Not Your Pinterest Wedding with Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd

Planning A Same-Sex Wedding

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0500

In today’s episode, Danielle and Sara welcome John Rogers, a recently married half of a same-sex couple. John talks about planning a same-sex wedding and the challenges that come with it, covering such aspects as vendors, family and traditional concepts.

John reminds vendors to be mindful of words they use and advises listeners on how you can find gay-griendly vendors that are accepting. He goes on to discuss how to handle friends and family that are not accepting of your marriage and how to incorporate traditional concepts in your wedding. John also discusses the dynamics of last names and highlights why you should focus on what really matters - your marriage.

Finally, the group shares their hilarious wedding horror stories that illustrate why you should use professional vendors, and plan ahead for unforeseen circumstances.

Make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

Planning a same-sex wedding and the challenges that come with it
Being mindful of your words as a vendor
Navigating gay-friendly vendors
Vendors needing to become more friendly and accepting
Focusing on what really matters
How to handle family and friends that are not accepting of your marriage
Wedding parties and bridal parties for a same-sex wedding
Last names in same sex marriages
Wedding horror stories

Quotes:

“When my husband told me about picking a June date, I looked at him knowing about us in the wedding industry. I was like, no, because I'm working.”

“As a vendor, you should think about your words.”

“Marriage is not about what you want in life. It's more about what is more important to you”

“I kept my last name, he kept his. We're married. That's all that matters to us.”

“I think every wedding should do what is important to you.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Prioritizing Your Budget

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0500

In today’s episode, we have Danielle and Sara all to ourselves as they share advice on how to prioritize your budget when beginning to plan your wedding. They discuss how to set up a budget and why you should book professionals ahead of time to get the dream wedding you’ve always wished for.

Our hosts start by discussing the need to prioritize your budget according to what you want at your wedding, be it the photographer, venue, or dresses. They go on to offer their thoughts on how you can set up a budget and how to have hard conversations around your budget with your family. Danielle and Sara also encourage you to book vendors ahead of time and encourage your guests to RSVP, making this yet another episode filled with extremely valuable advice from these two undisputed experts in the field.

They finish up by sharing more hilarious wedding venue horror stories that illustrate why you need to get vendors that you trust and professionals that have good reviews.

Episode Highlights:

Take the time to enjoy your engagement before starting to plan a wedding
Give your children fun things on family trips
Prioritize what you want at your wedding
A guest list and a budget are very important
If your family is pitching in, you need to have a conversation with them if they have preferences
Decide on a realistic guest count and determine if you want a wedding planner or not
Reach out to professionals ahead of time
If vendors do not reply, find others
Be sure to note in your invitations if you don’t want children at your wedding
Encourage your guests to RSVP
Wedding horror stories

Quotes:

“80% of people get engaged between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day.”

“Trips are really important for families.”

“What you want people to say about your wedding, how you want to feel on your wedding day. That's important.”

“Our goal is to help you get the dream wedding at a budget you can afford.”

“We want you to be happy. The wedding is not about us. It's about you. And knowing your budget can let us direct you into where to go.”

“The biggest thing is to prioritize. What is your priority? Is it the venue? Is it the photographer? Is it the dress? Is it the floral decor? Location? ”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Wedding and Event Bar Tips with Madison Barger

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0500

Madison Barger, co-founder of M & M Event Bartending, is Danielle and Sara's special guest on the podcast today. Serving primarily Clarksville and Middle Tennessee, M & M helps design cocktail menus and estimate necessary quantities for events, and works with wedding vendors on such topics as scheduling and champagne toasts.

Drawing upon her experience in the industry, Madison talks about the ins and outs of hiring a bartending service for your events, and offers specific advice on why you should choose canned beers over kegs and over bottled beers. She also discusses how to create a drinks budget for your event, how many bartenders you should hire based on the number of guests you are expecting, and clarifies the difference between liquor liability insurance and liquor licenses. Other topics addressed are tips about hiring a bartending service, how cleanup is handled, and why you should verify the policies of your venue before booking them.

Finally, the group shares their hilarious wedding venue horror stories that illustrate why you should trust your bartenders, watch your bridal party around alcohol, and take it easy on the alcohol the night before your wedding.

To learn more about M & M Event Bartending, visit them on Facebook.

And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

It’s booking season so book your vendors if you haven’t done so
Today’s guest is Madison Barger, co-founder of M & M Event Bartending
Liquor liability insurance helps your bartenders protect your events and guests
Professionals help you curate your cocktail menu and give you a bar setup
The issues with choosing kegs over canned beers
Why canned beers over bottles?
Creating a drinks budget for your event
Typically, it's always beer and wine, and an open bar at weddings
A liquor license is important if alcohol will be sold at your event
Handling intoxicated guests
Cutting someone off when they’ve had too much
Do not make your couple signature drinks complicated
The right bartender-to-guests ratio
Let your venue know if you are bringing in your own liquor
Tips and charges
How to handle cleanup
Wedding horror stories

Quotes:

“Don't do kegs, you're going to regret it .”

“Eventually you're going to have to cut somebody off. ”

“If you're having 300 guests, please do yourself a favor. Have at least two bartenders.”

“Clean up the bar, wipe it down, take out the trash. And that's just something that I personally like to do.”

“You have a professional bartender for a reason. Let me serve and make sure you're having a great time. Responsibly.”

“Take it easy on the night before your wedding.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

M & M Bartending Event

Instagram

Facebook

Elevating Your Wedding with Unique Rentals

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 03:30:00 -0500

In today’s episode, Danielle and Sara welcome Cari Holder, the owner of Eventfull by Cari, a business that does ‘a little bit of everything’ including event planning, event coordination, and event design. They offer their clients full set up and take down service, and also have an ever growing inventory of rentals - almost 8000 square feet worth - ranging from the expected to the highly unique. The ‘rentals’ aspect of Cari’s business has certainly taken off over the years, and she is here today to share that story as well as the value that rentals provide when planning your special day.

Cari talks about what you need to know about rentals, their impact on your events, and why you should rent rather than purchase as this saves you time and cost. She shares her insight on how to fill dead spaces, how you can elevate your events with photo backdrops and lounge areas, and, in particular, why you should hire professionals so you can enjoy your day to the fullest. Cari also talks about setting up your event tables with unique centerpieces and rentals that can transform the look of your setup.

Finally, the group shares their hilarious wedding venue horror stories that illustrate why you should always choose your professionals for your events and to always be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

To learn more about Eventfull by Cari, visit them on Facebook.

Episode Highlights:

Danielle talks about getting and treating COVID
Today’s guest is Cari Holder, the owner of Eventfull by Cari
Eventful by Carrie offers event planning, event coordination, event design, and unique rentals
Unique rentals elevate your wedding
Change the look of an entire table by filling up dead spaces with chargers or napkins
Tips and tricks for rentals
Use your budget wisely
Don’t be afraid to mix colors and textures
Design trends coming in 2022
Spandex chair covers, chair sashes, and mason jars are trends that need to fade out!
Purchasing vs renting
Purchasing rentals leaves you with more cost and less time to enjoy your day
Candles are an important part of your wedding
Ensure to check with venues to know their policy around candles
Photo backdrops elevate your wedding and give your guests something cool to take pictures
Carrie’s wedding horror story

Quotes:

“I'm very particular about what I own, what I use in my weddings. And I love to be able to tell brides or any type of client, that what you see in my photos is available.”

“Don't be afraid to mix textures and pull in your transitional colors.”

“The more color, the better.”

“I hate to tell y'all. I never liked the 70’s.”

“Your time is worth something. And this is the biggest event of your life. There are only a few big events in your life, and this is one of them.”

“Candlelight in itself can completely change the mood of a reception.”

