Drinks with a Minister Podcast

This episode’s drinks: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Topics we covered: How self-improvement brought Shawn into the wedding industry How marriage coaching can help even (especially?) good marriages Why choosing a good officiant is so important for your wedding day Why we love personal vows What is next for Young, Hip, & Married Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Young, Hip, & Married website Young, Hip, & Married Insta

This episode’s drinks: chai tea. We talk about mindfulness, social media, business planning, and batching our work so we can be more present. Find the shownotes at drinkswithaminister.com/20/.

This episode’s drinks: all the coffee   Topics we covered: How Katie and Kinsey decided to make a venue on the family farm How to handle being family and business partners Separating the business from who you are as a person How they work to see things from their business partner’s point of view What they didn’t anticipate going in: PAPERWORK The issues Katie and Kinsey ran into as they built their venue like the ceremony location or providing chairs The tyranny of the pressure to go full-time on your side hustle (we say DO YOU, BOO!) The problem with equating money with successful creativity Knowing when to pivot from what you’re currently doing Why patience is the most underrated quality in business Why you shouldn’t freak out when Facebook / Instagram / Twitter changes their algorithm “People got so fascinated with tools that they forgot about the basics.” Katie Why you need to keep your social media real so people can genuinely connect with you Methods to deal with fans who know you but you don’t know them! How Kinsey’s podcast has affected their venue’s business We lament on how difficult naming a business is How to navigate being so independent versus being very communal How your personal insecurities and issues come out in your business and in your partnership Why Kinsey wants you to connect with the industry and community with genuine curiosity Katie wants you to know it ALL matters   Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: She Creates Business Podcast Vista View Events at Open Heart Ranch The E-Myth Revisited    

This episode’s drinks: Starbucks cold brew Topics we covered: Australian celebrancy laws versus American officiating Marriage equality in Australia Religion and secularism in Australia Why I pushed the “Minister Marie” thing early in my career Why ceremony is so important in our lives How Josh doesn’t “write” a ceremony How Josh inspired me to challenge my style We discuss Field Notes versus Moleskine, Apple versus Android How our backgrounds and personal strengths come into our ceremony styles Why you need to chase your fears and not shy away from them Why Josh loves marriage but not necessarily weddings (what??) Why Josh and I both believe good marriages make for a better world The relationship between relationship coaching and marriage celebrancy I marvel that Australia actually has a life skills class (WHY IS THIS NOT A THING EVERYWHERE??) Why I hate the common vow “I promise to never go to bed angry” How Josh and I have had to navigate the weird ideas we had about marriage with our very patient spouses How the great religions all echo this idea of speaking things into being Our role in the marriage ceremony and how it changes in different cultures and countries I ask Josh how he figures the logistics with all the travel he’s been doing Thinking of the seasonality of the wedding industry as flexibility instead How Josh handles the backlash/fallout from being controversial (hint: will it matter in 20 years?) How the way the LGBT community is treated in the church affected us both personally as well as professionally How stories and context change the way we can understand religion and people Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Married by Josh Married by Josh Instagram

This episode’s drinks: Hot toddy & seabreeze Topics we covered: How a Manhattan girl came to LA and became a wedding DJ How the hipsters are bringing back bowling, skating, and other group activities We tell the stories of our first professional weddings Why we take our payments before the wedding We shout out to planners and coordinators (we love you!!) How we introduce the wedding timeline options to our couples We divulge our band nerd history The skill that allows DJ Maasha to keep the party going, aka “reading the crowd” We discuss how where couples spend their money tells you their priorities Whether officiants should have PA systems or not The big differences between East Coast and West Coast culture, even in weddings How weddings differ from other gigs DJs do Why it’s about how you handle mistakes, not just preventing them Finding flow state in your weddings The differences between a professional and an amateur My bone to pick with friendors who bail on couples the month of the wedding Why the vibe matters How gender affects the way people interact with us professionally We chat about bridezillas, groomzillas, and my dreaded, momzillas How the energy you put out there can attract unexpected results Why Maasha thinks mitzvahs are more stressful than weddings How Maasha uses music to reflect her couple’s history, backgrounds, tastes, and love story (like a movie score!) How my personal wedding experience affects the way I do business We talk about the busiest wedding months in California How running our own businesses makes us take better care of ourselves How to know who your market is How we handle sexism within the wedding industry We describe the feeling we want every couple we work with to have with us Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: DJ Maasha DJ Maasha’s Instagram LA Wedding Vendors and Creatives Art & Soul Events (Jessica Carrillo) Scratch Academy Josh Withers Evolve Your Wedding Business Han Hills Special thanks to Speak Easy Cocktail where we recorded

