WEDDING BLOG

From the very beginning, Rick and Maggie imagined their wedding as an adventure. Not a traditional ballroom affair or a tightly scheduled event, but an experience that reflected how they’ve always lived their lives together. That vision led them to an intimate ceremony on the Bonneville Salt Flats, where vast white landscapes and open skies became the most meaningful backdrop they could imagine.

The two met through a mutual friend and coworker who was convinced they’d be a perfect match. He was right. “Looking back, I think we both knew early-on that we had found a very special person,” they shared. Through COVID, a cross-country move, and multiple career changes, their relationship only grew stronger. That steady partnership became the foundation for a wedding day focused less on tradition and more on presence, connection, and inviting loved ones into their journey.

What We Love About This Bonneville Salt Flats Wedding:

• An intimate outdoor ceremony framed by the natural beauty of the salt flats
• A sunset first look that doubled as bridal portraits the night before
• A handcrafted ring box made by Rick, complete with hidden personal details
• A non-traditional post-ceremony celebration on ATVs

Featured Vendor:

Maye.Be Take A Photo

Turning a Love for Adventure Into a Wedding Vision

Adventure has always been central to Rick and Maggie’s relationship, so it naturally shaped their wedding plans. Rather than locking themselves into a rigid theme, they kept an open mind and focused on how they wanted the day to feel. An intimate ceremony outdoors, surrounded by a nature-centric setting, was the one non-negotiable.

That mindset gave them flexibility and clarity as planning moved forward. Instead of asking what a wedding “should” look like, they asked what kind of experience would feel true to them and meaningful for their guests. For couples planning a destination or non-traditional celebration, starting with a feeling rather than a checklist can make decisions feel lighter and more intuitive.

Building a Team That Could Bring Big Ideas to Life

With lots of ideas but no single location in mind, Rick and Maggie leaned on their photographer and Junebug vendor Maye.Be Take A Photo, to help bring everything into focus. Sam suggested locations that matched the scenery they were drawn to while still being accessible for family traveling from across the country.

That guidance helped streamline everything else. From coordinating vendors to planning a post-wedding adventure day, the right creative partner turned scattered inspiration into a cohesive plan.

Reimagining First Looks and Meaningful Moments

Rick and Maggie went back and forth about doing a first look, eventually choosing a version that felt completely their own. The night before the ceremony, they got fully dressed and met at sunset for bridal portraits, making that moment their first look.

“The intimacy of the moment was so special, and we ended up with some of the most incredible photos I’ve ever seen,” Maggie shared. It also meant they got to wear their wedding outfits more than once, which added a sense of ease and fun to the weekend. It’s a reminder that meaningful moments don’t have to follow a traditional timeline to be impactful.

Choosing a Landscape That Speaks for Itself

The ceremony took place on public land at the Bonneville Salt Flats, which meant the setting didn’t need much decoration at all. Rick and Maggie leaned into that simplicity, bringing just chairs and a few rental floral stands to subtly frame the ceremony space.

Nature did the rest. The wide-open landscape created a sense of calm and focus that shaped the entire experience. For couples considering outdoor or public land ceremonies, trusting the environment and keeping decor minimal can result in something both striking and timeless.

A Ceremony Centered on Partnership

Their ceremony on the Bonneville Salt Flats was emotional in all the right ways. Rick and Maggie wrote their own vows, chose music with personal meaning, and asked a close friend to officiate.

Rather than adding elaborate rituals, they focused on what mattered most: honoring their partnership and the people who had supported them along the way. The result felt deeply personal without feeling performative, proving that intention often matters more than scale.

Designing a Guest Experience Beyond the Ceremony

After the ceremony, guests boarded a bus back to Salt Lake City for a dinner party, giving everyone time to cool down, mingle, and decompress together. That transition helped shift the energy from ceremony to celebration in a relaxed, communal way.

Dinner took place at Urban Hill in downtown SLC, where the couple worked closely with the team to create a customized menu that accommodated their dietary needs. Exceptional food and thoughtful service were high priorities, and both delivered.

The following day, Rick and Maggie hosted a guided UTV adventure through the mountains in Heber City. It was exciting, accessible, and inclusive enough for parents and friends alike. Choosing an experience over a traditional dance party made the celebration feel uniquely theirs.

Thoughtful Details and Planning Ahead

One of the most meaningful personal touches was the ring box Rick made by hand. Designed as a scale replica of their favorite mountain in Colorado, it included a hidden compartment holding photos from their relationship and the ID badges from the company where they first met. It now holds a place of honor in their home.

There were also practical details that made a big impact. With summer heat and no cloud cover at the Bonneville Salt Flats, they came prepared with paper parasols for guests. Not only did they provide relief from the sun, but they became an unexpected design element that guests still compliment months later.

Advice for Couples Planning a Small, Intentional Wedding

With just 27 guests, Rick and Maggie focused on creating a thoughtful experience for everyone involved. “As much as a wedding is intended to be a day about the couple, we also wanted it to be about inviting our loved ones into our partnership,” they shared.

Their biggest takeaway was letting go of expectations and allowing themselves to redefine what a wedding could be. By pushing boundaries and prioritizing experience over tradition, they created a celebration that proves a wedding doesn’t have to be conventional to be unforgettable.