Getting married was one of the most exciting—and honestly, chaotic—times of my life. Between late dress alterations, last-minute invitation drama, and an endless to-do list, I was fully in it. But somehow, through all the stress, one part of our wedding day flowed effortlessly: the timeline. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen how timelines can make or break the experience—not just for couples, but for everyone involved. So when it came to my own big day, I knew I wanted to plan it with intention. And the one thing that shaped it all? The sunset.

Why a Sunset Wedding Timeline Is a Game Changer

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen every kind of timeline under the sun—some run smoothly, others fall apart because they weren’t built around the natural rhythm of the day. The one detail that so many couples overlook? The time the sun sets.

Trust me, it matters so much. Golden hour is the best light of the entire day—soft, warm, romantic—and it’s when your photos will look their absolute dreamiest.

That’s why I always recommend couples consider planning a sunset wedding or, at the very least, block off dedicated time for sunset portraits.

What Is a Sunset Wedding?

A sunset wedding isn’t just about the ceremony—it’s about designing your entire wedding day timeline around that magical, golden-hour light. It means you’re intentionally carving out time to step away for portraits when the light is perfect. The result? Glowy, emotional, artful images that you’ll treasure forever.

How I Built My Timeline Around the Sunset

On our wedding day, the sunset was at 6:19pm. So I asked myself:

“What do I want to be doing during sunset?”

My answer: Taking portraits, of course!

So we scheduled sunset portraits at 6:00pm, giving us 15 minutes of soft golden light without feeling rushed. I also wanted our guests to enjoy that dreamy vibe, so we set dinner for 5:45pm, letting them soak up the glow while we snuck away for photos.

From there, we worked backward:

• When should the ceremony start?
• When should I get ready?
• What time should we wrap up the night?

It all fell into place effortlessly once we had that sunset anchor.

What Guests Should Be Doing During Sunset

While we were out capturing golden hour magic, our guests were enjoying dinner and wine, watching the sun dip over the horizon. No one was bored, and nothing felt out of sync.

If you’re planning a sunset wedding, this is a great time for:

• Dinner
• Cocktail hour
• Lounge time or photo booth fun
• Ambient live music

It’s all about letting the light work for you, not against you.

 What Happens When You Don’t Plan Around the Sunset?

I’ve seen it too many times:
Couples choose a ceremony time they think is ideal, and then scramble to fit in portraits when the light is fading—or worse, after dark.

I’ve watched DJs cue up the bouquet toss while the couple is still outside taking last-minute photos. It’s stressful, confusing for vendors, and often disrupts the reception flow.

Planning around sunset prevents all of that.

Our Actual Sunset Wedding Timeline

Here’s what our timeline looked like (yep, the sunset is literally in it):

• 2:00pm – Getting Ready
• 3:30pm – First Look + Portraits
• 4:30pm – Ceremony
• 5:15pm – Cocktail Hour
• 5:45pm – Dinner Begins
• 6:00pm – Sunset Portraits
• 6:30pm – Reception Events Kick Off
• 10:00pm – Last Dance + Exit

Every part flowed naturally because we designed it around that one golden moment.

Final Tips for Your Own Sunset Wedding

If you want glowy portraits, relaxed vibes, and a smoother flow overall, here’s what I recommend:

• Look up your sunset time ASAP for your wedding date.
• Block off 15–20 minutes for golden hour portraits.
• Plan guest activities like dinner or cocktail hour during that time.
• Work backward to build out the rest of your timeline.

And if you have a wedding planner (highly recommend), share your vision! My planner, Sara Reynolds, was a rockstar at helping bring this vision to life.

Want Help Planning Your Own Sunset Wedding Timeline?

If you’re dreaming of golden hour portraits and a wedding day that flows instead of feeling frantic, you need to start with a smart timeline — one that actually works with the light, not against it.

Good news: I’ve put together a free resource to help you do exactly that!

Download My Free Wedding Timeline Guide

Inside, you’ll get:

• Sample timelines (including sunset wedding options!)
• Pro tips from real wedding days
• A step-by-step formula to help you build your perfect day

Whether you’re working with a planner or figuring it out yourself, this guide is designed to make your planning process way less overwhelming — and way more aligned with your vision.

Click here to get the free timeline guide!

Trust me — it’s the timeline I wish every couple had.