Choosing the Best Time for Your Michigan Elopement Ceremony

The right lighting can transform the mundane into magical and also has a huge effect on how your photos will look. Here’s a simple guide on why timing your ceremony for sunrise or sunset is your secret to stunning photos, and how different weather conditions can play to your advantage.

Why the Sun’s Schedule Matters

Golden hour—that time just after sunrise or just before sunset—is often hailed as the holy grail of natural lighting for photographers. The sun, hanging low in the sky, bathes the world in a soft, warm glow that flatters the landscape and, more importantly, you! This light is not only dreamy but also incredibly forgiving, smoothing out facial features and enveloping everything in a kind of ethereal glow that’s perfect for those romantic shots.

Following the golden hour, we get a brief visit from blue hour. This time, right before sunrise and shortly after sunset, offers a cooler, more ethereal type of light. It’s the time when the natural world hovers between day and night, casting a mysterious spell that’s perfect for couples wanting a touch of the mystical in their photos. Non-photographers call it “twilight” sometimes. Blue hour can vary greatly depending on the season and location. It’s the time between when the sun hits the horizon and when it’s dark.

So, the best time of day for the most magical, flattering light is when the sun is low in the sky (an hour or two before sunset or after sunrise), and at twilight.

Natural lighting Terminology

• Golden Hour: Shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is warmer and softer. Time can vary- not an actual hour.
• Blue Hour: Morning and evening twilight, when the Sun is below the horizon, coloring the sky deep blue. Also not an actual hour.
• Harsh Sun: When the sun is not diffused by clouds – full on sun. This can be unflattering in photos because when the sun is high in the sky it can cause dark circles or “raccoon eyes”, accentuate wrinkles and blemishes, and cause squinting or blinking. Harsh sun is tricky, but can be alright if the sun is lower in the sky.
• Overcast: Photographers love this because the soft, diffuse light is extremely flattering and much easier to work with than harsh light.
• Dappled Light: When harsh light is filtered through trees or similar things, causing lots of shadows mixed with bright spots. This is a photographer’s nightmare!

Take a look at the following photos. Can you tell what kind of light it was?

Sunrise vs. Sunset: Timing Your Ceremony

Sunrise:

• Pros: Starting your day with a ceremony can be symbolic, like your marriage is the dawn of a new beginning. There’s a certain calm and freshness in the air, fewer crowds at popular spots, and the rest of the day to celebrate.
• Cons: It requires an early start, which means getting up and ready before the sun comes up. In the summer months when daylight is long, this can be very, very early. This can be a challenge if you’re not a morning person or if you envision a late-night celebration the evening before. And if you want great lighting for the rest of your photos, you’ll want to get them done before the sun gets too high in the sky. Having a sunrise ceremony can result in a very long day for your photographer or videographer. For instance, if you start getting ready at 5 am and want your wedding story documented through dinner at 7 pm, that can be upwards of 14 hours. In cooler months, sunrise is typically the coldest part of the day because the sun hasn’t been out to warm everything up.

Sunset:

• Pros: Having your ceremony around sunset offers great benefits. The soft, golden light helps avoid harsh shadows and dark circles, making everyone look their best in photos. This time of day provides a warm, natural glow that enhances the beauty of your surroundings, capturing your special moments in the best possible light. Plus, a sunset ceremony naturally transitions into an evening celebration.
• Cons: Popular locations can be more crowded at sunset. After the sun sets you’ll have limited time before it’s dark so you’ll need to keep that in mind when planning your timeline for photos.

To First Look or Not to First Look

Opting for a first look can significantly influence the flow of your elopement day, whether you’re planning a sunrise or sunset ceremony.

Sunrise Ceremony with a First Look: Choosing a first look before your sunrise ceremony allows you to capture a few special photos together in the early dawn light. This means you can enjoy a private moment and get some beautiful, intimate shots just as the day begins. While you won’t have time for an extensive photo session before the sun rises, these early photos can be a special moment together.

Sunrise Ceremony without a First Look: Skipping the first look means your first moments seeing each other will be at the ceremony itself. You’ll need to plan your photos carefully afterward to make sure you capture those moments in the remaining morning light, which can quickly become harsher as the sun rises.

Sunset Ceremony with a First Look: Having a first look before a sunset ceremony means you can get most of your photos done earlier in the day. This can be especially useful as it frees up your post-ceremony time to soak in the sunset together and enjoy your evening without interruption. It also ensures you’re not rushed to capture your photos in the fading light after the ceremony.

Sunset Ceremony without a First Look: Choosing not to have a first look with a sunset ceremony keeps the tradition and anticipation alive, with the first glance occurring as you meet at the altar. You’ll want to start your ceremony as early as possible (2 to 2.5 hours before sunset is my recommendation) so you’ll have plenty of time for beautiful photos after the ceremony.

Cloudy Days Are Your Friend

While many couples cross their fingers for clear, sunny days, a sky filled with clouds can be your ally in disguise. Cloudy weather is often overlooked, but overcast skies are perfect for photography. They provide soft, diffuse light that eliminates harsh shadows and bright highlights, offering more flexibility with your ceremony timing. Cloudy skies also bring a mystical aesthetic, enriching your photos with depth and emotion.

So, as you plan, think of the sun as your collaborator in setting the scene for a day as magical as your relationship. After all, in the right light, everything is extraordinary! And isn’t that exactly how you want to remember the day you start your forever?

When you work with me as your photographer you’ll get my expert assistance with crafting your wedding timeline, so you won’t have to worry about it. I’ll give you my recommendations on what time will be best to start your ceremony, and everything else! Want to work with me? Just reach out!