Wedding Planning Tips for your Sunset Portraits by a Photographer

Escaping for sunset portraits is a cherished moment in your wedding, offering couples a chance to capture the golden glow of dusk and create timeless memories. As a seasoned wedding photographer with eight years of experience, I have witnessed firsthand the magic that unfolds during these intimate sessions. In this blog post, I’ll share why I highly recommend sunset portraits to all my couples and offer practical tips for planning the perfect session.

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Three Tips on the Magic of Sunset Portraits

Tip 1: Timing Is Everything. One of the key factors in ensuring stunning sunset portraits is planning around the timing of your ceremony and the season of your wedding. For couples tying the knot in winter or during the Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), escaping for portraits straight after the ceremony seamlessly fits into the flow of the day. On the other hand, for summer weddings or ceremonies held during daylight saving time (ADST), scheduling the session during golden hour—just before sunset: approx 15mins—creates a magical ambiance that enhances the beauty of the photos.

Tip 2: Every couple’s wedding day is unique, and it’s essential to customise your sunset portrait session to reflect your personalities and preferences. Work closely with your photographer to determine the best timing and location for your portraits. If you have a bridal party, consider scheduling the session after family portraits to ensure you still have time to enjoy canapé hour with your guests. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of photos but the quality and significance of the moments captured.

Tip 3: Minimise Stress, Maximise Fun To fully immerse yourselves in the moment and enjoy the sunset portrait session to the fullest, aim to complete any stressful formalities before this session. By getting these tasks out of the way, you can relax, have fun, and create genuine moments of connection with your partner. After the session, you can seamlessly transition back into the wedding festivities and celebrate the night away with your loved ones.

A sunset portrait shoot I did on the beach. We took these 15mins before sunset & during sunset in the summer (approx 8.30-8.45pm)

Sunset portrait sessions offer couples a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate their love against the breathtaking backdrop of nature’s canvas. By following these tips and prioritizing the magic of golden hour, you can create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. If you’d like further guidance or assistance in planning your perfect timeline, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to help you every step of the way.

The images below are of Bronwen & Franks Wedding day in Tasmania, and the sunsets earlier there even in the summertime. We headed down to the beach which was a short drive from their ceremony location. It was all up about a 25 minute portrait session, and as you can see the light changed a lot, with the last part of the sun streaming through the trees for us! After this time of night, the sun is completely gone as it sets in the West which is covered by the mountain range.