This episode’s drinks: Monster Topics we covered: Why representation matters The fun they had during their engagement session How to decide what to wear to your engagement photo shoot How couples tend to start looking like each other How to handle wedding vendors when you’re a same sex couple How to pay for your wedding in pieces The share how they found all their wedding vendors on Instagram How Kaleigh proposed and how Brittini returned the favor Why they called their male wedding party “brideguys” How they are choosing to be pronounced They share the wedding horror story of a DJ calling the newlywed brides “bride and groom” How they met on Tinder, just like this couple Why the guest list was the most stressful part of wedding planning How starting their Instagram account has created a community How this political climate has affected their wedding experience and the LGBTQ community How the supportiveness of families help same-sex couples Their advice for how couples can weather wedding planning and still like each other Their advice to wedding vendors about working with the LGBT community One couple’s advice to wedding vendors Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: OFishallytheSalmons Instagram Jessica Lynn Photography Robbins Brothers – Love Wins

This episode’s drinks: a proper British cuppa Topics we covered: What constitutes a good cuppa Why Natasha started Engaged and Ready Winning her first blogging award and then won “Best Bridal Real Talk” award Why we think her most popular blog post has to do with Game of Thrones The issues that block small business owners from hiring help The rule Beyond the To Do List (a GREAT podcast!) gave me about delegation How Natasha went from a BBC journalist to a celebrant ex-pat in Spain The crazy story of Natasha’s first wedding ceremony in Mexico We discuss the “wedding high” The interesting ways that the legal and the ceremonial happens separately in Europe and the UK How celebrants in Australia actually issue the legal marriage paperwork The craziness of getting legally married in Spain (because it’s all about the church ceremony) When tradition enhances the experience versus when tradition gets in the way How we both developed our celebrancy in isolation and why Natasha feels the European Celebrants’ Collective can help How Natasha is bringing more recognition to celebrants Why we so strongly believe that words matter Why I won’t write ceremonies for Uncle Bob to perform The reason I don’t like the term “heart-centered business” and prefer the “value-based business” Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Engaged and Ready European Celebrants’ Collective Natasha Johnson

This episode’s drinks: Grizzly Paw Raspberry Ale and Longshadow’s IPA by Blind Man Brewing   Topics we covered: Why I sat in with Four Brewers’ recording How Kaela and I met (yay WeddingMBA!) How different Canadian and American officiants operate Why officiants should dive out of the way for that first kiss We discuss the importance of the pre-ceremony pow-wow Why I created a tequila unity ceremony (I’m really proud of that thing!) Ways photographers and officiants (and all wedding vendors) can connect with each other Wedding season in Calgary versus wedding season in Southern California Kaela and Elijah explain what an iron pack is to me and how he got frostbite during a photo shoot for a couple I explain California desert heat for wedding season I share how Joshua Tree is so remote and the desert is just huge Kaela and Elijah share how large and wild Canada is How we try to point our couples to less popular spots to avoid crowds and drama How we figure out our maximums for the year Why Mondays and Thursdays are gaining popularity in Canada We share our wedding day routines We ask why couples think we need to start hours and hours before sunset? Why we distract our couples when photographers are taking pictures How those quiet moments are the ones your photographers want couples to experience We discuss the feeling of sonder (that everyone has a story) Kaela & Elijah discuss how they work as a married couple and business partners Figuring out how to grow artistically Why resting and having outside interests help you grow as a wedding vendor What the wedding is really about (pssst: LOVE) The cultural expectations surrounding American and Canadian weddings How different it is becoming an officiant in Canada and the U.S. We discuss the trends we’d be glad to be rid of Why I LOVED What Not to Wear Kaela and I share a mad love pin-up style and dresses with POCKETS Kaela and Elijah share what they wish couples would ask photographers What they wish other wedding pros would do so they can do their jobs better How much we love it when couples just roll with it!   Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: K&E Imaging (website) K&E Imaging on Instagram WeddingMBA ca Havana Nights dress from Pin-Up Girl Clothing

