In this episode of Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin and August sit down with newlyweds DJ & Jacob Pingue for the second installment of our series, “Now That I’m Married, How Can I Help Others?”. Married on June 28, 2025, with a ceremony at Mission Santa Clara de Asís and a reception at Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery, DJ and Jacob share a candid look at planning a large, family-forward celebration from the ground up. They talk about dividing roles (vision vs. logistics), balancing opinions with empathy, and building a vendor team through trusted referrals and preferred lists. (Fantasy Sound supported coordination for the first half of the day and provided reception lighting!)

From choosing meaningful spaces to mingling during cocktail hour, they unpack the small choices that made their day feel relaxed and personal. Plus, the lessons they wish they’d known sooner.

Highlights:

• How deciding non-negotiables early simplifies every decision after
• A practical way to split planning duties
• Why mingling at cocktail hour can be the secret to enjoying more of your reception
• The case for a first look (and what made theirs so emotional for the whole wedding party)
• Building your team: using preferred vendor lists + personal referrals to vet pros you’ll love
• DIY wins that stretch the budget and mixed centerpieces for scale without overspending
• Navigating family opinions with empathy
• The bouquet preservation tip they wish they’d heard before the wedding

Whether you’re hosting a big, all-family affair or a cozy celebration with close friends, DJ and Jacob’s grounded advice will leave you feeling confident about your priorities, your partnership, and the path to a day that truly feels like you. Because really, there’s no better place to get planning advice than from someone who has just lived through it.

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