There’s a certain kind of magic that happens just before sunset – the soft, warm light, the dreamy glow, the way everything feels a little more romantic. Known as golden hour, this short window of time is a favourite for photographers and a growing trend among couples who want their wedding to feel (and look!) truly unforgettable.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding bathed in natural beauty and that perfect, golden light, here’s how to plan a golden hour celebration that will have you looking back at your wedding photos in awe.
1. Timing Is Everything
As a rule, golden hour typically begins about an hour before sunset, depending on the time of year and your location. The key to making it work is planning your ceremony start time to align with this light. This would usually be around 60 to 90 minutes before the sun sets.
If you want those glowing “I do” moments captured in this magical golden light, this will be the heart of your timeline. Work closely with your planner and photographer to calculate the exact timing based on your wedding date and venue. Golden hour lighting is a photographer’s dream, so they will be able to guide you to achieve the right timing.
2. Pick the Right Setting for a Golden Hour Wedding
Golden hour light flatters just about everyone and everything, but choosing the right location will really enhance the effect. Open-air venues with wide views, like vineyards, gardens, rooftops, or coastal spots, are perfect for soaking in the light.
While you’re planning, don’t forget to think about your ceremony backdrop too. Positioning the centre of your ceremony where the light filters through trees or reflects off water can create the most stunning visual frame. A good planner will help you design the layout for the best use of natural light.
3. Set the Mood with Subtle Styling
When the lighting is this soft and romantic, you don’t need to go over the top with styling. Let the golden tones do the heavy lifting, and opt for décor that complements rather than competes with it.
Warm neutrals, soft pinks, rust, terracotta, champagne, and gold details all work beautifully. Use lots of natural textures, such as flowing fabrics, candles, wood, and delicate florals. The goal, here, is to create an atmosphere that feels like it belongs to that hour of the day.
4. Capture It All
Golden hour is heaven for photographers, so make sure you take advantage of it! We recommend scheduling your couple portraits during this window. Even if your ceremony happens earlier, you can always sneak away for a few minutes with your photographer as the light shifts.
For video, golden hour adds a cinematic quality to your wedding film that’s hard to beat. Work with your planner to create a timeline that gives your creative team the space to capture it all without rushing through.
5. Build the Day Around the Golden Hour Wedding Light
Planning a golden hour ceremony means the rest of your day might look a little different, and that’s not a bad thing.
You might start later in the afternoon, host a relaxed pre-ceremony cocktail hour, or opt for a seated dinner under the stars straight after the ceremony. Llve music and good food will carry the atmosphere from golden hour into a magical evening.
With thoughtful planning, the day flows effortlessly, creating a unique rhythm that both you and your guests will love!
6. Have a Plan B
As with any outdoor celebration, a golden hour wedding benefits from a flexible backup plan. If clouds roll in or the light doesn’t behave as expected, your planner will have an indoor or covered option ready to go that still feels special.
Great lighting can be recreated with the right styling, and a skilled photographer will still work wonders… no matter the conditions.
A golden hour wedding isn’t just about the light, it’s about the feeling.
It’s romantic, intimate, and effortlessly beautiful. With thoughtful timing and the right setting, you can create a wedding that feels like a warm embrace at the end of a perfect day.
Let the light (and your planner) do the magic. Your job is simply to enjoy every glowing second!
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