How to Time your Wedding in Cancun

One of the most important things you can do in the initial stages of planning your wedding here in Cancun or the Riviera Maya is to time your wedding properly. Too early and it could be very hot and bright. Too late and you might not have enough time for photographs after your wedding. However, the beauty of all this is that once you understand the basic’s, it’s not all that complicated to have a perfectly timed wedding.

Timing is not all about photography, it’s also about you and your guests.

As a wedding photographer, one of the most important things for me is that I am able to take your photographs in the best possible light of the day. However, this should not be the ‘only’ or ‘most important’ consideration. Rather, it is equally important that your guests (and you) have a great time and enjoy the day as well.

In my opinion, one of the most important things is to not have your wedding too early. If your wedding is too early it could be too hot for you and your guests. And not only will it be too hot, it could be too bright to be out on the beach without wearing sunglasses. And no one wants to be wearing sunglasses during their wedding ceremony.

What I have learned as a wedding photographer here in Cancun and area is that up to 3 hours before sunset is usually very comfortable for you and your guests. And if your ceremony is more than 3 hours before sunset and I would suggest getting your guests a parasol or something to shade their faces.

Wedding ceremony on beach in Cancun at perfect time of day

The best light of the day for photography.

The best time for photography here on the beach in Cancun and the Riviera Maya is the golden hour. That’s the 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset. Generally 90% of the sunbathers have left the beach, the weather has started to cool off and we are able to walk out on the beach without sunglasses (and not squint).

Be careful with the sunset time.

My only warning with regards to the sunset time is that when the sun goes down here, it goes down very quickly. When I lived in Canada we could still shoot for about 30-40 minutes after sunset on most evenings in that beautiful glowing light. That is not the case here in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. When the sun goes down, it’s usually too dark for photography about 10-15 minutes after. So please when timing your wedding, consider this and don’t rely on being able to photograph on the beach or palm trees after this time.

Can you take photographs after sunset?

Yes, we can take photographs after sunset, especially at your wedding reception or even on the beach if needed. But these will include flash and they are not the beautiful images you see with the beautiful blue Caribbean sea in the background or green palm trees.

We are always here to help.

Please know that we are always here to help. If you are getting married in the Riviera Maya or Cancun and not sure how you should time your wedding, then please feel free to send us a message and either I or someone from my team will get back to you shortly. We don’t want anyone making these mistakes and are always more than happy to help.

Feel free to email us at info@deansanderson.com and we will be more than happy to help.

Bride and groom facing each other on beach in Cancun at sunset