As you prepare to graduate from IUP, capturing this special moment with professional photos is a wonderful way to commemorate your achievement. After you receive your cap and gown, consider scheduling a photo session at iconic locations on campus. The Oak Grove with its stunning backdrop of trees, the picturesque Sutton Hall porch, and the historic IUP arch all serve as perfect settings for your graduation photos. You may also want to take photos at any other building on campus that holds significance for you, creating timeless memories of your time at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. These photos will not only showcase your academic milestone but also preserve the emotional connection you have with the campus as you move forward into the next chapter of your life.

college grad photos with friends

In this special time of your life, I understand the value of capturing moments with friends, which is why I offer the option to bring a few companions along to your photo session. Your 1 hour time slot can be evenly divided among friends, allowing everyone to have their share of the spotlight. Clients can view all the photos taken during the session and handpick their 15 favorites. Should they wish to share the 15 final images with their friends, they have the flexibility to do so. Additionally, clients have the opportunity to add more photos at a nominal fee of $25 per additional file.

When preparing for a college graduation photo shoot, it is essential to bring along key items that symbolize your academic journey and achievements. Be sure to pack your decorated cap and gown, which are central pieces for the occasion. Additionally, consider bringing balloons, glitter, champagne, honors cords, instruments, books, or any other props that reflect your personality, interests, or successes during your college years. These items can add a personalized touch to your photos and make them more meaningful. Moreover, feel free to invite your family, pets, significant others, and friends to join the photo session, as their presence can make the experience even more special and memorable. Capture this important milestone surrounded by the people and items that matter most to you.

Mellon Park in Pittsburgh, PA, is a favored location for engagement photos due to its picturesque setting that’s a perfect blend of architecture and nature. The park boasts a stunning stone fountain that provides a timeless backdrop for romantic photos. In the spring and summer, colorful flowering trees and landscapes add a touch of natural beauty to the surroundings, creating a dreamy atmosphere for capturing special moments. The park's wrought iron fence features add a touch of elegance and charm to photographs. Additionally, Mellon Park offers the convenience of ample parking, making it a practical choice for couples and photographers seeking a seamless photoshoot experience.

When searching for a photo location in the city that exudes a natural and timeless vibe rather than an urban feel, consider exploring botanical gardens or parks like Mellon Park that are tucked away from the bustling city centers. These serene pockets of greenery provide a tranquil backdrop with their lush foliage, blooming flowers, and winding pathways, offering a peaceful escape from the city's concrete jungle. Mellon has all the hidden gems like quiet courtyards, a charming cobblestone street, and architectural structures that can add a touch of timeless elegance to your photos, creating a perfect blend of nature and history in an urban setting.

At Jill Gearhart Photography, we believe that unexpected moments can lead to some of the most memorable experiences. Picture this: you arrive at your outdoor photoshoot full of excitement, only for the skies to open up with a sudden downpour. Instead of letting the rain dampen our spirits, we choose to embrace the moment. Laughter fills the air as we dance in the rain, capturing candid shots that reflect the joy of spontaneity. The droplets add a magical touch to the images, creating a unique and unforgettable story. Despite the weather's twist, we ensure that your photoshoot is not only successful but also a fun and exhilarating adventure.

The Home Farm Barn is a great choice for a wedding venue if you’re looking for a barn venue that’s not too rustic and has beautiful spots for portraits. Every inch of the barn is beautiful and elevated, from its modern neutral color scheme to its beautiful glass gallery room on the bottom floor.

Nick and Rachel started their wedding day at the Home Farm Barn by getting ready in the downstairs Tack Room, a small room that can accommodate bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done or that can function as a holding place for groomsmen until ceremony time. With its countertops, natural light, and full mirrors, it has everything you need for your finishing touches.

wedding venues with rain plans

This particular wedding had their ceremony inside of the bottom level of the barn, known as the glass gallery. This is a great option if rain is in the forecast for your wedding day since it is still beautiful and spacious enough for all of your guests to sit comfortably. Cocktail hour can easily be held in the reminder of the bottom floor of the barn since the dining is upstairs and the glass gallery’s sliding doors separate it into its own room. The industrial kitchen on this bottom floor also make it easy for caterers to keep food hot and cake cool.

