When it comes to outdoor wedding photography, there’s one golden rule: follow the light! However, following our simple considerations and tips will make all the difference in perfectly lighting your wedding photographs.

Time and Season Matters!

Avoid scheduling formal photos during the day. The sunlight is really harsh at that time, so go for early morning or late afternoon instead. Of course, this will depend on where your wedding is located in terms of region. Also, keep the wedding season in mind. 

Although the sun sets early during the colder months, your location is everything. If you're looking for a moody, cinematic effect, shooting later in the day is just fine. On the other hand, the golden hour is prolonged during winter. In fact, all day is essentially a golden hour because the sun doesn’t get too high. During the warmer months, you can easily shoot outdoors pretty much all day long because the sun stays high in the sky until later. 

General Outdoor Wedding Photography Tips

Embrace the Clouds:  Overcast skies create the best lighting and, therefore, the best photographs. And if it rains on your parade? That’s OK! Not only is this said to be good luck, but it’s a forecast for rich, high-contrast lighting.

Sparks Fly: Before you call it a night, be sure to sneak away from your reception for a few night portraits. The iconic sparkler send-off makes an ultimate, dramatic nighttime shot. If you spark the send-off a smidge earlier, you also get ambient light that picks up colors in the sky and the surrounding objects.

Keep the Faith: At the end of the day, you need to trust your wedding photographer. They might place you in unexpected positions, use a flash during the day, or have you looking into the sun, but go with the flow and try to have fun!