Utah Bridal Portraits: Pros, Cons, and Beautiful Locations for Timeless Bridal Portraits in Utah

If you’re a Utah bride planning your wedding, you may have heard a lot about bridal sessions. They are incredibly popular here, and for good reason. A bridal session is a separate photoshoot—before the wedding day—where you wear your full wedding look and capture timeless portraits without the pressure or pace of the wedding timeline.

As a wedding photographer who has photographed hundreds of brides throughout Utah, Seattle, and destination locations like Paris, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful (and helpful!) bridal sessions can be. They create space for creativity, emotion, and artistry in a way the wedding day rarely allows.

If all of this sounds amazing to you but you still don’t want to do photos before the wedding, think about doing an anniversary session or a day after bridal session. Either way, I would love to help photograph this for you.

Why Bridal Sessions Are So Popular in Utah

Utah is one of the most naturally stunning states in the country. With vast open landscapes, soaring mountains, creamy neutral salt flats, and soft golden sunsets, it makes sense that brides want more time to create beautiful editorial-style portraits.

But the popularity goes deeper than just the scenery.

Bridal sessions allow you to fully embrace the bride experience without the wedding-day rush. You get to step into your dress, see your entire look come together, feel beautiful, and savor a moment that’s truly about you. Many brides tell me their bridal session is when everything finally “feels real.”

The Pros of Doing a Bridal Session

There are so many reasons to consider adding a bridal session to your photography experience, but these are the most meaningful benefits:

You get more relaxed, intentional portraits

On the wedding day, your timeline is fast-paced. Bridal portraits often end up squeezed between events. A bridal session gives you a full hour (or more) of calm, natural, beautiful portraits without distractions or time pressure.

You get to test your full look before the wedding

Hair. Makeup. Dress. Veil. Jewelry. Bouquet. Shoes.
You’ll finally see it all together under real lighting, from every angle. Many brides make small adjustments after their bridal session—whether it’s trying a different lash length or altering the hemline. It’s like a dress rehearsal, but elevated.

You can choose a dream location

Your wedding day location might be beautiful, but a bridal session gives you creative freedom. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of Salt Flats images, a mountain overlook, or an elegant European-inspired garden. With a bridal session, you’re not limited to your venue or timeline.

You can display your portraits at your wedding

Bridal portraits make stunning additions to your reception entrance, welcome signage, guestbook table, or gift table. They elevate your décor and give guests a beautiful first glimpse of your bridal style.

You’ll feel more confident on the wedding day

After seeing your portraits and navigating posing together, brides almost always feel more comfortable and relaxed around the camera on their wedding day. It creates trust and familiarity in a way that makes everything easier.

The Cons of a Bridal Session

While bridal sessions offer many benefits, there are a few considerations:

There is an additional cost

You’ll likely need hair and makeup for the session, and some brides choose to order a smaller bouquet from their florist. This extra investment, though, often pays off in peace of mind and beautiful images.

Your dress may get a little dirty

Utah’s outdoor locations can be dusty, sandy, grassy, or snowy. Most brides don’t mind minor marks, but if you want your dress completely pristine, choose a clean-access area or bring a sheet to place under your dress during certain poses.

It adds one more appointment to your schedule

Wedding planning comes with a lot of to-dos. Adding another session may feel like an extra step, but many brides find it actually reduces wedding-day stress and creates a more relaxed timeline overall.

The Best Locations in Utah for Bridal Sessions

Utah is overflowing with stunning backdrops for bridal portraits. Each location has its own mood and aesthetic, allowing you to craft the exact feel you want.

Bonneville Salt Flats

Minimal, ethereal, dreamy, and perfect for dramatic gowns

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Pine trees, lush green meadows, glowing fall colors, and snowy winter backdrops

Saltair / Great Salt Lake

Soft neutrals, pastels, and romantic sunsets

La Caille

European-inspired architecture, gardens, and elegance

Tunnel Springs Park

Rolling hills, soft light, and iconic creamy tones

The Utah State Capitol

Clean, classic white marble and timeless architecture

If you’re unsure which location fits your style, I help every bride choose the perfect backdrop based on their gown, season, vision, and the overall aesthetic they love.

Should You Do a Bridal Session?

If you want relaxed, intentional portraits and the chance to see your wedding look come together before the big day, a bridal session is absolutely worth considering. It’s a beautiful way to honor this once-in-a-lifetime moment and create art you’ll treasure for years.