With the option to add on the Just Hitched bar trailer that can be parked INSIDE the bottom floor for your cocktail hour, there is all the convenience and none of the down time having to flip spaces from one part of the day to the next.

barn wedding venues with outdoor ceremony

The outdoor patio just off of the glass gallery is a fantastic choice for your ceremony if the weather is cooperating, and also makes a beautiful, clean, neutral spot for group photos overlooking the property’s beautiful willow trees. Guests can also enjoy the tire swing and space for lawn games.

The main barn upstairs is accessed by a beautiful wide timber staircase, making for dramatic grand entrances that are photographer friendly and don’t require your bridal party to awkwardly wait outside of a set of closed barn doors like at other barn venues. The dance floor will also be tastefully decorated with twinkle lights and large hanging hoops that can hold greenery or other decor.

wedding venues with transportation

At the end of the night, Home Farm Barn’s trolley service will make sure that your guests get back to their hotel (there are 2 great hotel options less than 10 minutes from the venue) and also make for lovely photo ops. The venue does require that guests ride the trolley to maximize the efficiency of parking at the venue.

This couple featured below wanted to end the night with a sparkler send off, and again the beautiful exterior of the barn provides a great backdrop and the outside lighting helps make the photo even more successful.

The Roost Event Center in Mahaffey is a beautiful new timber frame wedding venue with plenty of space for hosting your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception for your wedding. The owners really thought of everything when building this amazing venue, and after seeing a LOT of wedding venues over the past 12 years, this one immediately became a favorite.

The grounds are very crowd-friendly, with paved parking areas, multiple bathrooms, paved walkways and ramps, and lots of space inside their multi-level reception area to seat everyone comfortably and still have a large dance floor. There is even an option to host your ceremony indoors in their adjoining room in case of inclement weather without having to move any tables or chairs, and this room easily holds even the largest buffet set-up and expansive cookie table without having to sacrifice dance floor space or dance time with tearing buffet tables down after dinner. Simply put, there is ROOM for EVERYTHING and that means less stress for EVERYONE involved!

We started Mike and Alicia’s gorgeous wedding day in the beautifully decorated bridal party suites, one for the women and one for the men, situated right next to each other with locked keypad entry so no accidental “peeks!” The suites each had plenty of bathrooms and mirrors in addition to lounging spaces to accommodate all the demands of getting ready for wedding day.

The ceremony was held under the beautiful and expansive pavilion, featuring more of the same beautiful timber framing and stamped decorative concrete. The view of the countryside is breathtaking, creating a perfect backdrop for the most important moments of the day.

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the large covered patio complete with plenty of covered seating and a beautiful and expansive outdoor bar while we explored the grounds for photos with the family and bridal party. There’s plenty of variety in places for beautiful photos, including a hayfield, forest of ferns, and the beautiful stone steps in front of the venue itself.

I can’t say enough about how much fun I had with this joy-filled, kind, generous, AMAZING couple. They truly embodied the radiance and happiness that translate into emotion-filled photos and even more spectacular memories. I first met the bride when she was a bridesmaid in another wedding I photographed in 2020, and since then we’ve been able to create some more sweet memories when she and her fiancé flew me out to Washington state to create some epic engagement photos in the Hoh Rainforest.

The entire wedding they they both could not stop crying and smiling - I could just tell by reading their faces that they were thinking “Oh my god, we are finally married!” Just to reiterate how cute these two are, enjoy the story of the proposal in Alicia’s words:

“I told Mike when we started dating that I didn't care how he proposed, just as long as he did it. I said that he could even propose with a Ring Pop and I would be happy, but it had to be the blue or red one. When the proposal got closer, he started hiding ring pops around our home and in my belongings for me to find. On the day that he proposed, that morning, he gave me a blue one. I didn't piece together the colors/flavor hint until after he told me it was intentional. My sister had asked me to take pictures of her and her fiance since they had gotten engaged earlier in the year, so we went to Acorn Street in Boston. When we got there, she was asking for help with poses for she and her fiance to do, but was having a difficult time with the direction and said "Here, just show me what you want and we will recreate it." Little did I know that it was her way of taking my camera to set up a pose for Mike to propose with!”

