Getting married at the St. George Utah Temple is a meaningful experience for so many couples and families. The temple is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Southern Utah, and its bright white architecture, palm trees, gardens, and desert setting make it one of the most beautiful places in St. George for wedding photos.
But planning a temple wedding is a little different from planning a traditional wedding day. The sealing itself is private and sacred, photos happen outside the temple, family and friends gather afterward, and the timeline can move quickly if there is a luncheon or reception scheduled soon after.
This guide is meant to help you plan a smoother, less stressful wedding day at the St. George Utah Temple. Whether you are trying to figure out when to schedule photos, how much time to leave after the sealing, where to take family pictures, or whether to do bridals before the wedding day, this will help you think through the details.
What Makes a St. George Utah Temple Wedding Unique?
The St. George Utah Temple has a look and feeling that is hard to match. It is historic, elegant, and deeply connected to the story of St. George. The temple grounds are also very practical for wedding days because there are several beautiful portrait locations within a short walking distance.
For couples, that means you can get a lot of variety without needing to leave the temple grounds right away. You can have classic full temple portraits, closer bride and groom photos, family group photos, walking photos, garden portraits, and images with the palm trees and surrounding landscaping.
The biggest thing to remember is that temple wedding days usually move quickly. Your family and friends will gather outside after the sealing, everyone will want to congratulate you, and then you will likely need to move into family photos, wedding party photos, bride and groom portraits, and travel to the next part of the day.
A little planning makes a huge difference.
Can You Take Photos Inside the St. George Utah Temple?
No. Wedding photos are taken outside the temple, not inside during the sealing. The temple sealing is sacred and private.
Most couples plan their photography around the moments before and after the sealing. The most common photo coverage includes the temple exit, family portraits, wedding party photos, and bride and groom portraits around the temple grounds.
If you want more relaxed portraits or more variety, you may also want to schedule bridal photos or formal portraits on a separate day.
How Much Time Should You Plan After the Sealing?
For most St. George Utah Temple weddings, I recommend planning at least 60 to 90 minutes after the sealing for photos.
A simple photo timeline could look like this:
Temple exit: 10 to 15 minutes
Hugs and candid moments: 10 minutes
Immediate family photos: 20 to 30 minutes
Extended family photos: 10 to 15 minutes
Wedding party photos: 15 to 30 minutes
Bride and groom portraits: 30 to 45 minutes
If you have a large family, a big wedding party, or a luncheon that starts soon after the sealing, give yourself more time than you think you need. The most common mistake couples make is trying to squeeze too many photos into too little time.
It is always better to have a little breathing room than to feel rushed through every photo.
A Sample St. George Utah Temple Wedding Timeline
Every wedding day is different, but this is a helpful starting point for a morning sealing.
Sample Morning Temple Wedding Timeline
9:30 AM: Couple arrives at the temple
10:00 AM: Sealing
10:45 AM: Family and friends gather outside
11:00 AM: Temple exit
11:10 AM: Hugs and candid congratulations
11:20 AM: Full family and extended group photos
11:30 AM: Immediate family photos
12:10 PM: Wedding party photos
12:30 PM: Bride and groom portraits
1:15 PM: Leave for luncheon
1:30 PM: Luncheon begins
4:00 PM: Reception details and family candids
5:00 PM: Reception begins
7:00 PM: Sunset couple portraits if timing allows
8:30 PM: Sendoff or final reception coverage
This timeline can shift earlier or later depending on your sealing time, reception plans, season, and how many family photos you want.
What Should Happen Right After the Temple Exit?
The temple exit is one of the best parts of the day. Family and friends are waiting outside, everyone is excited, and there are usually a lot of emotional hugs and congratulations.
After the exit, it helps to pause for a few minutes and let the moment happen naturally. These candid images are often some of the most meaningful photos from the day.
Once those hugs and congratulations settle down, it is usually best to move straight into family photos. Everyone is already gathered, dressed, and nearby. If you wait too long, people begin to spread out, leave for the luncheon, or disappear into different areas of the temple grounds.
A good photo plan keeps this part of the day relaxed but organized.
How to Make Family Photos Easier
Family photos are important, but they can become stressful if there is no plan.
