Ceremony Timing & Lighting

When creating the timeline for your wedding day, there are four factors to consider: lighting, logistics, privacy, and availability

Lighting

There is no secret here… the best photos are taken at sunset and sunrise. Nearly every “epic” outdoor wedding photo that you see online will be taken during one of these windows. In fact, some photographers refuse to work between 11am and - 3pm due to the adverse effects on photo quality. The reason for this is that the sun gets more and more “harsh” as it gets closer to noon. As this happens, shadows get more severe and the brightness adversely effects photo quality—not to mention people having to squint in photos. However, there are some exceptions! If the location you are using has natural shade, or if it’s an overcast day, you may be able to get that nice muted sunset glow any time of the day.

Rule of thumb:
The first hour starting at technical sunrise and 90 mins prior technical sunset are the best times of day for photos.
2-3 hours after sunrise, and 2-3 hours before before sunset are the second best time of day for photos.
Noon +/- 3 hours are the worst time of day for photos.

We do weddings at all times of the day, and rest assured that my photographers can make anything work. But if photo quality is a top priority of your day, strongly consider sunrise or sunset.

Logistics

Sunrise and sunset are great for photos, but during the summer this could have you getting ready at 4am, or eating dinner at 9pm. For this reason, you may want to balance the lighting with the logistics of your day. Consider the time it will take you to get ready, the drive to the location, and the time you want to be eating/celebrating afterwards. In some cases a more comfortable day is more important than exact sunrise lighting.

Privacy

If you are planning a wedding at a public park or overlook, and would like to prioritize your privacy, consider weekdays and early mornings. Each location is a bit different, but in most cases 10am - 5pm are the busiest time for outdoor activities. If your location is private, this doesn’t matter.

Availability

Sunsets are great, but unfortunately everyone seems to know that already! So if you are planning a wedding at a popular location or venue you may simply not find availability in the evenings. Have no fear though! Often times a specific location is more important to the couple than exact lighting.

Timing is really all about balancing priorities! Sunrises may make for great photos, but perhaps you don’t want to eat your cake for breakfast :)

Let me know what you have in mind, and I’ll help you figure out the best time!