wedding couple embrace in fern field at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding

Your wedding day is one that seems to fly.


In last week's blog post, we dove headfirst into the sea of wedding packages and how to pick the perfect photography deal for your big day! If you missed the juicy details, don’t worry—catch up right here! This week, we’re cranking it up a notch, unraveling timelines and the essential ingredients that can totally make or break your schedule. So, if you’re feeling frazzled about timelines, take a deep breath and let’s jump right in!


wedding couple embrace in row of trees full of orange leaves at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding

Choosing the right timeline can ensure that every second of your wedding day feels like a dream, captured perfectly in photos and memories alike. A well-planned timeline not only ensures your guests feel relaxed and entertained, but leaves you and your spouse with ample time to enjoy each moment—from the clinking of glasses during the toasts to the first dance under a starlit sky. It gives you the freedom to savor every hug, every tear of joy, and every bit of the delicious cake without feeling rushed.


When you're crafting the perfect timeline and package for your big day, don't forget these super crucial tidbits: what time of day you're tying the knot, where all the festivities are taking place, those picture-perfect moments, and any special shenanigans happening at the ceremony, reception, or both!



wedding couple hold hands and look in opposite directions in fern field at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding

As the seasons do their little dance, the sunsets follow suit! But what does that mean for your big day? If you're planning to snap those gorgeous post-ceremony pics, keep an eye on the dwindling sunlight! Fall weddings face the challenge of sneaky early sunsets, often forcing couples to tie the knot sooner (especially if you're going for that outdoor vibe). On the flip side, summer sunsets are like party animals, sticking around later for those romantic golden hour shots! So, picking a wedding package that matches your sunset dreams will help keep those stress gremlins at bay!


Chat it up with your partner and decide whether you want to sneak a glimpse before the big "I do" or save those stunning photos for after the ceremony! Discover the amazing benefits of a first look right here! If you're leaning towards taking pictures after the ceremony, here’s what you need to know: weddings usually transition from "I do" to family portraits, followed by wedding party photos, and finally, couple portraits—all while your guests enjoy cocktails and socialize! That means you’re racing against the clock with just one hour for all those fabulous snaps! But don’t worry, I’m here to help! I usually tell my couples to keep family portraits to a brisk 15 minutes—think 1-2 minutes per group pose, but it might stretch longer for big groupings. If you come from a big family and there’s no compromise on those formal shots, consider extending that cocktail hour! 


Pro tip: Capture those bride and bridesmaid shots, along with the groom and groomsmen photos, before the ceremony. This way, you'll have extra time to shine in front of the camera! And if that’s still not enough, sunset portraits are simply magical! 


detail photo of groom's vow book surrounded by invitation and wedding bands
detail photo of bride and groom's vow book surrounded by invitation, wedding bands, necklace and sola flowers
detail photo of bride's vow book surrounded by invitation, wedding bands, necklace and sola flowers
detail photo of bride's engagement ring in a silver ring box placed on a cream circular ring dish
photo of bride's wedding dress on a personalized last name hanger
bride and bridesmaids in sage green dress with fall foliage  and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
bride sways and swishes dress in front of fall foliage and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
bride and bridesmaids in sage green dress with fall foliage  and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
groom leans against fence with Pinehall reception barn in the background
close up of groom and groomsmen in front of fall foliage and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
groom and groomsmen adjust their jackets in front of fall foliage and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
groom and groomsmen form the Flying V in front of fall foliage and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
bride and bridesmaids in sage green dress with fall foliage  and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
bride stands in front of fall foliage and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
groom leans against fence and smiles at the camera with Pinehall reception barn in the background
close up of groom adjusting his tie in front of fall foliage and pond in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farms fall wedding
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Got a wedding plan that’s a bit of a venue hop—like two spots for the bride and groom to glam up, a ceremony site, fab photo ops, and a party place? Well, buckle up! You’ll need to map out the distances between all these locales and factor in travel time. This is a must-do, especially if you have to take off-site photos! You definitely don’t want to end up in a situation where you’ve got just 30 minutes to snap pics with your brand-new partner, and your reception is a 20-minute drive away! That leaves you with a mere 10 minutes for those priceless shots—Yikes!