The best thing you can do is make a family photo list before the wedding day. Write out the exact groupings you want, starting with the largest groups and working down to smaller immediate family combinations.
For example:
Bride and groom with both families
Bride and groom with bride’s extended family
Bride and groom with groom’s extended family
Bride and groom with bride’s immediate family
Bride and groom with groom’s immediate family
Bride with parents
Groom with parents
Bride and groom with siblings
Bride and groom with grandparents
Start with grandparents, older relatives, young kids, and large groups early. That way the people who need to leave or rest can be finished sooner.
It also helps to assign one person from each side of the family to gather people. That person should know names and faces. Your photographer can direct the photos, but a family helper can find Uncle Steve much faster than a photographer who has never met him.
Where Are the Best Photo Spots at the St. George Utah Temple?
The St. George Utah Temple has several great areas for wedding photos. The best location at any given moment depends on the light, crowds, time of day, and the type of photo you are taking.
The front of the temple is the classic location. This is where most couples want at least a few portraits because it clearly shows the temple and gives the photos that timeless St. George feel.
The gardens and landscaping are great for family photos and softer portraits. They give some visual variety and help the gallery feel less repetitive.
The side angles of the temple can be beautiful for bride and groom portraits, especially if the front is busy or the light is too harsh.
The palm trees and walking paths are also great for adding a Southern Utah feeling to the images. These areas can work well for candid walking photos, wedding party images, or quieter portraits of the couple.
The most important thing is not just choosing the obvious photo spot. It is choosing the right spot for the light at that time of day.
What Time of Day Is Best for St. George Temple Wedding Photos?
The best light is usually early morning or later in the afternoon. Soft light is more flattering and easier to work with, especially around the bright white exterior of the temple.
That said, many temple weddings happen in the middle of the day. Midday photos can still be beautiful, but they require more care because the sun can be bright, the white temple can reflect a lot of light, and shade may be limited depending on the time of year.
If your sealing time is in the middle of the day, do not panic. Just plan your timeline well and make sure your photographer knows how to work with harsh light.
For summer weddings, heat is a major factor. St. George can be extremely hot, so keep family photos efficient, bring water, and think about grandparents, kids, and anyone who may struggle in the heat.
For winter weddings, the light is often softer and easier for more of the day. The temperatures are usually more comfortable, and the temple grounds still photograph beautifully.
Should You Do Bridals Before the Wedding Day?
For many couples, bridals or formal portraits before the wedding day are a great idea.
Doing bridals ahead of time gives you more control. You can choose better light, take more time, avoid the pressure of a wedding day schedule, and use more than one location.
You can do bridals at the St. George Utah Temple, in Snow Canyon, in the desert, at a red rock overlook, or in another location that fits the feeling you want.
Another benefit is that your actual wedding day becomes easier. If you already have a full set of bride and groom portraits, then the photos after the sealing can be shorter and more focused on family, candid moments, and a few classic temple images.
This is especially helpful if your luncheon starts soon after the sealing.
Should You Do a First Look?
A first look can be a great option, especially if you are doing bridals before the wedding day.
It gives you a quiet moment together without the pressure of the wedding day schedule. It also lets you get a full set of portraits done ahead of time, which can make the temple wedding day feel much more relaxed.
Some couples prefer to wait and see each other on the wedding day, and that is completely fine too. The right choice depends on what feels meaningful to you.
If your main priority is having a calm timeline and more portrait variety, a first look and bridal session before the wedding day is usually the easier option.
What Should You Bring for Temple Wedding Photos?
You do not need a lot, but a few small things can help.
Bring your bouquet and boutonniere.
Bring comfortable shoes if you will be walking around the temple grounds.
Bring water, especially in warmer months.
Bring a touch-up kit with lipstick, tissues, and anything needed for hair.
Bring a printed or saved family photo list.
Bring any details you want photographed, like rings, invitations, or heirloom items.
It is also smart to have someone besides the bride or groom carry the important small items. You should not have to keep track of everything while also greeting family and being in photos.
Planning Around a Luncheon or Reception
A lot of LDS wedding days include a sealing, family photos, a luncheon, and an evening reception. That can work beautifully, but the travel time matters.
If possible, choose a luncheon or reception location that is close to the temple. This helps keep the day from feeling rushed and gives you more room in the schedule for photos and family.
