Wedding Vendors Podcast

Checking items off the list

Officiant Amber is an American Marriage Ministries wedding officiant based in eastern North Dakota, performing marriages in both North Dakota and Minnesota. On weekends, you can usually find her at a wedding, or chatting on Zoom with a couple currently planning a wedding. Her specialty is casual, fun, light-hearted ceremonies. She recently teamed up with the American Marriage Ministries to publish a book for new officiants and wedding planning couples called, “Navigating Your Wedding Ceremony.”   Wedding Vendors Podcast Website, FB, Instagram Subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Subscribe to the podcast on Itunes Now on Spotify Give us a review in itunes

We are bringing in the new year with new exciting topics and fun guests.

Covid Updates MPR.org and other resources.     https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/11/16/latest-on-covid-in-mn?fbclid=IwAR0sZKKwOPDSf_FQn2FjNJDNUTDTAK6XOGS2YOGx8se-7xGyoiDxp-U0Z8I     https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/11/10/walz-next-steps-in-minn-covid19-fight?fbclid=IwAR1k1A30RTwMRO96jHC5r_QFuoPoepeQWhKTCGqh1Pb6KqSYdm1Hl3gbQVM     https://download.fargond.gov/0/fargo_mayoral_executive_order_-_11.16.2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0HdYoD94tTA0jJYfrM83x6zZ7HGtW-EA3HCOWEy20LL_U5SoQp212IKVI  

Today we had a great chat about RSVP's and adding them to a data base. Also we shared stories about our experiences with RSVP's. www.weddingvendorspodcast.com

We had a great chat about our bachelor and bachelorette parties www.weddingvendorspodcast.com

Interview with Take the Leap Entertainment Tech Talk on Twitch

A few updates on COVID and some fun. https://www.soundengagement.com

Ep57 - A short clip of what we did this weekend and a virus update.   www.weddingvendorspodcast.com https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/safeevents.pdf

Interview with Brittany Schnell I’m a cat- loving South Dakota native who grew up in a large family. My husband and I married in 2017 and made the Schnell Ranch our home. The ranch, located north of Lemmon, South Dakota is our little slice of heaven- with open skies, a sea of grass, Black Angus beef, a Blue Heeler & half a dozen cats. Some of my favorite days are spent working in my garden under the hot, North Dakota sun. https://brittanyography.com

Today we are talking about Wedding Bands and getting in touch with your wedding vendors to finalize wedding details. Your engagement ring is the center of attention leading up to your big day, but knowing how to pick a wedding band that complements the engagement ring is just as important when it comes to your wedding jewelry.  

Minnesota's Stay Safe Plan Minnesota has made good progress on slowing the spread of COVID-19. As we continue the process of reopening our economy and returning to work and activities we enjoy, we must continue social distancing practices to save lives and stay safe. This chart outlines Minnesota's phased in approach to reopening various business and social settings.

Wedding Invitations    Wedding Vendors Podcast Tying the knot? Fall in love with hand-illustrated wedding invitation designs from Evite. Choose from dozens of free invitations, or browse themed wedding collections. Whether your theme is rustic, vintage, or elegant, you can even personalize your invitation by uploading a sweet photo of you and your spouse-to-be. Just fill in the details of your event, or add a personal touch to your wedding invites by writing a custom message to send to your guests. you can set the tone for your special day with a custom wedding invitation.  

Wedding Vendors Podcast – Ep52 Toasts! They can be one of the most memorable and cherished parts of the reception, so make sure to carve out time for them when you’re arranging the evening’s timeline Planning is important here to so you don’t keep guests away from your dance floor and socializing for too long! Keep the open mic for the rehearsal dinner :) Welcome toast: very traditional, and I do not see these much. Here’s how they work-This first toast is most often made by the parents (or father) of the bride, and should combine both a toast to the happy couple and a welcome message to the guests.

Wedding Vendors Podcast - Ep51 We talk about wedding licensing and a segment on contracts. Nearly 27% of surveyed couples said they had rescheduled their weddings for 2021. Some 26% decided to shift their dates to later in 2020, and 42% were still holding their original date.

Picking which flowers you want for your wedding day If you are prone to following trends, do not make a floral decision with your florist to early Make a budget. This is the first and most important step when it comes to choosing your wedding flowers Find a wedding florist Lean on the professionals! Discuss how they plan to keep the flower intact and secure throughout the wedding day Gather inspiration. Know the basics Use your color scheme Start with the bouquet(s) Embrace your wedding season Match your wedding style.

