Best Wedding Ceremony Time in Scottsdale, AZ for Golden-Hour Photos (2026)
What time should a Scottsdale, AZ wedding ceremony start for the best photos? Sunset changes 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 Scottsdale, AZ, 2026 (local time):
| Month (2026) | Sunset | Ideal ceremony start |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5:43 PM | 4:13 PM |
| Feb | 6:13 PM | 4:43 PM |
| Mar | 6:36 PM | 5:06 PM |
| Apr | 6:59 PM | 5:29 PM |
| May | 7:21 PM | 5:51 PM |
| Jun | 7:39 PM | 6:09 PM |
| Jul | 7:37 PM | 6:07 PM |
| Aug | 7:12 PM | 5:42 PM |
| Sep | 6:32 PM | 5:02 PM |
| Oct | 5:53 PM | 4:23 PM |
| Nov | 5:24 PM | 3:54 PM |
| Dec | 5:21 PM | 3:51 PM |
Computed from NOAA solar formulas for Scottsdale, AZ. Golden hour = ~60 min before sunset; ideal start assumes a 30-min ceremony.
Build your full Scottsdale, AZ day-of schedule โ
How to use these times
A June Scottsdale, AZ wedding has sunset near 7:39 PM (ceremony ~6:09 PM); December drops to 5:21 PM, so go mid-afternoon with a candlelit reception. Rule: find sunset, count back 90 minutes. Get ready at the venue, keep a morning buffer hour, and go unplugged for the ceremony.
Frequently asked questions
What time is golden hour in Scottsdale, AZ?
Roughly 7:39 PM in June and 5:21 PM in December โ full table above.
What time should my Scottsdale, AZ ceremony start?
~90 minutes before sunset; a June Scottsdale, AZ wedding is around 6:09 PM.
Keep your Scottsdale, AZ wedding song on the wall
The song outlasts the season. Print your first-dance lyrics with names + date โ a wedding song canvas, USA-made, from $48. More: free wedding tools.