We ended the night with a huge group-hug-turned-sing-along of Country Roads, a private last dance between the happy couple, and an epic cold-sparks send off (again, another BRILLIANT move by this venue for offering that as an add-on!) I hope you enjoy the highlights of the amazing day below, and another huge thank you to the wonderful vendors who made it all possible:

• Photographer: Jill Gearhart Photography

• Venue: The Roost Event Center

• Hair + Make Up: Bloom Beauty Parlor

• Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie

• Tuxes or Suits: Men's Wearhouse

• Rings: Kay's & Jacqueline's Fine Jewelry

• Catering: DiMaio's

• DJ: Royal Heir Dj Services

• Videographer: Rippeto Wedding Films

• Coordinator : Tiffany and Design

The Barn at Madison might not be your typical barn venue, but this restaurant-turned event venue is a perfect place for a smaller wedding! The architecture and decor land somewhere in the middle of rustic country, spanish mission, and industrial-chic. There’s truly something for every style! I found myself creatively challenged (in a good way), to create fresh and exciting portraits for the beautiful couple! Don’t be deceived by the location - even though it is tucked in a residential area right off of the main road through Madison, there is lush landscaping, cobblestone driveways, and privacy fences to make it truly feel like the pastoral experience the name evokes.

Arista and Logan started their day off in the upper floors of the venue, white wrought-iron spiral staircase leading from the dining hall floor up to a spacious and bright bridal suite, complete with velvet curtains, sky lights, and lots of mirrors and seating! For their 8-hour timeline, we were able to sneak in a few candid photos of everyone getting ready, then completed all of the bridesmaid and groomsmen photos separately before the ceremony even started, and even found time for a “first touch"!”

The ceremony was on the lawn behind the venue with plenty of shade and a beautiful backdrop. The couple decorated a black wooden arbor with white wisteria that framed them beautifully, and instead of a candle-lighting ceremony they opted for branding a slice of wood that served as their guest book later! After squeezing in all the traditional family photos right before the rain picked up, we were able to take a small break inside where the couple read private vows to each other, and then the rain so nicely departed so we could finish bridal party portraits and photos of the bride and groom!

We were not wanting for unique locations for photos - The Barn at Madison featured lots of great spots like the large brick arch and iron gates, the industrial front brick patio with black wood doors, a side staircase long enough to pose half of the bridal party, and plenty of interesting nooks inside of the venue as well!

Dinner was in the ground-floor level of the barn, housing long family-style seating with a direct view of the large main doors where the couple did their grand entrances and shared their first dance. A college friend of Arista’s wrote and recorded their first dance song, making the sentimental moment even more special as the lyrics were literally about them.

Guests enjoyed dancing in the basement floor which also featured cozy restaurant booths and a full bar, so everyone had a place to relax both inside and out. We ended the night with a beautiful sparkler exit with the venue in the background and dozens and dozens of family and friends giving well-wishes to the newlyweds!

Special thanks to all the vendors below for doing their part to make this day unforgettable!

• Hair: Chelsea Schaeffer

• Makeup: Bride

• Rings: Lorelli’s

• Florals: family

• Music: Jacob Fitzmaurice

• Jewelry: Cooper & Brooke

• Cake: Prantl’s Bakery

• Catering: Rodney’s

• DJ: Royal Heir DJ

• Videographer: 400 Home Videos

Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of rolling green hills and mature trees, Edgewood Country Club is an excellent wedding venue for the couple that wants beautiful views and an elegant reception space. This exclusive club has established itself as a premier destination for social events, golf enthusiasts, and refined dining. The club's luxurious clubhouse, adorned with elegant décor and panoramic views, provides an impressive backdrop for your wedding guests to dine, dance, and relax. The large open bar area is a classy and exciting option for your cocktail hour, giving your guests the ultimate surprise when the doors to the grand ballroom open to revel your decorated reception space.