Extraordinary times call for ordinary measures These past couple of weeks have been crazy, from staying at home to disinfecting when we leave the house. This virus has us all trying to figure out a way to survive, and ultimately thrive when life returns to normal. I recently did a Facebook live post, talking about this. But, if you are like me, you would prefer to read it, so here it is. https://www.officiantamber.com/post/extraordinarytimes

North Dakota and Minnesota vendors, join me on Facebook "Live" TOMORROW, 3/21 at NOON to chat about what we can all do now to prepare our businesses for life after the craziness. Please come with some ideas, or feel free to DM me some ideas, and we can all chat about it.

Leah began her career in weddings doing independent planning, décor design, and day-of coordination in western North Dakota. When her ambition outgrew her surroundings, she moved to Fargo in the summer of 2017 to pursue a full-time career in wedding planning. After running the wedding programs at the Ramada and Radisson, she joined the Avalon in August of 2019. She brings passion, dedication, and enthusiasm to her position making the Avalon the premier venue for weddings in the FM area.

A continuation of the last show with more about music and lists. Creating the soundtrack for the happiest day of your life is a big deal. Before you start trying to curate the perfect list of tunes, there are a few things to consider. From hunting for inspiration to making the whole thing sound cohesive, it’s a touch more complicated than throwing all of your favorite songs into a Spotify playlist. But don’t get stressed! We’ve made you a list of everything to remember when choosing your wedding songs.

6 Fashion Rules for Grooms You want to look as stylish as your partner on your wedding day—so follow these rules.   As the groom, all eyes will be on you (and your partner) on your wedding day, so of course you want to look your best. Need help figuring out what to wear? Don't worry—we've got you covered. Follow our rules below to look stylish when you say "I do."  Rule 1: Your suit or tux should fit the venue and location the most basic level, your attire should be appropriate for your venue and match with the overall vibe of the wedding. If your wedding is in the daytime or outdoors, you can wear something a bit more casual (think: lighter-colored suits made of fabrics like khaki). If it's an evening affair in a ballroom or high-end hotel, go with either a dark, well-tailored suit or a tux. Want to get even more formal? White tie (a black tailcoat, white shirt, and white bow tie) is the ultimate in formalwear and ideal for an extra-luxe venue. More at www.weddingvendorspodcast.com

 An award-winning officiant: Amber received WeddingWire's “Couples Choice Award” in 2018 and 2019 and the Antelope Valley Press' “Best of” Award in the officiant category in 2019. Officiant Amber specializes in customized, non-boring wedding ceremonies written exclusively for the couple after an in-depth couples interview. Each wedding is unique to the couple, so whether you are looking for an elaborate ceremony at a local venue or prefer a simple, quiet elopement-style license signing in the comfort of your home, Officiant Amber is your go-to professional. Hitchswitch    

When choosing a wedding cake it does not have to be short and sweet, The wedding cake is often a major part of any reception. It can serve as a focal point to draw people’s attention. Many celebrations include a ceremonial cutting of the cake. It’s not surprising that people stress over finding the perfect cake. Click here for Hitchswitch

Designing a rehearsal dinner that represents you and your fiancé helps kick off your wedding weekend in an unforgettable way. With your family and closest friends gathered together, the rehearsal night is a special time to celebrate and enjoy quality time.   Use your personal style   Your rehearsal is the official start of your wedding weekend—and helps set the stage for what’s to come. When planning, try to tie in your rehearsal dinner with the overall vibe of your wedding.   Be inclusive Standard tradition is to invite your wedding party and immediate family to the rehearsal dinner. To stretch the circle wider, you can offer invitations to participants in your wedding and other important people in your life.   Choose a formal or informal setting If you envision a laid back, informal rehearsal dinner, choose a setting to match—like a backyard barbeque, community hall or casual restaurant. If you’re wanting something more elegant and formal, opt for a hotel venue or upscale restaurant. In deciding if you’d rather go the formal or informal route, either match your rehearsal dinner to your wedding scheme or make the evening entirely unique. To get 10% off Hitch Switch the change your last name company click the link here. https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1235485&u=2141751&m=67412&urllink=&afftrack=

Wedding Hair and Makeup with Sam and Lynn from enlightened beauty.

Tonight we are chatting about what has been going on the last few weeks. Also a little about hair, next week we will do a deep dive on this subject.

