The Madison and Bryan wedding is a case study in what happens when a whole day is built around the light. Rather than fitting portraits wherever there was a gap, the timeline was planned backwards from sunset — and the photographs show it.
What golden hour actually is
Golden hour is the period shortly before sunset when the sun is low, warm and soft. Shadows lengthen, skin glows and backgrounds turn honey-coloured. In the mountains it can arrive earlier than the official sunset time because the sun drops behind the ridges first — something worth checking on site.
Building a timeline backwards from sunset
- Look up the sunset time for your date and location.
- Block out the 45 minutes before it for couple portraits — or 20 minutes if you’d rather stay with guests.
- Place the ceremony so it finishes about 90 minutes before sunset, leaving time for family photos and a breath.
- Schedule dinner around the portraits rather than the other way round.
When the weather doesn’t cooperate
Clouds aren’t a disaster. Overcast skies give soft, even light that’s flattering on everyone, and a break in the cloud at sunset can be the most dramatic light of the day. Keep the plan flexible and watch the sky together with your photographer.
Plan for the light, and the light will repay you.
Want help building your own timeline? Every couple receives a custom photography schedule as part of their collection. Check your date.
