Sunrise vs. Sunset: Which is Right for your Elopement Day?
A sunset Moab elopement during golden hour
One of the biggest decisions couples make when planning an elopement is choosing what time of day they want to say private vows, have their ceremony, or embark on their adventure. The lighting at both sunrise and sunset is remarkable in most locations and offers a bit more “wow” to the surrounding landscapes. During our initial Connect Call, one of the first things we talk about is your preference on time of day, and the good news is:
there isn’t a wrong answer!
The best choice comes down to what kind of day you want to have, not just the prettiest lighting.
Hiking at sunrise for a Colorado mountain elopement
What’s the Biggest Difference Between a Sunrise and Sunset Elopement?
Having photographed in all lighting conditions—rain, hail, harsh noon-day sun, and even haze from smoke—what I’ve noticed stands out in all these photos is the couple, their emotions, and the story unfolding in the landscapes and activities. So the biggest difference isn’t actually the lighting—it’s the experience.
A sunrise elopement vibe is generally peaceful, calm, quiet, and feeling like the world belongs to just the two of you. This is often when you’ll find the most privacy, stillness in lakes, fair weather over mountains, and clean, clear sunrays.
A sunset elopement vibe tends to feel cozy, celebratory, and relaxed after spending the day together. The air is usually warmer and the colors more vibrant, and can be a key choice for accommodating guests or spilling into stargazing.
Neither is better, just different. So which is right for you?
Let’s dive more into the “pros” and “cons” of each:
First looks by lanterns pre-sunrise in Colorado
Why you Might Love a Sunrise Elopement
Incredible Privacy
If your vision includes exchanging vows with little to no one else around, sunrise will almost always be your best bet.
Many of Colorado and Utah’s most iconic locations are surprisingly quiet in the early morning (like me, most people probably like to sleep in!) but the tradeoff for rising before the sun is experiencing overlooks, alpine lakes, and mountain passes almost entirely to yourselves. This also means less distractions and more intimacy for your first few hours as a married couple!
Beautiful Morning Light
Sunrise tends to be soft, clean, and incredibly flattering. Mountains, especially, can have an “alpine glow” that creates a fiery effect on the peaks as the sun hits them first. Both the mountain’s and desert’s landscapes tend to reflect cooler colors in the morning, especially if there are low clouds or mist in valleys, canyons, and lakes.
Better Chances of Seeing Wildlife
One of the best parts of sunrise is experiecing nature before human contact. Cars, airplanes, foot traffic, and overall chatter are few and far between, giving space to peaceful wildlife, such as birds, elk, moose, deer, mountain goats, etc. If hoping to spot these beautiful creatures, the earlier the better.
Cooler Temperatures
This applies mostly in summer, but dang it can get hot out here—especially in Utah’s deserts! The sun at Colorado’s elevation also hits different, with the rays feeling more intense out in the open. One of the coolest (pun intended) parts about both Colorado and Utah is that—even if the night brought sub-freezing temperatures—the day warms up so quickly. I’m talking 20 degrees or more in a matter of hours. So if staying sweat-free and breathing in cool mountain air is high on your list, sunrise is your time!
The Day is Just Beginning!
One thing couples sometimes overlook is that after a sunrise ceremony….the day is just getting started! You can celebrate with a picnic brunch, paddleboard on an alpine lake, ride horses through the mountains, grab coffee in the nearby town, go off-roading over sand-washed canyons, or simply spend the afternoon relaxing together. This is your time to celebrate, let your hair fly, and not worry about tears of laughter streaking your makeup!
Sunrise often lights up surrounding peaks in Colorado, making it a magical time for elopements!
Things to Consider about Sunrise
Of course, sunrise isn’t perfect for everyone. A few things to keep in mind:
You’ll probably be waking up between 2:00–5:00 AM depending on the season.
Hair and makeup often starts even sooner than that, and not all artists offer services so early.
Temperatures can be chilly—even during summer.
Early mornings may be difficult for young children or larger groups of guests.
If you’re not naturally an early riser, don’t worry. Plenty of couples choose sunrise anyway because the experience is worth it—but it’s something to think about.
