So, you’ve made the decision to elope—I’m so happy for you! Whether it’s just the two of you or a small group of loved ones, eloping is all about keeping things personal, meaningful, and true to who you are as a couple. But let’s be honest: when it comes to eloping, time of day matters. And the big question a lot of couples ask is, “Do we get married at sunrise or sunset?”

I think we can all agree—there’s something about those golden hours that just screams magic. Sunrise brings quiet, fresh energy, while sunset offers a warm, cozy vibe. Both are beautiful for their own reasons, and that’s why so many couples are torn between the two.

Since I’ve captured love stories at both ends of the day (and everywhere in between), I wanted to write this article to help you weigh the pros and cons. Hint: There’s no right or wrong answer, it’s all about your personal vibes!

How Times of Day Affect Photography

Okay, as a photographer, I first want to get a little technical and talk a bit about sunrise vs. sunset photos. Not everyone realizes it, but the time of day plays a huge role in the look and feel of your elopement photos.

Both sunrise and sunset are known as “golden hour.” It’s that window when the sun is low in the sky, which means it casts a softer light with a warm, golden hue. 

This soft light ends up being super flatting on skin tones and helps avoid those harsh shadows that can sometimes happen when the sun is too high and strong (and highly squint-worthy).

Sunrise vs. Sunset: How They Differ

While both sunrise and sunset offer similar lighting, there are a few differences:

• Sunrise often comes with that fresh, dewy light. The shadows are softer, and the calm, cool morning air can add crispness to your photos.
• Sunset is a bit moodier and warmer. The colors tend to be more saturated with deeper oranges, reds, and purples, especially if you’re lucky enough to catch those unique dramatic skies. 

What About Blue Hour?

And one last thing! After sunset, (or just before sunrise), there’s something called “blue hour.” It’s that twilight time when the sun has just dipped below the horizon (or hasn’t come up yet), and the sky holds this moody, dusky blue. These low-light shots can add an ethereal feel to your photos—and can be totally possible to capture if you’re already waiting around for the sunrise or sunset anyway.

Pros of Eloping at Sunrise

If you and your partner are early birds (or at least don’t mind setting an early alarm for your special day), eloping at sunrise can be such a magical experience. Here are a few reasons this option could be a good fit:

1. Peace and Quiet

Sunrise means fewer people around. If you want a quiet, intimate ceremony in a beautiful location—whether it’s a beach, a park, or a mountaintop—you’re much more likely to have it all to yourselves at the crack of dawn. 

2. Soft, Dreamy Light

As I mentioned earlier, sunrise offers some of the softest, most flattering light of the day. It’s gentle, pastel, and a little cooler in tone compared to sunset. The result? Photos that feel timeless, with delicate shadows and no harsh glares. 

3. Cooler Temperatures

If you’re eloping somewhere hot—think desert, beach, or really anywhere in the summer—sunrise is your best bet to avoid overheating. Morning temperatures are typically cooler, making it more comfortable for both you and your partner. You’ll feel fresh, and it can make outdoor ceremonies far more enjoyable. Another plus? There are usually (but not always) fewer bugs during this time.

4. A Fresh Start to the Day

There’s something special about waking up early to start your day with a life-changing moment. A sunrise elopement timeline means you get to soak in the entire day together as newlyweds. After the ceremony, you’ve got the whole day ahead of you for celebrating, adventuring, or just relaxing in each other’s company.

5. Stunning Backdrops

Lighting isn’t the only magical thing about sunrise. This time of day also brings unique scenery to your elopement photos, such as mist rising from the water and maybe even a bit of dew on the grass around you. Depending on where you are, you might also get lucky with wildlife or beautiful cloud formations.

6. Fewer Distractions

Since most people are still asleep, you’ll have fewer distractions—no traffic, no noise from crowds, and no hustle and bustle to pull your attention away from the moment. It’s a chance to focus entirely on your partner and the commitment you’re making.

Cons of Eloping at Sunrise

As dreamy as a sunrise elopement sounds, it’s not without its challenges. While the early morning hours offer some great perks, there are a few potential downsides to keep in mind:

1. Early Wake-Up

I’m going to be real here: sunrise means getting up very early, sometimes before 5 a.m. depending on the time of year and location. If you’re not a natural morning person, this can be tough. You’ll need to get ready in the dark and find your energy before the sun even peeks over the horizon, which might not be everyone’s idea of a relaxing start to the day.

2. Limited Time for Preparation

Because sunrise happens so quickly, you’ll have less time for preparation beforehand. Hair, makeup, and getting dressed all have to happen before the sun starts rising, and that can feel rushed. And if you want those golden hour photos, you’ve got to be on location and ready to go at the right moment.

3. Weather Can Be Tricky

Early morning weather can be unpredictable. Depending on the time of year and where you are, you might be dealing with fog, dew, or even chilly temperatures that can leave you and your partner shivering. Plus, if there’s too much fog, it can obscure that sunrise view you’ve been dreaming of.

4. Not Ideal for Guests

If you want to invite a small group of loved ones to your elopement, keep in mind that not everyone will be thrilled about waking up so early. And, remember, depending on the location, this might mean asking them to get up and be at the location at 5 a.m.!

Read More: Do You Have to Invite Guests to Your Elopement?

Pros of Eloping at Sunset

First off, most couples don’t actually have their vows or ceremony at sunset because of how quickly the sun can go down (though it’s not impossible!). Usually, when we say “sunset elopements,” we’re talking about an afternoon ceremony followed by a sunset photo session. Here are some pros to keep in mind when it comes to this option:

1. Warm, Golden Light

Sunset light is nothing short of breathtaking. The sun casts a warm, golden glow over everything, giving your photos a romantic feel. This golden hour light is incredibly flattering on skin tones, and the softer shadows make for the most stunning photos. 

