There’s a reason photographers call it golden hour.
That soft, glowing light right before sunset (or just after sunrise) has a way of turning even ordinary moments into something cinematic.
For couples, it’s not just about the light; it’s about the feeling. When the sun dips low and the world slows down for a moment, everything becomes warmer, softer, and more romantic.
As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how this time of day can completely transform a session. If you’re planning your 2026 or 2027 wedding, here’s why golden hour might be the most magical window for your couple portraits.
What Exactly Is “Golden Hour”?
Golden hour is the short period after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, creating soft, diffused light. It wraps everything in a gentle warmth that flatters skin tones, adds depth, and makes colours come alive.
The light at this time doesn’t just illuminate; it paints. It highlights movement, emotion, and connection in a way that harsh midday light simply can’t.
Why It Matters for Wedding Photography
Good light is the foundation of great photography, and golden hour provides some of the most flattering light nature has to offer.
1. It Creates a Romantic Glow
The warm tones and soft highlights naturally enhance the emotion of the moment. Whether it’s a quiet embrace or laughter between you and your partner, golden hour adds a cinematic atmosphere to every frame.
2. It Softens Everything
Unlike harsh midday sun, golden hour light is gentle and even. There are no strong shadows or squinting eyes, just soft, flattering light that makes skin look luminous and backgrounds beautifully balanced.
3. It Makes Colors Pop
From your floral arrangements to the tones of your outfits, everything looks richer under golden light. Even simple scenes—a field, a stone path, a rooftop—suddenly feel like something out of a movie.
4. It Sets the Mood
As the sun sets, the world naturally slows down. That transition creates the perfect atmosphere for connection. Couples often tell me their golden hour portraits were their favourite part of the day because it gave them a moment to breathe and be together.
How to Plan for Golden Hour
Every location and season offers a slightly different golden hour window, but on average, it lasts about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
1. Check the Sunset Time
Use a weather app or a site like TimeandDate.com to see when the sun sets at your venue. Then, schedule portraits to begin roughly one hour before that time.
2. Build It into Your Timeline
Work with your photographer to include this in your schedule. If your ceremony ends around sunset, we can step out during cocktail hour for a short golden hour session.
3. Pick the Right Location
Open areas like fields, beaches, or spots with a clear western view are ideal. Light filters beautifully through trees or around buildings at this time, creating natural highlights and flares.
4. Allow for Flexibility
Golden hour moves quickly, especially during summer weddings. Keeping your schedule a little flexible ensures we can catch the best light without feeling rushed.
Real Moments, Not Just Pretty Light
Golden hour portraits aren’t about posing or perfection; they’re about presence.
During this time, I often guide couples with soft direction instead of structured poses. We might take a walk, share a quiet conversation, or simply enjoy the light together. The emotion feels effortless, and that translates beautifully in photos.
Couples often tell me afterward that it didn’t even feel like a photo session; it felt like a pause in the day, a calm moment to reconnect before heading back to the celebration.
Why It’s Worth It
You’ll spend months planning your outfits, location, and details, but light is what ultimately shapes how those moments look and feel in your photos.
When you plan for golden hour, you’re giving yourself the gift of atmosphere. The light becomes part of your story; it hugs you in warmth, brings out your connection, and makes even the simplest gestures glow with emotion.
Golden hour photos also create a beautiful contrast within your wedding gallery. They feel timeless beside the high-energy images from your reception or the emotional ceremony moments earlier in the day.
Bonus: Golden Hour Isn’t Just for Weddings
If you’re planning an engagement session, golden hour is also the perfect time to capture relaxed, romantic portraits before your wedding day. The soft lighting makes every setting, from city streets to countryside fields, feel dreamy and cinematic.
My Approach as a Photographer
I always plan around light before anything else. For me, photography is not only about documenting moments but also about capturing how they feel.
During golden hour, everything aligns: light, emotion, and energy. I’ll guide you naturally through movement and connection, letting the light do most of the work. The result feels effortless, intimate, and full of life.
Final Thoughts
Golden hour isn’t just about perfect lighting; it’s about emotion. It’s about slowing down in the middle of one of the fastest, most meaningful days of your life and soaking it all in together.
As the light fades and the world turns golden, something shifts. The photographs become more than images; they become memories of how the moment felt.
If you’re planning your 2026 or 2027 wedding, let’s design your timeline to include this incredible window of light. You’ll thank yourself later when you see the glow in your gallery.
👉 Inquire Now to chat about your wedding day timeline and how we can make the most of golden hour together.
