Unveiling Paradise: Your Go-To Destination Wedding Podcast

We’re saying goodbye to 2022, and hello to 2023 with our predictions on what wedding trends we’ll be seeing this year. As a professional wedding planner and photographer, we’ve been to a TON of weddings last year (#craziestbusiestyearever) so we’ve got some strong opinions about what’s hot (and what’s not) for 2023.
Hint: Viva magenta! And periwinkle? We barely knew you.
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What’s In - and Out - Our 2023 Wedding Trends
2023 is such a unique year - we’re coming out of 2+ years with COVID restrictions so you’re seeing a huge shift between couples who are ready to celebrate, and couples who are still easing their way back to normal. Our list of trends reflects both.

• WHAT’S IN - Smaller, more intimate weddings. People were forced to downsize during the pandemic, but the trend is still (and will continue to be) popular! Having more $$ to spend on your guests, creating a more intimate experience is huge in 2023.
• WHAT’S IN - Flash and film photography. People are OBSESSED with poppy, colorful photography, thanks to TikTok and Instagram. Social media is playing a huge part in photo styles this year. (Bonus: disposable cameras are back!)
• WHAT’S IN - Social Media is here to stay. TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest will still be major sources for inspiration, tips, advice and *also* for finding and booking vendors.
• WHAT’S IN - Bright colors are IN! The Pantone color of 2023 is Magenta, and we predict weddings leaning into bold, bright color palettes.
• WHAT’S IN - Embroidered everything. Gloves, veils, dresses - this trend is hot right now because it’s so visually appealing, totally social media worthy!
• FUN FACTS: Tessa wears driving gloves and Joe wears Toms with socks.
• WHAT’S IN - Venmo and Cashless Registries. Storytime: When Tessa got married she didn’t change her name for about 6 months, so all the checks addressed to her married name couldn’t be deposited until after she changed her name!
• WHAT’S IN - Private Last Dance, Private Vows. Finding some quality time alone on your wedding day is trending, big time. FACT: Joe hates the private last dance (he says it’s awkward) and votes for a big send off instead. Tessa’s suggestion - do a private first dance before the reception doors open.
• WHAT’S IN - Afterparties. Couples are enjoying the post reception celebration. Tessa’s tip: If you take the after party elsewhere and you’re in your wedding dress - people will buy you drinks all night! Joe’s tip: Keep the part going with a welcome dinner and after party - do both!
• WHAT’S OUT - Large, uniform wedding parties. Keep your wedding party smaller, or have them sit during the ceremony. Don’t be afraid to mix genders in your wedding party.
• WHAT’S OUT - Welcome bags and wedding favors. You spend a lot of money on these items and not everyone appreciates them, it also creates unnecessary waste. Is it worth it?

Links and Mus

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

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Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

Why is using cheap shampoo better than a nice, fancy shampoo before your wedding day? When is it better to forgo sunscreen rather than slathering it on? Do you want to learn some tips to manage baked-in-the-sun-for-way-too-long sunburns? Professional hair and makeup artist, CJ Siepka, is here to answer all of these questions and more!

In this episode, CJ shares her industry secrets on ways to stay snatched and look cool all day long. Together with Joe and Tessa, a professional wedding photographer and wedding planner, they share their points of views on ways to maximize your wedding day hair and makeup.

Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
PRE-WEDDING DAY HAIR AND MAKEUP PREP

• First things first - with the advancement of cameras (digital, HD), your pores are much more visible than before. Makeup is a natural photoshop, making it easier for photographers to edit any imperfections post-wedding. Blemishes? No thanks!
• Pro tip before your wedding day:
• DON’T do anything different (facials, waxing, brow tattoos... don’t try it for the first time right before your wedding)
• DO: stay healthy, drink lots of water, get exercise
• DO: Shampoo your hair the night before, and arrive with dry, clean hair.
• DO: Use cheap hotel shampoo to open your hair cuticles (it makes your hair frizzier and easier to style... who knew?)
• DON’T: Use conditioner the night before your wedding
• HOW TO: Troubleshoot sunburns - Avoid going into the sun before the wedding, practice wearing sunscreen beforehand so your skin knows how to react to makeup over sunscreen - let it soak in and then put on your makeup. Green primer can sometimes help balance the red sunburn.
• JOE’S TIP: If you have major tan lines (sports bra, tank top, etc) wear a lei over the sunburn to help hide it!
• Speaking of cover ups, a good hair and makeup artist can also cover tattoos, if needed.
• HOW TO: Troubleshoot pimples - Don’t pop your pimples, and try not to touch them! Makeup will cover the color, but not the texture. You can ask your photographer to help clean up any pimples that arise.
• HOW TO: Troubleshoot hangovers - Put wet hand towels in the freezer - use these as cold compresses (and lots of concealer, color corrector)
• Why hire a professional hair and makeup artist? In addition to making everyone look photo and 360 ready, they keep everyone on schedule which is so important for your wedding day.

