Timeline and Gallery: Golden hour wedding photos
Golden hour wedding photos are the most magical. It can turn a boring pose or moment into something a little more romantic or ethereal with that kiss of golden sunlight.
What is golden hour
The first step is to check when sunset is on your wedding day. From sunset time, subtract 30 minutes, and that’s when the golden hour typically starts. It ends just about 5-10 minutes before sunset.
How long does golden hour last
As a wedding photographer, I plan golden hour photos for 15 minutes, around 30 minutes before sunset time
Why is golden hour good for photography?
The proof is in the pudding. Check out the golden hour photography examples in the gallery below to see why it’s good for photography.
Does golden hour happen everyday?
The answer is sadly, no. Golden hour happens when the sky is partly cloudy or a sunny day. On rare occasions golden hour can occur on a cloud day if there’s a nice break in the clouds within that 30 minute time frame before sunset.
An ideal wedding timeline to take golden hour photos
The first step is to check when sunset is on your wedding day. From sunset time, subtract 30 minutes, and that’s when the golden hour typically starts. As a wedding photographer, I wouldn’t say I like it when I have to take the couple away from their cocktail hour and wedding reception for portraits. I try to limit this as much as possible and focus on capturing candid-style photography. So this is a wedding timeline best for taking golden hour photos. This example is based on a 7 PM sunset time. However, this can be adjusted based on your wedding date/sunset time.
Golden Hour wedding timeline
Copy & Paste is okay!
This is a wedding timeline where the couple is getting ready and having festivities all at one venue without any travel involved for photography. This usually means the couple needs to buy out their venue for at least 15.5 hours
- 8:30 AM Arrive to venue (prep for vendors, unload decor, meet with venue staff, eat breakfast)
- 9:30 AM Glam services begin (estimated 4 hours of services will vary by your artist’s team)
- 1:15 PM Florals are dropped off for detail photos (same time as detail shots start time)
- 1:15 PM Detail shots of the bride & groom’s attire, florals, and invitations (45 minutes)
- 1:30 PM Hair and makeup complete (30 minutes before the first photo)
- 2 PM Bridal prep photos with the lead photographer (1.5 hours)
- 2:30 PM Groom prep photos with 2nd photographer (1 hour)
- 3:30 PM Buffer time (15 minutes)
- 3:45 PM Private First look (15 minutes)
- 4 PM Wedding party photos (30 minutes)
- 4:30 PM Couples portraits (30 minutes)
- 5 PM VIP & Family photos (30 minutes)
- 5:30 PM Champagne Welcome (30 minutes)
- During this time, it’s a great time to arrange hair and makeup touchups
- 6 PM Ceremony (30 minutes)
- 6:30 PM Cocktail Hour (90 minutes)
- 6:30 PM – 6:45 PM Golden hour just married wedding photos, outdoors (15 minutes)
- 6:45 PM – 8 PM Enjoy cocktail hour (passed hors d’oeuvres, games & activities, live music, open bar)
- 7 PM – 7:30 PM Sunset – Guests typically take photos outside/around the venue because of the natural wonder!
- 7:50 PM The just married couple visits empty reception space for a private viewing before guests arrive (10 minutes before reception opens to guests)
- 8 PM Reception Photos (4 hours)
- 8 PM Guests get seated
- Pre-plated salads
- Bar is open
- Orders taken
- 8:15 PM Intros
- Parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, kids, couple
- Line up the perimeter of the dance floor
- 8:20 PM First dances
- Just married dance
- Parent dances
- Allow buffer time for orders taken; guests get seated
- 8:40 PM Speeches
- Please tell speakers to limit their time to 5 minutes, so there is more time for dancing and entertainment later.
- Dinner is served
- Entertainment (show with dancers, magician, live performance)
- Nighttime magical photo (15 minutes)
- Photo dash: a 5-minute song game where the couple RUNS around to each table doing a funny picture
- Dance floor opens
- Unannounced cake cut
- Dessert table/late-night snacks are available
- Pass out light-up foam sticks
- 8 PM Guests get seated
Learn more about: wedding photography timelines
Golden hour wedding photos gallery
