3 Tips to Capturing Wedding Day Sunset Portraits

There is a reason they call it “golden hour!” If I can, I always try to build the wedding day schedule around when the sun sets. The best time during a wedding for the bride and groom to take sunset photos is either cocktail hour or while guests are eating dinner! If you can manage to build your sunset into your wedding day, you will get photos that look like this!

Pro Tip No. 1: the best lighting for sunset in not during the actual sunset, but within the hour prior! So make sure you can be outside about 30-45 minutes before sunset.

Pro Tip No. 2- If you are getting married in the fall/winter and your sun sets early, I would highly recommend considering a first look so you don’t miss out on that golden lighting!

Pro Tip No. 3- If you are getting married in the summer and the sun does not set until later in the night, have your photographer pull you out of dinner hour for a quick 15-20 minute portrait session while your guests are finishing dinner! If you are going to be stepping out during dinner, consider eating a private meal with your spouse during cocktail hour!

Rain or shine, clear skies or clouds, sunset portraits always turn out magical!