Golden Hour: The Holy Grail on a wedding day
‘Golden Hour’, that magical time just before sunset could easily be considered the ‘Holy Grail’ for wedding photographers on a wedding day. Why? Well, for starters, the light during this time is incredibly flattering. It's soft, warm, and oh-so-gentle, making everyone look like they're straight out of a fairytale. Instead of harsh shadows and squinting eyes, you get this dreamy, romantic glow that's just perfect for capturing the love between newlyweds.
Let's talk about the colours! Golden Hour isn't called that for nothing. The light bathes everything in this beautiful, golden hue that adds warmth and richness to every photo taken. It's like nature's own Instagram filter, making everything look a hundred times more magical. The best time to do ‘golden hour’ photos is typically around 40-30 minutes before the actual sunset. This will give you enough time to capture the golden light of the sun and the unique colors of the sky. So, when you’re planning the timeline for your wedding day, it is incredibly worthwhile to research when the golden hour is likely to be and ensure you haven’t got much planned during this time that has to be interrupted. I often cry inside when I see speeches planned for at the end of a meal because this is usually when Golden Hour will be starting! I recommend the Sun Today website to know when is best for golden hour portraits. When you choose me as a photographer, I will do this research for you and consult with you about it before your day.
But it's not just about the technical stuff. Golden Hour also highlights your venue’s most incredible backdrops. Whether it's a stunning sunset over the water or the soft light filtering through the trees in a quiet countryside, the scenery during golden hour adds an extra layer of beauty to your wedding photos. My top tip for when you are wedding venue hunting is to find out where the sun sets! Then you can picture where your golden hour wedding photos will be.
Golden Hour isn't just about taking pretty pictures. It's about capturing emotions. There's something about that warm, romantic light that brings out the love and happiness in everyone. Or maybe it’s that extra Vitamin D we so lack in the U.K.! The photos taken during golden hour aren't just images; they're memories frozen in time, filled with all the joy and magic of a wedding day. And you know what else? Even if the sun is hidden behind thick clouds, taking time out for 15 minutes at this time of the early evening is something treasured. Taking that time out just for the both of you to breathe, be away from the crowd, and just hold each other will be the most memorable.
Golden Hour is genuinely the holy grail for wedding photographers but also newlyweds. It's like hitting the jackpot in terms of light, colors, scenery, and emotions. No wonder we wedding photographers are always chasing that perfect golden hour moment—it's when the real magic happens.
