Why you should take golden hour photos on your wedding day
Every day, something amazing happens. As the sun sets, the world is painted gold—it’s a kind of magic that turns even the most mundane locations into romantic backdrops. And when you put two people who are deeply in love in front of a camera during this time, their love becomes visible, tangible. From sun flares to gilded smiles, the images are coated in warmth and love. It’s the perfect time to take a photo.
Of course, there are more reasons to take photos during golden hour other than it just being absolutely GORGEOUS. For one, it’s great on skin tones! With the sun setting, there are no harsh, direct lights blowing out facial features or creating hard lines. Second, it’s also a great time of the day. It’s typically after work or the perfect pre-date activity on the weekends. You can easily turn your session into a date night! After all, you’re both already dressed up.
But why should this time matter on your wedding day? How can it benefit you and your partner?
Adding golden hour into your wedding timeline
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: weddings can be chaotic. From playing the host to guest of honor, you and your partner will be busy the entire day getting ready, taking part in traditions, and being the center of attention. As a result, a lot of couples have a hard time finding a moment to eat or to even just be alone together for a moment.
That’s why I highly recommend including breaks in your timeline! This can include blocking off time for you two to eat (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), alone time before your ceremony begins, and golden hour. All of these are great ways for you to be able to fully appreciate your day without getting too overwhelmed.
Blocking off time for you two to slip away during golden hour with your wedding photographer is both practical and incredibly romantic.
Here are three benefits to adding in golden hour portraits on your wedding day:
You get alone time
As I mentioned above, it’s hard to find time to have just to yourselves. Your wedding day is going to be packed with amazing moments. You’ll witness your two families meeting—maybe for the first time ever—you’ll take part in traditions, you’ll listen to toasts from old friends and your closest family members, and you’ll dance the night away surrounded by the people who matter the most to you two. It will be a day unlike any other. The downside to all of this excitement is that it can be kind of overwhelming.
It’s okay to take a step back and just spend some time alone with your new spouse. One great excuse for this is needing to slip away for golden hour—after all, the sun waits for no one. While you’re absolutely going to be taking romantic portraits of you two during this time, you’re also going to be almost completely alone. And your wedding photographer and videographers are going to be encouraging you two to focus on each other, your love, and really being in the moment. Which leads me to the next benefit of golden hour photos.
You get to be present in the moment
During golden hour photos, you will be able to take a deep breath and really appreciate your day—you two just got married!!! I’ve found this doesn’t really sink in for a lot of couples until they finally have some time alone. It’s hard to appreciate just how amazing the day is when you’re following a timeline, and this will be one of those moments during your wedding day that you can really step back and think “Wow! We did it!”
You’ll get to embrace your partner, take epic photos, and watch the sun set on your perfect day.
These are the photos you’re going to hang on your wall
Don’t get me wrong. You should absolutely print your getting ready photos, family formals, and reception shots. These are great images for wedding albums because they really tell the full story of your day. But the golden hour photos will be the ones you print and hang on your walls. They will be the centerpiece of your day—the first photos of you as a married couple, celebrating your love and commitment, and gilded in warmth from the sun set. These are the photos that will make your friends envious and your mommas cry; the ones you share year after year on social media and show your kids one day.
Plus, these photos are more than likely to be epic. Whether you’re getting married in the Pacific North West and have stunning views of Mt. Rainier in the background or you’re getting married in Central California and have the rolling vineyards of Paso Robles, these photos will be jaw-dropping and beautiful!
As an additional bonus, these images make for great Thank You cards, gifts to your parents during the holiday, and eventually family heirlooms. Because if you’re investing in wedding photography, you should absolutely take advantage of this opportunity. This day is only going to happen once and you’ll want these photos to last you a lifetime of happiness (and decor).
It’s worth it
While golden hour photos do require you to step away from your amazing party for a little while, it’s well worth the sacrifice. Plus, it really only requires you being gone for 20 to 30 minutes, and in the grand scheme of things, that’s really not that long. You’ll get to be alone with your new husband or wife for the first time since you said “I do,” you’ll get to be present in the moment and appreciate what you two just did, and you’ll have beautiful memories to print and hang on your wall!
My advice? Don’t miss this opportunity. Do it!
Photos featured in the blog post were captured second shooting for The Poffs.
