How to Make the Most of Golden Hour on Your Wedding Day
Golden hour can be a perfect time to capture those dreamy fine art newlywed portraits. If you’ve seen my work here or over on Instagram before, then you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of making the most of this gorgeous glowy light wherever I can! Given the right conditions, the final hour of light before the sun dips below the horizon can create the softest, most enchanting, and romantic imagery on your wedding day.
Here’s a few tips to help you make the most of it...
Discover the type of golden hour wedding photography you prefer
Wedding photographers have lots of different styles of working with natural light. Sometimes it’s moody, intense, and more direct with the sun beaming down on couples, other times it may be backlit with a gentler glow. As a fine art wedding photographer, I always prefer a softer, more ethereal aesthetic to my photos and will capture golden hour moments to reflect this. Have a look at various examples and make sure you love the way a photographer shoots during this time of day if it’s something you’re keen to be captured.
2. Prepare for the weather
We’ll need to consider the weather on your wedding day and unfortunately in the UK, there’s not a huge amount that we can do about this! Golden hour is most effective when you’ve had a sunny cloudless day, or when the clouds lift in the evening, revealing a clear horizon for the sun to set against.
Try to avoid setting yourself up for disappointment and see the opportunity for golden hour imagery as a bonus, rather than an expectation. Sometimes the rainiest of days can lead to the most magical golden hour, it’s rather unpredictable. However, your wedding photographs will be incredibly special, no matter what the weather decides to do!
3. Discuss it with your photographer
I always schedule meetings with my couples in the lead up to their wedding date, where we discuss the different timings and opportunities for photos throughout the wedding day. I usually plan to capture some couple portraits during the drink’s reception and a few more in evening depending on the time of year. If you’re dreaming of a beautiful sunset photo session, then there’s no harm in letting your photographer know so they can make a note on their itinerary that this is a must should the opportunity arise!
4. It’s all in the timings
Golden hour happens at different times throughout the year in the UK, depending on the season and daylight-saving hours. I find during the later spring and summer months that we can usually make the most of longer evenings after the wedding breakfast for photos. On the other hand, if you’re planning an autumn or winter wedding when the sunsets earlier, it may be possible to capture this ahead of your wedding breakfast, or alternatively pop out briefly between courses or speeches should you choose.
On the wedding day, I scout out locations in advance and stay on the lookout for any beautiful golden light. This way I’m always ready to whisk you away at the perfect moment!
5. Soak it all in
Not only is golden hour undeniably enchanting, but it also offers you the chance to steal some time together as newlyweds and spend a few peaceful moments away from guests. Use the time to savour the present moment, reflect on the day and enjoy being married. Lots of couples tell me that they really cherish these rare quieter moments together on the wedding day.
The main thing is to put your trust in your wedding suppliers who will be able to guide you so that you can relax and enjoy the day! Golden hour is never a guarantee, but can add an extra little slice of magic to your day should we be lucky enough. If you’re getting married in the UK and would love some beautiful fine art wedding photography, get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!
TARA STATTON PHOTOGRAPHY
