What Is the Best Time of Day for Wedding and Elopement Photos in Richmond, VA?

Quick Answer

The best time of day for wedding photos in Richmond is during golden hour, usually about one hour before sunset. This soft, natural light is perfect for couples’ portraits and outdoor ceremonies. Whether you’re having a wedding or elopement, I help couples build their timeline around the best light so the photos feel real, relaxed, and beautiful.
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What You Need to Know First

• Golden hour gives you the softest, most flattering light for portraits and ceremonies.
• Midday light can be harsh, especially outdoors, but still works well for candid, documentary-style moments.
• I help every couple plan their timeline to match the best light for their venue and season.
• Richmond’s golden hour shifts depending on the time of year.
• You don’t need to rush your portraits – we can schedule them after your ceremony or during a faux exit.

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Best Timing for Different Parts of the Day

🔗 See golden hour portraits in this gallery

When to Schedule Wedding Photos in Richmond

Golden hour in Richmond changes with the seasons:

• Spring (March to May): around 6:15 to 7:45 PM
• Summer (June to August): around 7:45 to 8:30 PM
• Fall (September to November): around 5:15 to 6:30 PM
• Winter (December to February): around 4:45 to 5:30 PM

💡Pro Tip: Use an app like Golden Hour to check the exact golden hour on your wedding or elopement date.

One of my couples planned portraits during golden hour at their mountain venue. They had already done a faux exit earlier, so during golden hour we had the whole property to ourselves with no pressure. That time gave us some of their favorite photos from the entire day.

Can We Fit Golden Hour into Your Timeline?

Golden hour portraits aren’t an extra service. They just need to be built into your timeline. Whether you’re planning a full wedding or an intimate elopement, I’ll help you figure out when the light will be best and how to make it part of your day.

For weddings, golden hour usually falls after the ceremony and before dancing. For elopements, we can time it around your vows, your adventure, or any quiet moment you want to carve out together. No rushing, no guessing – I’ll map it out with you so it feels easy and natural.

FAQ

• What time is golden hour in Richmond, VA?
  Golden hour usually starts 45 to 90 minutes before sunset. In summer, that’s between 7:45 and 8:30 PM. In winter, it can start as early as 4:45 PM.
  🔗 Use this tool to check golden hour
• Should we do our portraits before or after the ceremony?
  I usually recommend doing them after the ceremony so we can use golden hour. The light is softer, more flattering, and gives your photos a more natural feel.
• What if my ceremony is early in the day?
  That’s totally fine. We can plan portraits later in the evening or sneak out during dinner. Most couples take a short 15 to 20 minute break before dancing.
• Will you help us plan our timeline?
  Yes. I help every couple build a custom timeline so the light works in our favor throughout the day.
• Can we do a sunset ceremony?
  Yes, but you should start about 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. That way we still have enough light for the vows, your walk down the aisle, and a few portraits right after.

Final Thoughts

Light makes a huge difference in how your photos feel. If you want portraits that are natural, relaxed, and honest, I’ll help you plan around golden hour so the photos feel like your day – not just a photo shoot.

Want help with your timeline? Let’s talk.