Plan Your Central Florida Wedding
Plan Your Central Florida Wedding
Why Your Photography Timeline is Important
Your wedding is like a production with a bunch of moving parts. If you hire a planner, which we highly recommend, they will have a timeline for your entire day, but what you may not know is that your photographer will also have a timeline. Your photographer's timeline is equally as important to ensure that your day runs smoothly and all your special moments are captured.
In this episode, we're talking with Central Florida wedding photographer, Marjorie Durante of Sophia's Art Photography about the importance of a wedding photography timeline.
When you think about, uh, a timeline on the details that are going inside, put up without every timeline, he includes so many details inside of each one of those moments of the day.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the plan, your central Florida wedding podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Schmitt editor of greater Orlando's top wedding publication, orange blossom bride. I'm sure. When you said yes, you had no idea that you were jumping on this rollercoaster that is wedding planning. The goal of this podcast is to make the wedding planning process less stressful and more fun. We'll provide you with great tips and ideas along with expert advice from some of the area's top wedding pros. So let's get started planning your central Florida wedding. Your wedding is like a production with a bunch of moving parts. If you hire a planner, which, you know, we highly recommend, they will have a timeline for your entire day, but what you may not know is that your photographer will also have a timeline. Your photographer's timeline is equally as important to ensure that your day runs smoothly. Today. We're talking with central Florida wedding photographer, Marjorie Durante of Sophia's art, photography, Marjorie, and her husband. Nick owns Sofia art photography, and Marjorie loves helping brides to feel relaxed about their wedding day, by working closely with them on their wedding timelines and learning as much as possible about their desires for their wedding day. So welcome Marjorie. Thank you, Amanda. And this is Marjorie second time on the podcast. She was here with her other half last time. And in that podcast, we talked about why it's important to print your wedding photos. And that was a really great episode. Marjorie. I love that episode because it's not something that people talk about a lot and it's really important. So if our listeners want to go back and listen to it, that's episode 27. So go check that out, listen to this podcast first, then go check it out. So today we are going to be talking about wedding photography, timelines, which Marjorie I know you're very passionate about. And as I mentioned, it is different from the wedding planners wedding day timeline. So let's go ahead and start right there with what is a photography timeline and how is it different from a planners?
Speaker 1:Uh, photography timeline is the one that is going to include everything that it's important for the couple. Um, it's going to start usually at the beginning of the coverage, for example, if you want to have photograph of the getting ready and is gonna end by the time that that particular service is going to end. For example, if you're having Apple data for the entire day, the photography time, I will start at the getting ready and it will, and possibly at the end of the reception or the exit, or if you're ending it a little bit earlier than maybe after off the cake. So it's going to include all the events of the day and it's going to include many, many details in those, um, different events. Like, for example, like you said, how is different from the planners or any other or the DJ or any other, uh, for the, uh, any other timeline, for example, the getting ready part. Usually the person who goes to the getting ready part is Joseph without effort. I mean, the maybe somethings get deliver like the flowers, but nobody else, no other vendor actually needs to do anything when the brights is getting ready except the makeup artists and the hairdresser. But for us, that's what they're gonna for. We need to know everything that is important for the couple at that moment. So we try to work, um, with the different things that are going to happen. For example, um, like of course, the details of the bride getting ready or the groom getting dressed, but also what are the details that are important for that couple? So having their rings photograph, or if they want to include anything that is important for them, uh, as, um, as a new family, like if the bride has anything from her grandmother dose type of details that needs to be included on the timeline. And those are included usually in that part of the day, which is the getting ready part
Speaker 2:And going with that, you're, you're talking about getting ready, but obviously we're sometimes, uh, couples get married, uh, where they're getting ready, but sometimes there's multiple locations. If they're getting ready, let's say at a hotel or at a house, and then they go to the church and then they go to the reception. So that's all gonna play a big key role, correct. When you're doing that photography timeline. Cause you gotta count the time of transporting to place different places that they're going,
Speaker 1:You are absolutely right on that. And that goes back a little bit. Like for example, when we have the first conversations with a couple, um, they're usually like thinking about how many hours. So when we talk about the hours and the events of the day, we build a timeline with them, but we also include, like you said, like the different locations, because eight hours for one location is going to look very different from eight hours with three different locations. Like, and how far apart are those locations from each other? Because do we'll have to definitely count how much time you have to drive, but also how much time you will have to get out of the car and getting ready and set up the equipment in our case and for the couple. So be ready to, um, like have their pictures taken when they arrive at the venue, et cetera. So when you think about, uh, a timeline on the details that are going inside, put up without every timeline, he includes so many details inside of each one of those moments of the day. I know we talk, um, briefly before we even started recording the podcast about like certain events inside of the different parts of the day. And I also mentioned, um, like the first book with the dad that is usually like something that happens during the getting ready part of the day. But if we don't account for that, um, it can be tricky. And one of the things that are super important for me is make sure that, that I'm so communicating, like with the bride and the groom. So we all are in the same page and no matter how many things happened during the day, because he's alive event, everything happens super fast that we know how to respond to whatever it happens. They may be like we fall behind because somebody is late and they're holding a certain money five or 10 minutes. So now how can we adjust the time that we have for the pictures after, or where are those pictures going to be taken? So that part is super, super important, making sure that we're on the same page with them, us, like, why are they expecting from us and how can we accommodate all those important things that they want to have photograph during their wedding day?