Sometimes fog rests on alpine lakes in Colorado at sunrise!
Sunrise is a great option for hot desert days like Moab, Utah!
Chances of being alone for your Colorado elopement are higher at sunrise.
The lighting at sunrise is often softer, cleaner, and cooler colors (think more blues and greens).
Why you Might Love a Sunset Elopement
Golden Hour Is Hard to Beat
While there is a golden hour during sunrise as well, there’s something special about the sunset light just before it sets. Mountains glow, wildflowers light up, and the landscape just has a rich color to it. The sky tends to look more vibrant, especially if storms or clouds have brewed.
A Slow Morning
Not everyone wants a 3:00 AM alarm! A sunset elopement allows you to ease into the day and enjoy coffee together, write your vows leisurely, and spend some time together relaxing.
Easier for Family and Guests
If you’re inviting family, sunset ceremonies are generally easier on everyone and ensures guests have time to wake, travel, and navigate to your ceremony spot. It’s also easier to be flexible with timing if someone gets lost or leaves late, as the lighting continues to get better.
Blue Hour and Stargazing
Here’s an icing on the cake opportunity for those of you who just don’t want the day to end.
Blue hour creates soft, moody light, and depending on your location, you may even end your wedding day beneath an incredible night sky!
Imagine celebrating with champagne, a campfire, string fairy lights, and stargazing on a cozy blanket. Especially for those of you interested in camping—this is a rare moment to capture even the Milky Way behind your tent!
Blue hour photos are uniquely beautiful and can add to the story of your mountain or desert elopement!
Things to Consider about Sunset
Sunset does come with a few trade-offs.
Popular locations are usually busiest in the evening, especially during summer and peak fall weekends.
You’ll likely encounter more hikers and full parking lots
Especially in summer and especially in Utah, afternoon heat sometimes doesn’t cool down until the sun sets completely
Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons, particularly in Colorado
These aren’t deal-breakers, but they do require a little more planning—which is exactly what I’m here for!
One of my personal favorite times is the mix between sunset and twilight, with it’s variety of colors and different moods.
Sunset is a great way to start slow and relax into your day, then add in extra adventure at the end of your elopement!
Sunset lighting tends to bring out vibrant, warmer colors (think reds and oranges), especially in the red rocks of Utah.
After a day of adventuring and celebrating your elopement, sunset is a great time to unwind and relax with your partner!
Which One Fits Your Personality?
Choose sunrise if you:
Love quiet moments
Want maximum privacy
Especially enjoy hiking (great odds you’ll be nearly alone)
Hope to see wildlife
Want to spend the rest of your wedding day exploring
I love these backlit photos as sunrise crests over the Colorado peaks!
Choose sunset if you:
Prefer sleeping in
Love warm golden light
Are inviting guests
Want dinner or a celebration afterward
Dream of ending the night under the stars
Especially in summer, a sunset adventure is a great way to beat the heat in both Colorado and Utah!
Why Not Have Both?!
One of my favorite timelines is actually…
both!
Many couples choose my 8-hour package for its versatility in a split-day elopement. So you can have the best of both worlds!
We could meet at sunrise for a private vow reading and hiking adventure, then take a break during the middle of the day to nap, grab lunch with family, or explore the town. Then before sunset we’ll reconnect for a ceremony with your loved ones, a champagne pop celebration, and riding on horses into the Wild West sunset! If time allows, we’ll end your day stargazing on top of a canyon or mountain.
This is my favorite package for couples because it gives both depth and versatility to the day, plus creates more space without feeling rushed.
A couple begins their day at sunrise at a red rock arch location in Moab, Utah.
Then they had an epic horseback riding adventure at sunset and bonus blue hour photos in twilight!
Ready to Start Planning Your Elopement?
If you have a vision of your sunrise or sunset elopement (or now thinking of including both!) I’d love to help create a day that reflects your personalities and desires. Don’t really have a vision at all? That’s great too—that’s why I’m here! Taking photos is just one awesome part of my role in your day; the other is to be your navigator, helping guide you through timeline possibilities and smoothing out all of the details.
Together, we’ll build a day that makes the most of the season, your location, and the experience you want to remember for the rest of your lives!!
