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Updated Oct 14, 2024How to Plan a Dreamy Sunset Wedding
From color palettes to invitation ideas, here's all the inspo you need for an idyllic sunset wedding.
Dreaming of a sunset wedding? We are, too. It's hard to resist the idea of tying the knot as the sun sinks below the horizon, with streaks of pink and orange highlighting the sky behind you. You may even want to take the vibes a step further by letting the sunset inspire your wedding theme and colors. We can't blame you! Here's everything you need to know about planning a sunset wedding, and a few ideas to get you started.
What to Know About Sunset Weddings:
Timing | Colors | Venues | Invitations | Ideas | Planning
What Time Should a Sunset Wedding Start?
First things first—how long before sunset should your wedding start? It depends on when you want the sunset to take place during your wedding, says celebrity wedding planner Lisa Lafferty, CEO of Lisa Lafferty Events in Beverly Hills, California. She shares her rules of thumb:
- 1.5 hours before sunset: This should be your invitation time if you want your sunset wedding photos to be when you say "I do." This works for a shorter ceremony of 20 to 30 minutes.
- 2-2.5 hours before sunset: Start at this time if you prefer to do a first look, which Lafferty recommends.
- 2.5-3 hours before sunset: If you want to feature the sunset during post-ceremony cocktail hour, "this is a great time to take advantage of the 'magic hour' for formal photos while your guests mingle," Lafferty says, as it allows for both ceremony and photo time.
- 3-3.5 hours before sunset: An earlier ceremony will help your outdoor reception glow during sunset. "This allows your guests to dine during magic hour, creating a fully immersive sunset atmosphere," Lafferty says.
Of course, location and season also factor into these start times. Lafferty suggests checking the exact sunset time for your specific date and location. So if you're getting married in the fall or winter, you might want to plan for an earlier start time.
Sunset Wedding Colors
Part of the beauty of a sunset wedding is that it's fleeting. But you can extend its life a little longer by bringing its colorful hues into everything from your table linens to your bridesmaid dresses. Here are a few ideas for a sunset color palette for your wedding.
Vibrant Purple
Channel the moody violet tones of a post-storm sunset by casting your reception area in a soft purple glow. Adorn the walls or columns with bright bunches of purple, orange and yellow for extra pops of sunset colors.
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Pastel Pinks and Peaches
Not every sunset is big and bold; some steal the sky with softer pastel hues. Bring these to your reception with cotton candy pink, tangerine and muted peach florals.
Bold Red
For a truly striking sunset wedding theme, go big with red as a primary color and complementary gold and orange accents. Arched hanging lamp posts show off the best of these colors, complementing the printed tablecloth and centerpieces below.
Golden Glow
This multicolored palette exudes all the colors of the sunset, focusing on yellow and orange tones with pops of magenta. Gilded columns and a matching runner complete the look, lending this ceremony an overall golden glow.
How to Find a Sunset Wedding Venue
So what exactly should you look for in a sunset wedding venue? It should (unsurprisingly) have outdoor options for the ceremony, cocktail hour or reception depending on which part of the wedding you want to highlight the sunset, Lafferty says. Keep in mind that you'll want an unobstructed view—a stunning ceremony in the forest, for example, won't highlight sunset magic the way tying the knot at the beach would.
Of course, you'll want to consider location and season since weather and temperatures can affect the feasibility of outdoor venues. If you're getting married in the winter, you might want to look for a venue that has bonfire pits in the cocktail hour area or an open-air pavilion that provides shelter from the wind while still allowing for views of the sunset.
To find a sunset wedding venue near you, head to the wedding venues section of The Knot Vendor Marketplace and filter by location, price, venue amenities and venue type—here, you'll likely want to select outdoor locations like a vineyard.
Sunset Wedding Invitations
You'll want to set the tone for your sunset wedding with your invitations. This is the first taste guests will have of your sunset color scheme, so keep everything from the shades to the fonts in mind.
Vintage Island Wedding Invitations
It doesn't get much more sunset than an invitation boasting an illustration of the sun sinking beyond a sparkling beach. Framed by hibiscus and palm trees, it's an ideal choice for a beach or destination sunset wedding.
Ethereal Sunset Wedding Invitations
Pastel watercolors of lilac, rose and apricot fade into turquoise for a dreamy sunset feel, while flecks of gold foil exude an elevated vibe. This invitation is perfect for a timeless wedding on the docks of a lake or a terrace overlooking the river.
Sparkling Tropics Wedding Invitation
If you want to give off a fun, bold vibe, this sunset wedding invitation is for you. Its peachy pink tones scream sunset, as does the blatant sun straddling the glittering gold-foiled water. If you want something a little more subtle or even bolder, there are five other color palettes to choose from.
Sunset Wedding Ideas
Now that you've got your sunset wedding color scheme down, and the invitations to boot, how can you complete the vibes in your details and decor? These real wedding ideas are sure to inspire you.
Sunset Brush-Stroke Cake
Artsy brush strokes in sky blue, baby pink, bright orange and white in this sunset-inspired cake copy the sky's natural hues as the sun descends. Accent the dessert table with pops of fuschia flowers to complete the look.
Colorful Escort Card Display
This escort card display doubles as a statement piece in this sunset wedding idea, featuring colorful flowers in hand-painted, custom vases with each guests' name and table number. We love how they fade from rows of pink to yellow to red—just as a sunset would.
Sunny Bouquet
Have your florist design a bouquet that embodies a burst of the sunset. Daisies, golden wildflowers, burnt orange king protea and red and orange carnations come together for a palette that feels like the sky is on fire.
Bright Cocktails
Sunset in a cup, anyone? This signature drink has all the best colors of a sunset, from the bright pink concoction and floating violet petals to the orange garnishes branded with the couple's initials.
How to Plan a Sunset Wedding
Planning any wedding is never an easy feat—especially when you're trying to time it with an unpredictable sunset. There are a lot of external forces outside of your control, and setting your expectations on something specific can risk disappointment if things don't unfold as planned. But these tips can help you have the sunset wedding of your dreams.
Align the Sunset
Decide which part of your wedding you want to feature the sunset. Do you want it to be the backdrop of your first kiss as a married couple? Do you want it to set the transition from ceremony to reception during cocktail hour? Or do you want it to cast your reception in a true golden hour glow? "Make sure to build in a time buffer to account for any delays that might require a slightly later start," Lafferty advises, adding that vow exchanges should be timed about 30 minutes before sunset during golden hour.
Prep for Wedding Photos
Sunset wedding photography is just as important, if not more so, than any other detail. You want to capture the beauty of it all! "No matter when the sunset is highlighted during your event, ensure your photographer is ready to sneak you away for magical sunset photos," Lafferty says. "These are a must, regardless of the ceremony or reception schedule."
Budget Accordingly
"A sunset venue often carries a higher cost due to its popular outdoor elements, such as cliffside, ocean, vineyard or canyon views," Lafferty says. "These scenic locations are in high demand, which can drive up prices based on the venue's location." Remember to always factor in weather-related plans, such as contingency measures for rain, extreme heat or cold to ensure the event runs smoothly regardless of conditions.
