Bonneville Salt Flats Milky Way Elopement

How to Plan an Elopement Under the Stars in Utah

There are epic locations… and then there is the Bonneville Salt Flats at midnight under the Milky Way. This Bonneville Salt Flats Milky Way elopement was the definition of an epic experience.

We’ve photographed a lot of incredible places, but this night was something different. The Salt Flats already feel surreal during the day. When you stand out there at night, with nothing but white earth and a sky exploding with stars, it feels like you’re floating in space.

This celestial-inspired elopement was built around one idea. What would it look like to design a wedding under the stars?

We teamed up with an incredible creative team to bring it to life, and it is one of our favorite Utah elopement concepts we’ve ever photographed.

You can see the full feature and all the vendor details over on Adventure Wed, but we wanted to share more of what it felt like from behind the camera and how you could create something similar.

Designing a Milky Way-Inspired Elopement at the Bonneville Salt Flats

From far away, the Milky Way looks calm and dreamy. Up close, it is wild, layered, textured, and powerful. You can see that contrast in every detail. Kaushay with Kaushay and Co. Events designed this elopement with all the details in mind.

The ceremony space featured silver tones and ghost chairs that almost disappeared into the landscape. The florals felt like they were growing upward into the sky, starting grounded and slowly twisting toward the stars. Then there were the cakes! Designed by Marcia with Sweet Cravings by Marcia to look like the moon itself, complete with craters and an astronaut’s footprint, it looked like it was hovering above the Earth. To top it off, it glowed in the dark! It wasn’t the only glow-in-the-dark element though; the main wedding cake featured constellations and a glow-in-the-dark feature that made all of those stars pop in the darkness!

What It’s Like Photographing a Milky Way Elopement

Photographing under the stars is completely different than shooting during the day. There is more strategy involved, and that includes timing, planning, and technical skills. We are balancing long exposures, off-camera flash, star positioning, and movement all at once. It is not just about getting the stars in the background. It is about making sure you look incredible too!

The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of the best Utah elopement locations for astrophotography because of the minimal light pollution and the wide open horizon. If you are dreaming of a Milky Way elopement in Utah, this location is hard to beat.

Our Tips for Planning a Milky Way Elopement in Utah

If eloping under the stars is calling your name, here are the biggest things to consider.

1. Prioritize Dark Sky Locations

Light pollution changes everything. The darker the location, the more dramatic the Milky Way will appear. The Salt Flats are incredible, but there are also other dark sky locations throughout Utah and the Western United States that work incredibly well!

2. Hire a Photographer Who Understands Night Photography

Astrophotography is not just a setting on a camera. It requires a lot of experience. Find out what the photographer’s experience is with photographing under the stars or with the Milky Way.

3. Build Flexibility Into Your Timeline

Clouds can ruin visibility fast. Even thin cloud cover will hide the stars. If possible, plan for a main date and backup date. It’s important to build flexibility into your schedule in case the weather shifts.

4. Be Ready for a Late Night

There are specific times of the year that are best for photographing the Milky Way, and you also have to plan around the moon phases. Be ready for a late night or an early morning!

Shout out to all of the vendors involved in this Milky Way elopement shoot:

Photography: Jessie and Dallin Photography
Planning and Design: Kaushay and Co. Events
Cake Artist: Sweet Cravings by Marcia
Floral Design: Mille Fleur Design
Hair and Makeup Artist: Beauty by Reese
Rentals: All Out Event & Tent
Invitations: Hello Josie Invitations
Linens: Nuage Designs
Dress: Versailles Atelier
Suit: DC Tuxedos
Rings and Jewelry: J Brooks Jewelers