location scout

My dear friend, Jaime, is getting married next week right here in Salt Lake. You might remember Jaime from our trip to Savannah almost two years ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long!). Or from a little jaunt down to Grande Isle or any number of other little adventures when I lived in New Orleans. Right now she’s living in Chicago and will only be in SLC for her wedding. I can only imagine how difficult it is to plan a wedding from so far away, so I offered to help in any way possible. She asked if I could do a little scouting for photo locations near Salt Lake Temple since her photographer is also from out of town. Here’s the thing about the Salt Lake Temple grounds – it’s basically all just one beautiful setting for wedding photos. There are lots of weddings there on any given day. In fact, I saw three sets of brides and grooms there last Tuesday evening. You don’t have to go very far to find picture-perfect scenes. But I wanted to help out, so I decided to sacrifice my Saturday afternoon walking around downtown in perfect 70-degree weather taking photographs. It’s not something I would normally do, right? I tried to find some perhaps more unique locations near the temple for photos. You know, other than the typical temple steps, the reflecting pond, and the pedestal near the church office building. (Those are just given photos. They are on the must-have list of any wedding at the Salt Lake Temple, I believe.) I haven’t looked at a lot of wedding photos, so I may be wrong about this, but here are a few locations within walking distance of the Salt Lake Temple that I personally feel are underutilized.

First up, the Conference Center. It was built in 2000, so it’s a little more of a modern backdrop. But I love the lamp posts, the granite walls, the trees on the roof, and the copper doors that have turned a beautiful oxidized green.

My favorite building on Temple Square is the Assembly Hall. I adore the white Gothic spires and the stained glass windows. It also features some beautifully carved wooden doors.

And then there’s the Church Administration Building with its Greek columns and classical facade.

(To be fair, I do often see wedding pictures taken there, but I am in love with that bright yellow forsythia and just wanted to post the photo.)

My favorite hide-away near Temple Square isn’t always very secluded. It depends on the day, really, but I often find that I’m the only one there. It’s the patio behind the Lion House. I love the wrought iron tables and chairs, the tulip and daffodil beds, the gabled windows, the pink stucco walls, the stone fence and wooden gate. It’s just absolutely lovely.

I walked a few blocks into the city, which was extremely crowded because of the City Creek Center grand opening that weekend, but I didn’t find anything else really worth the effort. Of course, there’s also Memory Grove (not too far away, though perhaps not walking distance) and City Creek Park, but both of those are already commonly used areas for bridals and portraits. In fact, Memory Grove is where we went when I pretended to be a professional photographer with my nieces and nephew last summer. I also noticed a lot of beautiful rock walls on State Street as you head up to the Capitol that would make a lovely backdrop and I love the idea of getting some of the city behind. That’s the nice thing about the Capitol being on a steep hill.

I just love Salt Lake. I still often miss New Orleans (quite a lot!), but I do love my little city.

I’m linking up today with Miss Kris’s Busy Nothings Photography Club. I’m supposed to choose my favorite photo from the month, but I always have an impossible time choosing. I figure that one of these will do. Any ideas which one I should choose?