“Trust your professionals. Always.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Eventfull by Cari on Facebook

Eventfull by Cari on Instagram

Wedding Cakes with Callie Foster

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 03:30:00 -0500

On today's episode, Danielle and Sara welcome Callie Foster, a wife, homeschool mom to four, and the owner of Callie Foster Dessert Design, her business which specializes in providing brides with their dream wedding cakes in Clarksville, TN. Callie comes from a family that cooks, bakes and generally loves food, and so it seems fitting that she went to culinary school, after which she gathered experience working many events, and eventually started her own business when a newly engaged friend asked her to make her a wedding cake.

Today, Callie shares some tips for couples when it comes to wedding cakes and desserts, identifies the three most popular flavors and cake decorating trends, and reveals some ways to save money on cakes. She also talks about the tallest cake she has ever made, her thoughts on dummy cakes regarding being cost-effective, and the fact that some people don't really want cake but do want that look for the photo. Callie also discusses single large cakes versus the smaller cakes, the cost involved, and how creative she would be when decorating a cake to make a statement in her industry. She finishes up by noting how hard it can be when trying to grasp what a couple means by a ‘simple and rustic’ cake, and that, while Pinterest can prove helpful, it shouldn’t be relied upon for inspiration.

Finally, the group recounts their own wedding cake horror stories that illustrate why you should not have a middleman between the cake artist and the bride, and why you should use digital images for reference. They also delve into the fear of recommending other service providers and conclude that you should not be liable for whatever outcome may result.

To learn more about Callie Foster Dessert Design, visit them on Facebook.

And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle's Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara's gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

● Today's guest is Callie Foster from Callie Foster Dessert Design in Clarksville, Tennessee

● They specialize in providing brides with their dream wedding cakes

● Callie started her business when her friend asked her to make her wedding cake

● She gives her best tips on wedding cakes and desserts

● Callie advises her clients to always book in advance to secure the date

● Her three most popular flavors

● Cake decorating trends are just like the clothing and hair trends

● The naked cake is not going away soon

● For large tiered cakes, keep them refrigerated

● Fresh Flowers on the cake are unbeatable, beautiful, and will match everything else

● Callie’s tips on how to save money on cakes

● Plan for 20% of people not eating cake

● She shares her thoughts on dummy cakes and why people use them

● Cost variations on large and small cakes

● What her creative self would love to create

● Pin lighting cake is cool and draws attention

● Pinterest is a helpful tool

● Use digital images for reference as opposed to taking pictures yourself

Quotes:

"I decided that the best way to be prepared for her wedding cake was to just start my own business."

"As soon as you know your wedding day and the venue, it's best to go ahead and get the cake done."

"A consult gives you a chance to meet on a more personal level. You get to sit down with a couple and kind of form a relationship."

"The way you see clothes and hair - the '80s and '90s themes - I have been hearing that we can expect that with our cake designs."

"You want a moist cake, but you don't want it to be overly moist because those can collapse really fast."

"The biggest thing for me is temperature. Keep it cold. Keep it in the refrigerator for as long as possible. And then you set out an hour or so before the reception."

"My favorite for sure is fresh flowers. I think they're unbeatable, beautiful, and they're also going to normally match with everything else that's being used."

"Plan on at least 20% of the people not eating cake. You're always going to have those people that don't eat it."

"Sometimes, the ingredients for a cake are less expensive than the Styrofoam."

"If you want to have your cake on display during a hot summer day, you can just have it covered with fondant and not have to worry about it."

"I do charge per serving per tier just because of all that goes into stacking a cake and keeping it safe."

"That's the seasoned kind of vendor that you want to have, that can troubleshoot for you behind the scenes and take care of things that you don't even know are going on."

"The business may, from time to time as a courtesy to our client, make recommendations of vendors during the services, but the business cannot be held liable."

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Callie Foster Dessert Design, visit them on Facebook

Small Events, Big Impact

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:30:00 -0500

On today’s episode, Danielle and Sara welcome Angie Gibbs from The Studio 3s Performance & Event Venue in downtown Hopkinsville, KY. Angie goes over everything you need to know about hosting small events with a big impact, whether that be your wedding, bridal shower, birthday party, or holiday celebration. She shares her helpful insight for couples who like to plan events themselves, and also acknowledges that the best way to enjoy your event with as little stress and troubleshooting as possible is to hire experts who can take care of all the logistics for you while still working within your budget.

Angie talks about giving yourself plenty of time to set up and break down your event, meeting with your venue ahead of time, confirming the number of guests attending, and renting linens. You’ll also hear how COVID has impacted the wedding industry, what type of events Angie sees most often in her studio, and why it’s so important to have a backup plan for your party.

Finally, the group shares their hilarious wedding venue horror stories that illustrate why you should always choose your bridal party carefully, be considerate of your vendors’ time, and use a staggered start for your sparkler display.

To learn more about The Studio 3s Performance & Event Venue, visit them on Facebook.

Episode Highlights:

Today’s guest is Angie Gibbs from The Studio 3s Performance & Event Venue in downtown Hopkinsville, KY
They specialize in smaller events that make a big impact
They have an intimate space where guests can relax and have fun
Many of Angie’s clients are fans of DIY and simply want to rent the space
She gives her best tips to those who like to take on the event planning themselves
Give yourself plenty of time to set up and break down
Hire experts to make the planning process less stressful and rushed
Consider renting linens
Meet with your venue beforehand and walk through the logistics
Confirm the number of guests you’ll be having
Alcohol restrictions and guidelines at The Studio 3s
How COVID has changed the wedding industry
Angie has not seen many elopements in her space
They do a lot of rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, bridal showers, Christmas parties
Current supply sourcing issues
September/October is the busiest wedding season
Always have a backup plan in case the weather does not cooperate
Wedding horror stories

Quotes:

“Pretty much any smaller event that you can think of is perfect at the studio.”

“The best advice I could give is to allot yourself extra time.”

“Let the people that specialize in doing those things do those things for you. This is a special time for you.”

“I would say linen rental is another thing that really is a no-brainer.”

“We have a lot of little nooks and crannies in the studio that can be set up to meet your individual needs.”

“That's literally our goal when we do event planning is to make you think everything went off without a hitch.”

“You have got to be okay with the weather - whatever it is. If the wind is blowing, you’ve got to be okay with it. If it's raining, you’ve got to be okay with it. If it's hotter than Hell, you’ve got to be okay with it.”

“I have had an inexperienced event planner literally come in with her folks while I had another event going on.”

“The best way, honestly, is just to Facebook Message us.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

The Studio 3s Performance & Event Venue on Facebook

Trends and Traditions

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 03:30:00 -0500

On today’s episode, we have Sara and Danielle all to ourselves as they break down the biggest trends they’re seeing in the wedding industry right now, including the most striking color combinations, a resurgence of fun 70s aesthetic, and the heartwarming ways couples are paying homage to their families on the big day. Next, our hosts dive into the origins of some of our favorite wedding traditions, like why brides wear white, the bouquet and garter toss, bridal veils, and throwing rice at the happy couple.

You’ll also hear which scents bring back wonderful (and not so wonderful) memories for Sara and Danielle, their hilarious take on the great dog versus cat debate, and why you should never smash a wedding cake into a beautiful bride’s face on her special day - in case that wasn’t clear. Finally, Danielle tells the sweet story of how she met her husband, and Sara shares the best marriage advice she ever received.

Episode Highlights:

Vibrant, iridescent colors, as well as warm tones are big right now
When you’re looking at Pinterest photos, be careful it’s not a stylized shoot as these are always over the top
70s trends are making a comeback
Modern, clean lines
Couples are also incorporating their heritage into their weddings
Queen Victoria made white wedding dresses the tradition we know today
White was associated with wealth
Origins of bridal bouquet and Danielle’s use of fragrant flowers to create beautiful sensory memories
Bridesmaids were originally used to protect the bride and her dowry as she walked to the groom’s village
Tradition of the veil
Bouquet and garter toss
Throwing rice as a symbol of fertility
Bride and groom “First Looks”
Average age of bride and groom
How Danielle met her husband
Sara’s favorite marriage advice from her dad

Quotes:

“I'm seeing a lot of that goldenrod, mustard, lots of arches.”

