What will the light be like at the venue on the day?
Choose a UK place or use your location, then enter the date, ceremony time and portrait time. You get sunrise, sunset, golden hour, the sun height and direction at each time, and plain advice.
How the tool works
The page uses the NOAA solar position method to find the sun height above the horizon and its compass bearing at the times you give. Golden hour is taken as the sun between -4 and +6 degrees. It also shows how many minutes before or after sunset each time falls.
As a rule of thumb, a sun higher than about 40 degrees gives harsh, top-down light, and open shade is kinder for faces. The page gives the sun bearing with an 8-point compass name, where the sun is if you face south, and how to point the camera for backlight or front light. If you enter the bearing the venue front faces, it says whether the front is in direct sun.
This is an estimate. It assumes a flat, open horizon and ignores buildings, hills, trees and cloud. Bearings are from true north, which can differ a little from a phone compass. If you can, visit the venue at the same time of day.
Questions
What sun height is too harsh for portraits?
About 40 degrees and above is a common rule of thumb for harsh light. It is not a hard limit, and cloud or open shade changes the result.
Does it allow for buildings and trees?
No. It is a flat-horizon estimate. Check the site in person if the light matters.
Does Use my location send my position anywhere?
No. The browser gives the page your coordinates and the sums are done on your device.
More photography tools: Golden hour and blue hour calculator, Wedding photography timeline planner, Sunrise and sunset calculator