Best Times and Seasons for a Vienna Wedding Photo Session
Planning your Vienna wedding photo session is such an exciting part of the wedding process, and Vienna has a stunning range of locations for every season. We’ve had the pleasure of shooting weddings in Vienna throughout the year, and each season has its own charm. If you’re looking for the fresh colours of spring or the dramatic atmosphere of winter, choosing the right season helps bring your vision to life.
Here’s our personal guide to help you decide the best times and seasons for your Vienna wedding shoot!
Table of Contents
Different Seasons For a Vienna Wedding Photo Session
Spring: A Blooming Dream (March-May)
Spring in Vienna feels like a fantasy. The parks and gardens burst with colour as flowers bloom and the city wakes up from winter. This is the best time of the year in our opinion as it’s warm but not too hot and the nature flourishes making this time of the year probably the most romantic. For couples who love nature and greenery, spring is perfect for your Vienna wedding shoot. We love places like Stadtpark and Schönbrunn Palace Gardens in April, when the cherry blossoms and magnolias are in full bloom, creating a dreamy and romantic setting.
Best Time of Day
Early morning or late afternoon offers soft light and fewer crowds for a more intimate feel to your shoot.
But as spring is still not as hot as the summer time, you can enjoy a less crowded time even in the middle of the day.
Why Spring?
Mild weather and blooming gardens make spring a fantastic time for outdoor photos. The only thing to keep in mind is that Vienna’s spring weather can be unpredictable, so having an indoor location ready as a backup is always a good idea, especially if rain threatens your plans.
Summer: Warm, Sunlit Moments (June – August)
Summer is ideal for bright, vibrant photos with that glowing golden hour light. However, summer in Vienna can be quite hot, with temperatures often reaching 30-35 degrees Celsius. If you don’t mind the heat, Vienna offers long days and beautiful sunny backdrops, especially in locations like Belvedere Palace or along the Danube.
Best Time of Day
Around sunset is best for softer light and cooler temperatures, avoiding the midday heat which can be a bit intense.
During the summer time we would say evenings suit even better than mornings as you’d have to wake up at 4am to catch the sunrise with its beautiful pink light
Why Summer?
Summer gives you lively, sun-filled images, but be prepared for the heat! Midday sun can be harsh, so scheduling your Vienna wedding photo session for the early morning or evening is key. The gardens and cityscapes will be in full bloom, though you’ll have to navigate crowds at popular locations, especially in tourist areas.
Autumn: Golden Leaves and Cosy Vibes (September – November)
Autumn is easily one of our favourite times for a wedding shoot in Vienna. The vibrant reds, oranges, and golds that fill the parks make for stunning, warm backgrounds. Autumn with it’s romantic melancholy perfectly fits out cinematic wedding photography style. Places like Prater Park, Danube Island and Schönbrunn Gardens are particularly beautiful, and the cooler temperatures are a welcome relief after summer.
Best Time of Day
Late afternoon is perfect, as the golden hour light enhances the rich autumn colours, giving your photos a cosy and nostalgic vibe.
Mid day is also an option as the days get shorter and it would allow for more time to do the photoshoot.
Why Summer?
If you love the idea of golden leaves and a more intimate, cosy feel, autumn is ideal. Plus, the crowds thin out compared to summer, making it easier to capture the perfect shot without interruptions. Just be prepared for cooler evenings – a jacket between shots will help keep everyone comfortable!
Winter: Fairytale Magic (December – February)
Winter brings a completely different vibe to your Vienna wedding photo session, with snow-covered streets and lights creating a magical atmosphere. If you’re looking for a winter wonderland feel, locations like the Hofburg Palace and the Rathaus are especially charming, and Vienna’s famous Christmas markets add a festive touch to your photos. Aside from that there are different winter activities that may make the wedding shoot even more fun, like ice scating on Rathausplatz.
Vienna also offers plenty of indoor locations during the winter months, which is great when it’s too cold outside or if you want to add a more elegant, indoor backdrop to your shoot. Grand venues like the Belvedere Palace, historic cafés, or even museums are perfect for creating a warm, intimate vibe indoors.
Best Time of Day
Since the days are shorter in winter, we recommend shooting around midday to make the most of the available light. If there’s fresh snow, it creates a soft and magical look that’s perfect for your wedding photos.
If the photoshoot starts at about 11Am then we should have enough time to photograph your love story in a relaxed way and warm up in a cafe afterwards.
Why Summer?
A winter Vienna wedding shoot offers a unique, fairytale-like atmosphere. Especially if it all can be planned during that short part of the winter when there’s snow. But while outdoor shots in the snow can look incredible, the cold can be a challenge. Fortunately, Vienna is filled with beautiful indoor locations where we can continue shooting, giving you a mix of stunning outdoor and indoor photos.
Some Q&A
What is the best season for a Vienna wedding photo session?