This episode’s drinks: Iced Tea with a splash of lemonade   Topics we covered: How Laura went from a solo officiant to an agency How to define what your skill set really is When getting assistant makes sense What is an OBM or online business manager The different ways we made decisions about time versus money How we have had to learn to let go of control in our businesses How Tim Ferriss explains preparing for the worst case scenario Why reading is so important to our creativity “The way we do one thing is the way we do everything.” Laura Cannon Why the work-life balance isn’t the goal, integration is! How entrepreneurship can take over your life and if that’s a good thing How we handle the problem of serial entrepreneurship How Laura tries to maintain being present Laura shares how some massive losses in her life have taught her to take time Laura’s quarter of “Saying No” Why Laura decided to take time to enjoy other people’s creativity Why I’m making more room for celebrating and reveling in other’s art   Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Laura Cannon The Conscious Entrepreneur Ceremony Officiants The Tim Ferriss TED Talk The International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants - IAPWO WeddingMBA

Topics we covered: We share our love of Disney Trego asks about my origin story as an officiant How I try to avoid burnout Why Uncle Bob may or may not know what’s up I share with Trego my diverse religious background How you never know what a couple will remember Trego shares his origin story as a DJ Why the wedding industry attracts a lot of actors, musicians, and other entertainers Why we love the wedding industry CEO dates and why they are so important Applying the Pareto Principle to my officiating business Why I admire people who can run agencies and the skill set that is required What it took for me to really fly my geek flag high How success can be addicting and challenging Trego shares his favorite part of the wedding day with couples The vulnerability of working weddings I share with Trego why I do the pre-wedding pow-wow The weirdness of vendors being gendered in the wedding industry  I share my officiating webinar series that’s in the works We discuss the virtues of different style mics How Vox DJs solves the technical situations for a ceremony How Trego and I handle cell phones during a ceremony Why families can be so overwhelming during weddings Who my clients are and why the ceremony needs to matter even if you just want to get to the party Networking with other wedding pros Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Apricity Jessica Carrillo of Art & Soul Events Vox DJs Play Nintendo Show

Today I welcome Bethel Nathan, the Vice President of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants and the woman behind Ceremonies by Bethel and Elevate by Bethel to the podcast! This was a bit of big deal to me because when I first started Let’s Get Married SoCal, Bethel was one of the officiants who mentored me from afar without knowing it. Her inclusivity of the LGBTQ community, her transparency with her pricing and value, the warmth with which all her couples spoke about her all inspired me when I entered into the wedding industry. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of not only hearing Bethel speak at places like the Wedding MBA and WeddingWire World conferences, but have even gotten to socialize with her a bit on a personal level as well. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! This episode’s drinks: hot cocoa Topics we covered: How Bethel got into officiating Why it’s so important for wedding professionals to have a business plan How Bethel helped influence me so much from the beginning of officiating Religious versus non-religious ceremonies How you can pre-qualify your wedding vendors by their websites and social media The two different wedding vendors: providing for your day and those with you on your day Why images are so important to show inclusivity and diversity How Bethel celebrates the cultural aspects of Jewishness without being religious How Bethel brings in her love of travel and language into the wedding ceremonies How Bethel and I make the unity ceremony in the wedding part of the relationship rituals Bethel schools me on how to pronounce “quaithe” in Gaelic How Bethel and I craft our ceremonies How we feel we bring a bit of our own good marriage vibes to our couples’ ceremonies Why Bethel does not stay at any wedding reception How extroversion and introversion affect the way we run our businesses The structure and style of a ceremony with Bethel The questions we ask our couples to get the best info “Sometimes you don’t know what marriage is until you’re in it.” – Bethel Nathan How our egalitarian marriages affect the way we word our ceremonies Bethel’s advice for figuring out their ideal client and how to attract them Why you must meet Bethel before booking her Why I’m totally cool with strangers booking me without ever contacting me For wedding pros, it is important to price according to your value For couples, understand pricing is based on value NOT cost Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Ceremonies by Bethel Elevate by Bethel IAPWO (International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants) Evolve Your Wedding Business Podcast Wedding MBA WeddingWire World

