What is the Golden Hour?
The "Golden Hour" or "Magic Hour" are terms often used by photographers to describe the period surrounding sunrise and sunset; it starts about 35 minutes before the sun sets on the horizon and lasts for another 15 minutes after (or vice versa if it's sunrise).
During the first 15-20 minutes, as the sun gets close to the horizon, the light has a warm, hazy quality. The sun sprinkles it's light between the trees, everything is bathed in it's soft golden light and it's just dreamy and delicious.
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
As the sun gets closer to the horizon, the colors of the sky start change dramatically and fast! There's about a 10-15 minute window where the light becomes the Dramatic Queen of the sky and puts on quite a show; emitting pinkish or purplish hues, making it ideal for taking visually stunning photographs.
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
Finally, the sun sets and gives one last push of light magic - Twilight! Here it's all about the pastel subdued colors and if there are clouds on the horizon you get crepuscular rays - you know those fingers of light that seam to stretch forever?
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
So why does the sunset matter?
Besides the fact that Sunset is often the most romantic time of the day, it's also totally time bound and can't be moved and can be easily missed. I generally recommend you build your Wedding Timeline starting with the post-ceremony portraits during this time and start to build the rest of your Wedding Timeline around this Golden Hour.
Need help building your Wedding Timeline? Check out this great Destination Wedding Guide for getting married in the Riviera Maya:
Riviera Maya Destination Wedding Timeline Guide
As always, I am happy to help with any questions you may have or recommendations you may need! Just shoot me a message and I'll help in any way I can to make your dreams become a reality.