We talk about Hitch Switch, and how this time saving service helps you change your lastname after the wedding. You can change your name online, instead of in-line! HitchSwitch was created to simplify a complicated process. Essentially, we take all of the stress out of the name- change process. With us, you can change your name online, instead of in-line! Our founder, Jake Wolff, was in his first year of law school when his wife was wishing for easy instructions to simplify the name-change process.

Planning an Outdoor Wedding. The Necessities  There's something indescribable about an outdoor wedding: the unparalleled beauty of a rocky ocean shore, a romantic botanical garden, the warm familiarity of your own backyard Tents can be pitched just about anywhere. Stake one in your favorite park or even outside a gorgeous mansion or estate, if that's the venue you choose. Whether you're going for formal or casual, tents come in all shapes, sizes and materials. Work with your local rental company to figure out what style fits your vision (and the venue's spatial constraints). And make sure you choose a tent that works on your surface—pavement, grass, sand and so on.

1. Begin by browsing. Start off by doing some research. it's a good idea to tear out pages or save images to your inspiration board to help zero in on the colors and styles you like best.      Be open minded with your gals!  Get their input! 2. Keep costs in mind. If any of your friends have been in the bridal party before, they'll know bridesmaids pay for their own dresses. But a gentle reminder is never a bad idea. When it comes to price, try to be considerate of your friends' lifestyles. If you're concerned your wedding might be a financial burden for one or more of your bridesmaids, focus your search on dresses in a more affordable range, or select a color you like and let them pick their own style. Another idea: Take a cue from the guys and consider renting your bridesmaid dresses.   4. Stick to a schedule.   5. Ordering etiquette. read more at www.weddingvendorspodcast.com/38

Honeymoon Hunting   Where to start Budget, budget, or and, budget Be specific about what type of honeymoon you both want. (white sandy beach, backpacking through the mountains, egyption pyramids, etc.)   When  According to Wedding Paper Divas 40% of couples wait 13 to 18 months between “Yes!” and “I do” giving them ample time to plan the optimal honeymoon.   6-8 months prior, especially if you're planning to go to a specialized resort, as premium rooms book up early.  I would recommend earlier, as would a travel agent.   Airline reservations generally open 330 days in advance and the lowest prices almost always sell out first. This is particularly important for travel during holidays and peak seasonal periods.   Cruise lines open reservations more than a year in advance. Book early for the best cabin selection. The same goes for resorts.

Sonja Babich is the Associate Publisher for Minnesota Bride.  Sonja brings a wealth of bridal experience to Minnesota Bride.   In addition to her sales and marketing role, her duties included filling the day to day operations and the main wedding planner role for countless Minnesota Brides.   I am a COBBER! Proud alum of class of 2010! Very involved with planning Concordia’s 2009 Homecoming and doing those fun Corn Feeds! Double Major in Art-Studio & Communications! https://mnbride.com/

Create and launch your wedding website What is a wedding website for, anyway?   Think of your wedding website as the ultimate guide to your wedding.   For guests, the wedding website is an invaluable catch-all resource. It will include:   Answers to all of their most frequently asked questions, including information about dress code, gift registries, and wedding day itinerary A travel planner for out-of-town guests looking for lodging options   For you, the wedding website serves more practical purposes. You can use it to keep track of the logistics of planning, including:   Guest list and RSVPs Registries and gifts received Photos Vendors Budget Timeline … and much more. Of course, the focus isn’t only on function. Creating your perfect wedding website, especially together, helps you get psyched for your big day. It allows you to really dive into the wedding-planning mindset by thinking about what information you want your guests to know.   What do you need on your wedding website? At minimum, your wedding website should have the date, time, and place of your ceremony and reception. Think of it as a save-the-date that your guests can check from anywhere.   Select and purchase invitations   Your wedding invitation is your guests' first peek into your wedding day, so you want to make it shine   Define Your Wedding Style Along with listing the location and time of day, the invitation—and, more specifically, its style—hints to the formality of your wedding. You should have an idea of the type of event you're throwing—classic and elegant, casual and relaxed, or glam and modern—before you start shopping for stationery, so you can choose an invitation style that hits the same note. Then browse stationers' websites and others couples' wedding invitations to gather inspiration so you can give your stationer an idea of what you like.

Episode 34 Wedding Registry and Hotel Block Select 2-4 different places to register.  Use Sites like WayFair and Amazon if you want to have those one stop shop and sometimes free shipping options for guests.   High tech items (will give examples) Unique gifts/experiences (will give examples) Charitable giving If children is definitely part of your future, set up a fixed savings account for guests to contribute to a college fund for your to-be child   Sarah from “ The Element Hotel” When deciding on booking a block of rooms the average number of rooms is about 10 rooms. This gives guest and the hotel enough space for all family.   They also offer upgrades to rooms as well, and a Marriott Membership that has some pretty good perks.