Jessica Carrillo of Art & Soul Events is joining us to talk about style, crediting your fellow wedding pros, and how Instagram changed everything for us. This episode’s drinks: white wine Topics we covered: Pin-up style and how I stumbled onto Jessica’s work How Jessica got into wedding planning via beauty school, film school, and real estate management Why I love Jessica’s style The importance of giving love (and credit!) to the wedding vendor team Why you should tag and list the vendors in Instagram We revisit officiant erasure The importance of acknowledging the individuals who help the couple along the way How we decided to share our personal lives and behind the scenes tidbits online How Instagram Stories changed the game for Jessica Why we value connecting with our couples as people matters so much How we keep boundaries between our public lives and our personal lives How Jessica adapts her boundaries as a creative entrepreneur Why you don’t need to show your “hot mess” to keep it real How Jessica landed the job with Miss Rockabilly Ruby because of Instagram and Pin Up Girl Clothing We discuss how technology is a great tool and horrible master We talk about Jarvis (my phone) and the apps I use to enable single-tasking How we can help each other as wedding pros so we can all be acknowledged The brilliant way Jessica connects all the vendors by tagging all of the wedding pros the day after the wedding How officiants/celebrants can help make a wedding planner’s life easier Why it’s so important to be nice and check in with our fellow vendors as well as our couples Why limiting the scope of what you do in a contract is so important How part of our job is to educate our clients How Jessica’s style is a blend of masculine and feminine elements, texture and color The way we avoid the “hungry at midnight in the cereal aisle” and “starving at The Cheesecake Factory” experience when we give couples choices Why I rail against the idea that the ceremony doesn’t matter Why Jessica feels the wedding ceremony is the most special, memorable, and life-changing moment of the wedding day How the wedding really does change things Why we love our jobs so damn much “You know it’s good when you made the officiant cry!” Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Rising Tide Society LA Wedding Vendors and Creatives Instagram Miss Rockabilly Ruby Doris MayDay Pin Up Girl Boutique The Silence Premium app on Android Han Hills, Humanist Celebrant Art & Soul Events Art & Soul Events Instagram Art & Soul Events Facebook

