Best Wedding Ceremony Time in Madison, WI for Golden-Hour Photos (2026)
What time should a Madison, WI wedding ceremony start for the best photos? Sunset shifts every month, so the ideal time does too. The photographer trick: start ~90 minutes before sunset so the ceremony ends as golden hour begins. Month-by-month for Madison, WI, 2026 (local time):
| Month (2026) | Sunset | Ideal ceremony start |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4:49 PM | 3:19 PM |
| Feb | 5:29 PM | 3:59 PM |
| Mar | 7:04 PM | 5:34 PM |
| Apr | 7:41 PM | 6:11 PM |
| May | 8:15 PM | 6:45 PM |
| Jun | 8:39 PM | 7:09 PM |
| Jul | 8:34 PM | 7:04 PM |
| Aug | 7:58 PM | 6:28 PM |
| Sep | 7:06 PM | 5:36 PM |
| Oct | 6:13 PM | 4:43 PM |
| Nov | 4:33 PM | 3:03 PM |
| Dec | 4:23 PM | 2:53 PM |
Computed from NOAA solar formulas for Madison, WI. Golden hour = ~60 min before sunset.
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How to use these times
A June Madison, WI wedding has sunset near 8:39 PM (ceremony ~7:09 PM); December drops to 4:23 PM โ go mid-afternoon with a candlelit reception. Find sunset, count back 90 minutes, get ready at the venue, keep a morning buffer, go unplugged for the ceremony.
Frequently asked questions
What time is golden hour in Madison, WI?
Roughly 8:39 PM in June and 4:23 PM in December.
What time should my Madison, WI ceremony start?
~90 minutes before sunset; a June Madison, WI wedding is around 7:09 PM.
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