Finding the best Utah photo location for your first look and bridal session can be so overwhelming! Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

They don’t call it “BeUTAHful” for no reason. Utah is home to some of the most spectacular scenic photography backgrounds for brides and couples. Provo Utah just happens to be one of these incredible photo locations!

Provo offers both metropolitan and natural surroundings that make pictures worth a thousand words, just what every Utah bride is looking for! Located in the green Utah valley, Provo is known for its popular universities, snow resorts, eateries, many local history sites, and beautiful outdoor bridal photography locations.

Every photographer offers different location options, so be sure to check with your specific photographer. Some photographers won’t let you split your time between two locations, but here at Photography by Tasha Rose, we do!!

Get ready, we’re sharing 5 of our favorite locations near the Provo City Center Temple below!

Check out everything to know about your wedding at the Provo City Center Temple here!

Deciding If You Want One Location or Two?

A popular choice is to split your bridal time between the temple and another nearby location for your bridal session. We always spend 10-20 minutes taking pictures of the two of you on your wedding day at the temple, but the lighting and crowds can be tricky on a busy, bright afternoon. So, if those epic full temple shots are important to you, we highly recommend having at least part, if not all of your bridal session at the temple where you’ll be sealed.

Keep in mind, there is only about 2 hours of great light each evening. So, if you choose to split your session with two locations the second location needs to be within about 20 minutes of the first. So, you don’t lose too much photo time driving between the locations.

Pros of Having Your Bridal Session at The Temple

• Sealings are typically scheduled in the morning or afternoon, making the lighting tricky at times. Having your bridals taken an evening prior to your sealing day can ensure the best lighting, smaller crowds, and less stress about having the perfect weather.
• Temple grounds are always well maintained! If you’re worried about your dress getting dirty, but still want an outdoor location we always recommend the temple grounds. Even in the winter, sidewalks are always cleared.
• Temple grounds are always beautiful! Flowers get replaced with each season to always keep temple grounds looking beautiful!
• On your wedding day, your photographer should efficiently prioritize time with group/family photos. If you haven’t had any temple photos prior to your wedding day, it will take a little longer so be sure to plan your luncheon or other events accordingly.

Be sure to check if the temple is open prior to your bridal session. Remember that most temples are closed on Sundays and Mondays, general conference weekends and various times throughout the year. You can read more about preparing for photos at your specific temple here

Tips for Choosing a Location Other than The Temple

Choosing the perfect photo location can be so challenging! Have you ever seen that “amazing” location on Instagram and find yourself wondering where it’s at, what it looks like at a particular time of the year, and how to get there?

As photographers, it’s our job to keep updated on all the best photo locations and we’ve come across these few tips:

1. Choose a photographer you trust to find the best location for you, then you won’t have to worry! We ask our couples to choose the type of location ex: mountains, city, etc. and from there we offer the best 3-5 options for that time of year and send photo examples to make it as easy, carefree, and as fun as possible!
2. Access 40 of our favorite Utah locations!! We’ve created a quick 5 question quiz to help you decide which location best fits you. After completing this quiz (add link here) we’ll reveal our favorite Utah locations, that’s right, holla at your girl!
3. Use UDOT.com – you can search the traffic cameras to see live views of the locations and road conditions.
4. Use Instagram locations – you can search for a specific location on Instagram using locations or even hashtags for popular locations. Make sure to view it by most recent (not most popular) to see what the location currently looks like.
5. Don’t forget about your wedding venue! A lot of venues will let you take photos at your venue for free if it’s not being used and some have the most beautiful grounds to take advantage of! You can also take photos at a lot of venues, even if it’s not your venue for an hourly fee and use their beautiful grounds!

5 Locations Within 20 Minutes of The Provo City Center Temple

Check out our list of our favorite locations near the Provo City Center Temple. If you want two locations for your bridal session check with your photographer to find out which locations look best based on the time of year and what you’re looking for specifically.

1. Utah Lake State Park

Utah Lake State Park is an incredible location year-round! There is a $10 per car entrance fee but it is absolutely worth it! The reflection on the water at sunset is so dreamy!!

2. Big Springs Park Field

Big Springs Park up Provo Canyon is a great spot in the Summer and Fall for photos. This spot is located just past Vivian Park and does require a little bit of walking so be prepared with good walking shoes to get to the field. This location also does NOT have any cell phone service so I always recommend meeting your photographer at Vivian Park and travel the rest of the way together so no one gets lost.

3. Squaw Peak Overlook

Squaw Peak is good for more than just being the local make out spot (If you know, you know) ;). This location is my favorite in the Spring, Summer, and Fall!! This location also requires some walking, so bring an extra pair of shoes but it has some INCREDIBLE views!

4. Loch Lomond Pond

Looking for a southern pond vibe for your photo background? I love this neighborhood hidden gem! This spot is great in the Spring, Summer, and Fall! It does get shady here earlier in the day which makes for a great spot if you need somewhere earlier in the day!

5. Thanksgiving Point – Ashton Gardens

The Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point is an absolute FAVORITE! Especially during the Tulip and Rose Festival in the Spring/Summer. There’s a $50 photography fee plus admission for each person, this is a great spot for early Spring! I also highly recommend renting a golf cart so you can get around the gardens quickly and save on your steps!

BONUS: Stewart Falls Trailhead

An amazing Utah photography spot in the Winter, Summer, and Fall! Make sure you start your session earlier in the day, because the sun goes behind the mountain early! There is a $7 per car entrance fee to this location.

If you’re looking for more tips and tricks for your Temple Wedding be sure to check out our 87-page Wedding Planning Guide for The Latter-Day Bride!

We would LOVE to photograph your wedding at The Provo City Center LDS Temple in Utah! Please contact us to book your wedding day—spots fill up fast. To view more of our work, follow us on Instagram.