Alex Bruce Photography is back! This time we talk about those FAQ we often get from couples. This episode’s drinks: Ommegang beer (Alex) and Sonic Screwdriver (me) Topics we covered: Do you need a second shooter for your wedding? Why you need to ask your officiant more than if they are available on your date and their price Officiant sticker shock Why 30 minutes for your wedding isn’t just 30 minutes of your officiant’s time The benefits of having an engagement session with your photographer Tips for what to wear to your engagement session The art of ceremony I display how little I know about professional cameras What Alex wishes potential clients would ask him What I wish potential clients would ask me How you can incorporate Futurama (or anything else!) into your wedding Why you should stick to your guns about your wedding choices Inspiration versus replication and plagiarism How I take inspiration from the ideas my couples give How to broach the subject when the wedding pro you want is just out of your price range Is the ceremony important to you? Why it’s important for wedding pros to know who their ideal client is Also why it’s important for couples to know their priorities for the wedding Why I wish couples would ask their wedding pros if they have fun doing their job Wedding burnout prevent (hello, fellow wedding pros!) Be nice to your prospects, wedding pros! LOL ;-) How wedding pros can better address pain points Why wedding pros debate if we should or shouldn’t put pricing on the website Compatibility with your wedding pros matters My virtual assistant Jarvis is awesome and why I name everything Alex shares his tech story with the Amazon Echo Kids and the funny way they interact with technology Facetiming with long-distance loved ones during the ceremony When you should book your photographer When you should book your officiant We show some love to Type A and Type B personalities and their differences Why wedding pros need to cross the vendor lines Introversion and extroversion in officiants I share if I get emotional at weddings Why it’s so important for wedding pros to decompress and practice self-care Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Ommegang Brewery The What to Ask Your Photographer List on The Knot The What to Ask Your Officiant List on The Knot A Practical Wedding

Daniela VillaRamos from Once Upon a Vow is a New York City based “wedding wordsmith” AKA wedding officiant. She specializes in custom and bilingual Spanish ceremonies.   This episode’s drinks: Angry Orchard Hard Cider   Topics we covered: How Daniela and I discovered each other How Daniela got into officiating How I got into officiating Why Daniela prefers meeting in person before allowing a couple to book her services Why I love that couples never even have to talk with me if they don’t want to How serving religious couples brings up interesting concerns for non-religious officiants We share our religious upbringing and how it has impacted our businesses We respond to the “marriage is just a piece of paper” thing What we think the wedding ceremony is all about We discuss our 2017 goals How she plans her time on wedding day as a New Yorker versus how I plan my time as Californian How we handle marriage license filings   Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Daniela’s website is Once Upon a Vow, and here’s her Instagram and Facebook Angry Orchard Hard Cider Evolve Your Wedding Business Bethel Nathan MileIQ Waze: GPS Navigation

Keri Rico is one of my elopement photographers and a nerdy friend who is into Doctor Who, table-top gaming, and LARPing (Live-Action Role Play for the uninitiated).   This episode’s drinks: Wilson Creek Sparkling Almond Wine and Keri’s tequila with lime juice on the rocks   Topics we covered: How Keri and I met Why I say I’m “not kind of minister” Why Keri was so hesitant to join my elopement team Wedding photography versus elopement photography Our favorite Southern California elopement locations Keri’s fear of goose poop and how that elopement still turned out beautifully We talk about LARPing and how that has influenced her relationship There’s a new affordable and offbeat venue in Southern California and Keri is a part of it! Where Keri is at in her own wedding planning How the relationships change with marriage I share how I get to do a Scottish quaich or common cup ceremony with Scotch! We talk about our goals for 2017 and my bucket list   Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: You can check out Keri at keriricophotography.com Our Sweetheart Package You can even check out some of the pictures we mentioned on Instagram Riverview Recreation Park (great affordable offbeat venue!)

Michael and Andrew are one of my favorite couples over the years. They discuss their experience planning their wedding and all the dram that comes with that.   This episode’s drinks: Fake It Sangria!   Topics we covered: What it was like planning their wedding as a gay couple in Southern California Why they had a hard time finding an officiant How to let go on wedding day when you’re a control freak The “oh shit” moment that happens for every couple Why Michael and Andrew disappeared the morning of their wedding Why I tell all my couples “FOR-EV-ER!” Michael and Andrew tell their engagement story What changes when you get married even after you’ve been together for years They share how they met (I can’t tell you how many people meet at clubs!) How I made Michael blush They share how they wanted to be parents and then decided to get married We discuss the difficulties they had with their caterer The high pressure of perfect on weddings How Michael and Andrew feel about their dream wedding over a year later What they remember about their ceremony with me What they didn’t anticipate after the wedding Michael shares his stance on the family drama that happened around their wedding What their favorite memory of their wedding is The advice that they have for wedding professionals How they missed their honeymoon year in exchange for family life We commiserate on parenting little ones Advice to newlyweds – pick a good honeymoon! What does vintage mean, y’all?!   Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Alan from Simply Perfect Images Christina with Celebrations by CC Kimberly Crest Arrowhead DJ Some Crust Bakery        