“Be careful when you are looking at pictures that you're not looking at a stylized shoot, because it is always over the top.”

“I'm seeing a lot of disco balls when I'm looking online.”

“We have Queen Victoria to thank for having white dresses. Because pre-Queen Victoria, women couldn't afford white fabric.”

“Brides used to wear red. Up until Queen Victoria, they wore red.”

“Back in the day, the bridesmaids were used to literally send off or protect the bride as she was walking to the groom's village.”

“The group of women, who were similarly dressed, were expected to intervene if venture people tried to hurt the bride or steal her dowry.”

“It was common for the groom to take a bite of bread at the wedding, crumble the rest over the bride’s head for good luck, and then people would scramble to her feet to pick up the crumbs in order to absorb some good luck.”

“Originally brides wore veils to protect from evil, jealous spirits and to preserve their modesty.”

“Past couples didn't wait until their honeymoon to consummate their marriage. They would often do the deed right after saying, I do, the bouquet toss was used as a distraction so the groom and the bride could go handle their business in order to consummate the marriage.”

“I would say probably 80% of my brides have cut out the garter toss, and probably 50% with the bouquet toss.”

“Rice is supposed to symbolize that the guests want the couples to be fertile and have lots of children.”

“We just kind of hit it off. Our first date was on Halloween, and then not long after he proposed.”

“I think that's a good thing. I think that growing and evolving and changing is part of life.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Wedding Catering with Chef Teeka

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 03:30:00 -0500

Chef Teeka from Southern Belle Catering joins the show today to answer all of Danielle and Sara’s questions about catering for your big day. Teeka explains what’s included with a catering service, the pros and cons of hor d'oeuvres, buffets, and plated meals, and how she handles food allergies and dietary restrictions. She talks about her passion for Southern comfort food with a modern twist, and the sacrifice involved with being a small business owner in the wedding industry.

Next you’ll hear about the latest trends in wedding catering, how you can enhance your guests’ experience with food and displays, and Teeka’s best tips for working with a tight budget. Teeka also shares her insight on what to do with leftover food after your wedding, being courteous by feeding your wedding staff and vendors, and of course, the show ends with everyone’s favorite wedding catering horror stories.

For more information about Chef Teeka, visit the Southern Belle Catering or Southern Belle Deli Facebook groups. You can also call the Oak Grove location at 270-697-5098, or the Hopkinsville location at 270-874-5670, or email Teeka at chef.teeka@gmail.com.

Episode Highlights:

Today’s guest is Chef Teeka from Southern Belle Catering, which offers Southern comfort food with a modern twist
Hor d'oeuvres tend to be more expensive than an actual meal
Services provided by caterer
Buffet versus plated meals
Sacrifice and passion of small business owners in the wedding industry
How Teeka deals with food allergies and dietary restrictions
Teeka’s early experience baking cakes and how it evolved into catering
Biggest trends currently in wedding catering, like stations, charcuterie boards, and late-night snacks
Using risers to display the food and add to the guests’ experience
Making sure your caterer can accommodate your vision and dietary needs
Staying within budget for food and beverage
Get a specific head count at least three weeks in advance
Teeka likes to serve two meats to give guests options
Provide “To Go” boxes for your guests
Be courteous by feeding staff/vendors
Clarify whether your caterer is full service
Wedding catering horror stories
Having a community of vendors and the value of communicating with one another

Quotes:

“Basically my thing is Southern classics with a modern day twist. So I love all the Southern comfort foods that I grew up on, but I like to put that modern day twist on it.”

“For us it's about making the guests feel special, so that's why we always want to serve.”

“Shout out to all the small business owners because it's a lot of work. And a lot of people...just see the fluffy side… They don't see the long nights and they don’t see when all the big bills are coming in.”

“We can accommodate any type of food restriction, food allergy. Any type of diet that a person has, we can accommodate it.”

“Stations are definitely coming back and different things. It's almost like a revolving door - stuff that we used to do back in the day is coming back to the forefront.”

“Definitely risers are a big thing. Flowers, any type of decor that’s pertaining to their particular theme. I think that's what makes everything pop and give it a little bit more of a Wow Factor - not only for the guests, but of course for the bride and groom because it's their big special day.”

“I'm pretty laid back. I just want to hear what the client has to say, and how I can accommodate you on your day. At the end of the day, I work for you and I want to make sure that everything is pulled off.”

“Definitely get something that's well-rounded, that you know everybody is going to eat.”

“Get your head count together, get what you like. Know your budget and get the food that's going to be filling but still within your budget.”

“Make sure you understand what [your vendors are] not going to do for you.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Newlywed Advice with Maggie Pelletier

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 03:30:00 -0500

Here to tell Danielle and Sara about the wedding planning process from the perspective of someone who just went through it is newlywed Maggie Pelletier, who married her husband, Joe, in June of 2021. Maggie shares how long it took her to plan her wedding, what her dress shopping experience was like, and how her catering company added to the full experience of the day. As a self-proclaimed “DIY Budget Bride,” Maggie describes the ways she used family and friends as vendors to cut down costs, and encourages other brides to hammer out their budget from the start.

Maggie also offers her thoughts on what she wishes she would have done differently in planning her wedding, including staying organized on her guest count, checking in on the reception before entering, and doing a private “First Look” before the ceremony. She talks about being clear and efficient in the planning process but not sweating the small stuff, balancing your own vision while respecting your parents’ wishes, and hiring excellent vendors to make the most of your special day. Maggie wraps up with her advice about when to leave for your honeymoon, and of course, you’ll hear some truly cringe-worthy wedding horror stories about questionable cake artists and misplaced wedding rings.

Episode Highlights:

Maggie is a newlywed who just married her husband, Joe, in June of 2021
It took them just over a year to plan their wedding
Maggie’s dress and catering were big priorities early on
Maggie recommends talking about your budget from the beginning
Don’t rush into planning your wedding - soak up your engagement for a week or two first
Maggie and Joe used Postable.com to collect address information from guests
Their biggest challenge was the amount of people to invite
Remember that not everyone will stay for the reception or drink alcohol
Stay organized on your guest count
Check out the reception before you enter so you can appreciate everything that went into the event
Consider doing a private “First Look” before you walk down the aisle, so you can truly appreciate the moment before your nerves have set in
This also carves out some special time for just the two of you
Having an earlier wedding may also allow for more pictures and less stress
Try not to sweat the small stuff - if something goes wrong, you probably won’t even notice
It helps to be organized and efficient in the planning process
Bringing your own vision to light while also respecting the wishes of your parents
Maggie used Makenzie Made Films for her videographer and had an exceptional experience
When deciding on a DJ versus a band, go with your personal preference
If midnight seems too early to end the event, consider planning an after party
Wait until Monday to leave for your honeymoon
Hilarious wedding horror stories
Remember, when things go wrong, hardly anyone will notice and it will make a fun story for the couple to tell their grandchildren

Quotes:

“ I knew what I wanted. I was like, I do not want any lace. I do not want any beads...I have a vision in my head.”

“We had enough food to have another wedding the next night.”

“We tried to use family members for vendors.”

“Talk about the budget. That is something that we should have done from the start.”

“I wish that we would have not jumped straight into planning our wedding and just soaked it up for a minute.”

“I just think the amount of people was our biggest conflict.”

“We invited 370 people. I think I would say we had 250 that came.”

“That's something also to remember, brides, is even if it's not your original vision, it'll still turn out beautiful.”

“Truly, I remember every moment from the moment I woke up until it was time to walk down the aisle, and then it was a blur.”

“We were so consumed with the idea of that one special moment. But we were both so nervous that we don't really even remember it.”

“All of our vendors just made life so much easier.”

“I just think a lot of times if things go wrong, you don't even know. Your guests don’t know.”

“That goes back to that budget - you have to respect that budget. And anything on top of that, it's kind of on you.”

