Utah Valley sees a lot of proposals, and the good spots are the ones where you can be alone for a minute and still get a picture. This guide covers where to ask, what each place allows if you bring a photographer, and how the season changes the choice. We read Thanksgiving Point's photography policy and BYU's campus filming and photography policy on October 20, 2026; the rest links to our detailed guides for each place.
Before you pick a place
- Decide whether there will be a photographer. Many of the best spots are free for two people and a phone, and have rules once someone is posing you with a camera.
- Check the ring is ready. Our lab-grown vs natural diamonds guide and engagement rings guide cover the buying side.
- Have a weather plan. Canyons and overlooks can turn cold or windy fast; gardens close for events.
Gardens
Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point (Lehi). Themed gardens with water features and lawns. Thanksgiving Point's policy is specific: every photography session, including personal ones, needs a paid Photo Pass and an advance reservation. A quick, unposed phone snapshot does not. The Ashton Gardens pass is $100 ($90 for members) for up to two hours, separate from admission. There are no walk-ups and no same-day reservations, sessions must be during operating hours, and drones are not allowed. Our Ashton Gardens guide covers the seasons and the layout.
Hidden Falls and the Water Tower Reception Gardens, Thanksgiving Point. The same policy at half the price: $50 ($40 for members), and Thanksgiving Point says walk-up passes can be bought here during venue hours.
Thanksgiving Point's other rules for a photo session: stay on the paths, do not move benches, signs or displays, no outfit changes on site, no pets, and arrive together through the main entrance. Commercial and portfolio photography is not allowed.
Mountains and overlooks
The Y. The hike to the block Y above BYU is about 1.1 miles each way and steep, and the view of the whole valley at the top is the reason so many Provo proposals happen there. Go early on a weekday for privacy; see our Y Mountain trail guide.
Provo Canyon. Overlooks, the river and the canyon walls, many reachable from a parking pullout. Our Provo Canyon photo spots guide covers the best light and where to stop.
Bridal Veil Falls. The name alone makes it a proposal favorite. The area is partway through a Utah County reconstruction, so check our Bridal Veil Falls guide for what is open before you plan around it.
Utah Lake at sunset. Flat water, the mountains behind, and the sun going down over the lake. Our Utah Lake State Park guide covers access and fees, and the sunset cruises guide covers asking on the water.
Campus
BYU's policy lets anyone take photos and video on campus for personal use, as long as it is "unobtrusive" and does not interrupt programs, classes or activities. It prohibits filming or photographing on campus for commercial purposes. The policy does not mention proposal or portrait photographers, so if you are hiring a paid photographer for a campus proposal, contact BYU University Communications first. Some events and buildings have their own photography restrictions.
Temple grounds
Temple grounds are open to visitors, and many Utah Valley couples have a meaningful connection to a particular temple. A proposal there should be quiet and brief. On Fridays and Saturdays especially, wedding parties gather outside for photos, so stay clear of the exits and give families space. Rules on photography and tripods are set temple by temple; if a photographer is coming, ask the temple first. Our temple visitor guide covers visiting hours and etiquette, and our temple grounds guide covers each grounds in the valley.
Seasons
Spring: the gardens in bloom. Busy garden weekends make a reserved photo session more valuable.
Summer: early mornings and late evenings. Hikes and overlooks are at their best, and the midday heat is the enemy of a nervous person in a jacket.
Fall: Provo Canyon and the Alpine Loop in color. Our fall in Provo guide covers when the leaves peak.
Winter: the lights. Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point runs November 12, 2026 through January 9, 2027, closed Sundays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with timed entry; see our Luminaria guide. Temple Square's Christmas lights in Salt Lake City are the other classic; our Temple Square in December guide has this year's dates and the FrontRunner option. Both are crowded, so a quiet corner and a quick question beat a big production.
After the yes
The first month matters more than most couples expect. Our Just Engaged guide puts the decisions in order, our engagement photographers guide covers the photos that follow, and our Utah County Wedding Cost Study shows what the wedding will cost. For more date ideas while you plan, see date ideas in Provo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I propose at Ashton Gardens with a photographer?
Can a photographer capture a proposal on BYU campus?
Is there a cheaper garden at Thanksgiving Point?
Where can you propose with a view of the whole valley?
What about proposing at the temple?
Where can you propose under Christmas lights?
Can I bring a drone for the proposal video?
When should the photographer arrive?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Filming and photography on campus policy, Brigham Young University. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Photography policy, Thanksgiving Point. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Thanksgiving Point: Luminaria, Thanksgiving Point. Checked October 20, 2026.