Pro tip: If your ceremony and reception are at different venues, kick off that cocktail hour as soon as your guests could make the trek. So, if your ceremony wraps up at 4 PM and it’s a 20-minute ride, start the bubbly at 4:30 PM! And for a smoother ride, why not pick a ceremony spot that’s a picture-perfect paradise? Less travel, more smiles! Not sure what to look for in a ceremony venue? Don't work I got you right here!

bride relaxes on pink couch and gazes out of the window in the Pinehall bridal suite before wedding ceremony
Pittsburgh bride is escorted down the aisle by her father at Pinehall wedding ceremony
Pittsburgh groom tears up as he sees his bride down the aisle at Pinehall wedding ceremony

When plotting your big day, don’t forget to pencil in the timeline for all the fun stuff! A receiving line can gobble up around 20 minutes, which might cramp your style for those wedding portraits. Nail down when to kick off key moments like the first dance, parent dances, and the cake cutting—ideally before dinner if you're on a tight package deal! And if you're thinking about ending the night with a bang using sparklers or fireworks, keep in mind that darkness is your bestie for those dazzling shots!


Pro tip: Sparkler exists don’t have to act as an exit in all weddings. A good amount of guests are needed to get the visually appealing photos that are seen on Insta and Tiktok. If that’s the case, some DJs call the sparkler exit, “Light up the couple” vs an exit. To get everyone back on the dance floor, they play an irresistible, booty shaking song to get everyone back on the dance floor. Additionally, fireworks don’t have to end the night either, they can be used to kick off the party, like how Jaime and Jordan did for their wedding. 

Pittsburgh wedding couple's first kiss from the officiant POV at Pinehall wedding ceremony
wedding party arranged in pairs in front of the Pinehall truck with bride and groom in the middle of the line

As always, I’ve saved the best for last. Always, and I mean ALWAYS, carve out some extra time. Why, you ask? Because this precious time lets you kick back, soak in the joy, and celebrate love with your favorite humans! Seriously, people aren’t kidding when they say your wedding day zooms by. Adding just 30 extra minutes gives you the magical pause button to really relish every moment.


But hold onto your confetti! In my next blog, I'm ready to spill the tea on all the details about my packages and give you a sneak peek into the whirlwind of a typical wedding day with each one. Get ready for some fun-tastic insights!

wedding couple embrace and bride caresses groom's face in fern field at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding
wedding couple embrace in fern field at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding
close up of bride and groom holding their wedding bands with the fall foliage in the background at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding
Pittsburgh bride glances back at the camera as her groom leads her into the sunset at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding reception
Pittsburgh bride glances back at the camera as her groom leads her into the sunset at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding reception
Pittsburgh bride  and groom share a kiss at sunset in wide open field at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding reception
Pittsburgh bride and groom lean their foreheads together on the dock at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding reception
close up of homemade jam favor on gold charger at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding reception
photo from above of place setting at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding reception
photo from above wedding cake at Pinehall at Eisler Farm wedding reception
reception space fully decorated at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
photo of sage green runner, table number and candlestick centerpiece at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
photo of wedding cake on gold cake stand with last name personalized cake topper at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
bride and groom share their first dance at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
bride and groom share their first dance at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
bride and groom share their first dance at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
bride and groom laugh and cut their cake at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
bride and groom laugh and cut their cake at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
bride and groom kiss after they cut their cake at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
father of the bride and bride hug after their parent dance at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
mother of the groom and groom hug after their parent dance at Pinehall at Eisler Farm fall wedding reception
Pittsburgh bride and groom dip kiss on dock with fall foliage in the background at their Pinehall at Eisler farm fall wedding

Vendors

Venue: Pinehall at eisler farms
Dj- Pifemaster productions
mua/hairstylist: double image
florist: rustic twist
Bakery: Tin Man Sweets
Caterer: medures