If you’re buying your own wedding wines, then you’ve already taken the smartest step forward by caring enough to find out more! Learn what wines work best for events like weddings and how much wine to have on hand. Wine is a highlight to a wedding, so it’s a great idea to find one what’s right for you. There will be sparkling wine for the toast but the rest of the wine is up to you! Consider the following: Who’s attending (non-drinkers, young people, older relatives) If you’re serving rich meats for dinner consider a full-bodied red wine If you’re serving fish as the main, consider selecting a rosé or light red wine as your ‘red’ option Think about the time of year and time of day and the theme (black tie, casual, tropical)

We interviewed Kenzie from Affairs by Brittany is a unique little bridal boutique in the way that we really want to give an amazing experience that no other stores in our area offers. We want you to feel like you're at home with your girls having an amazing time while you relax and shop for the perfect gown.   Follow us on instagram: @affairsbybrittany and on facebook: Affairs by Brittany Bridal  

Today we discuss what transportation that is available around the area. We also talk about that is happening around the surrounding with bridal shows and events.

What is your style? Classic? Glamorous? Bohemian? Minimalist? What are the general colors you want, try to be open-minded and use the color palette as a guideline Instead of “gray and white” for example, think of a “neutrals” color palette consisting of ivory, beige, and colors with gray undertones, like charcoal, olive green, and khaki – use the more generalized wording for google searches Depending on what the budget will allow, you can cover your essentials and then add extras to enhance your décor style.

Step 4: Macro and Micro Budget Let’s talk about budgeting, you may or may not have a macro budget or an overall budget yet. If you have a set amount of money to work with then that is your macro budget. If you do not and you’re open to range you will need to work that range down or up depending on what you want prior to starting your buying process. So, in other words you need to figure out your budget range is going to be A Note about Budgets: I rarely RARELY meet a Bride who starts and stays on Budget. It is hard as most Brides have never bought all of the wedding “stuff” before. There is great reasoning for the price that vendors charge; Experience, Service, Quality have nothing to do with price. Quality Wedding Vendors , Experienced Wedding Vendors, and Wedding Vendors who provide top-notch service are worth their weight in Gold on your wedding day. Prior to starting the buying process, because you don’t want to come back and have that budget range affected by a bad decision that doesn’t fit in with your budget. This is important to do prior to your buying process. In the 7 step process the buying process or execution of your plan is step 6, almost the last thing for you to do. You will be buying with more emotion, and lets face it 99% of wedding services and products are emotional purchases, or purchases you buy more in emotion rather than need, and will over spend your limit

Most people will tell you that your wedding photographer is the most important person you will hire for your wedding.  Everything else is immediate… it’s all for one day but your pictures, well, they have to last a lifetime, several lifetimes, actually, since your album will be passed down to your children and grandchildren one day.   Finding the right wedding photographer here in can be tricky.  In the last few years there has been a big increase in the number of “wedding photographers” out there and that’s not always a good thing.  How do you distinguish the good from the bad? The professional from the amateur? We will discuss this more throughout the episode.

The Avalon Events Center is hosting its second annual Bridal Expo! Join us for free appetizers, dinner selections, and drinks. All guests attending will receive a free mimosa or mixed drink (21+) as well as free tastings of our executive chef's top choices. We will be hosting the areas premiere wedding expo with over 50 vendors, $20,000+ in prizes and a grand prize valued at $10,000. Live entertainment provided throughout the day as well as multiple fashion shows by Affairs by Brittany and Tip Top Tux to present the most stunning styles around. Please join us for a wedding show that is different from the rest and take a look at the areas most beautiful wedding venue while you're at it.

Finding the right DJ   Finding the right DJ is essential to having a great wedding reception, the other most important thing to look for in hiring a DJ is their personality. They really should be someone that will fit in comfortably with you and your guests and be able to develop a rapport with everyone during the reception. People should feel comfortable with the DJ and he should be someone you feel will go to extra lengths to be friendly and talk nicely with your guests as they will probably be talking to the DJ and asking for requests throughout the whole reception.   There is a flow to wedding receptions and a professional, experienced wedding DJ that has done many receptions is familiar with how receptions proceed, the traditions, and how to emcee and keep your reception moving along and keep your guests happy and dancing. There is also nobody that can save your reception faster when something goes wrong, food gets delayed, or other things happen, than a really experienced wedding reception DJ. Most of the time your guests will never know of a problem as the DJ has kept them entertained while the problem was fixed. Corey’s passion for music and entertaining began at an early age, in the first grade he joined the choir and began playing the trumpet just a few years later. His love grew during his teenage years through participation in marching band, swing choir, jazz band, the list goes on. Corey would stay up all hours of the night listening to the radio just to hear one song.