Speaker 2:And I mean, and that goes with like first looks for couples too, because one thing we were talking about, which were I'm going to get into right now, but when we're talking, a lot of couples have their weddings in the evenings. And if they're wanting to do sunset photos, you know, the time of year, obviously in the summer, we have more daylight than we do in the winter time. So if you're having a ceremony in the evening, um, but you still want to get those couples portraits. So you'd have to factor in a first look with your future spouse or you might have to, you know, move the ceremony up that's stuff that should be discussed depending on their importance to that aspect. Correct? Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yes, absolutely. And now that you mentioned the ceremony and the time, um, if that's something important for the, for the couple to have specific light during the ceremony, if you're like, for example, if you're booking, uh, a specific venue that has like beautiful, gorgeous lighting the afternoon, and that's the type of like background that you want and the light that you want, you will have to maybe adjust the ceremony time to a moment that would your further, further, you can coordinate to have enough time for the ceremony, but also to have enough time to take pictures after, because it's like, all the ceremonies are a different lens, depending on how many things you do or for maladies you do in the ceremony. But for example, if you do the sunset is like at six o'clock and you want your pictures with your spouse. That's, you know, sunset time, sorry, money usually should be around four 30, because that way you finish at five, five 15, then you take pictures with your immediate family. And then by the time that everybody else it's going to the cocktail hour, it's time for you and your husband to start like having your pictures taken. And it's perfect for the sunset time. So, um, those are the type of details that I like to talk with the brides and grooms and, and everybody who is involved in making those decisions on when the sort of money is going to be on what is going to be happening, because I want to make sure that they're happy with their pictures and we can make it possible just like about communicating and making sure that, that we're all on the same page and making sure that, that we can make those changes to make the most beautiful pictures that you want to have, then we can make it happen.
Speaker 2:And that goes to communicating the couple, communicating with you as the photographer of what's important to them. So you can help navigate them through that. So that's really important. Um, I was looking at something, you know, when we, I asked you about this podcast and you sent me your notes, there's one word that she put on there and it was having a designated Wrangler. And I find this to be really funny just from a personal aspect, because I remember growing up and I come from a big Italian family. So our weddings are big and we're Catholic. So you know how all that goes after the ceremony, it's always just like a free for all, like, where's this person where's homo and we're supposed to be taking pictures and all this stuff. So I think it's important that when you had said, how many locations are you going to an adding that into a timeline, you communicate with your photographer, you know, your bridal party, the best, you know, all those people taking pictures. So you know how they're gonna, you know, react to different things. Who's going to be where, I mean, you know that when you have your wedding party, so communicating that to your photographer is really important so that it can go smoothly. But having that designated Wrangler, because I mean the photographer, you're, you're new to the game, right? You're coming into the family, it's just an awkward situation. So having somebody to help you out to make it go smoothly is really important as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. Wait. We actually have like various, like, um, a few steps to get to that point. We usually, like when we talk with the couple, even, um, during the consultation or we talk about other people, Wrangler, they laugh, but they usually can identify mentally somebody immediately, which is the funniest part because they know who is going to open, like, and he's gonna call and he's gonna, everybody's gonna listen. And that's going to be super helpful for them to have everybody ready to go, which is fabulous. Because like you said, we're new to the game. We don't know the family. We usually know the, of course the couple and usually kind of the moms see if we have the chance to be with them during the consultation. But besides that, we really don't know who is who, um, and we need to make those pictures happen right after is our money in a very efficient way. So we have them work on a list and then Liz is added to the timeline. And then we definitely have that, that person who is the designated. And I usually talk with that person, um, right after the ceremony, I give her, usually it's a girl or one of the moms she's just sending like the bridesmaid or wrong with the moms. And, um, and I give her like the, the list and a, um, an, a pen to make sure that we go through them list and make sure that we captured like all of those important moments and those important, um, groups that they want to have photograph. And, um, it's funny because that people run their, like, we call it, uh, it's so, so helpful throughout the entire day after that, because they, they know the couple, they know everybody and they can just like, be a good thing for the couple to identify. It's just like those, one of those things that you might not think about before, but then it's just like, it's so helpful for them to feel relaxed that somebody is kind of like the liaison between them under vendors.
