Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Darla | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

In this episode of the Toast the Roast Podcast, we’re talking all about the work-life balance struggles that come with being a wedding vendor. I’m joined once again by the amazing Darla Maxine of Darla Maxine Photography, and we’re diving into the real-life challenges that come with managing your career while still maintaining a sense of personal life. As much as we both love what we do, there’s always that never-ending feeling of being “on” and unable to switch off work mode.

We open up about the highs and lows of working in the wedding industry, sharing some ins and outs of what she’s learned along the way. From setting boundaries to avoiding burnout, we discuss practical strategies for staying sane while pursuing a career that requires so much of our time and energy. And of course, we share our favorite wedding industry choices, from the small decisions to the big picture, and why we think they work so well.

If you’re a wedding vendor struggling to juggle it all, or if you’re just curious about the behind-the-scenes life of a wedding photographer, this episode is for you!

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Darla | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

In today’s episode of the Toast the Roast Podcast, we’re diving into the crucial topic of inclusivity and diversity in the wedding industry. I’m joined by Darla Maxine of Darla Maxine Photography, a queer and quirky photographer based in our area. Together, we discuss the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all couples—regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or background.

Darla shares some key red flags to watch out for when searching for wedding vendors who may not prioritize inclusivity. We also talk about the positive impact of adding pronouns to your social media profiles and why it’s important to make your business more approachable for everyone.

Additionally, we dive into the unique challenges that the queer community faces when it comes to wedding attire, including finding options that truly reflect their personal style and gender expression.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for wedding vendors and couples alike, offering practical advice on how to make your business more inclusive and ensure your wedding day reflects who you truly are.

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Taylor | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

In this episode of the Toast the Roast Podcast, we’re diving into some important and thought-provoking topics that every couple should consider when planning their wedding. Taylor DeArmitt from Love's Cascade and I discuss the pros and cons of hiring a vendor who works for free in exchange for just travel expenses—and whether this could impact the quality of your wedding day. Is it too good to be true? We explore the potential risks.

Next, we tackle a sensitive yet crucial conversation: how photographers (and other vendors) give priority to people of color or same-sex couples. We discuss what this means for couples and how it can affect your overall experience. While it’s a step toward inclusivity and representation, we also highlight how couples should be aware of certain red flags when booking vendors to ensure they feel respected and valued no matter their background.

This episode is packed with insightful advice and real talk on wedding vendor dynamics and how these choices could affect your big day. Couples, tune in to understand the nuances behind these topics and ensure you’re making informed decisions that support both your values and your wedding vision.

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Taylor | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

Get ready for some wild wedding horror stories in today’s episode! Taylor DeArmitt with Love’s Cascade and I are sharing some of the most jaw-dropping, jaw-aching tales from our time in the wedding industry.

We kick things off with a bridesmaid who is also a wedding planner, but ends up taking over the wedding planning—and then walks out of the wedding entirely. Did she overreact? Or should she have bailed sooner? We dive deep into this sticky situation.

Next, we talk about a photographer who demands a positive review on Google and Facebook before couples see their wedding photos. Could you imagine the nerve? We also discuss vendors who demand the rights to your wedding photos.

The drama continues with a bridesmaid who refuses to dye her hair for the wedding and a bride being manipulated by her parents to reconcile with a sibling who wasn’t invited to the wedding.

Then, there’s the situation where a vendor does all the work but is the only person not given a plus one—would you accept a maid of honor position if you haven’t been close friends with someone in a while? All this and more, wrapped up in one chaotic episode.

Buckle up—this one’s going to be a wild ride through the ups and downs of wedding planning, vendor relationships, and those unforgettable moments that we can’t make up if we tried!

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Taylor | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

Taylor from Love’s Cascade and I are back for Part 2 of our ongoing rant about social media and business platforms! This time, we’re diving into websites and blogging, and how they've played a pivotal role in growing our businesses as small business owners in the wedding industry. We discuss the power of blogging to showcase your work, improve SEO, and build credibility.

We also get into some of the platforms that have actually worked for us. Have you ever had a positive experience with Pinterest or received legitimate leads through it? What about Google Ads—has anyone seen a return on investment from those? We compare the platforms that have truly benefited us versus those we regret investing in. It’s an honest discussion about where to spend your marketing dollars for maximum impact.

If you haven’t yet listened to Part 1, be sure to check that episode out first for a full breakdown of our thoughts on social media, client interactions, and more. This episode is all about website strategies, platforms, and marketing tools that can make or break your business.

