The Wedding Session

Today it's all about PRESENTATION! Our long time team member and our friend Lola joins us on the podcast today. Lola not only is an essential part of the Say Events team, but she has an extensive background in catering, food and beverage and service.

We focus on why it is important to hire a caterer that is a wedding caterer and how small details can really make or break your day. We talk about some of our past learning experiences and why presenting your catered wedding food is just as important as any other element of your wedding day. 

We give you tips on selecting your caterer! What type of services you expect from them and should have you running the other way if seeing those red flags. 

We welcome back Coach RD (Aka Ryan Miske) and new business partner Chris Menzies, co-owners of Lifestyle Transformations.
 
It's January and you're thinking about your wedding coming up this year, and you want to get in shape and look your best! We dive into the importance of becoming the best version of yourself, how use the right tools and adapting to the right mindset to get you there. We debunk fad diets and the coaches break down why you have to look at everything when starting a fitness and weight loss journey. Using a holistic approach addressing not just fitness but your overall well-being,body, mind. It's not about quick fixes, it's about how to keep you looking healthy and keeping you happy for a long life, even after the wedding!

Ryan & Chris are local to Vancouver, but can work virtually with anyone! If you want to know more or want to join their program, the links are below!

Lifestyle Transformations
Lifestyle Transformations Instagram

Coach RD Instagram
Coach Chris Instagram
Coach Chris's #1 book: "MAN" THE F*UCK UP! A guide to manful Mastery, For the modern man

On this episode, we talk with the uber talented Aileen Choi of Aileen Choi photography, and touch on topics like what one thing couples should ask for when booking a wedding photography, and when is the best time to book their photography. We also get into a more intimate conversation on how her perspective as a photographer has changed now that she's experienced the fun of being a Bride, and how to navigate those feelings of anxiety to ensure you have the best day with your loved ones!

NOTES:
Aileen Choi Photography
Together We Co.
Crime Junkie
NFF

Hey Folks!

We're back with a new face-ish, definitely a new voice, but always the same vibe and love for our wedding couples. In this episode, we reintroduce ourselves, and share our origin story, as well why we're qualified to give you advice while you plan your wedding!

In this episode, we ask one crucial question that you as a couple should consider during your planning journey - what are you most looking forward to on your wedding day! Listen in as we explain why this is such an important question to ask and why it's so important to be on the same page!

Notes!
Podcasts we're listening to right now: The Rest is History, Hollywood Crime Scene, Trashy Royals, Toni + Ryan, Best Friends, Because News
Our DJ, Joe: VanDjCo
Our Episodes: Consider this for Your Tented Wedding, How to Fire A Vendor

Hey all! This week we talk about 5 ways to qualify your vendors! Now that you're in the beginning stages of your planning, and you're looking to book your wedding vendors, here are some things to think about when in the researching/booking/working part of your journey.

5 Ways to Qualify Your Vendors:

1. Look online!
2. Recommendations, Referrals, Testimonials, Have you seen them in action before on another wedding? 
3. The boring things - Do they have a contract?? Do they want a deposit? Is it clear how their services work? 
4. What are their values, vibe, who they are, do you like them?
5. Professionalism!!! Hello!! 

AND!! Don't forget to join us at The Love Brunch, held on Sunday April 28, 2024 at the Loft Earls, in Yaletown. This unique opportunity lets you chat with a panel of Vancouver Wedding Vendors in an intimate and interactive way. Tickets are sold here, they're limited so don't wait to book! We only have space for a few couples!

Join us as we discuss some of the things to think about when finding (and securing) your wedding venue.

Now that you're in the beginning stages of planning your wedding, one of the first things you're going to need is a venue! Where the heckin' is all the fun happening! Is this place going to host all aspects of the Wedding (ceremony, cocktails, reception)? Is it close to home or destination?Below are some things to remember when planning in your wedding, in no particular order...

7 Tips on Selecting your Wedding Venue:

1. What do you want in a venue? Is it a ceremony and reception location, all in one?
2. Guest count - Will they fit?
3. Price, budget - Depending on the venue you choose, the cost for the venue could be a large part of your budget!
4. What does it include (food, bar, rentals)?
5. Overall feel, look, and vibe - what kind of decor will you need?
6. Location Location location! (Geographically does it work for you + your guests)
7. Rental time - when do you have access to the space?

Notes:
The Love Brunch! You're Engaged, Now What?! Join us as we welcome a panel of Wedding Vendor Experts, and discuss the next steps on your wedding planning journey. On March 24, 2024 at the Loft Earls in Yaletown, from 10:30am-12:30pm. This intimate and interactive experience is for those who are already feeling the overwhelm, let us help get you started! Get your tickets here!

So! You're in the beginning stages of planning your wedding, and you're trying to figure out what kind of reception you would like to have for your wedding. Cocktails, Dinner, Breakfast? Do you want to have a rager of a party, do you want something super chill, do you just want to hang with your family and friends. 

Join us as we go over things to think about when planning your reception and tips to have the reception you want. 

Ho Ho HOOO 

Planning your Winter Wedding:

• If you’re doing a first look, be prepared to have a dirty train. Do you have a plan to wash the bottom of your train or are you just going to go as is down the aisle…ew (Meaghan’s wedding)
• Shawl/Stole for the ladies, jackets in between - stay warm when you can. 
• Umbrellas - bring them! For Photos, if you’re ceremony is outside - they block both rain and snow
• Opt for hair accessories instead of a veil - it won’t get as dirty
• Daylight - photos - Consider when you’re doing your photos, Time is different in the winter and you lose the sun sooner. 1st look as an option.sunset photos
• Heartier choices in your menu - hot apple cider, hot toddies, comfort food because people are cold and burning calories to stay warm
• You’ll need coat racks - nothing worse then bulky jackets on chairs for photos
• Red. It’s a fav colour for the season. However, be mindful of the type of red you choose, so the vibe isn’t Santa, it’s elegant wedding. If you LIKE the red, go HAM. (Alannah + Manny)
• Warm up the space with lighting, make it feel cozy - candles EVERYWHERE
• If you like the Holidays/XMAS, find a venue that already embraces it. It ends up being more affordable in the end because they also have a lot of the decor already out, ex. trees.
• Having an early dinner isn’t a bad thing, it’s darker earlier anyways
• Transportation - get the limo. Keep people together, this is not the time to go in individual vehicles

If you plan to have a Wedding Outside

• It could be raining, it could snowing, it could be mushy out or muddy out (because now the snow has melted)
• Hand warmers - from the dollar store
• Something to stand on - Kelly + Tarina’s wedding
• Make sure you’re guests understand if it’s an outdoor Ceremony - it’s gonna be cold

So you want a different kind of wedding reception, and you like the idea of a Cocktail-style reception! On today's episode, we talk about what is and why it might be the right kind of vibe for you! 

We talk about:

• What it is! 
• What kind of food you can serve
• Some of the Pros of why this is such an awesome way to have your reception
• And because, balance!, why it might NOT be the best option for your event
• And finally, because we won't leave you hanging, some ways to make this a successful event if you decide to go this route. 

So. Funny Story. 2023 whooshed right past us, as we continue to build our business and our families. We talk about life updates, favourites wedding from the season and what to expect from us as we roll into 2024! Thanks for listening to us "mom-preneurs" as we balance it all! 

Below are our recent favs, take a re-listen to these gems:

• Episode 71: Celebrating Love, featuring Shawn Miller, of Young, Hip, Married.
• Episode 79: Tips for the Morning of your Wedding
• Episode 78: How to the Professionals