“We did a DJ mainly for space purposes. They fit better. But I love a band, so I could go either way.”

“Our DJ played the whole time. And then we wish we would have set up an after party.”

“Do not leave for your honeymoon until Monday.”

“Focus on you and him and do premarital counseling!”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Cosmetologist and Makeup Artist Emmy Ward

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 03:30:00 -0500

Join hosts Sara and Danielle today as they speak with the extremely talented cosmetologist and makeup artist, Emmy Ward. Based out of Princeton, KY, Emmy works at The Q Salon and she specializes in bridal makeup. She talks about her passion for hair and makeup, and finding her path to this career. She then dives into all of her favorite tips and tricks for brides concerning hair and makeup on their big day, including doing a trial run beforehand, what to expect in terms of gratuities, and which types of foundations and products to use as a bride. She explains how to find a look that enhances your natural beauty rather than getting lost in the makeup, what to ask potential hair and makeup artists to make sure you’re a good fit, and she describes her signature “soft glam” look. You’ll also hear about Emmy’s favorite makeup products, how she makes her brides stand out, and the typical budget for wedding hair and makeup services.

Follow Emmy on Facebook and Instagram to view her stunning work. And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

Emmy Ward is a Hair and Makeup artist (HMA) based in Princeton, KY
She works at The Q Salon in Princeton
For weddings, she typically sticks to makeup only as it’s rather hectic to do hair as well
Emmy recommends having two separate professionals to do hair and makeup in the interest of time on the big day, especially with large bridal parties
She recommends scheduling about one hour per person for both hair and for makeup
She discovered this career during her sophomore year of college and has never looked back
Her biggest recommendation is to do a trial run as this helps you narrow down your aesthetic and take the pressure off on your wedding day
You can also do a test run for portraits on the same day you have your hair and makeup done
Gratuities are never expected, always appreciated, especially for associates who may not own the business
Thank-you notes also go a long way
Which types of foundation and products to use so that you feel authentic to who you are rather than getting lost in the makeup
Emmy likes to get to know the bride ahead of time and get a sense of the look they’re going for
Foundation also depends on the time of year and your skin type
Emmy explains her process for keeping tools clean and sanitized
She feels that getting licensed is important for cosmetologists, but there are also talented people out there who aren’t licensed
You want to make sure you’re a good fit with your hair and makeup artist, and that you’re on the same page with the look you’re going for
Emmy’s signature look is a soft glam
Her favorite lip product is Pillow Talk by Charlotte Tilbury
Emmy feels the bride should always stand out and have a different look from her bridesmaids - bridesmaids can have a similar look, but the bride should have a little extra
Portrait trials can help you make sure your makeup aesthetic photographs nicely
Always keep your lipstick with you so you can touch up as you eat and drink throughout the day
Weddings bring an exceptional amount of tourism and income to the area

Quotes:

“I like to take an hour per person for makeup. And then same with hair.”

“I always have been extremely girly and always into this stuff. I didn't necessarily know I wanted to make it a career until I was in college.”

“This is too overwhelming. This is too much. And you're getting lost in the makeup. We're not in your natural beauty.”

“For a wedding day, it's going to be long. I do prefer to use a more full coverage foundation, but not to where it's going to look cakey.”

“That's really my style is, I want you to still look like you, but just enhance [your natural beauty] and just feel good about yourself, not like, Oh my gosh, I don't even look like myself.”

“You really want to make sure that your vibe fits with your makeup artist’s vibe.”

“I like a shimmery eye with a smoky corner or the lashes, and a good nude lip.”

“I think your bride should always stand out.”

“Everybody's beautiful on their wedding day.”

“Sometimes that camera picks up on things, which, I think it’s great to do the bridal portraits, because with your lighting and all that stuff, if you're not in the right angle, you can see that makeup line or harsh lines on their lips.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Emmy Ward on Facebook or Instagram

All Things Floral

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 03:30:00 -0500

On today’s episode, Danielle and Sara discuss all things floral, from Danielle’s start in the industry, to design fees, to Danielle’s new studio in Hopkinsville! Having helped with the floral side of over 1000 weddings, Danielle shares the best practices when it comes to working with your florist to maximize the impact and beauty of your arrangements while fitting into your overall wedding budget. The duo dives deep into changing floral trends, which family members actually need flowers, and how most wedding horror stories start from a single place: miscommunication. Between these topics and a preview of what’s in store for future Not Your Pinterest Wedding shows, this episode is not to be skipped!

Episode Highlights:

How Danielle transitioned from the Banking industry to the Floral industry after the 2008 recession
Danielle started Ruffled Willow in 2019, but has done floral arrangements for over a thousand weddings
How floral trends have changed from compact arrangements to bespoke garden-gathered feel
Working backwards from what a bride doesn’t like is often easier to help them discover what they do like in floral arrangements
No matter what your budget is, be upfront about it with your florist, so they can work with you to make your arrangements beautiful
Danielle takes Sara step-by-step through what goes into creating a floral arrangement
Industry standard rates for florists and design fees
Why you should book your florist as early as possible, especially during COVID
The professional florist community is very tight-knit and always looking to help one another
Pastel colors are great choices for bridal bouquets to keep the focus on the bride and her dress
Don’t ask your florist for “scraps” that you can use on the cake - those usually end up on the floor! Let your florist know you’d like to have matching flowers for the cake and they’ll order accordingly
Danielle discusses her new studio and workshop in Hopkinsville, and how it is laying the groundwork for a retail space in the future
People may not realize how much the wedding industry contributes to the local economy
Send in your questions for an upcoming roundtable discussion, or Q&A episode!
Most wedding horror stories start with miscommunication
Wedding planners are almost always worth investing in, DIY weddings can be very tricky to execute at the level you want!

Quotes:

“Styles are ever changing. And it's all based on a personality. So even though that something's in style right now, somebody else can take bits and pieces of different trends and different styles and make them their own which is so great about floral is because you can take a blank space and literally transform it.”

“We definitely try to help guide them into ‘let's look at the big picture’. When you walk into your reception, what do you want to see? What's going to be your vision there?”

“When we go to the wholesaler sometimes to pick up our orders, there will be something like really cool and unique. And I'll be like, ‘I have to have it because that's gonna be awesome in her bouquet.' Most of my clients know and trust me enough to know that I can give them what they need, and to have that creativity to do that.”

“I think that we've built our brand to kind of morph into what our clients needs. Because at the end of the day, our clients are who we are servicing. Regardless if we love it or not, you know if they're happy with it at the end of the day, that is our 110% priority.”

“I just felt like with wedding planners you use get so much more out of your day because you have someone that's a buffer for you”

“Whoever's listening from Chile just reach out because we will never know where you are! Maybe we could do a phone interview with you!”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

DJ Mike Emrick of ‘We Bring the Party Events’

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 03:30:00 -0500

Today’s guest is DJ Mike Emrick of ‘We Bring the Party Events,’ a premier event entertainment company providing wedding and event DJ services in Middle Tennessee. Mike tells Danielle and Sara about using his expertise, knowledge, and passion to help couples make their event amazing while also easing their stress on the big day. He shares his story of launching ‘We Bring the Party Events’ with his wife, Ellen, in 2012 after a disappointing experience at their own wedding, beginning with a photo booth and since growing to offer reception DJ services, lighting, and pro audio. Mike shares his insights about having a fun wedding reception with or without alcohol, the pivotal role that couples play in setting the tone and energy for an event, and his process behind choosing prelude and ceremony music.

Danielle and Sara ask Mike about the importance of having an indoor and outdoor sound equipment setup, which questions couples should ask their DJ ahead of time, and his best tips and tricks to get the party going and maintain a fun atmosphere throughout the night. Mike talks about reading the room and choosing music accordingly, making sure he knows what level of “corniness” couples are comfortable with, finding the balance between audience requests and managing the expectations of the bride and groom, and which two songs are absolutely crushing it on the dance floor right now. Finally, they share their cringe-worthy wedding DJ horror stories, and Mike reflects on turning a bad catering situation around into one his most memorable events yet. To find out how Mike and his team can ‘bring the party’ to your event, visit WeBringThePartyEvents.com.