When planning the timeline, do not forget to include:
Time to walk from the temple
Time for hugs and congratulations
Time to gather family members
Time for traffic and parking
Time to bustle the dress if needed
Time to freshen up before the luncheon or reception
The little transitions are usually where wedding timelines fall behind.
Nearby Photo Locations for St. George Temple Weddings
One of the best things about getting married in St. George is how close the temple is to beautiful Southern Utah scenery.
If you want more than temple photos, you can add a separate bridal session or sunset portrait session nearby.
Popular looks include:
Red rock desert portraits
Snow Canyon bridals
Downtown St. George portraits
Desert overlooks
Clean studio-style reception portraits
Palm tree and garden portraits around the temple
The temple gives you the classic wedding images. The nearby desert gives you the Southern Utah feeling. Together, they can make a full wedding gallery feel much more complete.
Tips for a Less Stressful St. George Temple Wedding Day
Give yourself more time than you think you need.
Make a family photo list before the wedding day.
Tell family exactly where to meet after the sealing.
Choose a helper from each side of the family.
Plan around heat if you are getting married in summer.
Consider bridals before the wedding day.
Keep the luncheon location close if possible.
Leave a little room in the timeline for candid moments.
Do not try to fit every single portrait into a rushed 20-minute window.
A temple wedding day does not need to feel chaotic. Most of the stress comes from unclear expectations, not from the actual events of the day.
Working With a Photographer for Your St. George Utah Temple Wedding
A good photographer should do more than show up and take pretty pictures. They should help you think through the flow of the day, the family photo list, the best light, the best portrait locations, and how much time you actually need.
This is especially true for temple weddings because the most important moments happen quickly. The exit, the hugs, the family photos, and the portraits all need to be handled with a mix of organization and calm.
The goal is not to turn your wedding day into a photoshoot. The goal is to help you enjoy the day while still creating meaningful, timeless images of the people and moments that matter most.
Final Thoughts on Planning a St. George Utah Temple Wedding
The St. George Utah Temple is a beautiful place to begin your marriage. With the right timeline and a little preparation, your wedding day can feel peaceful, joyful, and organized.
Plan enough time after the sealing. Make a family photo list. Think about the light. Consider doing bridals before the wedding day. Keep your locations simple. Give yourself room to enjoy the people who came to celebrate with you.
Your wedding photos should not just show what the day looked like. They should help you remember what it felt like.
If you are planning a St. George Utah Temple wedding and want help building a calm, photo-friendly timeline, I would love to help you think through the best way to photograph your day.
Frequently Asked Questions About St. George Utah Temple Weddings
Can you take wedding photos inside the St. George Utah Temple?
No. Wedding photos are taken outside the temple. The sealing itself is sacred and private.
How long should we plan for photos after a temple sealing?
Most couples should plan 60 to 90 minutes after the sealing for the temple exit, family photos, wedding party photos, and bride and groom portraits.
Where should we take photos at the St. George Utah Temple?
The front of the temple, garden areas, side angles, walking paths, and palm trees are all beautiful options. The best spot depends on the light and time of day.
Should we do bridals before the wedding day?
Bridals before the wedding day are a great option if you want more relaxed portraits, better light, or additional locations like Snow Canyon or the red rocks around St. George.
What time of day is best for St. George Temple wedding photos?
Early morning and late afternoon usually have the softest light. Midday can still work, but it is brighter and can be hotter, especially in the summer.
How do we make family photos go faster?
Make a family photo list ahead of time and assign one person from each side of the family to help gather people. Having a photographer who is experienced will make all the difference. You don’t want a photographer who is not assertive.
Can family who are not attending the sealing be in photos?
Yes. Many couples include family and friends in photos outside the temple after the sealing.
Should our luncheon or reception be close to the temple?
If possible, yes. A nearby luncheon or reception location makes the timeline easier and gives you more time for photos and family.
What should we bring for temple wedding photos?
Bring your bouquet, boutonniere, water, touch-up items, comfortable shoes if needed, and a family photo list.
Do we need a photographer who has photographed temple weddings before?
It helps immensely. Temple weddings have a unique flow, and experience with exits, family photos, and LDS wedding timelines can make the day much smoother.
