Golden Hour  vs  Blue Hour: Choosing the Best Time for Wedding Portraits 



Why Light Makes (or Breaks) Your Wedding Photos

The sun’s angle changes the softness, warmth, and direction of light, which in turn controls skin tones, shadow depth, and that intangible magic everyone wants in their gallery.  Photographers worldwide chase the two most flattering windows—golden hour and blue hour—because each delivers beautiful, soft light that a midday sun simply can’t match.


What Exactly Are Golden Hour and Blue Hour?

Golden Hour

Roughly the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.

  • Look: warm tones, long shadows, glowing hair light
  • Mood: romantic, vibrant, “storybook”

Blue Hour

The 20–40  minutes  after sunset or before sunrise, when the sun drops 4–8° below the horizon.

  • Look: cool, soft blues with pastel skies
  • Mood: dreamy, cinematic, ideal for silhouettes and nighttime city‑light shots
Pro tip: Your photographer can combine both windows for a diverse set of portraits—golden hour for warmth, blue hour for drama.

Seasonal Golden‑ & Blue‑Hour Windows (Central  Ohio, 2025)

  • Spring (around March  20)
  • • Sunrise ≈ 7:33 am → Morning golden hour lasts until about 8:30 am
  • • Sunset ≈ 7:45 pm → Evening golden hour runs 6:45 – 7:45 pm, followed by blue hour roughly 7:45 – 8:15 pm
  • Summer (around June  21)
  • • Sunrise ≈ 6:28 am → Golden glow from 6:28 – 7:25 am
  • • Sunset ≈ 8:46 pm → Golden hour 7:46 – 8:46 pm, then dreamy blue hour 8:46 – 9:20 pm
  • Fall (early October)
  • • Sunrise ≈ 7:28 am → Soft morning light until about 8:25 am
  • • Sunset ≈ 7:15 pm → Evening golden hour 6:15 – 7:15 pm with blue hour 7:15 – 7:45 pm
  • Winter (around December  21)
  • • Sunrise ≈ 7:50 am → Golden hour stretches to roughly 8:40 am
  • • Sunset ≈ 5:03 pm → Golden hour 4:03 – 5:03 pm, brief blue hour 5:03 – 5:30 pm



Building the Perfect Timeline

  1. Anchor the ceremony so portrait windows fall before or after key events—not during them.
  2. Add a 10‑minute buffer around each light window for dress bustles, boutonnières, and travel between spots.
  3. Block family formals in shaded or indoor areas earlier in the day; save golden hour just for the two of you.
  4. Pack a lighting kit (your photographer brings this) for quick‑change scenarios—LED wands or a single off‑camera flash keep exposure perfect if clouds roll in.


Cloudy‑Day & Rain Back‑Up Plans

  • Soft clouds = nature’s softbox. Portraits remain evenly lit; colors pop.
  • For rain: bring clear umbrellas, towel off surfaces, and shoot under venue overhangs or pergolas—rain streaks add atmosphere. (See our full guide on Rainy‑Day Wedding Photos).
  • Indoor fallback: scout a window or doorway facing open sky; it mimics side‑light and still feels dramatic.


Quick FAQ


Is golden hour always an hour long?

Near the equator, it can be < 40 min; in Ohio it averages 50–70 min in summer and narrows in winter.

What if the forecast changes last minute?

We bring professional flash and LED lights to create “golden” back‑light any time of day—so you never lose those dreamy portraits.


Next Steps