There is an undeniable beauty to golden hour wedding photography—a time when the light is softer, the air feels more romantic, and every photo just screams dreamy perfection, something straight out of a fairytale. If you're planning your big day, scheduling a photo session during golden hour is the secret sauce for those jaw-dropping images you'll cherish forever. Keep reading to discover the tips to ensure you make the best of this magical time and how it can make your wedding photos feel every bit as special as the love you’re celebrating!

Let Emotions Shine

Golden hour offers not just beautiful light but perfect moments for expressing genuine emotion. Engage in candid interactions with your partner, family, or friends, as these create heartfelt portraits. 

Plan Your Schedule Around Golden Hour

Consult with your photographer to figure out the exact timing of golden hour on your wedding day. Golden hour is fleeting and needs flexibility to  accommodate impromptu moments and lighting shifts to capture its essence. 

Discuss Your Vision With Your Photographer

Communicate your artistic vision and personal style preferences with your photographer during the planning process. Share mood boards, sample images, and personal ideas to ensure alignment on aesthetics and atmosphere. 

Scout the Location

Explore potential sites with an eye for breathtaking vistas and natural elements that enhance the golden hour's splendor. Consider locations that offer a variety of backdrops, such as flower fields or coastal shores, and discuss these possibilities with your photographer.

Practice Your Poses

Take a few moments in advance to rehearse different poses with your significant other. Practice twirling, holding hands, or simply gazing softly into each other's eyes. 

Capture Silhouettes  

Silhouettes make for striking, artistic images with golden hour’s vivid backdrop.  The interplay of light and shadow creates a dramatic effect, encapsulating the essence of romance.

Use Props to Elevate Shots  

Incorporate meaningful props into your golden hour photos to add a touch of personal charm and creativity. Whether it's delicate lanterns, vintage bicycles, or cherished heirlooms, these props can enhance the narrative.

Keep the Wedding Party Small

Opting for a smaller wedding party fosters intimacy and ensures each moment is savored deeply. With fewer people, interactions are more personal, allowing golden hour's soft light to highlight genuine emotions. 

Play With Movement  

Incorporate gentle motion into your poses to help capture dynamic images that breathe with life and romance. Twirling in each other's arms, a soft breeze lifting a veil, or a playful run through the grass adds a dreamy quality to your photos, turning fleeting moments into timeless memories.

Incorporate Sparkling Details  

Adding sparkling details, like sequined accessories or jewelry, can create an enchanting and celestial vibe during golden hour. The light captures and reflects these elements beautifully, adding hints of shimmer to your photos.  

Integrate Seasonal Elements

Incorporate elements of the season into your golden hour photographs to create a vivid story. From autumn leaves to spring blossoms, these details can enrich the scenery.

Utilize Reflective Surfaces

Use reflective surfaces such as bodies of water or mirrors to play with light and add a layer of complexity to your images. This technique can amplify the dreamy quality of the golden hour, resulting in ethereal and mesmerizing photographs.

Golden hour is more than just a period of perfect lighting. It’s a magical interlude in the middle of your celebrations. Collaborate with your photographer, plan your timing, and prepare to bask in that soft, glowing light. Trust that golden hour will make you, your partner, and even the smallest details of your day look extraordinary!