PA wedding | Allie Skylar Photography

Tyoga Country Club Wedding | Skylar and Corey | Wellsboro Wedding Photographer

Published on September 13, 2019September 13, 2019 by allieskylarphotography@gmail.comLeave a comment

In the warmth of the summer, Northern Pennsylvania is a beacon of cool mountain air. There really is not better reason to escape the Philadelphia heat than to head up north for a romantic wedding. Skylar and Corey’s Tyoga Country Club wedding had me excited for months. After getting to know them and working with them during their Ridley Creek State Park engagement session, I knew without a doubt that their wedding would be one of my favorites ever. AND IT WAS.

Honestly it has been so hard to edit this wedding because everything was so good. From the details to the emotions to the weather— everything was amazing- Even things Skylar and Corey had no control over! I really couldn’t be more thankful.

I remember so well that Philly was struggling with a massive heatwave the second half of June. Since Wellsboro is several hours away, I booked a one room school house Airbnb (IT’S AMAZING check it out here) and enjoyed sleeping with open windows at night (hello 20 degrees cooler!). I had only ever been to Wellsboro, PA, once before, but it was as charming as I remember.

I was lucky enough to work with Skylar as she was getting ready for the day. I rolled up when she was still in jammies with rollers in her hair. She and her girls were all smiles and laughter and I loved every second I spent with them. Elizabeth, my amazing second shooter for the day, spent the morning with Corey, and the guys looked just as relaxed and excited.

Despite the threat of rain, Skylar walked down the aisle at Tyoga Country club under a cloudless sky. Corey was grinning ear to ear as her waited for her. Confetti was popped and friends and family cheered as the said I Do.

Skylar and Corey’s wedding is a prime example of how amazing wedding portraits can be when they are prioritized. We have plenty of time for portraits, and then to top it all off, Skylar and Corey were up for 15 minutes of sunset portraits (when all of the fun like Kiss Tag happens). It has been such a joy reliving their wedding while editing. I can’t believe it has come and gone. I am so happy to have these amazing photos to remember it!

bride's wedding dress on her wedding day

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The Ultimate Guide to your Wedding Day Timeline

Published on August 30, 2019August 30, 2019 by allieskylarphotography@gmail.comLeave a comment

Planning a timeline for your wedding day can induce insane levels of stress. How much time will family photos take? How long do you really need for a first look? What if there is traffic??!!! When you are getting to the last push before your wedding, the timeline can be the thing that pushes you over the edge.

After 7 years of photographing weddings, I have helped my couples with hundreds of timelines! I am breaking it down for below with my Ultimate Timeline Guide!

Planning the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline

Before we get started, it’s important for me to clarify that this timeline is for your wedding photography. Also, every wedding is different, and one timeline does not fit all. Therefore, I am not GIVING you a timeline, but more of a guideline. So buckle up. We are about to begin in my FAVORITE form —- BULLET POINTS

Step # 1- Hire a photographer like me who will do this for you (I kid I kid…but shoulda-coulda-woulda….)
REAL Step #1- Map out a VERY basic timeline draft with ceremony time, reception start time, reception end time. This is all you need to do to start. See, not too hard!
Step # 2- Work BACKWARDS from the ceremony. Yes. That’s right. What needs to be planned prior? Several major things. First look (if you are having one), getting ready (as in getting dressed), travel, detail photos, and portraits are the main objectives. Some couples who choose a first look also want all wedding party and family photos done prior and I AM ALL FOR THAT. Keep in mind you will need step #3 before to complete step #2….
Step #3- how long does everything take? This is the trickiest part! This is the general cheat sheet I use for EVERY wedding:

Estimated times for wedding day portraits

Family photos- 20- 30 minutes OR 3 minutes per grouping
Bride and groom portraits- 30-40 minutes (can be broken into 2 times, such as first look and sunset portraits)
Detail photos at the start- 45-60 minutes
getting into dress- 20 minutes
wedding party photos- 20-30 minutes (usually only 20 but I always put 10 extra minutes here)

And now….

