When Austin first reached out to me, he had the sweetest plan in mind to put together a surprise proposal at Red Butte Garden—he wanted to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Rachel, in one of their favorite places in Salt Lake City. This lush, peaceful garden had always held special meaning for the two of them, making it the perfect backdrop for a surprise proposal. With its vibrant blooms, winding pathways, and quiet corners, planning a surprise proposal at Red Butte Garden will set the stage for an unforgettable moment filled with love, nerves, and the most joyful “yes!” you can imagine.
There are so many reasons why Red Butte Garden is a great spot to pop the question. Spanning over 100 acres, this garden offers so many options for your perfect location to propose. Beyond the busy amphitheater, there are also many secluded spots. The rose garden is where most of these photos were taken so I highly recommend checking it out! Even just the small walking paths are a great option during off season to avoid other visitors.
Outdoor and Orangerie proposals may require permission—check with the venue.
Hire a photographer to capture the magic—especially during golden hour. Local pros like me specialize in surprise proposals. Check out my work here.
Plan for late afternoon in the spring and summer for soft golden light.
If you are planning to propose, but are un sure of what you should wear, bring a change of clothing! Austin knew Rachel wanted to wear a white dress when they got engaged. Without giving the surprise away he carefully picked out a beautiful white summer dress for her to wear and packed it away in a “Picnic basket.” He had the dress and a change of shoes ready for her as soon as she said “YES!”
Ready to start planning your surprise proposal? I’m here to help! Contact me here.
Tags: Red Butte Garden proposal, Salt Lake City engagement, surprise proposal garden, best proposal spots SLC, botanical garden proposal Utah.
Shannon Ferrell Photography
Maddy + Drew
"Working with Shannon was an absolute dream! We are so happy with our photos. We would recommend her to anyone in the Utah area. She was so much fun to work with and made posing for photos effortless."
Mari + Britt
"Shannon is such a wonderful person to work with. She’s sweet, patient and creative. I absolutely recommend her. She has a way to make you feel comfortable and will be your #1 fan during that shoot. Thank you again for our couple's session!"
Maddy + Drew
"Working with Shannon was an absolute dream! We are so happy with our photos. We would recommend her to anyone. She was so much fun to work with and made posing for photos effortless."
Mari + Britt
"Shannon is such a wonderful person to work with. She’s sweet, patient and creative. I absolutely recommend her. She has a way to make you feel comfortable and will be your #1 fan during that shoot. Thank you again for our couple's session!"
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