Situated directly beside the main ballroom, couples can enjoy an outdoor ceremony location complete with chairs, an arbor to hold your floral arrangements, and of course a sweeping view of the course. There are plenty of options for family photos, bridal party photos, and couple’s photos all within walking distance.

Diana and Jon had an absolutely perfect, low-stress day at the Edgewood Country Club. We started the day at off-site locations where each member of the wedding party got ready for the day ahead, then we met at the club’s beautiful and spacious lounge for an extremely sweet and emotional first look between the couple. Apparently it’s hard to make Diana cry, but judging from her reaction to Jon and the story of her proposal, I’m not so sure she’s as stoic as she thinks:

“While the family was taking photos on New Years Day after the ball drop, this was when Jon got down on his knee to propose to me, and I immediately burst into tears. Which is funny because I am normally an emotionless rock and he told me that because I cried, that's how he knew my Yes was real and that I really love him haha.”

(Diana cried so much, in fact, that my second shooter and I had to re-do her makeup!) After that epic first look, we walked to a beautiful shady spot overlooking the golf course and took some portraits, then met up with the bridal party to take portraits with them! Because Diana and Jon were the best pre-planners we have EVER worked with, we even had time to get in some family portraits before the ceremony as well!

After the ceremony we snuck in a few more family portraits and then the couple was able to join their cocktail hour! I highly recommend doing a first look, and this is the biggest reason why!! Get the photos out of the way before your friends and family come for the day, that way you can spend as much time as possible with the people you love, not your photographers!

The amazing dinner was provided by the country club and fueled us all through the night as we “danced through the decades”, a unique and fun request from the bride and the groom! We stepped out for some sunset photos later in the night and were able to capture some gorgeous golden light before the couple headed back in to tear up the dance floor!

I can’t thank this amazing team of vendors below enough for helping to not only make my job super easy, but most importantly craft the best day ever for the new Mr. and Mrs.!

• Gown: Blanc De Bridal Boutique - Brand: Alexandra Grecco

• Hair and Makeup: Julea Beauty Bar

• Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo

• Suits: Men's Warehouse

• Rings: Henne Jewelers

• Florals: Jim Ludwig's Blumengarten Florist

• Cake: Tasty Bakery

• Catering: Edgewood Country Club

• DJ: Royal Heir DJ

• Videographer: Dorosh Documentaries

• Second Photographer: Jenna Dunsmore Photography

Christine and Matt had a perfect 8 hour wedding day that hit all of the major wedding events without doing a first look. Because they wanted to stick with tradition of seeing each other for the first time as Christine was walking down the aisle, they opted to skip the pre-ceremony portraits together. We met up and got creative with the timing of things to help make the day flow nicely with guests in mind.

bridal party portraits before the ceremony

In order to maximize the amount of time the bride and groom got the spend with their guests after the ceremony, we tried to do as many portraits pre-ceremony as possible. The bridal party was super helpful and accommodating and were ready to get ready a little earlier in order to do portraits before the ceremony. We were able to get group photos of the bride with her bridesmaids and the groom with his groomsmen, as well as individuals of each.

immediate family portraits before the ceremony

Another key element to maximizing time was having any formal portraits with immediate family done before the ceremony as well. Shots like the bride with her mom, dad, and siblings were all able to happen with help from the family and willingness for everyone to be there and be ready early. I’m always so grateful for people that are happy to be a part of a team, even if it’s more inconvenient for them.

prepping details early for wedding

Because the bride is such a planner and worked so hard to have everything done well in advance, it was easy to keep everything moving along in the morning, when things tend to go off track. All of the bridal and the groom details were together in a box waiting for me, which helped tremendously. The country club was also very accommodating, letting everyone in to decorate the day before.

