You’re not planning an elopement just for the photos. You’re doing this because you want a day that feels meaningful and intentional, something that’s just about the two of you. And one of the most important choices you’ll make when creating that experience is choosing the time for your elopement or micro wedding ceremony.

As your Washington DC & Virginia elopement photographer and planning partner, let me share exactly why your ceremony timing matters so much and how to pick the best time based on light, location, season, and your personal vision!

Why Your Elopement Ceremony Time is More Important Than You Might Think

Your ceremony is one of the cornerstone moments of your elopement day. Everything else, like your photos, meals, activities, flows around this key event.

So when you’re deciding what time to hold it, you’re also deciding:

• What kind of lighting your photos will have (dreamy golden hour vs. harsh midday sun)
• How crowded your ceremony spot might be (especially in DC monuments & Virginia overlooks)
• Whether you’re waking up at 2 AM for a sunrise ceremony or enjoying a slow morning
• How comfortable you’ll be depending on the weather
• How rushed or relaxed the rest of your timeline will feel
• Logistics like traffic or venue permit windows

So let’s talk about each of these aspects to help you decide what feels right for you and your partner for your elopement day!

Planning Your Elopement Ceremony Around Golden Hour

When photographers talk about golden hour, this is what we mean: the hour right after sunrise or the hour before sunset. The light is soft, warm, glowy, and super flattering. It’s why photographers (including me!) are obsessed with helping you time your ceremony just right. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the two most common options!

Pros and Cons to Plan for a Sunrise Elopement Ceremony

Pros:

• Way fewer crowds (especially helpful for DC monuments or Shenandoah overlooks)
• Cooler temperatures in summer
• A quiet, peaceful atmosphere

Cons:

• Super early wake-up call (think, 2–3 AM early to start getting ready)
• A shorter window for soft light
• Not ideal if you’re not a morning person

Pros and Cons to Plan for a Sunset Elopement Ceremony

Pros: 

• Relaxed morning timeline
• That warm, golden light everyone loves
• Great for dramatic views and romantic portraits

Cons:

• Popular spots can get crowded by then. More people are likely to wait to see the sunset than wake up for sunrise.
• Risk of running out of light if things run late
• Ceremony times are late in the summer (like 7:30–8:30ish PM)

Important tip: If you want both your ceremony and portraits to be during golden hour, we’ll plan to start the ceremony just before golden hour begins. That way, we get great light throughout and you’re not rushing to squeeze everything in after. Trust me, giving yourself a little buffer time here makes all the difference!

Not Doing Golden Hour? That’s Totally Fine.

Your ceremony doesn’t HAVE to be during either golden hour. You can have your ceremony earlier or later in the day and JUST get epic golden hour portraits. This is what makes elopement days so customizable!

If you’re getting married indoors, in a shaded forest, or at a covered venue, midday might actually be better, because you won’t be dealing with the harsh sun.

Consider Your Location & Season: What to Know for DC, Virginia, and Maryland

Washington, DC

If you’re eloping at the monuments or the National Mall, sunrise is your best bet for privacy. Especially during cherry blossom season in March/April, when the crowds start before most people even have coffee.

• Spring: Earlier start times & weekdays, especially during the cherry blossom season.
  
• Summer: Hot and humid, so earlier is better for comfort. Also, weekends bring tourists and events to the National Mall, so really better stick to weekdays.
  
• Fall/Winter: Later sunrise and earlier sunset = softer light, but chilly temps. But there’s something beautiful about a foggy sunrise or overcast afternoon in the city. If you’re flexible on aesthetics and even LOVE winter vibes, it is the perfect season for most privacy.

Virginia

Shenandoah is gorgeous year-round, but not all overlooks are created equal when it comes to light and accessibility.

You want to choose the right overlook for sunsets and sunrises based on which overlook faces what direction, although you will get the golden light regardless of that. As a Shenandoah elopement photographer, I’ll help you find THE perfect overlook to get the views and light you dream of for your elopement & photos!

As for the seasons:

• Spring: Overlooks start blooming, but mornings can be cold and foggy. Sunrise can be stunning if the fog lifts, but build in buffer time just in case. Note: The mountains don’t become green and lush until May.
  
• Summer: Sunrise ceremonies are your best friend. Midday is hot, buggy, and often crowded. Popular overlooks get busy fast after 9 AM. Also, thunderstorms are known to roll in during late afternoon, so sunset ceremonies can be a gamble.
  
• Fall: Mid-October is peak fall color = incredible views and packed overlooks. So I’d definitely recommend sunrise AND weekday elopements during this time as Shenandoah does have a few restrictions on wedding ceremonies during the fall.
  
• Winter: Cold, moody, and beautiful = great for couples who love that foggy, winter-y vibe. Plus, sunrise is later, so no super early wake-up calls required.

Maryland

Maryland has a little bit of everything, from scenic state parks and charming historic towns to peaceful coastal sunrises. Still, the best ceremony time depends on the specific location you choose.

• Eastern Shore beaches = beautiful sunrise ceremonies
  
• Forested parks = great for mid-morning or early afternoon ceremonies with filtered light
  
• Western Maryland & cities like Annapolis or Baltimore = sunset can be incredible.

Check out my Maryland elopement locations guide for more ideas!

Venue, Permit, & Crowd Considerations

Some venues and locations have specific permit time windows, affecting your ceremony timing. If your elopement includes guests, make sure your chosen ceremony time works comfortably for everyone because no one wants to hike at sunrise if they’re not up for it!

I always recommend weekdays over weekends to avoid tourist crowds (I mentioned it earlier, but I can’t emphasize it enough!), especially in peak seasons. For example:

• March and April are cherry blossom madness in DC, therefore I exclusively book weekday elopements so my clients can get the best experience!
  
• October and November in Shenandoah National Park draw huge crowds for the fall colors, plus special wedding ceremony restrictions apply, so we need to plan around that.

If privacy is a priority for you, planning your ceremony time during low-traffic hours can really transform your experience.

Final Tips From Your Local Washington DC Elopement Photographer

• Always double-check actual sunrise and sunset times for your chosen location & date.
• Buffer times are your best friends to avoid the stress of feeling rushed!
• Talk to your photographer early (hi!) so your timeline is intentional from the start.

Not sure what time works best for your location and vision? Don’t worry! Timeline planning is included in every package I offer! Please contact me if you have any questions or even if you already want to get straight into the fun stuff!

Some helpful elopement planning resources you may like:

• How to Elope in Washington, DC
• Shenandoah National Park Elopement Guide