Alex Bruce is a wedding photographer in Southern California (alexbrucephotography.net) and we discuss why we love working in the wedding industry. This episode’s drinks: Alex was drinking St. Barnardus Abt 12 and I was drinking an eggnog martini. Marie’s Eggnog Martini Recipe Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Absolut Vanilla vodka
• 0.75 oz Kahlua
• 4 oz Southern Comfort Eggnog
• Dash of cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Pour vodka, Kahlua, and eggnog into a martini shaker with ice.
2. Shake for 5 seconds.
3. Strain into a martini glass and dash the top with cinnamon. Serve immediately.

Topics we covered:

• How Alex came into the wedding industry
• Why full-time is very different from one wedding vendor to another
• How much work happens behind the scenes for every wedding
• Unplugged wedding ceremonies versus the cell phone etiquette announcement
• The things that can go wrong during a wedding and why it’s not the end of the world
• The story of the fainting groom
• Dealing with family drama on wedding day
• Alex’s pet peeves
• What it’s like to do a family member’s wedding
• How the right vendors create good energy for their couples
• Our favorite moments on wedding day
• Why you should always let the couple eat at their reception without interruption
• The pros and cons of big weddings
• Why wedding pros also love intimate weddings
• Introverts and extroverts both hate small talk, apparently
• Why Alex loves engagement sessions
• Digital versus print for wedding photography
• Why some vendors require you to meet them before booking
• We share our “self-inflicted wound” stories
• Knowing who you are as a wedding vendor and respecting your limits
• How much time we work per wedding (not just the time with the couple)
• Why we love really getting to know our couples

Links to the awesome things and people mentioned:

• The Fifth Element Leelo’s ID card I mentioned is from Loot Crate
• My version of the chocolate tasting ceremony was heavily inspired by Bethel Nathan - thanks for sharing that with me!
• The “I hate small talk” quote
• Heidi Thompson’s Evolve Your Wedding Business Podcast
• Keri Rico Photography is part of my Sweetheart Package
• Alan of Simply Perfect Images is also part of my Sweetheart Package