The Best Time of Day for Wedding Photos: A Guide to Perfect Lighting

The Best Time of Day for Wedding Photos: A Guide to Perfect Lighting

One of the biggest factors that impact how your wedding photos turn out? Lighting. The time of day you schedule key moments like your ceremony, portraits, and reception can make a huge difference in how your photos look and feel.

As a photographer, I always guide my couples to plan around the best natural light to ensure their photos are soft, flattering, and full of warmth. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the perfect time for wedding photos.

Golden Hour: The Dreamiest Light for Photos
If you want that warm, glowy, cinematic feel in your wedding photos, golden hour is the best time to plan for portraits. This happens in the hour before sunset, when the sun is lower in the sky, creating soft, golden light with no harsh shadows.

✅ Best for couple’s portraits, wedding party, and intimate moments
✅ Creates soft, warm, and romantic images
✅ Avoids harsh midday shadows that can be unflattering
📌 Pro Tip: If you’re having a late afternoon ceremony, plan to sneak away for 10-15 minutes during golden hour for some magical sunset portraits!

Morning Light: A Soft & Fresh Start
Morning weddings offer soft, even light, especially if you’re getting ready near a window with natural light pouring in.
✅ Best for getting ready photos & first looks
✅ Cooler tones for a crisp, fresh feel
✅ Great for indoor spaces with large windows
📌 Keep in Mind: If you’re doing outdoor portraits in the morning, the light can be bright and slightly cooler in tone compared to golden hour.

Midday Light: Bright & Bold (but Tricky!)
The hours between 11 AM and 3 PM have the brightest, most direct sunlight. While it can create vibrant, high-contrast images, it can also lead to harsh shadows and squinting if you’re outside.
✅ Best for ceremonies with shade or indoor settings
✅ Works well for modern, high-contrast, editorial-style photos
📌 Pro Tip: If your ceremony or portraits take place at midday, look for shaded areas or soft backlighting to avoid harsh shadows.

Blue Hour: A Cool, Moody Aesthetic
Right after sunset, blue hour offers a deeper, moodier light that works beautifully for creative portraits or a romantic end-of-day moment.
✅ Best for moody, cinematic portraits & flash photography
✅ Can create romantic and intimate images before the night ends
✅ Ideal for nighttime reception shots with sparklers or twinkle lights
📌 Pro Tip: If you love a dramatic look, plan for a few minutes of portraits during blue hour with string lights, candles, or city lights in the background.

Final Thoughts: Plan for the Best Light
The best wedding photos happen when you plan around lighting that flatters and enhances your day. Whether it’s golden hour magic, soft morning light, or moody evening portraits, understanding the impact of lighting can help you get the most out of your wedding photography.

If you’re unsure how to schedule your day for the best photos, I’m happy to help! Let’s work together to craft a timeline that ensures you get the most beautiful images possible. 💛

📍 Ready to plan your dream wedding timeline? Let’s chat!