Episode Highlights:

Today’s guest is Mike Emrick of ‘We Bring the Party Events’
He launched ‘We Bring the Party Events’ with his wife in 2012 after a disappointing experience at their own wedding
They started by offering a photo booth for weddings, which has since grown to include reception DJ, lighting, and pro audio for all different kinds of events
Weddings can be fun without alcohol, and in fact, it can make the event a little too silly or messy
With a dry wedding in particular, guests will look to the bride and groom to set the tone of the event and the focus will be on them
Try to schedule events of the day to limit interruptions, as it’s hard to get that momentum back
It’s important to be flexible and also listen to the professionals who are there to guide you
‘We Bring the Party Events’ provide references for playlists, top Father/Daughter songs, etc.
Ceremony and prelude music
Having an indoor and outdoor sound equipment setup limits downtime between transitions, and also ensures that backup equipment is always available
A professional, reputable company should have an updated and current website/social media presence
Being able to read reviews, positive or negative, is very helpful
Before you leave a bad review, make sure to reach out to the vendor first so they can address it and make it right
Mike’s best tip for getting the party going is for the couple and their bridal party to be active
Keep activities close together and near the dance floor to maintain a fun atmosphere throughout the night
Some people just aren’t going to dance, and that’s okay
Games and anniversary dances are becoming less popular
Talk to your DJ ahead of time about what level of “corniness” you’re comfortable with
Mike tries to avoid “cheat songs” that are guaranteed to make everyone dance as they’re fairly played out and require limited creativity
Two favorite songs that are crushing it on the dance floor right now
They do not play explicit content
Finding the balance between audience requests and songs couples wants to include as well
Wedding DJ horror stories

Quotes:

“We spent two nights just racking over whether or not we could afford to buy this photo booth, whether it was a good idea. We ultimately did it and that photo booth paid for itself in six months… Absolutely we caught the wind at the right time. We established our business and the rest is history.”

“Basically all the services that we cover: Ceremony, sound reception, DJ, photo booths, we have two different photo booth options. We do lighting, we do monograms, we do sparkler towers, we do spotlighting for different things, like cakes.”

“I think what it really comes down to, though, when you have a dry wedding is the focus is on the bride and groom, and their bridal party really comes into focus.”

“If you lose that vibe, if you have something that interrupts, it's hard to get that momentum back.”

“It's important, not only having professionals that are flexible - I think it's also important as a bride and groom to understand that you need to be flexible, but then also listen to your professionals to guide you.”

“When it comes to equipment, a professional - a true professional DJ should have two setups. Because you want to be able to go from Point A to Point B with zero downtime.”

“I think our ability to adapt on the fly comes from making mistakes. We made a lot of mistakes over the years. When you're hiring a professional, you're paying for somebody that has experience, that hopefully has been through those problems and knows...exactly what to do.”

“Our motto for our company is we always want to make sure that if something goes wrong, the bride and groom don't even know about it.”

“A lot of our brides now - they're finding us through Instagram. They’re messaging us through Instagram. So you have to go to where the client is.”

“First you need to reach out to the professional and give them the opportunity to address it and deal with it. And then if you don't get the satisfaction out of it, then certainly you need to leave those reviews so that other people see it.”

“I can't say enough about how important it is for the couple and their bridal party to be active.”

“From what I see, the biggest killer of receptions is when the bride and groom - the couple - disappears. That can just suck the wind out of the reception.”

“As a professional, we have to read the room. We have to look at the room. And we have to watch what people are doing. And we are - the music programming that we do is a reaction to the responses that we're getting.”

“If you're going to record a video of somebody being silly, please turn your phone sideways. Okay, we need landscape. We don't want it on vertical.”

“I'll say for our company just since we're on the subject, it's our company policy - we don't drink. We don't smoke. That's a non-negotiable.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

We Bring the Party Events website WeBringThePartyEvents.com

Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Venues with Sara Shepherd

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 03:30:00 -0500

This week the conversation is all about venues and, of course, we don’t need to look far for an expert in the field. On today’s episode, Danielle interviews Sara to sort out all the facts and aspects to consider when looking into a wedding venue. With her vast amount of experience and wisdom, you know that Sara has a lot of information, advice and, above all, riveting stories, to offer about this all important wedding component, and she shares it all here today.

She begins by sharing the types of venues she has available at Burdoc Farms, how they got started, and the packages they offer there. Sara goes on to share questions to ask when considering or touring venues, information about venue capacities and vendors, and her insider tips and tricks for preparing the space for the big day. The interview concludes today with the pros and cons of having a liquor license at a venue, insurance considerations, and, of course, some horror stories. Filled not only with valuable information and even more valuable advice, but also some laugh out loud moments, today’s interview with Sara is as entertaining as it is educational, and is a must listen for brides, grooms, and their families alike.

Episode Highlights:

Burdoc’s different types of venues
How the venues started
The packages they offer
Questions to ask when looking for a venue
Venue capacities
Vendors
Tips and tricks for preparing venues
Pros and cons of a venue having a liquor license
Insurance considerations
Venue horror stories

Quotes:

“A lot of venues will piecemeal all the amenities to you…we're a flat fee.”

“This is truly a family owned and run business...what you see is what you get.”

“I even discouraged a bride from booking here.”

“We're honestly not in this for the money because we would have picked a different career.”

“Don't be opposed to a Sunday, or a weekday wedding.”

“We do micro-weddings, elopements, and all-inclusives, and I'm telling you, those micro-weddings I've been doing have been so much fun.”

“I decided a long time ago, I'm not getting blamed because your vendor screwed up.”

“If you are going to do a ‘one day’, have an army of people.”

“If you don't have a wedding planner…find your best ‘Type A’ friend, and, like, let them run it.”

“It's nice to know that, you know, you as a venue and several other venues around here, too, will let you just come in and kind of tour this space and look at it and decorate it in your mind before the actual day.”

“I've quoted out things before and I’m like, ‘Crap I’m going to eat that’, because I didn't realize how big it is.”

“We had two women fighting in the parking lot, rolling in the gravel in dresses.”

“Not only do you get staff that work your wedding, you get staff that are going to work the bar, if you're having a bar, and they make sure that people are safe.”

“I think a venue that does have a liquor license is a better deal.”

“Just make sure you know what all their policies are - ask what all the do's and don'ts are.”

“Know what you're paying for. Know what you're getting. Know the kind of people you are working with.”

“That contract is gold. Keep it, read it, know it, you know, all that stuff.”

“So don't think that $500 barn in the middle of nowhere with nothing is such a smart idea when you can really get more bang for your buck having the things and amenities and the chairs and the tables and that kind of thing ahead of time.”

“We're always trying to improve or add to our venue.”

“The best advice would be to hire a professional who knows all these kinds of things or listen to our podcast and tell all your friends.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

'All About Budgets' Episode

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Videographers Hunter Ezell and Logan Ferrell of Ezell Film Company

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 03:30:00 -0500

Wedding videographers Hunter Ezell and Logan Ferrell, of Ezell Film Company, join Danielle and Sara today to talk about filming weddings and how their ‘Run and Gun’ style sets them apart from the rest. Hunter and Logan are passionate about telling the love story of every couple, and capturing their most intimate wedding moments through film. Hunter and Logan talk about creating a time capsule for their clients that they can relive and share with their families for years to come, what it’s like to work together as a couple themselves, and how their style has evolved over the years.

Hunter and Logan share their best advice for couples who are looking for a videographer, their dream wedding to shoot, and the benefits of working with vendors who all know each other. Hunter discusses his musical background and how it helps him select the perfect background track for each couple’s film, as well as his viral video, ‘This is Eclipseville.’ Hunter and Logan also tell Danielle and Sara one of their biggest wedding horror stories, and Logan gives brides an excellent tip to do away with the bra on their big day to avoid unsightly indentations for their photos and videos. To learn more about these talented wedding filmmakers, visit www.EzellFilmCompany.com.