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Taylor | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Taylor of Love’s Cascade, a talented photographer based in Massachusetts. We’ve been friends for over a year now, and we’re diving into some hot topics that every wedding vendor will relate to. First up, we explore the different social media platforms—what works, what doesn’t, and how to navigate them as a wedding vendor.

Have you ever gotten discouraged by a bride post on Facebook, where there are already hundreds of comments from other vendors? We talk about how that can impact your business and what you can do to stand out. We also touch on why some photographers comment on ISO photographer posts when they don’t even match the style the client is looking for. It’s a question that’s been on many minds, and we share our thoughts!

Since Taylor and I are both chatty (and love to go off on tangents), we also get into some stories about sessions we don’t specialize in, but have been asked to shoot anyway. We circle back to social media platforms, but since we could literally talk all day, we split this episode into Part 1 and Part 2. To wrap things up, we compare two popular CRM tools for wedding vendors, Honeybook and Dubsado, and discuss the pros and cons of each.

If you're a photographer, vendor, or couple trying to figure out the wedding industry’s social media landscape, this episode is for you!

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Tabria | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

I’m excited to have the amazing Tabria Greene of Truly Trusted Events back on the podcast today! We’re diving into some real talk about the stress of social media and how it affects us as self-employed small business owners in the wedding industry. From the pressure to stay constantly engaged online to the struggles of standing out in a crowded digital space, we discuss how social media can feel like both a blessing and a curse.

But that's not all! We also talk about the growing issue of scams in the wedding industry and how couples need to be extra vigilant when hiring vendors. Tabria shares some crazy stories of wild client interactions, including one of the most bizarre situations where clients paid in full but ghosted us before the wedding day. If you're a vendor, a couple, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of the wedding industry, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and some jaw-dropping stories!

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Tabria | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

In today's episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by one of my absolute favorite wedding coordinators, Tabria Greene of Truly Trusted Events! Tabria is based in Portland, Oregon, and we've had the pleasure of working together on countless weddings. We’re diving into the benefits of hiring a wedding coordinator, and why it’s an absolute game-changer for your big day. From keeping things organized to handling all the behind-the-scenes logistics, we discuss how a pro planner can take your wedding to the next level.

We also touch on some red flags to watch out for when searching for the right coordinator for your wedding and what you should consider before signing that contract. Plus, I share a few things I wish wedding planners would stop doing (spoiler: there are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid!). Whether you're planning your own wedding or just curious about the world of wedding coordination, this episode is packed with practical tips, real talk, and plenty of laughs!

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Yajaira | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

In today’s episode, I’m back with the amazing Yajaira Martinez from Pacific Pours PNW, and this one is packed with wedding horror stories you won’t believe! Yajaira shares some jaw-dropping tales, starting with the heart-wrenching moment when a couple’s wedding guests left almost immediately after the ceremony—can you imagine all that work for a completely empty reception? We dive into some juicy relationship drama, including her fiancé’s concern that her sister might be better suited for him than she is, and a couple’s dilemma where a husband is considering leaving his wife after she cheated. We give our unfiltered opinions on all of this relationship chaos.

But that’s not all! I also embarrass myself by showcasing a completely pointless talent that I have (because why not). If you're looking for a mix of juicy stories, honest opinions, and a little bit of personal embarrassment, this episode is for you!

Host: Julia | Website | Instagram

Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Meet the Guest: Yajaira | Website | Instagram

Got a Question or a Wedding Horror Story?

Email me at: [email protected]

In today’s special episode, I’m joined by my absolute favorite bartender, Yajaira Martinez from Pacific Pours PNW! This episode is a little different—we went live on Instagram and recorded in my kitchen for a fun, interactive conversation. Yajaira showed me how to make a delicious boba tea drink and a signature cocktail, and trust me, it’s as fun as it sounds! Along the way, we share some personal stories, including our first time drinking alcohol (spoiler: there were a lot of awkward moments) and, of course, I confess the one time I got blackout drunk (oops!).

We also chat about something really fun and creative for weddings and events—a boba tea station. Yajaira makes a solid case for why it’s an awesome and unique addition to your big day, and we dive into all the reasons why it’s worth considering. If you're looking to add a fun twist to your wedding drink menu, or just want to hear some funny, relatable stories from your favorite bartender duo, this episode is for you!