Coley Cook Photography’s Top 9 Forest Bridal Photo Locations for Utah Brides and Couples
If there’s one thing Utah is known for, it’s the stunning natural scenery and picturesque backdrops from the very top of the state to the southernmost boundary. From the rusty red rocks to towering rocky mountains, there isn’t a place in Utah you won’t find an amazing view, perfect for those romantic, jaw-dropping bridals that you’ll cherish forever. And the forests? Unbeatable.
Read about the best forest bridals locations in Utah from an amazing local wedding photographer with a specialty in capturing those life-changing backdrops for your bridal portraits.
A Great Photographer for a Great Backdrop
Coley Cook Photography, or Nicole, not only loves taking outdoor and forest bridals, but she’s a pro at making us feel like we were there; it’s like we can feel how authentically in love these couples are.
Coley says, “I’m a sucker for the mountains and being in the trees. I love the smell, the light filtering through the trees, and how the mountains are such an escape from the busy world. It makes your photo session feel extra magical and allows you to focus more on each other.”
In her words, “The traditional name of ‘bridals’ would refer to the bride getting portraits taken in her wedding attire by herself before the wedding day. In the last 20 years or so, it has become increasingly popular for both partners to attend the bridals session to get epic wedding portraits before the wedding day. These sessions are also commonly called groomals, formals, or first look formals.”
Who doesn’t love a good groomal session?
The Best Time for Forest Bridals
But with the added layer of forest bridals, well, that just makes everything that much better. “Utah has amazing mountains and views. When you are taking such once-in-a-lifetime photos, we are so lucky to be able to drive 15-60 minutes and be in epic scenery that feels breathtaking, ethereal, and as once-in-a-lifetime as your wedding.”
So when is the best time to book your forest bridal? Obviously we love the green, but that doesn’t mean Utah’s ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’ slogan should be overlooked.
Coley says the best time overall to book your forest formals is summer and fall in Utah. “Green leaves and grasses grow back by late spring and early summer. Wildflowers bloom through summer, and the leaves will begin to change to fall colors in early fall. A dusting of snow may start to hit the high mountains in early and mid-fall, adding even more magic to your mountain session.”
Whether it’s summer wildflowers or magical snowdust, you really can’t go wrong, and a great bridals photographer can capture the magic no matter the season.
For Couples Who Love Adventure and Fresh Air
The kind of couples who love the greenery, the rich smells of the pine needles, and the natural beauty of Utah’s plains and plateaus, are the kind of couples who have a love as endless as the evergreens.
“Couples that love to be a little (or a lot!) adventurous, are free-spirited, who enjoy fresh air and appreciate the beauty we have around us, naturally gravitate to forest locations. I recommend forest bridals for anyone and everyone!”
Coley Cook’s Favorite Forest Bridals Locations
And an amazing photographer like Coley can help you find an accessible location suitable for everyone. Here are her top 9 favorite places to capture those magical forest bridals, where the backdrop is as lovely as your love story.
Silver Lake, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Coley loves Silver Lake forest bridals location because “It has everything! Mountain peaks, an alpine lake, aspen trees, and tall pines.” Hannah and Cade’s bridals are more than just magical; the sunlight filtering through the trees and glistening over the tall grass makes us feel like we’re in a fairytale with them.
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
“June through early October is best. It is very high in the mountains, receiving snow very early and holding onto it until late in the spring season.”
Alpine Loop, American Fork Canyon
“I‘m a sucker for mountain views and pine trees. I love that there are also aspen trees around. There is also a small creek and a wooden bridge. A large parking lot is nearby, and the trail walking is minimal.”
This spot where Mindy and Jacob captured their stunning autumnal first look and portraits is easily accessible and beautiful.
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
“This location is only accessible from early summer to mid-fall. Once the Alpine Loop closes, this location is no longer reachable.”
Kyhv Peak
Our first location in Provo Canyon, Kyhv Peak is an unbeatable location with an unbeatable view, like in Rebekah and Sam’s bridals. “It is literally right off a large parking lot in Provo Canyon. It has stunning views, a darling wooden fence, and is accessible year-round!”
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
“Late spring to early summer is my favorite. During this time, there can be some beautiful wildflowers.”
Aspen Grove, Provo Canyon
Shaylee and Tanner’s forest bridals at Aspen Grove show off its best features: it’s a little bit of everything in one place. “This spot is next to a large parking lot and features pines, aspen trees, an open area for a meadowy feel, and epic mountain views. You can walk into the trees for a much more enclosed forest feel as well.”
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
“Summer to mid-fall is the best time. You’ll have full trees and leaves, with beautiful yellows in the fall.”
Silver Lake, American Fork Canyon
“The mountain views and alpine lake are absolutely stunning. There are so many areas to follow trails to get a deeper forest feel in the aspens as well.” Located above the beloved Tibble Fork Reservoir, Silver Lake in AF is an unbeatable must-visit for anyone who loves Utah’s hiking and nature. But for Kelsey and David’s bridals? Even better.
