How to Get the Best Golden Hour Wedding Photos in Utah
How to Get the Best Golden Hour Wedding Photos in Utah
Golden hour—that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset—has long been a photographer’s dream. The soft, warm, and diffused light creates a breathtaking glow that flatters skin tones, enhances natural landscapes, and gives wedding portraits an ethereal quality.
As a Salt Lake City wedding photographer, I always recommend scheduling portraits during golden hour whenever possible. Whether you’re saying “I do” in the mountains, downtown, or at a stunning outdoor venue, golden hour can take your wedding photos from beautiful to absolutely breathtaking.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through:
✅ Why golden hour is the best time for wedding portraits
✅ The top sunset photo locations in Salt Lake City
✅ A sample wedding day timeline to capture the perfect golden hour glow
Why Golden Hour Is the Best Time for Wedding Photos
1. Soft, Flattering Light
Harsh midday sun can create strong shadows, uneven lighting, and squinting eyes in photos. Golden hour provides a soft, warm light that enhances skin tones and creates a dreamy atmosphere. It eliminates harsh contrasts and ensures even, glowing skin.
2. Warm & Romantic Tones
The golden hues of sunset add a natural warmth and depth to your images. Whether it’s the gentle pinks and oranges of the sky or the golden reflections on a lake, golden hour naturally enhances the romance and intimacy of your wedding photos.
3. No Harsh Shadows
At midday, the sun is high, creating deep shadows under eyes and noses. Golden hour light is directional but soft, meaning your photographer can position you in ways that make your portraits more natural, flattering, and cinematic.
4. Dreamy Backlighting & Silhouettes
Golden hour offers a chance to get gorgeous backlit portraits, where the sun creates a halo effect around you. It’s also the best time to capture silhouette shots with stunning sunset colors in the background.
5. Enhanced Backgrounds & Landscapes
Utah’s stunning landscapes—from mountains to salt flats—look even more magical at golden hour. The soft light highlights textures, whether it's the red rocks of Moab, the greenery of the Wasatch Mountains, or the urban skyline of Salt Lake City.
The Best Golden Hour Wedding Photo Locations in Salt Lake City
Utah is full of breathtaking golden hour photo spots. Whether you're looking for mountain views, city skylines, lakes, or deserts, here are the top locations for golden hour wedding portraits near Salt Lake City.
1. The Bonneville Salt Flats
📍 Distance from SLC: 1.5 hours
✅ Best for: Modern, dreamy, and surreal sunset portraits
The Bonneville Salt Flats are unlike anywhere else in the world. The vast, reflective surface creates a natural mirror effect at sunset, making it a perfect spot for ethereal and dramatic golden hour portraits.
📸 Pro Tip: The best time to shoot here is about 30 minutes before sunset when the salt flats glow with pastel pinks and oranges.
2. Albion Basin (Alta, Utah)
📍 Distance from SLC: 40 minutes
✅ Best for: Wildflowers, mountain views, and romantic forest vibes
If you’re getting married in the summer or early fall, Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon is a dreamy golden hour location. The alpine meadows, tall pine trees, and rolling hills create a stunning natural backdrop for sunset photos.
📸 Pro Tip: In July and August, wildflowers bloom, adding vibrant colors to your golden hour portraits.
3. Antelope Island
📍 Distance from SLC: 1 hour
✅ Best for: Open landscapes, lake reflections, and unique desert vibes
Antelope Island is known for its golden grasslands, wide-open views, and stunning lake reflections at sunset. It’s one of the best places for dramatic golden hour shots with a mix of water and desert elements.
📸 Pro Tip: Sunset over the Great Salt Lake creates a mirror-like effect, making for some of the most unique and breathtaking wedding portraits in Utah.
4. The Utah State Capitol & Memory Grove Park
📍 Distance from SLC: 5 minutes
✅ Best for: Classic architecture, elegant gardens, and cityscape views
If you’re looking for a timeless, elegant location within Salt Lake City, the Utah State Capitol and nearby Memory Grove Park offer both natural and architectural beauty. The golden hour light softens the grandeur of the columns and highlights the romance of the park’s greenery.
📸 Pro Tip: Position yourselves on the Capitol steps at sunset to capture the warm glow of the sun reflecting off the historic stone.
5. The Wasatch Mountains (Big Cottonwood Canyon & Guardsman Pass)
📍 Distance from SLC: 30-45 minutes
✅ Best for: Majestic mountain backdrops and golden aspen trees in the fall
For couples wanting dramatic mountain scenery, the Wasatch Mountains are perfect for golden hour portraits. Whether it’s the snow-covered peaks in winter or the fiery aspens in fall, this area offers a breathtaking backdrop at sunset.
📸 Pro Tip: If you’re planning a fall wedding, golden hour light + autumn leaves = absolute magic!
A Sample Timeline for Golden Hour Wedding Photos
Timing your wedding day around golden hour ensures you get the best possible light for your portraits. Here's a sample timeline for different seasons in Utah.
Spring & Summer Wedding Timeline (April – September)
☀️ Sunset: Between 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
2:00 PM – Getting Ready & Detail Shots (rings, dress, florals, invitations)
3:30 PM – First Look & Bride + Groom Portraits
4:00 PM – Wedding Party Photos
5:00 PM – Ceremony Begins
5:30 PM – Cocktail Hour & Family Photos
7:30 PM – Sneak Away for Golden Hour Bride + Groom Portraits
8:00 PM – Sunset Couples Photos (Last Light) & Reception Begins
9:30 PM – Night Photos (Sparklers, Lanterns, or Flash Photography)
📸 Best Time for Golden Hour Photos: 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Fall Wedding Timeline (September – November)
🍂 Sunset: Between 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
12:00 PM – Getting Ready & Detail Shots
2:00 PM – First Look & Bride + Groom Portraits
3:00 PM – Ceremony
4:00 PM – Family & Wedding Party Photos
5:30 PM – Golden Hour Couples Portraits
6:00 PM – Sunset Photos & Reception Begins
📸 Best Time for Golden Hour Photos: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Winter Wedding Timeline (December – March)
❄️ Sunset: Between 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
11:00 AM – Getting Ready & Detail Shots
12:30 PM – First Look & Couple’s Portraits
1:30 PM – Ceremony
3:00 PM – Wedding Party & Family Photos
4:00 PM – Golden Hour Bride + Groom Photos
5:00 PM – Sunset & Reception Begins
📸 Best Time for Golden Hour Photos: 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Final Tips for Perfect Golden Hour Wedding Photos
✅ Plan Ahead: Talk with your photographer to schedule time for golden hour photos.
✅ Be Flexible: The best sunset photos happen right before the sun dips below the horizon.
✅ Sneak Away: Take 10-15 minutes during your reception to capture the final golden light.
✅ Consider Season & Location: Sunset times change throughout the year, so plan accordingly.
Let’s Capture Your Dreamy Golden Hour Wedding!
If you want stunning, romantic golden hour wedding photos in Utah, I’d love to help capture your love story! Let’s chat about your wedding vision, timeline, and dream locations.
📅 Reach out today to book your Salt Lake wedding photographer! 💛