Han Hills is a humanist celebrant in South Carolina who loves personal and touching ceremonies. This episode’s drinks: green tea and green jasmine tea. Topics we covered: Officiant erasure – why does the belt get credited in wedding magazines but the officiant doesn’t? Why the wedding ceremony isn’t just the necessary thing that has to happen between photos and the party The art of the ceremony Common cup ceremony, including why I created a tequila unity ceremony Why we love it when couples write their own vows even if it means just customizing repeat after me style vows “You create sound ripples that create emotion ripples that change the universe.” – Han Hills You don’t have to sit through the ceremony to earn the drink! Why we think clergy should be taught how to do ceremonies and not just sermons I share why I’ve considered becoming a Universalist Unitarian minister The importance of ritual in ceremonies and life at large How to be present instead of nervous during a ceremony Why officiants have different rules on how many ceremonies they will do in a day Pricing yourself according to your value “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou The logistics of repeat after me vows and personal vows Location affects booking season and wedding season How to schedule more time off for yourself as a wedding pro Why Han started doing audiobooks in between weddings Recommending fellow officiants/celebrants when you’re booked Why I have an online scheduling system to book me online even though some officiants require a meeting first Sexism in choosing a wedding officiant Protecting your time as a wedding professional How we answer inquiries in a timely manner CEO dates as the burnout prevention answer Automation in your wedding business Why befriending your competition is actually getting to know your colleagues Your “about me” page is not about you! Which way does your website face? What are you really selling as a wedding professional? Why we need to stop using meaningless superlatives like “perfect” when describing weddings Attitude of gratitude people!

My bestie is back! Minister Carla Panzera Ulloa of My Dream Ceremony joins me to chat about all kinds of crazy wedding goodness. This episode’s drinks: Coffee made with Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Crème Brulee coffee with milk and sugar. Topics we covered: Rain day plans for outdoor weddings What it is like to get hit on as the wedding officiant Funny reactions we get as female wedding officiants More funny reactions because we’re young officiants What jail and prison weddings in California are like Reviewing what elopements are and aren’t We discuss my Sweetheart Package Why arches and chairs have no place in an elopement How fun it was that Carla performed my 10-year vow renewal with my Husband My fun and ridiculous elopement adventures Carla tells her story about the surprise elopement she performed in a hot air balloon I share a surprise elopement story Do officiants get nervous or emotional at weddings? Why we both get nervous about weddings in full Spanish Why weddings are exhilarating and exhausting Why some officiants prefer weddings closer to home versus traveling How wedding pros determine travel time Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Hilton Honors program

Adrianne Miller is an elopement blogger at SimplyElope.com and we discuss why we love elopements. This episode’s drinks: Adrianne was drinking Death Wish coffee and I was drinking a vanilla latte. Topics we covered: How Adrianne came to blog about elopements What makes an elopement different from an intimate wedding How Adrianne and I discovered each other Why we love elopements so much Dream elopement locations We gush about the romance of weddings as dedicated romantics Officiant blindness (you know I’ll rant about this) The pre-ceremony pow-wow I do before the wedding Why wedding coordinators and planners are so necessary on wedding day What is a concierge elopement service? What makes an amazing elopement Why professionals make all the different, even for an elopement I share several wonderful and ridiculous elopement stories with Adrianne Common misconceptions about elopements Big weddings are a fairly new concept Ethnic and cultural wedding traditions How we’ve experienced different people breaking down on wedding day (if they do at all) How loved ones unwittingly create stress for the couple on wedding day The one thing that Adrianne asks wedding guests to NOT do at the wedding What Adrianne recommends to keep in mind for your elopement Why so many couples elope and then have the big wedding later (you can have both!!) Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: Death Wish coffee (http://bit.ly/drinksdeathwish)  Bethel Nathan of Ceremonies by Bethel (http://bit.ly/bethelisawesome)

