Bright Sight planning guide
When does the sun set on your wedding day?
In the middle of England the sun sets from about 3:55pm in December to about 9:30pm in June. This guide gives sunset times by month, explains golden hour and shows how to plan portraits and coverage around the light.
The short answer
It depends on the month: from about 3:55pm in mid December to about 9:30pm in mid June, in the middle of England. Clocks go forward on the last Sunday of March and back on the last Sunday of October, and the times below are on the clock your guests will be using.
Golden hour is roughly the hour before sunset, when the light is low, soft and warm. It is the loveliest time for portraits, and it is worth knowing when it falls before you fix your ceremony time.
Sunset by month
In winter, sunset falls at about 3:55pm in mid December, 4:25pm in mid January and 5:20pm in mid February.
In spring, it falls at about 6:10pm in mid March, before the clocks change. After they do, it is about 8:05pm in mid April and 8:55pm in mid May.
In summer, it falls at about 9:30pm in mid June, 9:20pm in mid July and 8:30pm in mid August.
In autumn, it falls at about 7:25pm in mid September and 6:15pm in mid October. Once the clocks have gone back, it is about 4:15pm in mid November.
These times are for the middle of England. Across England and Wales sunset moves by up to about 25 minutes either way, depending on how far west or north you are: in winter the west is later and the north earlier, and in summer the north is later. Search for your venue’s town and your date to get the exact time.
What golden hour does for your photographs
In the hour before sunset the sun is low, so the light is soft and warm and shadows are long and gentle. Skin glows, and fields and old stone turn gold. It is the light many couples picture when they imagine their portraits.
Cloud and weather decide how colourful an evening is, so treat sunset as the time to be outside, not a promise of colour.
Winter weddings: short days
In mid December the sun sets before 4pm, so useful daylight is short. An earlier ceremony gives your portraits more of it. We keep outdoor photographs close to the indoors, straight from the ceremony.
Our guide to what if it rains on your wedding day covers sheltered options, which also help on a cold, dark afternoon.
Summer weddings: long evenings
In summer the evening light arrives late. A portrait walk takes about 15 minutes, with photographs and video captured together, and we can offer an optional second walk when the evening light suits.
Check your finish time. Standard coverage is 10.5 hours, so starting at 10:30am means finishing at 9pm. In June the sun sets around 9:30pm, so if the sunset is a must-have, look at starting later, or at Luxury coverage of 11.5 hours or Platinum coverage of 13 hours. Our guide to how many hours of wedding photography you need shows how to work it out.
Planning your ceremony time around the light
Work backwards from sunset. If you would like golden hour portraits, plan for the two of you to be free about an hour before sunset, then add a little room for the journey and your guests.
We check sunset, light and tide times in advance from the desk. If you would like golden hour portraits, tell us on our planning call, which happens about a month before the wedding or whenever you have had your final venue meeting. Our guide to whether to have a first look shows how it changes your timeline.
If you are still deciding
Look up sunset for your date and venue, then ask your venue which ceremony times are available. Our photography timeline guide shows how a day fits together around them.
When you are ready, send an enquiry with your date and venue and we will reply within a few hours. An enquiry does not reserve your date; the £120 deposit does, once you are happy to go ahead.
Questions couples ask
What time does the sun set on a wedding day in the UK?
In the middle of England it ranges from about 3:55pm in mid December to about 9:30pm in mid June, on the clock your guests will be using. It moves a little across England and Wales, so check your venue’s town and date.
What is golden hour at a wedding?
Golden hour is roughly the hour before sunset, when the light is low, soft and warm. It is a lovely time for portraits.
How long should we plan for sunset portraits?
A portrait walk usually takes about 15 minutes, with photographs and video captured together, and we can offer an optional second walk when the evening light suits.
Should we plan our ceremony around sunset?
It depends on the season. In winter an earlier ceremony gives portraits more daylight, and in summer the evening light arrives late, so an evening walk can work well.
Do you check the light and sunset times in advance?
Yes. We check sunset, light and tide times in advance from the desk. If you would like golden hour portraits, tell us on the planning call.
Will our coverage last until sunset?
It can. Standard coverage is 10.5 hours, Luxury is 11.5 and Platinum is 13. Work out your start and finish times, then check that the finish falls after sunset on your date.
How much do your wedding packages cost?
Our standard full-day packages start at £1,999 for photography, £1,999 for videography and £3,699 for photography and videography together, with travel across England and Wales included and a £120 deposit to secure your date.
A real wedding on film
A bright day on film
Erica and Pete’s highlight at The Italian Villa, Poole, Dorset, is a bright, sunny day on film. Watch how the light feels as the day moves on.
The Italian Villa / Poole, Dorset
Erica & Pete
Watch Erica & Pete’s The Italian Villa wedding film →
Watch their highlight on YouTubeA real wedding on film
From day into evening
Charlie and Peter’s highlight at Notley Abbey, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, follows a day into the evening. Watch how the light changes from the first scenes to the last.
Explore Notley Abbey’s wedding spaces
Notley Abbey / Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire
Charlie & Peter
Watch Charlie & Peter’s Notley Abbey wedding film →
Watch their highlight on YouTube