There’s no hiding it—I’m not quite ready for fall to end. Autumn weddings are absolutely magical with the crisp, cool air and the vibrant foliage. Pennsylvania showcases breathtaking fall beauty, which is why so many couples flock to the area for their dream weddings. This September, I had the honor of photographing Kaylee and Zack’s wedding (you may remember their adventurous engagement session in Ecola Beach, Oregon!)
These lovestruck globetrotters originally met in Erie, Pennsylvania, and then decided to move out west together. Recently, they moved back to Pennsylvania—their true home—and decided to have their wedding here with their friends and family. It was such a meaningful and elegant day for this fun and outdoorsy couple! Troyer Farms in Waterford, Pennsylvania was the perfect venue for them. I truly enjoyed getting to capture their big day, and I wish the newlyweds the best time on their honeymoon trekking around Italy!
Wedding Day Timeline for Photographers
As a wedding photographer, I’m often asked about the “best wedding day timeline.” I hate to break it to you, but there isn’t a template for that one. I travel the world photographing couples and weddings of all kinds, and timelines vary quite a bit depending on travel, personal preferences, and wedding size and style.
So, I encourage couples to collaborate with me to create a timeline that works well for you. We want to make sure plenty of time is allotted for each section of the day and that we’re considering the outdoor lighting situation. You will also want to make sure your wedding party and family members are informed of shoot times (with a schedule) because they will need to get dressed and ready earlier.
The good news is, you don’t have to do this yourself. I’m here to help you iron out the details based on your ideal wedding day and the types of photos you want. (For instance, some love formal family photos, others prefer to skip those and have candid shots only. Or in Kaylee and Zack’s case, they didn’t’ want many detail shots or a formal sendoff, but they did emphasize their desire for photos of multi-generational interactions that they’ll cherish forever.)
Below I’ve included a sample schedule of what your wedding day could look like. This can serve as a basis for your timeline and give you an idea of how long each separate “shoot” takes. You can adjust the time accordingly. (This can also serve as wedding day timeline for photographers if you’re just starting out.) Kaylee and Zack’s wedding day went so smoothly, so let’s use that as an example:
Photography Timeline—8 hours of photography coverage
11:00 Bridal party starts getting ready
12:00 Groom’s party starts getting ready
1:00 Photography coverage begins
**Make sure all the guys have shirt and pants on by 1:00pm when the photographer arrives, but no jacket, no cufflinks, no tie (we want to photography that part).**
1:00 Groom detail photos & getting ready photos
1:30 Bride detail photos & getting ready photos
2:20 Bride gets into dress
2:40 End of getting ready photos
3:00 Ceremony begins
3:30 Ceremony ends
3:40-4:00 Family photos at ceremony site
4:45 Cocktail hour & appetizers at reception site (while wedding party & newlyweds take photos)
4:00-4:30 Wedding party photos
4:30-5:00 Newlywed portraits
**Leave ceremony site for reception by 5:00pm**
5:30 Wedding party enters
6:00 Dinner begins
6:45 Toasts/speeches
7:30-7:45 Sunset portraits
8:00 First Dance
Parent Dances
8:20 Open Dance Floor
9:00 Photography Coverage Ends
Find More Tips & Resources at JesseeAllenPhotography.com
We can alter this schedule to fit your personal wedding day timeline. You’ll also want to think about adding in extra time for a first look and/or the newlywed exit.
What types of photos are you looking for? Fun and candid, or serious and sophisticated? No matter what you decide, I’ll be there to help every step of the way. Browse the blog for more resources and inspiration, and connect with me to save your date!
You can also find me on Instagram @jesseeallenphotography!
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