Speaker 2:Right. And it's nice. I mean, because that's not something that a planner would normally do, right. Or they're there at the reception space, they're getting everything ready for the couple to come. So, you know, you're hiring a planner, they can only be so many places and that's not one of the places that they're at. So to have somebody designated like that is great. And you know, that kind of eases, which you know this, but it, it eases the people taking pictures. Cause if they know they don't have to sit there the whole entire time through the, all the photos, they take their photo and they go, you know, it's like check them off and then they're gone to enjoy their time. So it definitely makes things run so much smoother. Um, so let's, Oh, I'm sorry. Go on.
Speaker 1:No, no, no. That I was going to tell you that with, within the same concept of organizing those groups, we were very in detailed with, with which one is the biggest group, like you said. So let's just say that picture first. And like, then almost everybody can go and enjoy themselves. So we try to make that happen as, um, as fast as we can so everybody can have a good time. So that's part of the intention of the timeline to make everybody relax and know that we're going to make it happen and nobody should feel stressed.
Speaker 2:Right. And knowing what's coming next, not being surprised at different things. And there was something that you had mentioned to me before when we were talking, you had talked about, um, you know, the different plans of action, if something were to happen, what, what would you want to do next? So the example you had given me prior was, you know, if it's raining, which we all know as Florida, it's probably going to happen. So what is backup plan is great to have for anything. Um, but when it comes to portraits, how do you work that through the timeline
Speaker 1:During the Thailand consultation, I asked them, what is that? It made them select the venue that they, that they selected. And usually that gives me an idea of what they have in mind for their photos. So we go and talk about like plan a will be to have their couples, pub life pictures that are usually after the formal pictures. And, um, that's like the background that they will like to have. Ideally, if everything is perfect and the weather cooperates, that will be their background. But like you said, we live in Florida and, um, it's not just the rain, but the heat. And what about if that is too hot and they can not be outside too long. So we also have to talk about what are the other places around where they're going to be for the reception, usually that they love. And I don't want to make, um, that decision by myself because that they need to be involved in what are the other options that they have. So when I, when I mentioned, we have to have plan a, B and C is usually for that particular time of the day that I want them to feel like super relaxed. If it is raining, they already know that we're going to go inside an it specific place, or if their venue has a balcony, if it's raining, but we're on the balcony, then we can take pictures. It looks like we're outside, but we're really not getting wet. So, and I want them to feel that they are in control of how their photos are going to look, but they don't have to make the decision on the fly. They don't have to think about it at all, because I already have talked to them. I already have it in a 10 and nine, and I'm going to take care of them.
Speaker 2:And that makes such a difference. Like if you think about being in the moment of your wedding day and you like, you have your heart set on this and then boom, Oh, well, well, I guess this is how it's going to go. And it kind of puts a damper on things when you're not prepared because it just, it just happens. It's not like intentional, the happiest person could have that reaction, you know? So it's important to have those different just in cases, you know, especially with, like you mentioned how fast the wedding day goes, and you do have to make those decisions so fast. And if they've already talked to you, they don't really have to make the decision because you're just moving them through the day. So that's great. And with Marjorie and Nick they've, how many years have you guys been photographing a really long time around here
Speaker 1:If we have him photographing since 2013, but fully on weddings seems 2015.