Episode Highlights:

Hunter and Logan approach their videography similar to photography - ‘Run and Gun’ style
Hunter is the primary film editor, and handles all of the post-wedding day production
Logan is the social media manager, and helps families feel comfortable in front of the camera on the big day
They’re passionate about filmmaking and telling the love story of your wedding day by capturing the most intimate moments
They encourage couples to write letters to one another
Creating a time capsule for couples that they can rewatch and experience again for years to come
Hunter started by filming a solar eclipse in 2017, and began with weddings shortly after
His style has evolved over the years
Logan helps keep Hunter in check, and they make a great team
Filming weddings has been really helpful in planning their own upcoming nuptials in October 2022
They film 30-45 weddings per year, sometimes back-to-back
They have two additional shooters - Brian and Martin
Sometimes they have to divide and conquer, and film separate weddings on the same day
One of their most popular wedding films has been viewed 35,000 times
Advertising algorithms target 18-35 female age group, and they also receive a lot of referrals
Work/life balance
Their advice to watch videographer’s videos before booking
Their biggest complaint from clients is that they thought the video would be longer - watching videographer’s films ahead of time can clarify exactly what you’re paying for
Hunter and Logan like to condense the entire day into a 5-9 minute video that shows all the best highlights
With all your vendors, make sure you are clear about everything they do and don’t do, so that you are not left with any gaps you thought someone else would be taking care of
Their dream wedding to shoot is an upcoming Vegas chapel
They use a royalty-free music streaming service called Music Bed for their background tracks
They choose music that they feel best suits the day
Hunter’s musical background as a drummer
Logan works in Marketing full-time, and also works on illustrations
Their long-term goal to be a large-scale, collective wedding creative house
Advantages to working with vendors who all know each other, as they can tackle the day as a cohesive team
Hunter’s wedding horror story about a family who purchased his raw footage and had someone else create a longer video
Logan’s tip not to wear a bra on your wedding day otherwise it will leave visible indentations that show up in your photos and videos

Quotes:

“We absolutely love what we do. And here lately, we've been getting really into storytelling. So there's events - like highlight reel videographers. And then there’s actual storytellers. And we're moving towards the storytelling aspect.”

“We're constantly shaking things up as filmmakers.”

“Looking back, your kids - they're going to love watching a video of your wedding day.”

“No one's going to see me complaining, because, I tell Logan all the time, I would rather be this busy than not doing anything.”

“My motto for the longest time and I had it on the back of my jeep…it says, Do something and let it consume you. You can do that, but in moderation.”

“Please watch [the videographer’s] videos before you book them.”

“The good advice you were given is great advice. I think they need to watch one of your videos to know your style. And to give you content.”

“We pretty much use music that we feel suits the day.”

“I think it would be cool if we were just one big giant wedding creative house. And I think it would be cool that we made the film, we took the photos. And then if you liked a certain wedding photo that you wanted drawn, Logan could do that.”

“Make sure, for the love of God, you know that your vendors all know each other. It does help.”

“We’re all about catering to people’s needs.”

“My biggest tip for brides on their wedding day, especially if they have any kind of strapless dress, or dress that’s different than where their bra normally sits, is from the second you wake up, do not put a bra on because it will leave those indentations.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Ezell Film Company website www.EzellFilmCompany.com

Wedding Planner Courtney Smith From All Things Prim & Proper Events

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 03:30:00 -0500

On today’s episode, Danielle and Sara talk to the very talented wedding planner Courtney Smith. Courtney has owned and operated All Things Prim & Proper Events with her husband, Cory, since 2015. They are a turn-key wedding planning business that plans, decorates, coordinates rentals, and takes care of everything you need so that you can enjoy your big day to the fullest. Courtney uses her creativity and eye for detail to design one-of-a-kind events for her clients, and is passionate about making sure each wedding is a unique reflection of the couple.

Courtney shares some of her best tips and tricks for both brides and vendors, and explains why hiring a professional wedding planner is so important. She talks about the pros and cons of a backyard wedding, using Pinterest to inspire ideas rather than trying to replicate the pictures exactly, and why you should never sacrifice your vision to accommodate a large guest list. Courtney describes her dream wedding to plan, and reminds listeners to give their guests an experience to remember by including fun features like live music, bouncy castles, and food trucks. Courtney’s husband, Cory, joins the show to help tell their wedding planning horror story, and they talk to Danielle and Sara about their experiences being ghosted by both clients and vendors. Today’s conversation highlights the importance of having open communication with your vendors, and using a professional to help enhance your wedding vision in ways you never thought possible, all while getting to enjoy your special day completely stress-free.

You can learn more about Courtney, Cory, and All Things Prim & Proper by visiting www.PrimAndProperEvents.com. And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

All Things Prim & Proper Events is a turn-key wedding planning business that began in 2015
Courtney and her husband, Cory, plan, decorate, coordinate rentals, and take care of whatever you need
They pay close attention to the details and want to make sure your wedding is different from everyone else’s
She has worked at all different kinds of venues, including a football field and cow pasture
Pros and cons of backyard wedding - weather can be unpredictable, but wedding planner can help you pivot when the unexpected happens
Backyard weddings involve a lot more amenities and logistics than people realize
Wedding planners have the knowledge and experience to know where you want to spend your money, which details to take care of - some you may never have thought about
A lot of couples who decide to have a backyard wedding want to incorporate a sentimental piece of land
It also allows you to use the venue for multiple days
National average cost for a wedding is $35,000
Don’t sacrifice the wedding you want just to accommodate a large guest list
Breaking down the cost per guest (usually $100/person) helps you narrow down whether you really need to invite certain people
Hiring a wedding planner allows you and your family to fully soak in your day and not worry about the stress leading up to the event
What to do if bride doesn't want to relinquish control
Courtney sees herself as an artist who can not only bring a couple’s wedding vision to life, but also elevate it in ways they would never have thought possible
Pinterest can help inspire ideas, but Courtney does not want to copy Pinterest
Courtney’s dream wedding to plan, and focusing on the experience for your guests
Having a gorgeous setting or backdrop for your guests to take pictures is a great way to enhance their experience
Live music, bouncy house, switching the order of events, food trucks are other unique ideas to add to guests’ experience
Do not waste your money on guest favors, unless it’s something particularly sentimental
Courtney’s husband, Cory, joins her to tell the story of the first wedding they ever coordinated, and how they turned around this potential wedding horror story
Make sure table legs are always locked
Difficulty of having vendors cancel on you at the last minute - but this is why you hire a professional, as they know how to handle it
Getting ghosted by clients - always secure a deposit or booking fee, and have a lawyer draw up a contract
Have open communication with your vendors

Quotes:

“We are a full turn-key event planning business. We plan, we decorate, we coordinate, we do the rentals. We kind of do whatever - I call it like à la carte, because you can pick and choose what you want me to do, and we'll kind of piece it all together for you and make it happen.”

“I want the details to matter in events.”

“If you have a professional, they know how to troubleshoot it. They've seen it before, they've done it before. That's why you hire the people you hire.”

“Having someone who knows - spend your money here, spend your money here. They're talking to you about the things that are important. I mean, I think that that makes a huge difference.”

“At the end of the day, the people who mean the most to you, and that you mean the most to them, will be at your wedding.”

“There are many, many reasons you should hire a professional. And there are so many things that could go, essentially, wrong that a professional can fix. But I think that the most important reason - the root of it is so that the people who have paid for this can enjoy what they have paid for and enjoy the day.”

“I love Pinterest, but I don't want to copy Pinterest. I want Pinterest to be my inspiration.”

“People forget about the guests’ experience. They're like, I want this color and this and this and this, but they don't think about the guests' experience, and what the guests take away from this in the end.”

“I think having a place for people to take pictures is a big thing.”

