Kennedy and Austin: Taylorsville Temple Formals

One of my favorite things is when couples choose to have a pre-wedding photo session at the temple where they’ll be married. Not only does this help reduce stress and save time on the wedding day, but it also creates a truly special moment. If I could offer one piece of advice to all my temple couples, it would be to schedule a formal session before their big day.

Temples typically have limited time slots for weddings, often during the day. This means that if you’re getting married in the morning or early afternoon, your portraits will be taken around noon, when the sun is at its peak — not the ideal lighting for outdoor photos. The best time for portraits is during the last two hours of the day when the sun is lower in the sky. Since this isn’t feasible during a temple wedding, having a pre-wedding session is a great way to capture stunning images in that magical golden hour light.

Weather can also be unpredictable on your wedding day. By taking your formal photos beforehand, you can ensure that you get plenty of beautiful shots in ideal conditions.

Another wonderful advantage of a pre-wedding session is the opportunity for a first look. This is when the bride and groom see each other in their wedding attire for the first time. It’s a heartfelt, intimate moment that we love to capture. Traditionally, this moment occurs as the bride walks down the aisle, but temple ceremonies are structured differently, which often means the first time the groom sees the bride is in a hallway before greeting family and friends. The best way for Latter-day Saint couples to enjoy a special first look is to incorporate it into their formal session before the wedding.

For example, during Austin and Kennedy's session, we captured their first look, and they even shared some vows with each other — it was incredibly special. I'm so grateful we could document that moment!