After living in Los Cabos for more than 25 years and planning hundreds of weddings here, I can say that one of the most important elements to achieve flawless golden hour weddings timelines is the sunset.
The light in Cabo isn’t just beautiful — it determines how the entire day flows. From the time hair and makeup start to when dinner is served, everything depends on that moment when the sun begins to set.
Understanding how light changes by season, venue, and orientation is essential. It’s the first thing we look at when building a schedule, because the right timing makes all the difference between a comfortable ceremony, perfect photos, and a seamless transition into the evening.
The Magic of Cabo Light
In Los Cabos, light is more than just a time of day. It defines the rhythm of a wedding day.
The warm breeze, the glowing tones, and the reflection of the sea create an atmosphere that enhances every moment, from the ceremony to the dinner setup.
This short window, known as golden hour, is what gives Cabo weddings their unique visual warmth. It’s when colors are softer, skin tones look natural, and every detail, from the florals to the ocean backdrop, photographs beautifully.
Some venues even have their own traditions around this moment.
For example, at Sunset Monalisa, there’s a daily ritual to celebrate the sunset, which is a beautiful way to pause and be present.
When couples choose this venue, we often ask if they’d like to incorporate the ritual into their wedding day, as a symbolic moment of connection and gratitude before the evening unfolds.
How Los Cabos Light Works
Because Los Cabos sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, the direction of the sunset depends on your venue.
• Pacific Side: Venues like Waldorf Astoria Pedregal or Nobu face the open ocean. The sun sets directly over the water, giving an intense golden glow and dramatic photos.
• Sea of Cortez Side: Venues like Sunset Monalisa, Viceroy, Chileno Bay, or Zadún face east. The sun sets behind the mountains, creating softer, pastel-toned skies.
Both are equally stunning — they just require different ceremony start times and orientations.
Planner’s Note: Even a small 15-minute change affects how your photos turn out, so it is key to work with a local wedding planner who understands the light.
READ: Guide: The 20 Best Wedding Venues in Los Cabos for 2025
How the Seasons Affect the Sunset Time
Sunset time changes throughout the year — and your wedding timeline should adjust accordingly.
These are the average sunset times and recommended wedding ceremony schedules based on local experience and guest comfort:
• Winter (Nov–Feb): Sunset around 5:30 PM → Ceremony around 4:00 PM. Cooler temperatures, ideal for early dinners and candlelit receptions.
• Spring (Mar–May): Sunset around 6:00 PM → Ceremony around 4:30–4:45 PM. Balanced daylight and pleasant weather.
• Summer (Jun–Jul): Sunset around 7:15 PM → Ceremony around 5:45–6:00 PM. Longer days and warmer temperatures.
• Fall (Oct): Sunset around 5:50 PM → Ceremony around 4:15–4:30 PM. Comfortable weather and consistent lighting conditions.
August and September are typically avoided for outdoor weddings due to hurricane season.
Details That Keep Guests Comfortable
Planning around the sunset also means thinking about how light and temperature affect your guests. Depending on the season, we adjust start times and prepare small details like welcome drinks, fans, parasols, or shaded areas to make sure everyone stays comfortable during the ceremony.
Every decision (from the ceremony setup to the cocktail hour) is made considering both the light and the guest experience.
READ: Pamper Your Guests with the Best Wedding Favor Bag
Designing the Perfect Timeline for Golden Hour Weddings
When your timeline aligns with the light, everything flows naturally.
Here’s how we usually plan wedding days in Los Cabos:
• Family photos: Taken before or just before the ceremony, so you can enjoy your cocktail hour stress-free — or after, if you prefer a more traditional flow.
• Ceremony: Ideally starts about 1 hour and 30 minutes before sunset, allowing the perfect balance of comfort, emotion, and soft light.
• Couple portraits: Captured 30–45 minutes before the reception, during the sunset glow, when the sky turns golden and romantic.
• Cocktail hour: The last part often overlaps with sunset.
• Dinner & celebration: As twilight settles, the sky transitions from warm amber to deep blue, creating a seamless, elegant handoff between day and night.
Photography, Video & Content Creation
Photography and video are two of the most important elements when planning a Cabo wedding — and both depend completely on the light. The 30–45 minutes before sunset are when the colors, skin tones, and overall atmosphere look their best. This is why we always design timelines that allow photographers to capture portraits and detail shots during that window, while videographers and content creators focus on movement and emotion.
When the light is right, everything looks natural, flattering, and cohesive — exactly what you want to remember when you look back at your photos and videos years from now.
READ: Wedding Photography in Los Cabos: Tips to Achieve Breathtaking Pics
Final Thought
Sunset light in Los Cabos has a direct impact on how your wedding looks, feels, and photographs.
When your timeline flows with that light, every part of the day — from the vows to the photos to the dinner under the stars — feels connected and intentional.
At Momentos Weddings & Events Los Cabos, my team and I specialize in designing weddings that move with the rhythm of the light — effortless, elegant, and perfectly timed.
Let’s plan your wedding day around the most extraordinary light in the world — the golden glow of Los Cabos. Contact us today!
FAQ: Planning a Wedding Around Sunset Light in Los Cabos
1. Why is sunset light so important for weddings in Los Cabos?
Because Cabo’s light is unique — soft, warm, and cinematic. Planning your timeline around it elevates the entire atmosphere and makes your wedding feel timeless in person and on camera.
2. How can we plan the right timing if we don’t live in Los Cabos?
We as local planners know exactly how the light changes depending on the season and the venue, and we use that knowledge to build a timeline that works — not just for photos, but for comfort, logistics, and flow. It’s one of the first things we define when planning any wedding in Los Cabos.
3. What’s the biggest mistake couples make about sunset timing?
Thinking the ceremony should happen at sunset. In Cabo, the ceremony ideally starts about 90 minutes before, so you can enjoy that golden glow during your vows and capture incredible portraits right after.
4. How do you coordinate photo and video teams around the light?
We create a unified light timeline so both teams capture key moments in perfect harmony — same direction, same glow, same emotional rhythm.
5. What if we prefer a candlelit, nighttime atmosphere instead of sunset photos?
That’s easy to design too. We simply adjust your ceremony slightly earlier so you still get natural light for portraits and transition into a romantic, illuminated evening.
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