2. Relaxed Start to the Day

If you choose to do sunset elopement photos, you can plan your actual ceremony for the afternoon to lead to a smooth transition into the evening. In this case, you have the whole day to take your time getting ready, spend time with your partner, and even do some exploring before the ceremony and photo session. There’s no rush to wake up early or hustle through your morning.

3. Guest-Friendly

If you’re inviting a few close friends or family, an afternoon elopement leading into sunset photos tends to be more guest-friendly in terms of time. People are more likely to be at their best in the afternoon or evening, compared to sunrise when they might still be groggy. 

4. Dramatic Sky Colors

While sunrise offers softer pastel tones, sunset often brings deeper, more dramatic colors. As the sun sets, the sky can light up with vibrant oranges, reds, pinks, and purples—especially if you’re eloping somewhere with wide, open views like a beach, desert, or mountain range. 

5. Cooler Evening Temperatures

Just like sunrise can bring cooler morning temps, sunset brings relief from the heat of the day. This can be especially nice if you’re eloping in a warmer climate where mid-day temperatures are a bit difficult to handle. By the time the sun is setting, things have usually cooled off enough to make the experience much more comfortable.

6. Golden Hour to Blue Hour Transition

One of the best things about an afternoon elopement followed by sunset portraits is that you get a double feature: golden hour and blue hour (you can also get the reverse at sunrise, but this means you have to wake up EVEN earlier). As the sun sets, you’ll get that golden glow, and as it dips below the horizon, blue hour will bring a twilight feel to your photos. And, if you stay out even longer, you can even get a backdrop full of stars.

Cons of Eloping at Sunset

You guessed it—sunset portraits still come with a few cons to keep in mind:

1. Crowds and Onlookers

Sunset is a popular time for outdoor activities—whether it’s people heading out for a sunset hike, a beach stroll, or just hanging out to catch the view. Depending on your location, you might have to share your spot with more people than you’d like. 

2. Unpredictable Timing

Sunset happens fast. Once that golden hour starts, you’re on a bit of a countdown until the sun dips below the horizon. If your elopement timeline runs behind schedule, you could miss that perfect light, and after the sun sets, the lighting shifts quickly into twilight (aka blue hour), which brings a completely different mood. 

3. Cooler Evening Temperatures

While the cooler temps can be a pro, they can also be a con depending on the time of year. In some locations, temperatures drop rapidly after sunset, and that beautiful warm glow can turn into a chilly evening, which means you’ll need to bundle up!

4. Limited Time for Celebration in the Daylight

If you choose to have a celebration after your photo session, it might be cut a little short by the fading daylight. But, this doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate all night! You just might have to move to a more cozy, intimate, indoor space, depending on where you are and the temperature. 

Sunrise or Sunset Elopements: Which One is Right for You?

So, you know the pros and cons of eloping at sunrise and sunset, but how do you know which option is right for you? Let’s break it down:

Sunrise Elopements Are Ideal If:

• You love quiet, intimate moments and want to start your day with something meaningful while the world is still waking up.
• You’re hoping to avoid crowds, traffic, and distractions, especially if you’re eloping in a popular spot.
• You want that soft morning light in your photos with pastel skies in the background.
• You don’t mind waking up really early and getting ready before the sun rises (bonus: you’ll have the whole day ahead to explore or celebrate).
• You’re eloping in a hot climate and want to avoid the midday heat by tying the knot in the cooler morning hours.
• Privacy is a top priority, and you want to minimize the chances of having people around during your ceremony.
• You prefer cooler temperatures or misty, dewy mornings that bring a fresh, natural vibe to your elopement.
• You’re not inviting guests, or your guests are early risers who are down for a pre-dawn adventure.

Sunset Elopements Are Ideal If:

• You love rich, warm colors and want that iconic golden hour glow with bold skies as a backdrop for your photos.
• You’d rather spend the day relaxing, getting ready at a leisurely pace, and winding down the day with magical photos.
• Crowds and distractions aren’t a dealbreaker, or you’ve found a more secluded spot where privacy isn’t a concern.
• You’re more of a night owl, preferring a slower start to the day and the chance to sleep in before the big event.
• You want to avoid early morning stress and enjoy having time to prep and get into the eloping mindset.
• You love the idea of transitioning into a cozy evening celebration or having dinner under the stars after your photo session.

Can You Do Both?

What if I told you that you don’t actually have to choose? One popular option is to have a day-long elopement, where you kick off the day with an intimate sunrise ceremony and continue celebrating throughout the day, wrapping it all up with some gorgeous sunset photos. This way, you get the best of both worlds. Or, you can say your vows in the morning, chill out for the day and head back out for sunset—whatever works best for you and your partner! 

Keep in mind, though, that this approach requires some flexibility and planning—especially with your timeline. You’ll need time for breaks, travel, and maybe even a midday nap (because eloping at both ends of the day can be exhausting!). But if you’re up for the adventure, doing both could make for a story you’ll never forget.

P.S. A day-long elopement from sunrise to sunset is also one of my most popular packages!

Read More: How to Elope: The Ultimate Guide

At the End of the Day…

I want you to know that there’s no wrong answer when it comes to sunrise and sunset elopements and photo sessions. It’s all about what feels right for you and your partner. Think about the vibe you want, the kind of photos that speak to your hearts, and how you want to experience your big day.

If you’re still on the fence or need a little help planning your sunrise or sunset elopement, I’d love to chat! As someone who has captured elopements at all times of the day, I can help you find what feels right and make sure it’s as stunning as you imagine.