Storm Mountain in Big Cottonwood Canyon is easily one of the best-kept wedding venue secrets near Salt Lake City. I’ve hosted multiple events of my own at Storm Mountain — my wedding rehearsal dinner and even a first birthday party for one of my kids. It’s one of the best places to experience the Utah mountains: tall trees, granite cliffs, crisp canyon air, and for this wedding, peak fall color — all without the price tag of a resort venue because it sits on public land.

This wedding took place at the end of September, right as the canyon turned deep red and orange. The ceremony was held in the amphitheater, followed by a reception at a nearby group picnic site just a short stroll away — simple, relaxed, and incredibly intentional. 

The Ceremony at the Storm Mountain Amphitheater

Storm Mountain’s amphitheater is naturally built into the hillside, which means every guest gets a clear view — something surprisingly rare for outdoor ceremonies.

Brandy & Theary stood beneath tall pine trees while guests had granite canyon walls rising behind them. The setting feels complete on its own, so very little decoration is needed. The mountains become the backdrop.

Reception at a Storm Mountain Picnic Site

After the ceremony everyone walked a short distance to a reserved group picnic area for the reception. This is where Storm Mountain really shines – couples get full flexibility with their decor and vendors. You can choose any caterers you want and even BYOB (very rare in Utah!). Brandy & Theary decorated the 3 long tables, under fall trees, with blue tablecloth and candles. And, with the held of groomsmen, had string lights above this all. They had open seating and mingling – an intimate mountain gathering rather than a more formal reception. 

Planning a Storm Mountain Wedding

Because Storm Mountain is public land and doesn’t include a built-in coordinator like traditional venues, thoughtful planning matters more — but that flexibility is also what makes weddings here feel personal.

I help couples with:

• ceremony timing based on canyon light
• guest flow between locations
• portrait spots within walking distance
• weather and seasonal considerations

The result is a wedding that feels natural to the mountains rather than staged within them. If you’re planning a Storm Mountain wedding, reach out and I’ll help you design a timeline and photo plan that works perfectly with the terrain and light. For more information about weddings at this venue, I have a blog post here 🙂