Free planning tool
Golden hourwedding planner
Enter your wedding date and venue postcode. We’ll show you exactly when the light is at its best and suggest a photography timeline built around it.
Reference
Golden hour in the
West Midlands, by month
Evening golden hour and sunset on the 15th of each month in Wolverhampton. Venues across the Midlands are within a few minutes of these times.
| Month | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Blue hour ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 17:29 | 18:16 | 18:50 |
| November 2026 | 15:22 | 16:17 | 16:55 |
| December 2026 | 14:50 | 15:55 | 16:36 |
| January 2027 | 15:23 | 16:23 | 17:03 |
| February 2027 | 16:30 | 17:20 | 17:56 |
| March 2027 | 17:27 | 18:12 | 18:46 |
| April 2027 | 19:20 | 20:06 | 20:43 |
| May 2027 | 20:07 | 20:58 | 21:41 |
| June 2027 | 20:38 | 21:34 | 22:24 |
| July 2027 | 20:33 | 21:27 | 22:13 |
| August 2027 | 19:49 | 20:37 | 21:16 |
| September 2027 | 18:42 | 19:27 | 20:02 |
Questions
Planning around the light
What is golden hour?
Golden hour is the time shortly before sunset (and after sunrise) when the sun is low in the sky, roughly between 6° above and 4° below the horizon. Light is soft, warm and flattering, with long gentle shadows. It’s why so many favourite wedding portraits are taken in the evening.
When is golden hour in the UK?
It changes a lot through the year. In the West Midlands it starts around 20:30 in late June but before 15:00 in December. Use the planner above for your exact date and venue, or see the month-by-month table.
What is blue hour?
Blue hour follows golden hour, when the sun is between 4° and 6° below the horizon. The sky turns a deep, even blue, which looks stunning behind a lit-up venue or with fairy lights.
How long do family group photos take?
Allow about 30 minutes for 8–10 groupings. Share a list with your photographer in advance and ask a confident usher to round people up. It makes a big difference.
How many hours of wedding photography do we need?
Most couples book coverage from bridal preparations to the first dance, which is typically 8 to 10 hours. If golden hour falls late in summer, consider extending to capture evening portraits.
Planning a 2027 wedding? See our recent weddings or get in touch.