What is a Sunset Wedding?

When couples choose a sunset wedding, it doesn’t always mean that they are going to get married at sunset. Usually, the ceremony is timed for a little before sunset so that they can get some truly spectacular photos to remember their big day by.

The Golden Hour

A sunset wedding has many advantages. Because your ceremony is starting later in the day, there is more time and less rush to get your hair and makeup finished. You might have more time to enjoy the company of your bridal party during the day. But one of the very best things about a sunset wedding is the gorgeous golden hour photos. Colours look richer, warmer and more vibrant. If you’re lucky, the sky will light up with vivid oranges, yellows and reds before fading slowly through shades of purple and pink until night falls.

Timing for a Sunset Wedding

To make sure that you get fabulous sunset wedding photos, ask your photographer to check the time the sun sets on your wedding day. Work backwards from that time. Allow plenty of  time for special couples photos for you and your new husband or wife. Factor in travelling time if your ceremony venue is not where your photos will be taken.

Check with your celebrant how long your ceremony will run for. Allow time afterwards for congratulations from your family and friends. If you start your ceremony too late, you will miss the golden hour and fading light can cause difficulties with your ceremony. Your photographer will take any large group shots before you and your bridal party head off for your sunset photos.

Remember that the sun sets earlier in winter than in summer so the time of your wedding will vary with the season. Also, further south in Australia the sunset period lasts longer. In northern areas the transition from day to night happens quickly.

With a bit of planning and forethought, you can have a beautiful sunset wedding. Your wedding day will fly by, but your gorgeous sunset wedding photos will give you happy memories to last a lifetime.

Best Spots for Sunset Photos

This is a personal list of places around southeast Queensland where I know you can get spectacular sunset photos. Of course, there are many more places – go for a drive around sunset and see what you can find or just ask your photographer. They are the experts when it comes to finding the best places for photos at any time of day.

  • Wellington Point Recreation Reserve – this is one of the few places in mainland southeast Queensland where you can watch the sun set over the sea
  • Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve in the Redlands
  • the beach at Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island, Tangalooma on Moreton Island and anywhere on the western (calm) side of Bribie Island
  • Tingira Park and Jamieson Park at Scarborough
  • Mt Tamborine – almost anywhere on the mountain that has a western aspect
  • Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane City – the City View Saddle and almost any of the higher sections of the parkland get spectacular sunset views
  • Kirra Hill, Greenmount Hill and Point Danger at Coolangatta on the southern Gold Coast as well as the Broadwater side of The Spit at Main Beach on the northern end of the Gold Coast
  • Maleny, Montville and Mapleton – almost any place in the Sunshine Coast hinterland that has a western aspect
  • Captain Burke Park and Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park at Kangaroo Point – wonderful views of the city skyline on the opposite side of the Brisbane River, silhouetted against the sunset
  • Kooroomba Lavender Farm and Winery in the Scenic Rim

No matter what time of day you get married, you can’t have a wedding without a celebrant. Call me now.

Photo taken at Kooroomba Lavender Farm and Vineyard by Kelly from Artistic Eye Photography