The aesthetic of the day was luxury, but in a very easy, accessible way. The black and white color scheme was elegant and timeless, and easy to achieve a cohesive look. The beautiful white linens with black accents, tall gold centerpieces with white florals and greenery, and all white cake make by the bride’s amazing Pastry Chef sister gave the entire day a high-class feel.

sample 8 hour wedding timeline

1:00 - details / getting ready photos 
1:30 - Christine gets dressed
1:40 - first look with dad
1:45 - immediate family photos 
2:15 - bridesmaid photos
2:30 - groomsmen photos
2:45 - first “touch”/read private vows
3:15 - prep for ceremony
3:30 - ceremony
4:00 - family photos on patio or by main entrance
4:20 - couple portraits
5:00 - grand entrance
5:15- first dance
5:20 - father daughter dance
5:25 - toast
5:30 - dinner
8:30 - last dance / set up for sparklers
8:40 - sparkler exit

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Weddings at Lake Raystown Resort are a treat for both you and your guests as the closet public lake resort to Pittsburgh. At just a 2.5 hour drive from Pittsburgh, this is a great venue if you want to feel like you’re eloping to a destination that feels more like a vacation spot. Many people in the Western Pennsylvanian area vacation at Raystown and enjoy boating on the lake. Listed below are the amenities that Lake Raystown offers for wedding in it’s large ballroom, The River Birch Ballroom. The large, beautiful room features floor to ceiling windows and a beautiful lake-facing patio.

what’s included for a wedding at lake rays town resort?

• The River Birch ballroom can accommodate up to 230 guests

• 4 hour reception

• tables/chairs (including set up and tear down)

• white/ivory linens

• china and flatware

• soda and mixers for alcohol (you must provide alcohol)

• bartenders

What are the additional costs for a wedding at Lake Raystown Resort?

• Meal packages that include 3 options for 2 main dishes and 2 sides

• cookie plating

• cake cutting / serving

• Marina gazebo for ceremony

• chair and bench set up for ceremony

• rooms at the Lodge

Lingrow is one of the most upscale barn wedding venues near Pittsburgh and the dozen of included amenities including on-site lodging and ready-to-go table scape (tables, chairs, linens, china, chargers, flatware) make it a great all-inclusive option.

Couples can expect beautiful landscaping and architecture in every inch of the property, lending itself to some of the most stunning wedding photos possible. The pergola / gazebo by the pond is a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony, with plenty of outdoor seating in the “chapel” area for your guests.

Cocktail hour is usually held in the barn’s lower level and extends to the back porch and patio area, where guests can enjoy the one of two bars on each floor of the barn. There are also lots of options for your dinner and reception set ups, with indoor seating, seating on the upper deck, or dancing in either location as well. Large weddings usually host dinner hour inside the barn and then dancing on the back deck.

With great sunset views and the ability to have sparklers on the property, epic and unique photos in the evening are possible! Lingrow also offers plenty of add-on amenities like a horse-drawn carriage and the ability to stay in the farm house for the entire weekend making it a truly stress-free retreat for your biggest day ever!

Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort Weddings

Chestnut Ridge is one of the biggest, most upscale wedding venues outside of Pittsburgh. The ballroom can hold 350 guests, and the on-site amenities make it extremely convenient for you and your guests. The wedding featured below utilized the getting ready room downstairs, the on-site salon, a separate space for their ceremony, in-house catering, and a late-night pizza bar.

We started the day with the women getting ready in the downstairs conference room which had plenty of natural light for hair and makeup. Some of the members of the bridal party even got their hair done at the salon in the downstairs floor of the resort. The men got ready at the neighboring hotel, the Hampton Inn, which made for a very convenient option for guests as well since it is in the same complex as the resort.

The ceremony took place in an upstairs ballroom which neighbored the beautiful reception hall, separated by room dividers but still boasting the beautiful view of the mountains out of the window!

When it comes time for portraits, the resort is happy to lend you golf carts for your entire bridal party and will escort you around the course for all of your photos.

Chesnut Ridge is wonderful at setting up a seamless buffet experience in the room adjacent to your reception, and the food is always fantastic. They also have a wonderful and spacious display for cookies right in the main ballroom.

Guests always have a great time on the ample dance floor - there’s plenty of room to hold even the largest guests lists without having to tear down tables on the dance floor or fight your way through chairs to move around the room.

Hope you can find some inspiration for your Chest Ridge wedding!