Sunrise vs. Sunset Elopements

When you’re planning your dream day, the sky is the limit! whether you want a Sunrise elopement vs. a sunset elopement (or anything in between), the beauty is that you can do whatever you want.

One thing we love about elopements over traditional weddings is that elopement ceremonies can happen at all times throughout the day, while traditional weddings usually adhere to a start time around 3-4pm.

Sunrise and sunset tend to be a favorite time among photographers (us included!) to capture your day because the lower sun in the sky creates what’s widely know as golden hour - producing gorgeous, soft lighting & once the sun goes down (if you’re lucky!) and vibrant colors in the sky.

But how do you decide if a sunrise elopement or sunset elopement is better for you?

Sunrise Elopements

Sunrise elopements are a great way to start your day! While you’re definitely getting up early to allow time for hair & makeup and travel to your ceremony location, it gives you plenty of time to relax and rest while also allowing enough time to participate in other activities you want to do with your partner later in the day. We love a sunrise elopement for this reason!

Another popular benefit is that it will be far less crowded. The busiest times of the day tend to be in the afternoon & into the evening, so if privacy is one of your top priorities, sunrise is a great option.

Colorado summers also experience a monsoon season. You may think we’re far too landlocked to experience monsoons, but it’s true! We usually get daily thunderstorms (sometimes hail, too) mid-day on during monsoon season. If you’re looking for the most guaranteed way to avoid getting dumped on by Mother Nature it’s better to plan for earlier in the day. DISCLAIMER: We do not control the weather, so keep in mind that Colorado will do what it wants regardless of what you plan for.

Sunset Elopements

Are you not a morning person? We get it! Not everyone is. Sunset elopements offer some similar perks that sunrise elopements do, but also give you the benefit of sleeping in to a more humane time. If you tend to feel groggy on early mornings, it may be better to wait until the afternoon or evening to start your ceremony & elopement festivities.

If privacy is still of utmost concern, you can still get it! We know tons of spots that are more off the beaten path, as well as spots to confidently steer clear of.

You’ll still get that gorgeous golden hour glow if you plan for sunset. In fact, most of our favorite locations have the mountains to the west, which means you’d wrap up your photos with the sun setting behind you - which we LOVE.

Let’s Talk Alpenglow

If you’re eloping in a mountainous region on a clear day, you’re bound to experience Alpenglow. Alpenglow is the glow of reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows across the peak of mountain tops at sunrise or sunset. Depending on your location you will experience it at different times of the day. For example - in a location like Sapphire Point, where the mountains are to the west, you’ll experience alpenglow in the morning. In a location like Clinton Gulch, however, where the mountains are to the east, you’ll experience alpenglow in the evening!

So, which should you choose?

Our professional opinion when you’re considering a sunrise elopement vs. a sunset elopement? You can’t go wrong! Both options have so many positives, and it truly just depends on your preferences & vision for how you’d like your day to go.

Keep in mind - you can plan your elopement however you want, which includes a mid-day ceremony & portraits! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with skipping both sunrise & sunset and choosing to celebrate your day right in the middle of it. We love the direct light the high sun offers & can confidently promise gorgeous photos any time of day!

We’re huge advocates of the belief that you should get married however you want to. So, sunrise or sunset or right at noon, as long as you’re saying “I do” to the love of your life, nothing else matters.

Ready to Elope?

I think we can all agree that getting married shouldn’t be stressful. This should be FUN.

We love the silly, the imperfect, the seemingly mundane; we love scrunchy faced laughter and cheeks that hurt from smiling so much; we love raw emotion and that uncontainable, “this is the best day ever”, pure kind of joy.

If you’re smiling & nodding your head YES over + over all like “we do, too! these are our people!” - I think you belong here.

Let’s get you married!