Golden hour is the stretch of soft, warm light shortly after sunrise and before sunset. Plan to arrive about an hour before the sun goes down, shoot as the light turns golden, and finish when it fades. Check the sunset time for your exact place and date before you book.
This guide belongs to our romantic experiences topic. It follows our plan for how to plan a honeymoon photoshoot.
How do we check the sunset time?
Use a weather app or an official source for your exact place and date. Sunset can differ by town, by coast or by hill, and the sun can disappear behind a ridge before the official time.
Our page on checking sunset time before booking a tour shows the same steps. Write the time in your notes, then work backwards.
What does a timeline around sunset look like?
Build it backwards from the time. The table is a guide, not a rule.
| When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| About 75 minutes before sunset | Arrive, settle, change if needed | Time to find the spot and relax |
| About 60 to 45 minutes before | Start wide shots in the soft light | Warm, even light on faces |
| About 30 minutes before | Close portraits and walking shots | The light turns golden |
| Sunset | Silhouettes, hand-in-hand shots | Colour in the sky |
| About 15 minutes after | Finish | Afterglow can still give soft light |
What about sunrise instead?
Sunrise gives fewer visitors, a cooler temperature and a quiet mood. It asks for an early alarm, which is hard when you are tired from the wedding.
If you are a morning person, sunrise is lovely. If not, choose sunset, and keep the morning for sleep.
What if we need to pray at sunset?
Maghrib starts at sunset. Plan the shoot so you finish with time to pray, or ask the photographer to start earlier. Our page on sunset plans that respect Maghrib shows how to space it.
What if the sky is cloudy?
Cloud softens light and can give calm portraits, but the sunset colours will be muted. Have a plan B ready: a covered spot, a later time or another day.
Our guide on cloudy sunset backup plans lists what to do. Ask your photographer about rescheduling, as covered in photoshoot weather reschedule policies.
What should we wear and bring?
Pick colours that suit warm light, such as cream, sage and dusty blue. Bring water, insect repellent, a light layer and a torch for the walk back.
What should we do next?
- Look up the sunset time for your place and date.
- Count back to set your arrival time.
- Choose a backup day and a covered spot.
- Send us your dates, and we will check the timing and confirm the slot in writing.