Speaker 2:So you're talking five years and they've worked at plenty venues around here. So even if you fell in love with the venue, um, for a specific reason, Marjorie and Nick will probably know a spot at that venue, you maybe didn't think of that will be beautiful. So that's another part of the communication to getting that out of them prior to the wedding day?
Speaker 1:Yes, absolutely. And that's part of the things that we do. Um, we definitely have different spots. Like you said, it's like, if, if it gets, have any of that have different ones, I'm going to definitely bring them to our conversation for the timeline meeting. And, and then I'm going to show them probably examples of how the different places look. So they don't get stressed at all during the wedding day. And they will definitely know that no matter what, they're going to have gorgeous pictures.
Speaker 2:Right. And they've already seen the sample, it's kind of like Pinterest, they already see what it's gonna look like. So, yes. So when we're talking about, you know, couples, ideals, but then the reality, because at the end of the day, there's, the wedding is only so many hours long. So they do have to be realistic in what they're going to take. You know, how many family pictures they're going to take and combinations and all that kind of stuff. I think, you know, with things going on now and weddings being scaled down so much more the, um, the idea of getting every single person in the photo and doing those combinations, you know, if it's a 40 person wedding, that's a little bit more realistic, but when you're talking about a 200 person wedding, there's only so much time that you have to do things. So setting that expectation is important. And how do you go about that with the couples when you talk to them,
Speaker 1:Once again, it goes back basic communication on making sure that I know what are the most important things for them to happen. Like for example, um, being like you said, ideally, and how many groups we're talking about having a specific time after the ceremony, usually the, if it is a church or if, even if it is like the V at the same venue, they have to usually flip the area to convert it. So it's not like a lot of time that we have after the ceremony before we need to move to the next, um, events of the day. So just to give you an example, if we have 30 minutes to make those pictures happen, we want to make sure that the amount of groups that the couple wants to have taken actually can fit comfortably within that timeframe, because we have to be careful of, like you said, as I we're living in a different world, right, bro world right now. And we want to make sure that everybody feels comfortable and we don't want to rush anybody, but at the same time, we want to make sure that we captured those moments. So, um, it's important that we communicate, how many of those groups are actually able to happen in that amount of time. And we can work around like either if we extend that if we have more time or we shrink the list a little bit. So that's, that's one of the things that I, that I think that I love to do with, with my couples is just like, it is not just a segue. It is wait, we go back and forward. And my job as their photographer is to make sure that I am flexible. And at the same time that I can explain the difference in areas, because earlier in our conversation, we also talk about the, the time that you have between like one location on the other. So if, for example, we have an hour before, like after the ceremony and before the reception starts, but the driving sturdy five minutes then just, just shrinks the time. So we will probably have time to do one location when we get to the wood, to the venue, not three different locations, apart from each other, Oh, let's we have a golf cart, then we can jump into the goal and move fast.
Speaker 2:No two venues get golf cart.
Speaker 1:That's what I'm talking about. Like, for example, it's like, let's just like, make it, like, I'm very, open-minded in that way. It's just like, I always want to make sure that I can do as much as possible for my brides and grooms and we can capture as much as we can. And that's why I talk with them a lot. We have had like couples that we'd go back and forward and what they want what's possible. And then they end up happy. But that's just because we have talked about it a lot.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Well, and to be two things, when you were saying that brought to mind is, you know, we have to keep mindful of, even if you're driving somewhere, who knows what the traffic's going to be like, so that could also cut into it. So that goes back to having, you know, the professional photographer, being able to adjust that. Um, but also with the, you know, some couples may have in their heart, maybe they want to go take pictures just as an example, the first place they met or something that has really nothing to do with the wedding day. Um, so that kind of veers off the, the wedding day path a little, um, they have to factor that in too. Cause then you're going to a totally different location. So these are all things that I think, um, you know, you plan weddings and you're like, Oh, well I need this vendor and I need this vendor, but you're not really thinking of the logistics of everything. And that's why hiring a professional and being open with them and having that communication is so important to make sure that the wedding date goes smoothly.