It depends on the vibe you want! Spring offers blooming flowers and vibrant gardens, perfect for couples who love natural greenery. Summer gives you long days and golden sunlight, though it can be quite hot. Spring and summer are very nice for rustic style photoshoots with field flowers and combination of viennese architecture and nature. Autumn brings stunning golden leaves the mood of melancholy and cooler temperatures, while winter offers cosy and a little mysterious atmosphere. Especially in the colder times indoor photos may look even more cosy.
Is Vienna too hot for a wedding photo session in summer?
Summer in Vienna can be quite hot, with temperatures reaching 30-35 degrees Celsius. It’s best to schedule your session during early morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense midday heat and capture the best light. If you are not used to the heat as we are, we would propose early morning time.
What are the best indoor locations for a Vienna wedding photo session in winter?
Vienna has many elegant indoor options, especially during winter. The Belvedere Palace, historic cafés, and grand museums offer beautiful backdrops if it’s too cold outside. These venues are perfect for adding a touch of luxury and warmth to your winter wedding photos.
Can we take photos at famous landmarks in Vienna during our wedding photo session?
Yes! Vienna has many iconic landmarks that work beautifully for wedding photos. Schönbrunn Palace, the Belvedere, Hofburg Palace, and the Rathaus are all popular spots. Most of these locations are beautiful outside and you don’t need a fee or a ticket to enter the areas making it even easier to arrange the photoshoots there.
When is the best time of day for a Vienna wedding photo session?
The best time depends on the season. For most seasons, early morning or late afternoon is ideal. These times offer softer light and fewer crowds, giving your photos a more intimate feel. Unless it’s an extended photoshoot for the whole day, it’s best to plan it for about 1.5 hours before the sunset time. In winter, we recommend shooting around midday due to shorter daylight hours.
How can we avoid crowds during our Vienna wedding photo session?
To avoid crowds, it’s best to schedule your photo session early in the morning. Popular spots like Schönbrunn, Alberina Terrace or Belvedere Palace can be busy, especially during summer, but planning for quieter times helps ensure a more relaxed session.
Aside from that it’s often about choosing the right angle. A good photographer can photograph you in a crowded place as if you were there alone, But of course it’s always easier to photograph in off peak hours.
What if it rains during our spring or autumn photo session in Vienna?
Vienna’s weather can be unpredictable in spring and autumn, so it’s always a good idea to have a backup indoor location ready. The city is full of beautiful indoor options, such as palaces or charming cafés, which can add a romantic and intimate touch to your photos if it rains. But as it rarely rains for the whole day sometimes it’s only needed to move the photo session by 1 hour and you will catch that perfect weather. Or when a photoshoot is planned to be partially indoors, you can adjust the schedule to spend the rainy time inside.
Can we combine both indoor and outdoor locations in one session?
Absolutely! Especially in the colder times of the year when it’s almost always necessary to warm up after shooting for 1 hour outsite. This combination helps to make the photo session more dynamic and have a better varied gallery of pictures in the result. It usually helps to expand the photo story and give it a cosier look.
Is autumn a good time for a Vienna wedding photo session?
Autumn is one of the most beautiful times and probably ours favourite for a Vienna wedding photo session. It’s the season for those who love longer evenings and quieter times. The warm tones of red, orange, and gold create a cosy, intimate vibe, and the cooler weather makes outdoor shoots more comfortable. Late afternoon light during this season is perfect for capturing the rich autumn colours. For a more still and intimate photoshoots autumn fits the best.
How do we choose the best time and location for our Vienna wedding photo session?
Every season offers a different style, are you an adventurer, love reading books, hiker and love nature or history and architecture lover. We think it’s self expanatory that some seasons fit specific characters better and the whole mood of the photoshoot will depend on that. For fantasy style cinematic wedding shoots we could reccomend autumn in the nature, for romantic warm style, it’s spring/summer and can be around one of the Vienna’s palaces, and in Winter it’s more of a cosy farytale style. If you need help deciding, feel free to reach out to us! We’d be happy to recommend the best season, time of day, and location that suits your unique preferences for your Vienna wedding photo session.
In the End…
Vienna is beautiful year-round, but for every mood and style there are different seasons, nevertheless you’ll find amazing locations for your wedding shoot at any time of the year. Spring and summer are great for outdoor shoots with romantic atmosphere, bright colours and sunshine, while autumn and winter offer a more intimate, cosy feel. In the winter, you can also take a look at Vienna’s elegant indoor locations, which add a warm and luxurious touch to your photos. There are many cafes, museums and other places with imperial architecture, marble columns and stained glass.
Vienna will always be that romantic city that is perfect for wedding photoshoots as it plays the role of the moody and romantic surroundings where every conrner is a nice scene for beautiful cinematic imagery.
If you’re planning your Vienna wedding photo session and need advice on the best time or locations, feel free to reach out. We’d love to help you capture the perfect memories for your big day.
If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding, feel free to get in touch, we will capture every important moment and transform into art. At Comet Photography, we are artists specialising in cinematic style wedding photography.
