Northern Utah Elopement Guide
At Roaming Desert Film Co., we’ve always believed that eloping is about stripping things back to what actually matters—your connection and your story. And if that just so happens to take place in the magic of the mountains in the Wasatch Ridge, that’s totally fine by us! Northern Utah creates these timeless moments of your love story so effortlessly! Tucked just outside the city, the canyons here feel wild - without being unreachable, intimate - without being isolated. They’re the kind of places where the mountains show up big and every turn in the road feels like it could be the start of a memory you’ll talk about forever!
Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and American Fork Canyon are our forever favorites! Each one has its own personality: Big Cottonwood is versatile and dramatic, with winding roads, alpine lakes, and textures that look unreal on film. Little Cottonwood feels bold and rugged—towering granite walls, moody weather, and that “we’re doing something epic” energy. American Fork Canyon neighbors the Alpine loop and has gorgeous reservoirs and lake - especially as the seasons change, with golden aspens coming to life.
When we film elopements in these canyons, it never feels like just another shoot. It feels like being let in on something honest. Wind in your hair, boots on the dirt, vows echoing off canyon walls, and marriages taking place on mountaintops! If you’re dreaming of an elopement that feels intentional, cinematic, and deeply you, Northern Utah’s canyons might just be calling your name.
Option 1: Big Cottonwood Canyon
Elopement Locations in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Jordan Pines
Jordan Pines Campground
Storm Picnic Area/Stairs Gulch
Silver Fork Lodge
Silver Lake
BCC Pull Offs
Real Couple’s Elopement Timeline up Big Cottonwood Canyon
Silver Lake to Jordan Pines Elopement from July 15th
1:00pm Getting ready shots at Silver Fork Lodge (bride, groom, detail shots, first look with parents)
2:30pm Head up to Silver Lake by Brighton for first look of the couple
3:00pm Walk around the lake for some pictures and reading letters/watching videos from loved ones that couldn’t make it
3:50pm Stop off at a pull off for shot with wildflowers and exchange private vows.
4:10pm Head down the canyon to Jordan Pines and park cars
4:30pm Jordan pines bridals session of the couple, make way towards ceremony location
5:30pm Family gathers for ceremony at Jordan Pines Campground
5:40pm Ceremony
6pm Family photos after ceremony
7pm Dinner with family at Silver Fork Lodge
7:45pm Cake Cutting
8:15pm Sunset pics outside the lodge where couple will be staying.
Sunset 8:56 pm
Places to Stay in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Places to Eat in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Stone Haus Pizzeria and Creamery
*Be sure to check hours as restaurants up the canyon can change seasonally.
Just Outside the Canyon
Hog Wallow Pub - live music
Eight Settlers Restaurant and Distillery
Option 2: Little Cottonwood Canyon
Elopement and Photo Locations in Little Cottonwood Canyon
Gloria Falls Trailhead
Cecret Lake
Snowbird - Chickadee Lift
Lisa Falls
Snowbird at top of Tram - Hidden Peak Summit
Albion Basin
Real Couple’s Timeline up Little Cottonwood Canyon
Albion Basin to Cecret Lake Timeline from September 25th
2:00 pm Meet at Albion Basin Campground Parking Lot (trailhead to Cecret Lake)
*There is a $10 fee to pass the toll booth to enter the parking lot just FYI
2:10 pm Flat lay pics
(Including couples rings, their grandparents rings, “Welcome to Salt Lake City” post card, map of the Wasatch Ridge, wedding bouquet, boutonniere and wedding shoes)
2:20pm Couple Portrait Pics in Hiking Outfit
2:45pm Hike to Cecret Lake (hike up takes a little over an hour with backpacks and gear)
3:50 pm Change into dress for ceremony using our pod
4:05 pm Firstl look moment with multiple video angles
4:15 Ceremony ~20 minutes + Watching a video from a loved one
4:35 pm Bridals and drone footage at Cecret Lake
4:50 pm Hike Down
5:50 pm Pics at Catherine’s Pass Parking Lot
Drive down to pull off for:
Letter Reading (bring telephoto lens and 85 to give them space - Cory will mic them up for video)
Sparkling Water/”Champagne Pop” - Champagne Spray with light coming through (point at camera)
Just Married Signs on Backpacks
6:30pm Stop at yellow aspens on way down at Gloria Falls Trailhead
Drive from Catherine’s Pass to Gloria Falls Trailhead (16 minutes)
6:35pm Photos by Gloria Falls Trailhead
7:00pm Hike to Lisa Falls ( Waterfall off of the road - 7 minute total hike, easy access)
7:10pm Sunset Pics at Falls (light pics here with head lights)
Sunset: 7:19pm
Places to Stay in Little Cottonwood Canyon
Places to Eat in Little Cottonwood Canyon
The Gulch Pub at Snowpine Lodge
Albion Grill at Alta Lodge
The Forklift at Snowbird
*Check canyon restaurants for hours as they can change from season to season.
Just Outside the Canyon
Option 3: American Fork Canyon
Elopement Locations in American Fork Canyon
Sundance
Tibble Fork Reservoir Overlook
Tibble Fork
Alpine Loop
Silver Lake
Stewart Falls Hike
Silver Lake Flat Reservoir
Real Couple’s Timeline in American Fork Canyon
Park City - Sheraton to Tibble Fork Reservoir Elopement from December 12th
11:30am Photo and video team start the day at the getting ready location - Park City Sheraton (start with groom, getting ready, detail shots, putting on jackets and shoes).
11:45am Bride’s makeup and hair are complete. Getting ready pictures of the bride.
12:30pm First look with bride and groom. Pictures with the parents.
1:00pm Get in cars and head out to Tibble Fork Reservoir up American Fork Canyon
2:45pm Arrive at Tibble Fork Reservoir, use restrooms, and get ready to hike to ceremony location with spikes and change of shoes. Taking bridals along the way.
3:45pm Ceremony begins at Tibble Fork Reservoir Overlook
4:10pm Pictures and toasts
4:45pm Sledding photos and sunset pictures
*Day wraps up just after sunset
Places to Stay near American Fork Canyon
*There are also Airbnbs in the area, as well as many hotels off of I-15.
Places to Eat near American Fork Canyon
Conclusion
The Wasatch Mountains are an incredible place to elope if you love the mountains, and also love accessibility to the city with a major airport and lots of hotels and restaurants nearby to boot! In addition the Wasatch Ridge has ample hikes, but ample views that don’t require major hiking, as well. So if you are a couple that loves hiking and adventure OR if you are a couple that is adventure-ish and loves taking in easier, accessible views, the Wasatch ridge has both types of elopement journeys available for your tastes!
Need a photo and video team to document your Wasatch Ridge - SLC Mountain elopement?
Hi there! We’re Tana and Cory Metcalf @ Roaming Desert Film Co. - a husband and wife photo/video team, located in Utah! We love exploring all that the world has to offer and taking our doggos and cameras along for the journey, as well!
