HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CEREMONY TIME FOR THE BEST LIGHTING

When you envision your wedding day, what do you see? Do you imagine soft lighting, or bright sun rays shining down? So much goes into planning your wedding, that most of us forget that the time of your wedding can be just as important as the venue you choose. Lighting can make a huge difference in how your wedding photos turn out. Here are 6 tips to ensure that you will pick the best ceremony time for the perfect lighting you want to see in your pictures.

1.       Ceremony in open sunlight – If your ceremony is in open sunlight, without any trees or shade, avoid planning your wedding between noon and 5:00 PM. This will ensure that you, your partner, and your wedding party are not sweating in the photos

2.       Visit your wedding venue – Visiting your venue will give you the best idea on the lighting that you should expect. Don’t be afraid to walk down the aisle (or have a stand-in do the honors) and the other parts of the venue that you will be standing by the most. Do you find yourself squinting? Does the sun seem to be too hot for you and possibly your guests? Make sure that you test out each location to ensure that you and your guests will be comfortable the whole time.

3.       Do your research – There are many great websites online that will tell you when the most beautiful sunrise and sunsets will occur. One of my favorites is http://www.sunrisesunset.com. You can simply type in your zip code, and it will tell you the exact time you can expect this beautiful lighting to occur.

4.       Carefully select your date – Make sure you schedule your wedding during a month that is most comfortable for you. Do you want a hot wedding or a cold one? Do you want to shy away from the months that will expect the most rain? Here is a good guideline to follow for the best times to have a ceremony:

·         March – 4:30 or 5:00

·         April – 5:00 or 5:30

·         May – 5:30 or 6:00

·         June/July/August – 6:00-6:30-7:00

·         September – 5:30 or 6:00

·         October – 4:00 or 4:30

·         November – 3:00

5.       Talk to your wedding coordinator – Your wedding coordinator will know the times that people tend to get married in the venue you chose. They can tell you what the most popular times are and why. They can also share feedback from previous guests with you!

6.       Talk to your wedding photographer – Wedding photographers are true experts when it comes to lighting and the best times for taking photos. They will definitely have good ideas on when to expect good – or not so good lighting.

The right lighting can make or break your perfect day. Looking to book your dream wedding? Let’s chat!