Reserve your date You can plan your wedding around a season, a location, or a special date. If you are set on a specific venue, make sure to book it well in advance. Consider the budget of the wedding, the availability of the guests, and how much time you will need to plan your wedding. Remember: you and your fiance are going to celebrate this anniversary for the rest of your lives—so pick something special.   Consider whether there are any specific dates that are special to you and your significant other.  - I’d be sure we paraphrase this section so we don’t do do much repeating from the info listed directly above. :) Let’ do a nice blend of the two Many wedding dates are related to a special day, like a birthday, the first day that you met, your first date to the movies, or the first time you kissed. If you really want a specific date, begin planning and calling around to venues and vendors you want to hire as early as possible. Wedding dates can be booked at least a year to several years in advance depending on the demand at a particular venue. For example, perhaps your dating anniversary date falls on a Saturday in June. Consider choosing that date so that your wedding date will always be the same as your dating anniversary. If a particular venue is more important to you than the date, start there! Read more at www.weddingvendorspodcast.com/25

This is our Christmas episode, all about what we do for the holidays and what our plan is for the mistletoe and the lovely people at the assisted living center.

Pick your wedding party 2.Start the guest list 3.Hire a planner, if desired The reality is, you can't choose everyone, and between your siblings, your cousins, your childhood friends, your high school besties and your college roommates, you're going to need to make some cuts.       Put yourself first. Don’t let others decide/persuade you otherwise       Don’t make your primary focus the equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen (balanced look for pictures)       Don’t feel obligated to have someone in your wedding party just because you were in theirs       Brides.com has a funny but applicable hypothetical scenario…who would you be OK with being stuck in an elevator with for a long time?  Think about that and when emotions run high and low, who will be there for you and vise versa? Think about it!...:)       IMO only- it’s not about who is there for you then and now (life pulls our loved ones in different directions at different times) it’s about who’s been there for you for the long hall/overall       In most cases, family is forever when considering siblings/relatives in your wedding       No take-bakes after you ask.    The earlier the better to ask those you’ve chosen. for more on this go to www.weddingvendorspodcast.com/23

In this episode we talk about why budgeting is so important and what out special guest Natalie did in her own wedding to budget her day. Natalie's Bio: I worked in banking, individual tax preparation, and Wealth Management. Spent 5 years at a smaller wealth management firm based in Minneapolis.  During that time, obtained Certified Financial Planning Certificate.  In my current role, I work directly with clients as an Investment Counselor at Fisher Investments in Portland, Oregon.

Jesse and Molly discuss the upcoming holiday and share some great holiday deals online and local to the FM area. 

Jesse and Molly Discuss the wedding binder what is in the binder and how important certain vendors are to book. 

City Brew hall open house Sunday October 28th 12-4pm at 120 North Fourth Street, Wahpeton, ND 58075   We can’t wait for this Sunday!!!!  Tag and share your favorite bride (ring not required) or groom to be to win a free admission for two!!   Hey you brides to be!! Gather your girl squad for fun afternoon!!! #bridestobe #destinationwedding #destinationwahpbreck  

Intoducing the new co-host Molly Fuchsel She will be a great addition to the show, she bring more of a feminine roll to the podcast. 

The Hilton Garden Inn Fargo is hosting You + Me: A Progressive Wedding Experience. The event is for all, whether you are newly engaged, married, need a gal’s evening, or a date night. This is not your typical bridal expo! Event starts at 5:00PM. Ticket includes entrance, heavy appetizers, sweet treats, and beverages. Guests can expect an evening of laughs, inspiration, and live interaction. Once you enter our lovely Grand Ballroom, the wedding day will be broken up into sections from the getting ready room, ceremony, reception, to dance. You will be entertained by live dance lessons, gathering decoration ideas, viewing the current trends in bridal and floral, taking photos in an interactive photobooth, live hair and makeup tutorials and more! Guests will be enterered for giveaways from vendors and a GRAND prize from the Hilton Garden Inn! More information and details to come!

The Unplugged Wedding We gave some great tips on how to help the bride and groom communicate a unplugged wedding to their guests.  www.weddingvendorspodcast.com/16