Alex Bruce is a wedding photographer in Southern California (alexbrucephotography.net) and we discuss why we love working in the wedding industry. This episode’s drinks: Alex was drinking St. Barnardus Abt 12 and I was drinking an eggnog martini. Marie’s Eggnog Martini Recipe Ingredients: 1.5 oz Absolut Vanilla vodka 0.75 oz Kahlua 4 oz Southern Comfort Eggnog Dash of cinnamon Instructions: Pour vodka, Kahlua, and eggnog into a martini shaker with ice. Shake for 5 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and dash the top with cinnamon. Serve immediately. Topics we covered: How Alex came into the wedding industry Why full-time is very different from one wedding vendor to another How much work happens behind the scenes for every wedding Unplugged wedding ceremonies versus the cell phone etiquette announcement The things that can go wrong during a wedding and why it’s not the end of the world The story of the fainting groom Dealing with family drama on wedding day Alex’s pet peeves What it’s like to do a family member’s wedding How the right vendors create good energy for their couples Our favorite moments on wedding day Why you should always let the couple eat at their reception without interruption The pros and cons of big weddings Why wedding pros also love intimate weddings Introverts and extroverts both hate small talk, apparently Why Alex loves engagement sessions Digital versus print for wedding photography Why some vendors require you to meet them before booking We share our “self-inflicted wound” stories Knowing who you are as a wedding vendor and respecting your limits How much time we work per wedding (not just the time with the couple) Why we love really getting to know our couples Links to the awesome things and people mentioned: The Fifth Element Leelo’s ID card I mentioned is from Loot Crate My version of the chocolate tasting ceremony was heavily inspired by Bethel Nathan - thanks for sharing that with me! The “I hate small talk” quote Heidi Thompson’s Evolve Your Wedding Business Podcast Keri Rico Photography is part of my Sweetheart Package Alan of Simply Perfect Images is also part of my Sweetheart Package  

My premiere episode features Carla Panzera Ulloa of My Dream Ceremony, a wedding officiant and recent bride who also happens to be my best friend! This episode’s drinks: Lattes made with Dunkin’ Donuts awesome coffees. Marie had Pumpkin Spice and Carla had French Vanilla. Topics we covered: How Carla became an officiant What it’s like getting married at the courthouse What Latino weddings in Southern California are like Navigating family dynamics as an independent Latina bride Finding a wedding venue How Carla decided between a DIY wedding and going with a full-service wedding venue The joys of having a winery wedding How to have a Star Wars wedding without going full Offbeat Bride Why Carla chose a small bridal party and didn’t have the wedding party stand up there with them How being crafty and DIY for your wedding can be a stress relief Do NOT go to meetings with your vendors hungry! Why you always need to build in an extra half hour to every prep appointment on wedding day Why you don’t tell the bride about mishaps on wedding day The reason it’s important to have your family in the dressing room with you at some point as you’re getting ready on wedding day The joy and emotion of the first look Don’t forget the first look with your parents! How being a bride changes the way a wedding vendor interacts with their couples Why being a Millennial helps us as wedding pros Carla shares her frustration with the lack of transparency and responsiveness from wedding pros The difference between a wedding hobbyist and a wedding pro Why wedding pros get frustrated when the only question is about price (even though we understand you don’t know what you don’t know!) I encourage you to cyberstalk your wedding pros It’s okay to ask for help when you’re planning your wedding! Why it’s so important to choose the few things that really matter to you when planning your wedding We show some love to our make-up artists Why befriending your competitors is the best approach to small business Links to the awesome people and companies mentioned: Churon Inn and Winery David’s Bridal Sandra Michelle Artistry This podcast is sponsored by Let's Get Married SoCal.