“Sometimes you have happy accidents.”

“As long as you're in this business, you feel like you're constantly learning.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

All Things Prim & Proper Events www.PrimAndProperEvents.com

Bridal Shop Insights From Kayla Eaton of Lavender Park Bridal

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 03:30:00 -0500

Kayla Eaton is the owner of Lavender Park Bridal, a bridal shop in Clarksville, Tennessee that caters exclusively to brides and makes their shopping experience all about them. Today Kayla chats with Danielle and Sara about opening her business in 2019, her best advice for brides while shopping for their dress, and her favorite bridal lines and trends, including colored dresses and clean lines. She explains why Pinterest may give brides an unrealistic vision for their dress, how to get creative with your veil to really make your gown stand out, and why you should never trust bridal alterations to your quilting grandma.

Kayla talks about her goals to make sure Lavender Park Bridal was size inclusive, offered unique styles, and gave brides an experience to cherish and remember when she opened up her shop. You’ll also hear why she recommends only bringing three people with you to shop for your dress, how Kayla, Danielle, and Sara deal with ‘Momzillas,’ and of course, they end by sharing their bridal gown horror stories. To book an appointment with Lavender Park Bridal, or learn more about the memorable experience they offer while helping brides find their dream dress, visit LavenderParkBridal.com or follow them on Instagram.

You can also follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. And check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

Kayla Eaton is the owner of Lavender Park Bridal, which caters exclusively to the bride and makes the entire shopping experience about her
She opened her shop in 2019
Kayla’s advice to start shopping for a dress early - at least six months in advance, to allow your dress to come in and leave time for alterations
Average national cost for a wedding dress is $2000
Kayla likes to provide a high end experience for brides of all price points
She loves the bridal line WToo, which features classic, clean lines with whimsy and high end lace
Importance of listening to her brides to help bring their vision to life
Her favorite question to ask is, What is your aesthetic?
Always ask for adjectives to help brides pinpoint what they are looking for
Pinterest makes Kayla’s job more difficult because brides get attached to dresses that are out of their price range or are very high end, limited designs
Dresses on Pinterest do not have price tags
She loves colored dresses, because the details show beautifully in photographs
Helping brides choose a dress color based on skin tone and veering away from pure white in favor of ivory, which is warmer and more flattering
Clean lines are the biggest trend in bridal right now
Getting creative with your veil
Average cost for alterations is $600 to $800
Wearing undergarments or shapewear to your fitting - whatever you will be most comfortable wearing on your big day
Lavender Park Bridal is size inclusive, offers unique designs, and is 100% ‘Team Bride’
Kayla’s love for opera and theatre, and how it ties into her passion for everything bridal
She suggests only bringing 3 people with you when shopping for your dress so that you don’t let everyone’s opinions cloud your vision
‘Momzillas’ are much worse than ‘Bridezillas,’ and how to handle situations when families are not supportive of bride’s choices
Bridal shop horror stories

Quotes:

“What makes us different is that we do everything kind of exclusively for the bride. So what that means is that when she comes in, she has a suite to herself. She has the floor to herself. She has a consultant to herself. The whole experience is about her.”

“The earlier you can start, the better, because this way you can have the luxury of being able to pick out exactly what you want. If you're waiting up until closer to your wedding deadline, you're going to be a lot more limited.”

“I wanted to have a high end experience that was accessible to all women. So the big thing at my store is that most of my gowns are under $2000.”

“One of my favorite questions that I ask is, What is your aesthetic? And the reason being is those two words that they give you, because it's usually about two, can tell you everything.”

“The whole point is making sure that they leave here happy, not with something that didn't fit their vision and their dream.”

“There are dresses on Pinterest that are couture, couture, couture - that don’t have a price tag on them, that maybe Vera Wang designed once for her end show game. And they're like, I want this. And the problem with that is that that dress would cost you like $50,000.”

“I always kind of try to tell girls not to go with stark white. The reason why I say ivory is because first of all, nobody's teeth are that color. That bright white color. So no matter what color your skin tone is, your teeth are going to look yellow. And then not only that, but it also kind of gives off a bluish tone. Whereas an ivory warms you.”

“The clean line look, though, is really really popular.”

“If you go to a lot of bridal salons in bigger cities, the biggest size that they will carry is a size 10 or 12.”

“Being size inclusive was one of my top five priorities when I opened up my business.”

“It does not need to be 10 people, it does not need to be seven people. I always recommend only bringing three at most.”

“Having a good consultant and a good team backing you can make all the difference.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Lavender Park Bridal website LavenderParkBridal.com

All About Budgets

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 20 May 2021 03:45:00 -0500

This week Danielle and Sara share their best advice for working within your budget while planning your dream wedding. From getting married on a weekday to choosing seasonal florals that you can find locally, asking about less expensive options to knowing exactly who’s footing the bill, our hosts break down their many tips and tricks to make the most of your wedding budget while still having the amazing experience you deserve. They discuss the importance of listing your top takeaways for the big day and prioritizing what you want to spend your money on, using a spreadsheet, and being upfront with your vendors about what you’re willing to pay.

Danielle and Sara discuss industry standards and avoiding the word “cheap” as you seek out quotes, clarifying whether you are getting full service so you can plan accordingly, and leaving room in your budget for certain conveniences so you can enjoy your day to the fullest. Remember that there is no price tag on Pinterest, and the photos you see are usually the most luxurious, opulent options, which may not be realistic for what you want to spend. However, if you’re honest with your vendors, they can often find a way to bring your vision to life without breaking the bank. Danielle and Sara end with their wedding budget horror stories, and remind listeners that it's okay to ask for a refund if something goes wrong.

Follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. And check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

Asking couples three words that they want people to take away from their wedding (flowers, food, guest experience, entertainment)
Their answer tells you what’s important to them as you plan your budget
If food is not important to you, you can schedule a brunch or early afternoon wedding
Using a budget spreadsheet
There is a misconception that finger foods are less expensive, which is not the case
Price per piece versus price per plate
Sara’s tip to list your wedding priorities, then start at the top as you allocate funds from your budget and work your way down
Venues, photographers, and DJs might have a discount for an off day (Sunday and weekdays)
Some vendors offer discount if you pay in cash or pay upfront
Be upfront about your budget
Keep in mind that there is no price tag on Pinterest, and weddings featured are usually luxury events at their best
Choose seasonal florals that you can find locally to save on your budget
Focus your floral budget on grand scale arrangements and go smaller on bridesmaids bouquets or centerpieces
Skip personals and focus on your bridal bouquet instead
Ask about affordable, less expensive options but make sure you are still getting full service
Having your family help and serve the food is not the way to save money as you want them to actually enjoy the day
Danielle and Sara’s wedding budget horror stories
Do not be afraid to ask for a refund if something goes wrong

Quotes:

“Budget’s a hard one, but it’s a necessary conversation that needs to happen.”

“When I do planning with my clients, the first thing I always ask them is, give me three words that you want someone to take away from your wedding.”

“I always ask, Do you know who’s paying for the wedding? ...Because if they know who’s paying for it, then they probably know their budget.”

“What is your number one priority? Is it the venue? Is it the photographer? Is it the floral and decor? Is it the food? You put that at the top and then you make everything fit under, knowing what your budget is.”

“Talk to your vendors and tell them what your budget is, because I’ve lost clients because they were not upfront with me about their budget.”

“There’s no price tag on Pinterest.”

“What’s really hard is a lot of those articles on Pinterest are not correct either. We’ve talked about that. I’ve seen a Pinterest article before that says, These Winter flowers are what you should use for a budget wedding, and it’ll be Peonies. You can’t do that.”

“When it comes to florals, anything that you can make on a grand scale...where it’s the big focal point, do that and go smaller on your bridesmaids. Go smaller on your centerpieces.”

“Have in mind pretty much what you want to spend on each thing, but be a little flexible, too.”

“If you don’t hire for bussing, or the plates or napkins, that can really get you in a bind.”