Step # 4- put it all together working backwards from the ceremony to organize the beginning half of the day (and don’t forget travel time!). What might this look like? See below!

12:00- Photographer’s arrive to photograph details.
12:45- 2nd shooter to guys for getting ready photos
1:00- Bride into dress
1:30- First look (on location)
1:45- Bride and Groom portraits
2:15- Wedding party portraits
2:40- Family portraits
3:10- Prep for ceremony
3:30- GET MARRIED!
4-5:00- Cocktail Hour
5:15- Reception introductions

Okay, see not so hard! And guess what I have to tell you now? Psych! That’s the hardest part! You have the majority of the timeline done! The last step is to figure out the reception with your band/dj/mc and let the photographer know of the ending time and any special moments.

Make sure to leave some room for flexibility in your timeline (I do 10 minutes before and 10 after the ceremony) for any delays or any spur of the moment photo ops- or to just relax! Remember that this is your day, and at no point should photos get in the way of your special moments.

I am here for any questions you may have!

xoxo

allie

Chester County Anniversary Photography | Kris and Dave | Philadelphia Photography

Published on August 30, 2019August 30, 2019 by allieskylarphotography@gmail.comLeave a comment

couple embrace during their anniversary session at valley forge national historic park

Anniversaries call for a celebration. While they usually symbolize a year, when you really break down that year- or all of those years!- they are made up of so many incredible moments. The good and the bad, it’s another year of working through the tough and relishing in the joy.

Kris and Dave knew they wanted to document their anniversary and drove a few hours for a shoot at Valley Forge Park. With amazing weather and great conversation, we chased the sun around and I was able to get a sneak peak into their life together. Love, sweet laughter, respect, and joy.

I am so happy we were able to celebrate a beautiful love story!

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Amie and Adam’s Edgewood Country Club Wedding | Drums, PA | Allie Skylar Photography

Published on August 24, 2019August 24, 2019 by allieskylarphotography@gmail.comLeave a comment

Amie and Adam’s summer wedding at Edgewood Country Club is forever dotted in my mind as the perfect summer day. From zipping around on golf carts, to watching the storms around us stay clear, to witnessing the absolute love and joy every guest shared with Amie and Adam, it was a perfect day.

Our morning started in Shamokin at Mother Cabrini Church. Family and friends gathered as Amie and Adam exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony. I can’t remember a crowd quite as teary eyes as this one! The love and support in the room was overwhelming.

When the party moved to Edgewood Country Club, the real fun began! Edgewood was kind enough to let us use some golf carts for portraits, and while guests were enjoying a divine cocktail hour, we took advantage of the clear skies and lush greens. At one point, two golfers brought out a cooler of jello shots to celebrate with the bride and groom! Things like this only happen on your wedding day.

As the skies grew dark, the party moved indoors and the celebrations kicked it up a notch. There is nothing I love more than a bride and groom who can hold their own on a dance floor, and Amie and Adam delivered!

I am so happy I was able to be a part of this day. Everything was just seamless and I so enjoyed seeing how Amie and Adam’s vision came together over the last year!

wedding invitation suite on pink bridesmaids dress

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Bloomsburg Engagement Session | Katie and Andrew | Pennsylvania Engagement Photographer

Published on July 8, 2019July 8, 2019 by allieskylarphotography@gmail.comLeave a comment

bride and groom run around during their dark and moody engagement session in Bloomsburg PA

When I first talked with Katie and Andrew, it was clear that they were going to be fun to photograph. Their wedding is planned for Pump House B&B in Bloomsburg, which is oozing with charm and character, and their engagement session was in the woods in between storms. They both told me that they really wanted their personalities captured, and nothing staged. So that is exactly what we did!

Despite the humidity and spritz of rain, Katie and Andrew ran through the woods, danced under pine trees, and played tag in a field. They kissed and laughed and let their engagement session become a documentary.

Their style is incredibly raw and refreshing, and I cannot wait to photograph their wedding next year!

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