Four photos showcase golden hour photography: a bride stands alone in a sunlit forest, the groom carries her, they hold hands with sunlight behind them, and share a kiss in a meadow surrounded by trees and hills.

Top 5 Reasons to Schedule Golden Hour Photography

If you look at your Pinterest Board of all the images you want on your wedding day, I guarantee you’ve pinned many photos taken at the golden hour. What is golden hour? It’s the magic hour. The light-perfection hour. It’s the best time to take photos on a wedding day. But it doesn’t last long. This short window of pretty light occurs about one hour before sunset (depending on the venue). Whether you are planning on doing a First Look or all your photos after the ceremony, this is a time that you don’t want to miss on your wedding day. Below are the Top 5 Reasons to Schedule Golden Hour Photography.

Two wedding photos: On the left, a bride and groom embrace under trees at golden hour photoshoot illuminating her long veil. On the right, they smile together on grass, houses and trees glowing softly in the background. — September wedding at Marblegate Farm

1. The Light

Light is the single MAIN thing we look for when shooting on a wedding day. Where is it? How do we get more of it? Or less of it? How do we use it to make you look freaking amazing? So, think of golden hour as nature’s perfect filter for photos, as it creates an amazing, soft light that is perfect for photos. And it’s perfect for virtually any type of photography. Such as portraits or landscape settings. Shooting during this timeframe always provides fantastic images. Even a non-photographer can see the appeal of taking photographs during such a beautiful time of the day!

Now, despite its name, golden hour doesn’t necessarily have to mean a nice sunset. Even if the day is cloudy, the light is still ideal at this time. The shadows are soft, and the subjects (AKA the amazing wedding couple) are bathed in an even glow. Don’t be bummed by a cloudy day! Embrace it!

A bride in an off-shoulder lace gown and a groom in a black tuxedo stand close together on a gravel path in a wooded area, smiling and embracing in soft, natural golden hour images—capturing the magic of golden hour photography. — November wedding at Dancing Bear Lodge

2. Back-Up Portrait Time

Let’s be real here. Weddings are messy, and things don’t always go as planned. Having additional time scheduled on your wedding day is always a plus. If, for some reason, the timeline gets pushed back and portraits are cut short (due to hair and makeup or weather), this time is already scheduled in as an extra bonus.

This backup time is particularly common in the summertime, when sunset isn’t until 8:30pm or later. For winter wedding couples, work with your professional wedding photographer to create a timeline that works well with an earlier sunset. This may be an earlier ceremony time, or scheduling your couple photos right before you walk down the aisle.

Left: A couple stands closely in a forest at sunset, bathed in warn light glow. Right: The couple kiss while friends in green dresses and suits cheer, holding bouquets, before a wooden lodge. — Mountain-Top Wedding at The Magnolia in Green and Cream Colors

3. Additional Portrait Locations

If you are considering an Aisle Look for your wedding, then ALL of your couple photos will be during this time. Which is great! For the couples who chose a First Look, don’t worry. You can definitely schedule golden hour photography for your wedding day timeline. It is what we would prefer! That way, you get so many different location choices on your wedding day.

There are some places on a wedding day where we just don’t want to photograph couples. Why? Because the scene isn’t the best. It may be too bright, too hot, or just too inconvenient. Those East Tennessee fields are beautiful, but you will roast in them at 3pm. Instead, the perfect time is at golden hour, when it’s cooler, and the light is softer. Scheduling that time after the ceremony when your guests are happily eating cake is a win-win for everyone.

Two brides in wedding dresses stand outdoors on a mountain, holding hands and smiling at each other; the warm glow of golden hour photography enhances the lush green trees and distant misty mountains in the background. — May wedding at The Magnolia Venue

4. Alone Time

Golden hour photography can be some of the most romantic and beautiful keepsake portraits for couples from their wedding day. It’s also a time for the wedding couple to take a moment to reflect. Pause. Soak up the wedding day. At this point, much of the hustle and bustle is complete. Take this small window of time to be truly grateful for your day. Love on each other a just a little bit more, and to soak in some gorgeous, warm sunlight before going back to your reception. I promise you will not regret it. And once it’s over, we will send you back into your reception to kick off that dance floor!

A couple in wedding attire stands in a sunlit field; on the left, the groom lifts the bride as they smile, and on the right, they share a kiss in tall grass beneath a large tree—an enchanting moment of Golden Hour Photography. — Elopement in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

5. Consider Blue Hour

Shoot! Did we miss golden hour? No worries! Even after the sun has set, there is still enough light to take some awesome photos. Blue hour isn’t often talked about, but it’s definitely a real thing. Blue hour is when the sun is below the horizon, and the surroundings take a predominantly blue shade. Photos during this time are low-lit, grainy, and intimate. Consider bringing a candle or a sparkler to get a few kissing photos with your new spouse. The photo-taking opportunities at this time are endless!

A couple in wedding attire stands on a rock at RT Lodge, surrounded by lush greenery and a serene pond. They hold hands, gazing at each other amidst trees displaying vibrant autumn colors in the background. — Winter wedding at RT Lodge in Maryville, TN

Pro-Tips for Golden Hour Photography

Work with your photographer and coordinator: Actually plan for this time of your day. Depending on your sunset and ceremony time, golden hour photography can occur at any time! This includes before or after your ceremony, before your reception, or in between toasts or cake-cutting.
Allow enough time for these photos: If you are able to sneak away while guests are enjoying the reception, make sure that you schedule sufficient time. Do you need to travel out to an area, or can you get those photos just outside the venue? 15-20 minutes is usually enough time to make these photos happen.
Freshen up: Yall, it’s been a busy day. So take a few moments for you both to freshen up and touch up those drinks, and head on out for golden hour photography.
Grab that bouquet: You spent a helluva lot on that bundle of flowers. Bring them!

Knoxville Wedding Photographer

Thank you so much for hanging with me for a blog post on golden hour photography. Make sure that you check my blog page, where we talk about engagement photos, proposals, timelines, DJs, and more! In my seven years as a Knoxville wedding photographer, I have learned a thing or two about wedding days. If you are interested in me hanging out with you on your big day, please feel free to contact me at any time!