“There’s lots of different ways you can go at it, with your budget to save money, but don’t be cheap.”

“You can’t put a price tag on convenience. I’m all about being practical, and I’m always about being budget conscious. I totally am. But there’s just some things I’m not going to get cheap on because you want to enjoy the day.”

“My biggest advice is know what your budget is, know who’s paying for it, prioritize where you want to spend your money.”

“And staying within your budget, and being honest and talking to your vendors about your budget.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Finding The Right Wedding Photographer with Raegan Garnett

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 20 May 2021 03:40:00 -0500

On today’s episode, Danielle and Sara talk with Raegan Garnett of Raegan Garnett Photography. Raegan is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based out of Kentucky. After being gifted with her dream camera by her husband on their wedding day, Raegan was inspired to chase her dreams and began her business in 2017. She tells Danielle and Sara about her early passion for photography, working with her husband as a second shooter, and she gives her best advice for couples when looking for a wedding photographer. Raegan discusses the importance of connecting with photographers in person or over the phone to make sure your personalities and visions are aligned, and she shares the story of what happened when she found herself not meshing well with a client. Raegan explains her passion for genuinely connecting with clients versus simply booking work for the sake of it, and tells couples what questions to ask photographers when they meet for the first time. Sara and Danielle ask Raegan to share a wedding photography horror story, and they remind brides to consider how certain colors will be photographed when deciding on their color schemes. You can learn more about Raegan and view her beautiful work at RaeganGarnett.com.

Check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com. And visit BurdocFarms.com to see Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

Raegan’s passion for photography from a young age
Being gifted with her dream camera by her husband on their wedding day, and his encouragement for Raegan to chase her dreams
Working with her husband as a second shooter
Her best advice when searching for a wedding photographer
Connecting with your photographer in person or over the phone to make sure your visions and personalities click before the big day
Raegan’s story of not meshing well with a client
Her passion for connecting with couples rather than just booking work for the sake of it
Not everyone is going to be your ideal client or be a good fit for you
Doing a mini session is a great way to see if you click with a photographer
Reading reviews and asking vendors for recommendations is also important
Core questions to ask photographers when meeting for the first time, and letting them know which moments are most important for you to capture
Raegan’s favorite and most memorable wedding she’s photographed
Her goal to photograph in every state
Sara, Danielle, and Raegan share their wedding photography horror stories

Quotes:

“I’ve always kind of had a camera in my hand, since I was little. I was the girl that had my friends over in middle school and we did photoshoots outside.”

“For my wedding, my husband actually gifted me with my dream camera and said, It’s time to hit the ground running and chase your dreams. So I went for it!”

“I always tell my husband, You get a great catered meal out of it, and you get to watch the great dancing that happens.”

“So you would suggest, when couples are looking at photographers… Not only look at the colors they use and the editing, but the posing, and how they frame their pictures, and the backgrounds they use.”

“They’re with you on such a big day, so you want to make sure you have that connection with them as well, because it’s something you want to look back on and be excited about.”

“Just even 10 minutes with them, you can easily see - and I can also see - if they’re a good match for me as a photographer, and I’m a good match for them as a photographer as well.”

“I think sometimes so many of us just want to book everything through email and not ever have that human connection, because you’re just wanting to check another thing off your list. But I would say that’s the one vendor that is truly by your side for 8-10 hours on your wedding day - I think you definitely want to have that connection and build that trust as well.”

“We like to be completely involved with your whole planning period… And this bride, I just knew it wasn’t going to work out… We both knew that our vibes just didn’t connect.”

“I’m not someone that wants to just book every weekend just to work and shoot. I would like to create a connection with my couples.”

“I don’t work just to work. I do it because I’m really passionate about it, and I don’t want to lose that passion by booking clients that aren’t aligned with what I believe for my business.”

“I think it’s super important to see what they’re so excited about...so that we can enhance that.”

Links:

Raegan Garnett Photography website RaeganGarnett.com

@_raegangarnett on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Welcome to Not Your Pinterest Wedding

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Thu, 20 May 2021 03:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Not Your Pinterest Wedding! On today’s episode, Danielle and Sara discuss their backgrounds working in the wedding industry, their inspiration to start this podcast together, and their passion for bringing your wedding vision to life while still being cost effective. They clarify that Pinterest can be a great tool to give you ideas and direction, but that trying to replicate your Pinterest board exactly is not only unrealistic, but may even take the fun and creativity out of your day! Your wedding should be a unique celebration of your love story, and Danielle and Sara are here to give you practical tips on how to make it the event you’ve always dreamed of without breaking the bank. They also share hilarious stories of their past wedding fails, and give listeners a sneak peek at their incredible shows and guests to come!

You can learn more about Ruffled Willow, Danielle’s Floral Design company, at RuffledWillow.com, or follow her on Instagram @ruffledwillow. And visit BurdocFarms.com or follow @BurdocFarms on Instagram to see Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale. Thanks for tuning in!

Episode Highlights:

Welcome from hosts Danielle Renshaw and Sara Shepherd as they share their experience working in the wedding industry
Sara’s family has owned Burdoc Farms since 1946 and they began hosting weddings in 2012
Danielle’s floral design company is Ruffled Willow, where she specializes in unique, bold arrangements
They’re passionate about supporting other women-owned businesses
Anemone flowers are Danielle’s favorite and can now be found year round
They share the story of how they came up with the podcast while working at a wedding together
Their goal is to give realistic advice and make your wedding fun
It should be based on your love story, and not necessarily what Pinterest tells you (although they love Pinterest!)
Pinterest operates like a revolving door, and you really only see the ideas that everyone else sees
It can help inspire you and give you direction, but you also need to keep in mind that a lot of the ideas are very expensive
When planning your wedding, consider different types of things that inspire you, like art and home decor
Be inspired by your Pinterest board, but don’t try to replicate it exactly
You don’t have to go into debt for your wedding - there is a way to bring your vision to life while still being cost effective
Danielle and Sara end by each telling a wedding horror story

Quotes:

“You invented the barn wedding!”

“We have such a passion for floral design, and that’s really where our heart is and that’s really what we see, that makes us unique and where our vision is for our business.”

“We say our style is organic romance with a touch of whimsy.”

“Usually when you are buying a bouquet from me, you have about four other women who are benefiting from that bouquet - four other women-owned businesses.”

“We knew we wanted it to be fun and not uptight. We wanted to give realistic advice. Not only just to brides, but to vendors, and to everybody. Because your wedding should be fun! It should not be an uptight version of what your mom wants… It should be your wedding, and it should be based on your love story, and not what Pinterest tells you. Although we love Pinterest!”

“The things that get Pinned the most are the things that you’re being shown the most… You’re never really getting to those unique, really cool things. You’re getting to the - what everybody sees.”

“It can be good to inspire you and give you direction and ideas, and help you to narrow down what your vision is.”

“You don’t want your wedding to be like everybody else’s.”

“Let your Pinterest board inspire you, don’t try to be that Pinterest board.”

“How can we do this and be cost effective? How can we do this and still get the vision you want, but not have a $40,000 floral budget?”

“Things will go wrong, and your vendors will make sure it gets taken care of.”

“We love what we do. We have a passion for it, and we want to share our passion with you. And give you great, solid advice along the way.”

Links:

Danielle

Ruffled Willow website www.RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms website www.BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Trailer

Danielle Renshaw & Sara Shepherd — Tue, 04 May 2021 16:30:16 -0500

Weddings are one the most important events that brings together friends and family for one of the biggest celebrations in a couple’s life, but you don't have to break the bank to have the wedding of your dreams. Join wedding experts with over 45 years of experience, floral designer Danielle Renshaw and venue owner Sara Shepherd as they talk about ways to save money as well as interview experts in the wedding industry. If you are one of those couples that want to have it all but can't afford it all, listen in to get practical wedding planning advice and tips on how to have the wedding you have always dreamed of having and save money at the same time.