When to Schedule Engagement Portraits | Engagement Session Scheduling Tips

After getting engaged, most couples dive into the wedding planning process. For many, that process also includes scheduling engagement portraits! If you are engaged and haven’t yet scheduled your engagement session, read my top 5 reasons to do an engagement session with your wedding photographer here! When it comes to scheduling and preparing for engagement portraits there are a lot of questions surrounding when to schedule engagement portraits. While there is no correct answer that is best for everyone, there are a few things to consider when scheduling your engagement session, such as the season, time of day, and the time frame until your wedding day. Here are some tips to help you plan your engagement session and get the most out of your photos.

When to Schedule Engagement Portraits

When you schedule your portraits will greatly depend on the season in which you got engaged and the timing of your wedding. Many engagement sessions take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few weeks before the wedding! Engagement portraits are great to use as decor at your wedding, for save the dates, or on your wedding website. Therefore, if you plan on using your portraits for any items involving your wedding, it is best to schedule your session earlier in the planning process so you have time to print them or create certain items. 

Consider the Season

When it comes to the seasons, my most popular months for engagement sessions are between April and October! The weather is usually cooperative and the different seasons encapsulated in this time frame provide lovely natural scenery.

Spring is full of greenery and colorful new blooms. Summer is great as the days are longer, allowing for more flexibility in scheduling. The gorgeous sunshine and summer blossoms also provide a lovely backdrop. Fall adds a whole new color scheme to the mix with its burnt orange, golden yellow, and red foliage.

While spring, summer and fall might be the preferred months for engagement portraits, don’t write off winter. There is something incredibly enchanting and romantic about a winter engagement with snow covering the ground and snowflakes slowly falling!

If you plan to take your portraits at your wedding venue, I highly recommend choosing a different season than your wedding. By doing so, you can capture portraits with an entirely different look from your wedding portraits.

One thing you might not have thought of is the timing of your session during the week. Most wedding photographers like myself are shooting weddings on the weekend, and as a result are generally unavailable to capture engagement sessions on the weekends. The majority of my engagement sessions happen on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 2 hours before sunset to get that magical sunset glow!

There are a few perks to scheduling your engagement session during the week. For instance, makeup artists and hair stylists typically have more availability during the week. Many popular engagement photo locations are also less crowded through the week compared to the weekend.

What if it Rains?

This is a common question and valid concern for any couple! The weather doesn’t always cooperate, unfortunately. However, I will always have a backup plan! One of the benefits of an engagement session is the ability to reschedule if the weather forecast is calling for rain. If we are unable to reschedule for any reason, I would embrace the rain and make the most of it! Oftentimes, the rain is never as bad as the forecast predicted! 

Scheduling an engagement session is a great way to relax and celebrate the special time ahead while also capturing memories of the engagement. There might not be a “perfect” time to schedule your engagement portraits, but once you determine your wedding date go from there. Determine what season you want as the backdrop or how much time you might need if you plan to use your photos for anything involving the wedding.  Once you have those questions answered you’ll have a better idea of the best time to schedule your engagement portraits.

Amber Dawn Photography specializes in light and airy, natural, and romantic wedding photography.  With a penchant for estate weddings, Amber strives to create timeless images that reflect the romanticism in soft hues, capturing for posterity the many facets of the love that is the reason for the celebration.  To view more of Amber’s work, click here to view her wedding portfolio. If you are interested in learning more about working with Amber, please inquire with her today! 

Here are more resources and tips for your engagement photos!

How to Prepare for your Engagement Session

9 Styling Tips for Engagement Photos | What to Wear to your Engagement Session 

Reasons to Capture your Engagement Session at your Wedding Venue

5 Reasons To Do An Engagement Session With Your Wedding Photographer

The Amber Dawn Wedding Photography Experience | What To Expect

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Philadelphia & Bucks County, Pennsylvania, photographer specializing in Wedding + Engagement Photography