Wedding at the Manti Temple in Southern Utah
Bridal Photos
Light & Joyful Manti Utah Temple Bridals
Maranda & Kaleb got married in the Manti Utah Temple on a beautiful September morning! Before they went in for their sealing, we met at the front entrance of the temple to take some bridals.
I love getting to meet with couples before their sealing when they have time. The weather is often cooler, the lighting is ideal for photos, and it gives the couple a chance to spend some time together in a relaxed and fun environment before they go in to be sealed!
I had the pleasure of working with Maranda and Kaleb for both their engagements and bridals, which always helps everyone feel more comfortable in front of the camera on the wedding day. We already knew each other, and they knew what to expect with my poses and prompts, making their wedding bridals feel that much more comfortable!
One of my favorite spots at the Manti Temple for bridals is near the main entrance, surrounded by the stone and grass. This area is typically shaded in the morning, which helps create even lighting and showcases the lovely creamy stone that the Manti Temple is so well known for!
There was so much anticipation before Maranda and Kaleb exited their sealing, especially because they had so many friends and family members, including their little siblings, who hadn’t seen them yet and were so excited to celebrate with them!
While we waited, I got to know some of the guests and bridesmaids and learned that Maranda had friends from every phase of her life! From childhood best friends who flew in for the wedding to old college roommates from her time at Snow College, everyone was so excited to be there and share in the love!
After the moms came out of the temple and we passed the bouquet back to Maranda, they finally had their long-awaited temple exit! There were lots of hellos and hugs before we gathered everyone together for a big group photo of all the people who came to support the happy couple!
Temple Exit
Bridal Party Photos
After taking family photos, the fun began! Because we had a plan for their family and group photos, we finished early, even with a later-than-expected temple exit!
Maranda loves the iconic hill that the Manti Temple sits on, so we headed over there with the bridesmaids and groomsmen for bridal party photos. The multicolored dresses in shades of yellow, green, and blue were the perfect complement to the natural colors on the Manti Utah Temple hill!
We started with photos of the whole bridal party, then took some with Kaleb and his groomsmen, followed by Maranda and her bridesmaids. After that, we finished up with individual photos!
What Makes the Manti Utah Temple Special for Sealings
One of my favorite things about the Manti Utah Temple is its beautiful, creamy stone and historic architecture! It has such a timeless look that makes it a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos. I especially love how the temple sits on a hill, giving it such an iconic presence and creating a lovely setting for portraits. Between the stone details, surrounding greenery, and different spots around the grounds, there are so many ways to create variety in your wedding gallery while still keeping that classic temple feel. It’s such a beautiful location for couples who want their wedding photos to feel timeless, joyful, and centered around their temple day!
While it isn’t part of the wedding photos themselves, the interior of the temple is uniquely beautiful, too! The ordinance rooms feature murals depicting different parts of Heavenly Father’s plan, and the sealing rooms are gorgeous.
Favorite Photo Locations at the Manti Temple
If you’re planning wedding photos at the Manti Utah Temple, there are several beautiful spots to choose from! The main entrance is one of my favorites, with its creamy stone creating a classic backdrop for portraits. You can also take photos on the hill above the parking lot, with the temple in the background, or on the stairs on the opposite side of the temple, toward the large hill. There’s also a spacious set of stairs that works well for extended family and large group photos. And, of course, the iconic hill itself is a beautiful spot for bridal party portraits!
One important tip for future brides and photographers: the hill is very steep, so I recommend staying near the top or heading down to where the ground levels off. This makes it easier to navigate while still enjoying the beautiful views.
Finally, if your sealing is scheduled around midday, be prepared for direct sunlight! I recommend positioning yourselves facing toward the sun to help avoid harsh shadows across your faces. With a little planning, you can make the most of the temple grounds and capture a beautiful variety of wedding photos.