Elopement photographer in Madrid

An elopement in Madrid is organised around the meal, because in this city lunch starts at two and the four hours we photograph have to fit around it. In winter that fits neatly. A ceremony at half past twelve gets low, clean light through the whole meal and can end at the Templo de Debod for the sunset around six, with mornings near freezing the only thing to plan for. In July it inverts: at seven in the evening it is still 33 degrees, so the ceremony moves to eight, dinner replaces lunch and the portraits come after the sun sets at 21:45. Where matters too. The Palacio de Cristal is programmed by the Reina Sofía, which requires written permission for tripods and any commercial set-up, so if you want the glass, ask about it well before the date.

When to book in Madrid

A weekday is the quiet choice, and an elopement is free to take it: the venues are easier to book, the streets are calmer, and the restaurants have more room for a table of twelve. The season then sets the shape of the four hours. From November to March, a ceremony at half past twelve and lunch at two leave the portraits for the hour before a sunset that falls between a quarter to six and half past seven. In April, May, September and October the day can start later, with the ceremony at five and dinner after the last light. In July and August the ceremony moves to eight in the evening and the meal becomes dinner. Avoid public holidays in the centre, when the Plaza Mayor and the palace are full from mid-morning.