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!

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:

• 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

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.

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 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

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.

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:

• 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...

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.

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:

• 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

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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.