Sunset photos almost never make it onto the planning checklist, and yet they're the ones couples point to later as their favorites from the entire day. Fifteen minutes of good light goes a really long way.
← Guides
Timing is everything
The trick is knowing exactly when the sun sets and carving out 20 to 30 minutes around it. The best window is actually the 20 or so minutes just before it drops, when the light goes soft and gold. Miss it by half an hour and it's gone, so it's worth planning around.
Summer and fall weddings
In these seasons the sun sets right around your reception. The easy fix is to build a 20 to 30 minute gap into the speeches or dinner so you can slip out, grab those portraits, and be back before anyone really notices you were gone.
Winter and spring weddings
Here the sun usually sets during cocktail hour, which is honestly perfect. Your guests are mingling and happily occupied, so you've got a natural window to sneak away for couple portraits and still get back for the reception.
However your day is timed, just flag sunset to your photographer early so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. It's such a small ask for some of the best frames you'll get all night.
Date
November 2, 2022