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's absolutely right. That's why you hire a professional to do everything on your wedding. You hired a professional DJ to Ron and your music. You hire a professional planner and to take care of the details. And that's why you take it. You actually also hire a professional photographer, not just to take good pictures, but also to make sure that we plan to take those photos because they just don't happen. You have to plan for those. They are gorgeous and they are well-taken because we plan to have them. Um, at a certain time we plan to go out maybe during the, after, after you're served with, um, your dinner to run out with her, for that of her, because that's the, when the sunset it is, it doesn't matter. But the most important thing is like, when you hire a professional, you have to trust them as well. And like you mentioned, Amanda, to be very open into, into that communication, because I know with social media, it's very, like we have our minds in something already set. And, um, sometimes for us as professionals, it's kind of like hard to make sure that we are like, we have our, our couples to be open as well or our own advice just because we've been there. Like, I always say, you don't need to know you don't get married every day. It's my job to help you to go and navigate through all of these things
Speaker 2:And that I love that point. You don't need to know, that's why you're hiring a professional to know. Um, and it's just so important. Like we're so well, as you know, we're so pro pros here, it's crazy, you know, at the end of the day, you're, it's not about the day, it's about the experience going through. So like, as they work with you through the timeline, it's the experience, the anticipation that excitement, you know, creating that, those photos that you truly want and communicating that with your photographer. So it's not just the day, it's the whole experience leading up to the day. So that's what I always like to say, because it is really important. I think it kind of gets lost sometimes in the craziness of planning, which I get it, I've, you know, I've gone through the process myself and it is crazy for sure. Um, but embracing all that,
Speaker 1:Um, it makes our life a lot easier. And if we can make everybody to, like, we see the vendors on the wedding day as a team for the bride and groom, so we make each other lives easier and that will result in the best things for the couple. So I'm definitely like always going to advocate to have the best of the best as, as you can, as you can have and making sure that you hire the pros to guide you throughout the day, and that will make the rest of the day goes smoothly. And like you said, it's like from the planning and to the end, until like, when you get your pictures, you're gonna not remember like all the stress you're going to remember, like, Oh, it won fabulous. And like you mentioned the experience because that's what is going to stay with you too, because if you had a bumpy day, if you didn't have everything chord coordinated, you were answering your phone to try to coordinate when things are going to be deliberate, the venue where you at the same moment that your photographer is taking your pictures, you're definitely not going to look to relax in those things.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yes. And that, and that, you know, and I'm glad that that probably is another podcast too. We're kind of getting into it here, Marjorie, but I'm glad you mentioned that too, because what you're also doing by having that line of communication, when you're building their timelining, you're creating that sense of comfort with them. So the day of, you know, they're not going to look awkward in their pictures because they're already comfortable around you. So having that communication is really, really great. And you and Nick are so personable anyway. So it just works out well,
Speaker 1:Believe in that a hundred percent, I make always says that, um, you have to feel comfortable where you are with your photographer. That's a hundred percent true. Sometimes I tell him like, don't, don't say that it makes me feel uncomfortable. I'm like, don't, don't put the light on me, but it's true. You have to click with your foot, that effort. You have to feel comfortable. Um, not just to take your pictures, but also like we've been talking about throughout the entire podcast to make sure that the, you feel like they're going to take care of your day and no matter what you're going to get good pictures. So it's just like an entire, an entire experiences is the product. But he's also the, the relaxation of the day, because it's a stressful day anyways, no matter how much you do, it's so many things happening at the same time that, that the most, uh, the stronger team that you build around you with your team of vendors, the better it's going to be for, for you as a college.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And I think that that is a great place to end this one. So tell everybody how they can get in contact with you.
Speaker 1:Of course. So contact us, you just visit Sophia's our photo.com. That's Sophia is with P H Sophia's our photo.com. And you can also reach out on Instagram is, uh, at Sophia's our photo and the same thing on Facebook. We're always trying to put stuff out there on, in social media to, um, inspire our couples and to make sure that they know our style, any, they feel, um, attracted to our style or the way that we work. We really want to work with them.
Speaker 2:Well, thank you so much for doing another episode of the podcast, and we really enjoy talking to you today.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for having me on Ben.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the plane, your central Florida wedding podcast for more Orlando wedding inspiration and tips, head on over to orange blossom, bride.com. And if you're looking for amazing wedding pros to help bring your wedding day together, make sure to check out our wedding vendor directory until next time, happy planning.