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
“Silver Lake is only accessible in summer and early fall. This location does require a several-mile drive on a mountain dirt road, and 4×4 is strongly recommended.”
Tibble Fork Reservoir, American Fork Canyon
Just like the last one, this Tibble Fork location from Sydnie and Jeremy’s bridals is perfect for amazing lighting and location, and is a local favorite. “It is accessible year-round, is close to parking, has stellar 360-degree mountain views, has lovely pine trees, and a little higher up there are gorgeous trees that change colors for fall. It also has a reservoir for alpine lake vibes as well.”
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
“Any time of year has its pluses at this location! Summer through winter are my favorites. Spring can be muddy, and the leaves have not grown back on the trees quite yet, but it really can be stunning no matter the season. Just be cautious of the muddy ground with your wedding dress.”
Lower Kyhv Peak, Provo Canyon
Just like the other Kyhv Peak location, these shots from Michelle and Anthony’s bridals make us feel like frolicking through a flower field ourselves. Have you ever seen something so green?
“This one is also right off a parking lot, so it’s very accessible with no hiking necessary. Kyhv has incredible canyon and mountain views; the yellow flowers will also bloom for a short time in late spring!”
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
“My favorite time here is late spring and early summer. That is when the lower plant life is blooming and the most green; it turns a golden yellow in late summer and fall.”
Slide Canyon, Provo
Just like the bridals from lower Kyhv Peak, these ones from Sarah and Johnny’s stunning forest bridals have all the magic of that area, plus a fabulous waterfall. “This spot has great mountain views, and you can see a waterfall to the south. Some small wildflowers may also appear in early summer. It is near a medium-sized parking lot; it requires the ability to walk a short incline and move on a hillside at the location.”
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
Take your forest bridals in Slide Canyon in “late spring to early fall. Depending on whether you want a greener look (early summer is great), or a yellow grass vibe (mid-summer through fall), your timing will matter.”
Heber Canyon
Moving right on up the mountainside into Heber Valley will give you amazing shots like these from Shantell and Josh’s bridals in Heber Canyon. “It has a quintessential Utah canyon feel with the yellow grasses, pines, and cedar trees.”
The Best Time for Bridals at This Location
Visit Heber Canyon, “summer through fall. Some spots can get some patches of wildflowers, which is beautiful.”
What to Look for In a Photographer for Your Forest Bridals
So many to choose from, how do you know which one you’ll love the most? That’s where you bring in the expertise of your photographer.
“I recommend looking for a photographer whose website and galleries display photos of couples in the mountains. Look through their work and galleries. Make sure their posing and editing style speaks to you. If you like 90% of what you see, there is a very high likelihood that you will like the images you receive from that photographer.”
See any stunning images lately from forest bridals you just love? Hint: there are at least nine here!
“It’s a great idea to have a conversation with your photographer before hiring them to make sure your personalities also mesh. You want your energies to blend together well to help your session and results come together just as you are hoping.”
We can speak to the fact that Coley not only captures these gorgeous photos, but is an absolute joy to be around—a quality you want in your photographer.
Read about why she’s referred to as ‘your border collie behind the lens’ in this editorial feature!
Picking a Spot
When it comes to choosing a favorite first bridals location from this list, it’s hard to choose just one, but Coley has her preferences, and she knows exactly what couples will love every time, no matter what.
“Jordan Pines in Big Cottonwood and Tibble Fork in American Fork Canyon are very popular, but for a great reason. They are easily accessible with close parking and have excellent forest vibes with pines and great mountain views. Both locations are accessible year-round as well, which is not so for quite a few mountain locations.”
And Coley’s favorite? “I’m a sucker for American Fork Canyon. I have favorites in every canyon, but AF hosts many of my favorites.”
Here’s what Coley says about helping her couples pick a spot that will check all their boxes—feel free to take these questions to your photographer!
“We talk about where the couple lives and which features are most important to them. Depending on what they want—a meadow feel, mountain peaks, an alpine lake, tall pines, easy accessibility, etc.—I give them the best locations with their prime features near where they live, and we go from there.”
If you have eyes to see, you’ll agree that Coley’s style is not only the perfect way to capture these stunning Utah backdrops, but that it feels romantic and playful all at the same time.
“I have a blended, fun, playful, and romantic style to my photos. It works beautifully for capturing the free-spirited and magical nature of the forest.”
This isn’t the only great advice we have from Coley Cook Photography; read about her tips on how to create the best wedding day photo timeline here!
Reach out to Coley here if you have questions about her favorite forest bridals locations, and of course, to get her on your calendar. If you want bridals as whimsical and timeless as these, Coley Cook is your girl. And she’ll be the best hype girl turned best friend for such a special moment in your wedding planning timeline!
All photos by Coley Cook Photography, a #UVBVendor.
