- McCune Mansion – SLC, UT
McCune Mansion is definitely one of the most unique reception centers that the Salt Lake Valley has to offer. It’s a massive mansion on a hill, and the images I’ve gotten at that location have actually won me multiple awards. No joke! They have so many amazing places to photograph, I couldn’t even name them all. Definitely on venue to consider, especially if you love a vintage vibe. https://mccunemansion.com
2. Studio Elevn – SLC, UT
Studio Elevn is a photography studio turned reception venue! It’s a beautiful, white space with gorgeous and massive windows, so it’s great for photography. It does get a lot of direct light, so if you love that look, this is your place. They have a black wall as well, which I absolutely adore. It brings so much depth to your images, especially if you plan your décor around that depth! You can really make this space your own. The creativity I’ve seen here is something else. https://www.studioelevn.com
3. Crescent Hall – Sandy, UT
This is a brand-new venue located in Sandy, which is a great middle location for guests coming from anywhere in the valley, and even flying in. I’ve never shot there since it’s so new, but it’s gorgeous and I’d love to eventually book a wedding or two there! The arched doorways are so elegant and graceful, and I just know it’s going to add such a dynamic look to the photographs. They are expected to be done with all renovations by June 2021. Get at them while you still can! https://www.crescenthall.com
4. Cactus & Tropicals – Draper or SLC, UT
I’ve worked with Cactus and Tropicals for years now, and they are always amazing to work with. They have two greenhouse locations—one in Salt Lake City, and the other further south in Draper. The staff works hard to create a beautiful atmosphere at both locations, and their event planners are extremely helpful to bounce ideas off of. They have in-house florists that are insanely talented, and I’ve been very impressed with how unique every single wedding is there. The sky is the limit! https://www.cactusandtropicals.com/events-at-cactus-and-tropicals
5. Walker Farms — Provo, UT
Walker Farms is still relatively new to the Salt Lake area, but already, it’s become a crowd favorite! The bride room is definitely one of my favorite aspects of this venue. It’s large and spacious, gorgeously decorated, and photographs really well. Plenty of light in there! The fireplace is a beautiful centerpiece of the main area, and I’ve loved seeing how unique and different it can be decorated with each bride’s own vision. The outdoor area is also large and spacious, and there can be so many fun activities outdoors. If you’re planning on having a large amount of people come to your wedding, this is a good choice. https://walkerfarms.com
6. River Bottoms Ranch – Midway, UT
While this is further away from the city, it’s worth the drive. Midway, Utah is one of the most beautiful areas in Utah, located deep within the mountain ranges. It’s a quiet town, and a beautiful area to get married! And it gets even better—they know it’s a bit far from the main valley. So, they have several rooms available for guests to stay in, and it sleeps about 28 people. Forget the wedding day—you can have a wedding weekend! This is a high-end venue, so they do require a wedding planner. You can read more about this on their website! https://riverbottomsranch.com/weddings#/
7. The Azalea – South Jordan, UT
I love the Azalea! Each time I’ve photographed here, it’s always beautiful and clean. The staff and owners are a cute, little family that does such a fantastic job maintaining their space and taking care of their clients. I would recommend this location based on that alone (because the staff of a venue deeply impacts your day, so it’s very important), but it also is a gorgeous venue. There are two rooms available (they do connect!): one very large room, and one smaller room. Both photograph completely differently due to the windows in each room. While my personal favorite is the Primrose room, it can only fit a small group. So, if you’re having an intimate wedding, this is a fantastic spot. Another idea for this venue is to have your wedding dinner here before your wedding day! My sister and sister-in-law did this and it was flawless. https://www.theazalea.net
8. Ember – SLC, UT
Ember is a stunning venue in downtown Salt Lake City. If you’re wanting a rooftop vibe and some city shots, this is my absolute favorite place in Utah to make that happen. The rooftop shows off the beautiful buildings downtown, and they have two rooms for different events—and an industrial courtyard! They have a smaller brick room for smaller events, or the larger area with massive windows to let in natural light. As a photographer, I obviously prefer the natural light space! It comes with a bar area, white walls, a seating area, brick walls, and they have really cool rentals available! I’ve shot at this venue a couple times, but never a rooftop wedding! It’s a bucket list item for sure! http://emberslc.com
