If you’ve ever seen wedding portrait photos that feel soft, dreamy, and full of emotion, chances are they were taken during golden hour. It’s one of the most beautiful times of day for photography. And one of the reasons many couples prioritize their portraits around it.

As your Palm Springs Wedding Photographer, my goal for you is to have photos that you can look back on and feel all your feelings of that day all over again. Many couples prioritize golden hour portraits because they can create the most romantic, dreamy atmosphere that can’t be replicated any other time of day.

Here’s why golden hour wedding photos are so magical and why you might want to include sunset portraits in your day of timeline.

What Is Golden Hour?

Golden hour is the short window of time just after sunrise or right before sunset when the sun sits low in the sky. Instead of harsh, bright light from overhead, the light becomes soft, warm, and diffused.

This creates warm golden tones, romantic shadows and most importantly, flattering light on the couple.

For wedding photography, this type of light is incredibly flattering and adds a romantic, cinematic feeling to your images.

The Effect of Golden Hour Photos?

Golden hour photos create a timeless and nostalgic feeling, which is why many couples fall in love with golden hour portraits when they see them.

How is this created? Midday sun can be strong and harsh, which often creates deep shadows and bright highlights. Golden hour light is completely different.

Because the sun is lower in the sky, it wraps softly around you. The result? Even lighting, glowing skin tones, and images that feel natural and effortless.

Instead of squinting in the bright sun, couples can relax, move freely and focus on being present with each other. This is when photos start to feel less like posing and more like real moments unfolding. My job as a documentary photographer is to capture those moments, like an unexpected kiss or the laughter from a funny joke. When prompted – never posed – I am able to capture real, raw emotions in beautiful light. 

My approach to golden hour photos is a technique called backlighting, where the sun is behind you, creating a soft halo around couples. This highlights movement, hair, veils and dresses, making my couples look their absolute best and feel cinematic..

It’s the kind of light that turns a simple walk together or a quiet moment into something that feels intimate, emotional, and unforgettable.

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Added Bonus – A Quiet Moment Between You and Your Love

One of the most unexpected benefits of golden hour photos is the pause they create.

Wedding days move fast. Between getting ready, ceremonies, family photos, and celebrations, newly weds rarely get a moment to step away together.

Golden hour portraits often become a quiet break during the evening where couples can walk, talk, breathe, and simply enjoy being newly married.

Many of my couples say these are some of their favorite moments of the entire day. THey are able to step away and be in amazement that they actually got married and get to spend the rest of their lives together. And these photos are a reflection of that.

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How to Incorporate Golden Hour Portraits Into your Timeline

Golden hour usually happens about 45–60 minutes before sunset.

The exact timing changes depending on the season and location, but I, being your photographer,  will always help guide the timeline to make sure couples can step out for those perfect few minutes of light.

Often, couples sneak away during dinner or just before the dance floor opens and it only takes 10–15 minutes to capture some truly stunning portraits.

And then it’s right back to celebrating with your loved ones.

If golden hour photos are important to you, it’s worth including a small window in your timeline.

I will always help you build a day of timeline that keeps the day flowing naturally since I understand storytelling and how to capture it. We will include a quick 10-15 minutes to capture the most beautiful photos.

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Golden hour is magical not just because of the light but because of the feeling it creates.

It turns ordinary moments into something cinematic, intimate, and full of emotion.

And when the day is over and the wedding dress is packed away, those photos become some of the most meaningful memories you’ll hold onto.

Because the best wedding photos don’t just show how the day looked.

They help you feel it all over again. ✨

Rachel & Anderson’s Wedding Vendors:

Photographer: Brianna Jordan Photography

Hair & Makeup: Blushed by Brink

Dress: Panache Bridals

Tux: Friar Tux

Caterer: The Wanted Taco

Rentals: Baker Party Rentals

Dessert: Patty’s Cakes and Desserts

Keywords:

Palm Springs Wedding Photographer

Documentary Wedding Photography

Southern California Photographer

Luxury Wedding