or do I prefer dreamy, artistic wedding photos that are a little moody? Do I even have a preference?

I won’t be going over every single question, but I do suggest thinking about these before finalizing a date.

Top tips for choosing the best month to get married in:

What is the weather going to be like at your venue? PRO TIP!!!!! —> Whether you are getting married outside or inside, you can look at photos of that location by searching for “places” on Instagram and seeing when different photos were posted to see what the area was like that month. I do this sometimes if I don’t have time to scout out an area and need to know if there’s snow, etc. So I’ll look up the location and click on “recent”. You CAN’T always count on that photo being taken recently, just that it was posted recently, so sometimes I’ll message the person who took it and verify. Or if you see ALL the recent photos are from that week and look the same, you can usually count on it being accurate.

A lot of wedding imagery looks “light and bright” because the wedding happened in the morning or midday, and they reflect what the light was like. It also depends how your photographer exposes for the scene. And then edits the scene. There are so many ways to photograph the same thing. BUT if wedding photographers had it our way, you would skip the morning and afternoon altogether for your outdoor ceremony. Wait for the light for the most important shots and thank me later! (Unless your ceremony area is covered or guaranteed to be fully shaded.)

If your wedding is indoor, on the other hand, earlier is better, so the light can come through the windows and bounce around.

But what is the best month for wedding photos and best quality of light?

The answer: July, August, September, and early October are the ideal months for a wedding.

consider these additional tips when planning your timeline:

First let’s talk about why I don’t have April or May on this list. Why not April or May for your wedding?: This completely depends on where you live. April and May are popular months for weddings, because school is ending, it’s popular, and things aren’t looking so dead. But in Utah, the weather is up and down and unpredictable. If there is grass at your wedding, it will likely appear yellow and not green and just doesn’t look great. (However, if you’re getting married at an outdoor venue without grass, and don’t mind either sun or rain or snow or whatever the weather decides to be, then go for it!)

Why not November through February for your wedding? I actually have mixed feelings about these months. Snow can create the most amazing photos and you will love them. But how many wedding photos do you have saved that are in a snowy wonderland? Is that what you’ve dreamt of your whole life? If so, go for it… cautiously… because you’ll be cold. And everyone else will be cold. And you might get red in the face and there might be wind chill and you just… might regret it. But again, you do you. I actually LOVE those months for other sessions, I just don’t suggest them for your actual wedding day.

I have to say again, that you will likely love your photos no matter when you get married, and it will OF COURSE be the best day ever. And your wedding is no one else’s. It’s yours. But it’s important to think of logistics and not have unrealistic expectations for your wedding day. if you hire an experienced wedding photographer, they will talk to you about your preferences and/or make professional recommendations. Your photographer will be able to create stunning photos in any weather condition if they are experienced.

And as a wedding photographer, my job is to help you have your vision come to life, and I know how amazing the photos can be if you do a little extra planning.

More tips you may want to think about:

Do you have favorite wedding photos you’ve saved? Look at those photos. Do you see a lot of greenery or a lot of warm desert tones? Is the lighting even? Is there a variety of looks and the background isn’t as important as the photographer’s ability to tell stories? Is there snow everywhere?

Let’s summarize:

Time of day is THE most important aspect of planning your wedding timeline.

Best months to have your wedding for the best photos: July, August, September, or October.

Wanna know more?

Why are September and October weddings in Utah are SO dreamy.

-The color temperature of the light is gorgeous

-Sunrise and sunset in September and October are beautiful for photography. It’s not overly harsh and creates such dreamy photos.

-The colors (in Utah, at least), are PERFECT. *chefs kiss. I love the combination of dark greens with shades of burnt orange and burnt reds and all the gorgeous colors of fall. Especially in golden hour. Ugh, just talking about it is making me crave that time of year. And the wedding colors… ugh they make for the PRETTIEST PHOTOS. You have so many color combination options. (like the photo below, um, yes please.)

The days are also longer this time of year.

Sunrise in July is around 6am and sunset in July is around 9pm and by October sunrise time is around 7am and sunset is around 7pm. (whereas the sunrise in January isn’t until 8am and the sun sets at 5pm in January!!!!)

I like to have rich tones in my wedding photography, and fall weddings have the most opportunity for depth, before the leaves have fallen.

The sun is also really kind during September and October. While there is still harsh mid-day light, there are usually more ways to diffuse the light and play around with it in your photos. The backlight the sun gives your photos in September and October is also breathtaking.

September and October months are also great, because you won’t be freezing, but you won’t be suffocating in hot summer sun.

If you want to plan your wedding for September and October, here are some extra tips:

Avoid having your outdoor wedding ceremony between 10am and 3pm

Aim for no later than the SECOND week of October for the best chance of getting fall colors before the leaves fall.

The ideal time for fall colors is between the last week of September and first week of October in Utah. 2023 has been a very interesting year, so we’ll see what happens this year. Last year, in 2022, there were still gorgeous fall colors up until October 9th. A few days later, on October 15th, there were VERY few fall colors left. September 20th through October 3rd is your ideal time for a wedding if you want to capture fall colors.

After September and October weddings, my favorite wedding months for wedding photography are July and August. If you want to hear more about these months, read on!

Why we love July and August weddings:

Lots of options for locations - desert, beach, greenery, forest, downtown, pretty much anything works.

July and August also have gorgeous sunrises and sunsets and color temperatures.

Long days!!! You can pack so much into the day before the sun sets and still wake up the next day at sunrise for the prettiest photos of your life. (I mean, I won’t make you, but I might suggest it ;)

More tips for July and August weddings:

AVOID THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY if you are wanting an outdoor wedding ceremony. You don’t want your wedding guests sweating buckets (and you don’t want to sweat buckets either.) You also don’t want to be squinting or blind people with your dress or have raccoon eyes in your photos- all things that can happen with harsh sunlight.

Plan your wedding ceremony for at least 4pm up until one hour before sunset. Keep in mind, wedding ceremonies tend to start late, so don’t schedule it too close to sunset. Remember, July and August the sun sets around 9pm, so you can have your outdoor ceremony up until 8pm. I recommend no later than 7pm depending on where you’re getting married.

Wedding season is the craziest from April to June and is still GORGEOUS, but if I could force every person to get married for the best wedding photos, it would be mid-September to early October, or between July and August (just NOT in the middle of the day ;)

In summary, the best months to get married in are July, August, September, and early October.

May and June are popular months (not my absolute favorites but still so pretty!) but keep in mind those will be your wedding vendors craziest months. You may be paying extra to get on their books those months, depending on how busy they are. And if you’re in Utah hoping for an outdoor wedding, I say skip those months. The weather is too hard to predict.

Good luck deciding on your wedding date!!

Tell me about your wedding planning. Are you planning your wedding out of convenience with your schedules? Or are you after a specific wedding date you want to remember every year on your anniversary? Does it depend on the wedding venue? I would love to hear what you’re running into while planning your wedding!

Let me know if you have any questions in your wedding planning process :)