What’s the Best Time to Take Wedding Photos? Here’s What You Need to Know
Your wedding day is full of unforgettable moments, but one key detail that can make or break your photos is timing. You’ve picked the perfect photographer, styled every detail, and chosen a beautiful location. Now, let’s make sure your photos look just as dreamy by shooting them in the right light.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the best time of day for wedding photos, why it matters, and how you can plan your big day around it.
Why Does Timing Matter for Wedding Photography?
Light plays a major role in how your photos turn out. It affects the colours, your skin tone, the mood, and the overall feel. A photo taken in harsh midday light will look very different from one taken during the golden hour.
What Is the Golden Hour?
Golden hour is the time just after sunrise or just before sunset. The light is warm, soft, and incredibly flattering. It makes your skin glow, your surroundings shimmer, and your love story feel straight out of a movie.
This shot of Palkesh and Gunjan was taken on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Best Times for Wedding Photos (with Example Images)
Early Morning
Soft and quiet, with fewer people around
Perfect for pre-wedding shoots or elopements
Slightly cooler light but beautifully calm
Ritesh and Shraddha, captured in the gentle light of their morning wedding, calm, radiant, and full of promise
Kanav and Srihita, captured candidly in the soft daylight during their pre-wedding shoot, effortless, real, and full of joy.
Midday (12–3 PM)
Brightest and most direct sunlight
Can create harsh shadows and squinting eyes
Best suited for indoor shots, shaded areas, or fun, bold photos
Late Afternoon to Sunset (Golden Hour)
Ideal for romantic portraits
Soft light, golden tones, and dreamy vibes
Great time for couple shots, bridal party, and family portraits
Caught this quiet moment of Sneha and Prithvi wrapped in the soft golden glow of the afternoon sun, it felt like light was made just for them.
Blue Hour (Just After Sunset)
Slightly moody, cooler tones
Adds depth and drama to artistic shots
Amazing for silhouettes or romantic close-ups
Our beautiful bride, Samridhi, captured just before sunset, her bridal portraits at Golkonda Resorts glowing with golden-hour magic
Artificial Lighting (Post-Sunset or Indoor Receptions)
Adds drama, focus, and ambience
Think string lights, sparklers, candlelight, or flash setups
Perfect for dance floor moments and indoor events
Captured this moment of Yashita and Pranav under the soft glow of artificial lights during their night wedding in Shri Shivaganga Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devastanam, Maheshwaram.
Tips for Planning Your Wedding Photo Timeline
Talk to your photographer early to figure out the best timing based on your venue and season.
Schedule portraits around golden hour if possible—especially couple and bridal portraits.
Leave buffer time between events so you don’t feel rushed.
Trust your photographer to find the best light, even if the weather changes.
The best time of day for wedding photos depends on the kind of light and mood you want. Most photographers recommend golden hour for its flattering, romantic vibe, but beautiful photos can be taken in any light with the right planning and creativity.
At the end of the day, what truly matters is how you feel. The light just helps capture it beautifully.
