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why we recommend golden hour portraits

Golden hour takes place approximately 60 minutes before sunset (this may vary based on actual location of venue). But we highly recommend scheduling at least 20-30 minutes worth of bride & groom portrait time during the golden hour, to make sure that you can have those magazine-worthy and romantically-lit images that are always our bride's favorite pictures from her day!

scheduling specific time for golden hour portraits in your wedding timeline are key for gorgeous & romantic images that you will love!!!

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Bonbon biscuit lemon drops dessert chupa chups toffee. Gingerbread tiramisu icing jujubes cookie pie.

Tart lemon drops brownie macaroon. Gingerbread cotton candy powder toffee chocolate cake gummies chocolate candy.

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why we love golden hour portraits!

See real-life Lux Light Brides on their wedding day, and listen to a few quick tips and reasons why golden hour portraits are a MUST for your wedding day!

watch the video!

why is golden hour so amazing?

the location of the sun is key when it comes to
planning out golden hour!

Usually during your wedding day, wedding party portraits, your First Look, and Bride & Groom Pictures take place in the middle of the day - when the sun is highest. And while we do work very hard as photographers to put everyone is shade for some softer light, it is completely normal that the light in general is harsh!! So especially when it comes to the bride & groom images, we love waiting until the sun has dropped in the sky. You will notice, if you look at colors, that pictures become warm, golden, and almost creamy, which results in the portraits we at Lux Light Photography, are most known for! You will also have beautiful backlighting (where you are both bathed and highlighted in golden light) while capturing the sun rays and sunset at the same time. The result?? Pure magic!!

how do we schedule golden hour

follow these easy steps to know, when to
plan for golden hour portraits!

1. Check the specific sunset time for your exact location
2. Calculate the start of golden hour (subtract 60 minutes from your sunset time.) For example, if sunset is at 8:15pm....golden hour will be at 7:15 pm
3. Look at your reception timeline and decide, which is the most appropriate time to step away privately for this event. For example, to use the golden hour timeframe from above, if your First Dance is scheduled for 7:15pm, then I would plan on going out for your portraits immediately following the formal dances.
4. Inform your other vendors that you will be stepping away from your reception during this specific time (you don't want the DJ to play your favorite song when you are away!)
5. If you have any questions or if you'd like for me to calculate your exact timeline, PLEASE ASK ME! I am happy to put all of this info together for you, so you don't have to worry about a thing!

sample timeline

so we know that planning everything in your
timeline is tough - let us help!!

Below is a sample wedding day timeline that includes golden hour coverage, with the assumption that sunset is at 8:15 and that golden hour starts at 7:15pm:

1 photographers arrive for getting ready pictures
2:30 bridesmaids & moms put on dresses
2:45 bride puts on dress
3:15 groom departs for first look
3:20 bride departs for first look
3:30 First Look
4:15 wedding party lines up
4:30 ceremony start time
5 ceremony ends
5:10 family portraits start
5:30 wedding portraits start
6 wedding party lines up for grand entrance
6:10 grand entrance
6:15 cake cutting
6:20 toasts
6:30 salads served
6:45 entre served
7:15 bride/groom golden hour portraits
7:45 first dance
7:50 father daughter dance
7:55 mother son dance
8 guest dancing starts
9 photographers depart

**If you need help with your timeline, view our other sample timelines for your wedding day - one of my favorite tips to share with my Lux Light Brides!

golden hour picture examples

Because I am soooooo passionate about scheduling golden hour portraits into your wedding photography timeline, I can't help but show off some of my favorite wedding images, taking during this magical time of the day! Many of these images are taken right outside the reception halls, so that you don't have to worry about missing a lot of your reception! You can even check out some of my favorite venues as well, to see full wedding examples of my amazing Lux Light Brides, featured below: The Homestead Resort, Crystal Mountain, Grand Traverse Resort, Castle Farms, and Bay Harbor Hotel!

From the Bride:

“Wow, is all I can say! Lux Light Photographer, Melissa Lande, is AMAZING! My husband and I are beyond thrilled with the beautiful photos this talented photographer took at our wedding in Michigan! Melissa was great to work with and made us, our bridal party, our family and guests feel completely at ease and comfortable. Even after only seeing the blog sneak peek, we know that she was able to capture all the emotions of the day!! Nick and I cannot wait to see all of the images Melissa and her assistant captured! We adored them! Thank you, Lux Light Photography, for helping make our big day perfect and beautiful in every way!Your photos are BEAUTIFUL! You captured our big day perfectly, thank you so much! I am looking forward to sharing them with family and friends!” - Kallie, Lux Light Bride

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Homestead Resort Real Wedding Photography 

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"OMG Melissa!! Thank you thank you! I can't wait to look at them all! You are by far the greatest photographer in my book! Your photographs will be what we keep for a lifetime to remember our day and you have gone above and beyond to make every moment perfect.
Thank you for an amazing wedding gift!”

Contact me below for a FREE quote on wedding photography packages and collections! We also offer custom designed packages for those brides looking for unique features.


Traverse City Wedding photography by Lux Light Photography, captures beautiful and fine art portraits for your wedding and engagements in all of northern Michigan, including Traverse City, Petoskey, Frankfort, Glen Arbor, Charlevoix,  Mackinac Island, Bay Harbor Village Hotel, Crystal Mountain, Homestead Resort, Castle Farms, Grand Traverse Resort, Arcadia Golf Course, Visions Centerpointe, and other favorite venues!

Contact us below for your FREE Quote!
Lux Light Photography
800 Cottage View Drive
Traverse City Michigan 49684
melissa@luxlightphotography.net
231-633-9410

Soufflé tootsie roll tart lemon drops brownie macaroon. Gingerbread cotton candy powder toffee chocolate cake gummies chocolate candy. Gingerbread halvah caramels oat cake. Brownie tiramisu chocolate jelly beans bear claw chocolate cake sesame snaps sweet cupcake. Chocolate bar macaroon cookie chocolate sweet danish cookie. Fruitcake cotton candy topping ice cream sweet roll dessert bear claw. Candy cotton candy croissant chocolate muffin.

Bonbon biscuit lemon drops dessert chupa chups toffee. Gingerbread tiramisu icing jujubes cookie pie.

Tart lemon drops brownie macaroon. Gingerbread cotton candy powder toffee chocolate cake gummies chocolate candy.

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ready to book? have questions?

Please, fill out the form below with as much information as possible-this will give you the best answer from me! email me at melissa@luxlightphotography.net If you don't hear back within 24 hours, please check your SPAM!

Please check your SPAM folder if you do not get a response from me within 24 hours! This will ensure that you can get your wedding info and photography booked as quick as you need it!

Please note that office hours at 12-4pm, M-F. I will respond to your email within that time frame. If you email me on the weekend, I will respond the following Monday. Thank you!

thank you!