Best Ceremony Time for Sunset Wedding Photos: South Florida Wedding Ceremonies
One of the biggest questions couples ask when building their wedding day timeline is:
“What time should our ceremony start to get those dreamy sunset photos?”
That golden, glowing light you see in so many wedding galleries? It doesn’t just happen by chance—it takes some intentional planning. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to choose the right ceremony time for sunset so you can get those magical golden hour portraits without feeling rushed.
🌅 Why Sunset Timing Matters
Golden hour (the 45–60 minutes before the sun sets) offers the most flattering, romantic light of the entire day. It’s warm, soft, and natural—perfect for those glowing couple portraits. If we miss that window, the light gets harsh (or disappears), and we lose the opportunity for that beautiful, golden tone you see in so many of my photos.
📍 When Does the Sun Set in Florida?
Sunset times vary by season. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Winter: 5:30–6:30 PM
- Spring: 6:30–8:00 PM
- Summer: 8:00–8:30 PM
- Fall: 5:30–7:00 PM
Always double-check the exact sunset time for your wedding date and location using a reliable site like TimeAndDate.com.
🕓 Ideal Ceremony Time for Sunset (Without a First Look)
If you’re not doing a first look, we’ll need to fit in:
- Family portraits (~20 mins)
- Bridal party photos (~20 mins)
- Couples portraits (~20–30 mins)
To make sure we have enough time to capture everything without losing the sunset light, I recommend this:
Plan your ceremony to start 2 hours before sunset.
This gives us enough time for the ceremony itself, hugs and mingling, and all the formal photos—with your couples portraits saved for the last 20 minutes of golden hour. That way, everyone else can head to cocktail hour and you get those quiet, golden portraits with no distractions.
💫 If You Are Doing a First Look
If you’re doing a first look earlier in the day, your formal portraits (bridal party and couple) can all happen before the ceremony. In that case, your ceremony can be scheduled closer to sunset—about 1.5 hour before—and we’ll just sneak away for a few final golden hour shots after you say “I do.”
I personally prefer to photograph family portraits after the ceremony, as there always tends to be a family member who doesn’t arrive on time when scheduled beforehand—so it’s something to keep in mind when building your timeline!
🧡 Why This Timing Makes All the Difference
Choosing the right ceremony time for sunset means your wedding photos will have the light and feel you’re dreaming of. It allows us to photograph everything with intention—without rushing, without losing the light, and without missing those quiet moments that matter most.
And as your photographer, I’ll always help guide you through building a timeline that works with both your vision and the sun.
Need Help Planning Your Wedding Day Timeline?
I help all of my couples create a photography-friendly schedule so everything flows beautifully and you get the most out of every moment—and every bit of golden light.
Let’s make your sunset wedding photos everything you’ve imagined ✨
Contact me here to chat about your date → INQUIRE
