There’s so much to think about when planning a wedding, and you’ll probably have every hour accounted for. From the ceremony and drinks reception to your delicious wedding breakfast and evening entertainment, it’s likely that everything will run to a perfectly timed schedule. However, there’s one time of day on your wedding that is extra special, and that’s golden hour. Just before the sun sets, the warm, golden natural light as the evening sneaks in can create the perfect romantic backdrop for photos, activities, and help you and your guests relax and transition into the nighttime entertainment. This post has everything you need to know to be able to make the most out of this magical hour on your wedding day.
Plan Your Wedding Order of The Day Around Sunset
Now, golden hour doesn’t last very long (45 minutes to an hour maximum), so it’s a good idea to roughly know when the sun will set on your wedding day and plan your order of the day around this. You don’t want to be tucking into your wedding breakfast and miss the whole moment! Speaking to your photographer, videographer, and venue will help you decide on the order of the day and allow you to keep that all-important golden hour free so you can enjoy the atmospheric light before it fades into night.
Decide Where The Best Place For Photos Is
Just before sunset is the perfect time for you to have your couple portraits taken. The soft, natural light can help create a more relaxed atmosphere and give your photos a light that is more flattering. Candid photos of you and your partner walking, talking, laughing, and taking in your surroundings are a great way to capture those golden tones. Your venue might be set within beautifully landscaped gardens or expansive fields, or have a lake that shimmers in the last moments of daylight. All of these locations make a stunning backdrop for golden hour shots. If it’s bad weather, don’t fear! There are plenty of indoor locations that work for golden hour. Large windows, orangeries, stained glass, or open doorways all let the light flood in for romantic photos.
Use The Sunset To Elevate Your Guests’ Experience
As well as photos, golden hour is the perfect time to plan activities to help your guests unwind and relax into the evening. A hot air balloon ride, a champagne tower on the terrace, an acoustic musician, and lawn games are all great ideas for activities that your guests will love. If you want to impress your guests even more, or if you are getting married on a boat, then a relaxing Connecticut River sunset cruise is sure to wow and bring plenty of photo opportunities, too.
Be Sure To Enjoy Yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in worrying about doing golden hour “right.” You don’t have to have extravagant activities if you won’t enjoy them; you could simply encourage your guests to move outside to take in the view of the sun setting and lounge in comfortable seating if you prefer something low-key. What’s important is that what you do suits you and your partner as a couple. Wedding planning can be stressful, so don’t let golden hour be one more thing on your worry list. Instead, do what feels right for you; that’s what your guests will remember.