WEDDING DAY HAIR AND MAKEUP TIPS

• Wedding day makeup - keep it fresh with waterproof makeup (mascara and liners), good quality makeup, use primers to fill imperfections. Thin layers will help with the sweating and crying.
• Wedding day hair - lots and lots of hairspray
• Wedding day sweat - avoid wiping or rubbing your face with a tissue. Instead, dab with a handkerchief or a face towel from the hotel. Guys - groom styling is a thing to keep you nice and matte all day long

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

Episode Summary
Welcome to our next episode of Unveiling Paradise: Your Go-To Destination Wedding Podcast. We’re kicking things off with the top 5 reasons you should have a destination wedding, and {SPOILER ALERT} - there are way more than 5 reasons! Coming together with different points of view, our goal is to show brides, grooms, family and friends the ins and outs of planning a memorable destination wedding.

Episode Notes
There are so many things to consider when planning a destination wedding - unknown vendors, language barriers, additional costs - it can feel extremely overwhelming. In this episode, we share our personal and professional insights on how to navigate planning a destination wedding that your family and friends will talk about for years to come.
Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
Our Top 5 Reasons to Have a Destination Wedding

• You can control the weather... or can you? (Tessa can!)
• Small guest counts > large guest counts
• We’re OBSESSED with built-in vacations (no walking the dog or cleaning your house before ceremony)
• Learning a new culture, like a lei exchange in Hawaii
• Pick a meaningful location to share with your family and friends... awwww.

Links and Miscellaneous Thoughts from this Episode:

• Intro: We talked about J+B’s amazing destination wedding that included dancing under the stars, a boba bar, and so many other details that made their Hawaii destination wedding “better than his sister’s wedding”.
• If you want a winter wedding, check out destinations like Whistler, Canada. (Vancouver wannabe here!)
• Shout out to Siberia! Getting married in Siberia means warm, stylish capes and coats. OBSESSED.
• We’re throwing it out there - Joe’s DREAM WEDDING is in Bora Bora. Let us know if you’re getting married in Bora Bora and we will be there! (And yes, you can come on our podcast to talk to us all about your wedding).
• LINK: Couple Skipped Feeding their Guests to Hire Mickey and Minnie
• Dessert Bars and Late Night Snacks
• CHECK THIS OUT: Dancing under the stars is the BEST way to do it.
• Hire a bartender that can create yummy and gorgeous drinks.
• Immerse yourself in a new culture (lei exchanges in Hawaii)
• Explore Hawaii as a destination for your wedding. Hawaii really is an amazing place. :)

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

Episode Summary
We take on our favorite US-based destination locations in this episode. Being a professional wedding planner and photographer in Hawaii - it’s assumed Hawaii will make the list. Does it? Find out this answers and more in this episode. Tune in to hear Joe and I share our professional advice, and list our favorite locations for a destination wedding in the United States.

Episode Notes
From tranquil and peaceful, to chic and rustic and everything in between - the United States has something for every wedding. What vibe are you looking for with your destination wedding? As a professional photographer, Joe is DYING to shoot at the Neon Graveyard in Las Vegas. As a self-proclaimed alcoholic, I love the idea of a wedding in a winery. The destination you choose will 100% set the tone for your wedding, so do your homework and select wisely! Brides, grooms, friends and family - this episode is a great starting place for your destination wedding planning.
Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
Exploring the Best Locations for Destination Weddings in the United States

• What’s your wedding vibe, and how do you want your wedding guests to feel? There’s a US-based wedding venue for you!
• Las Vegas = 24/7 nonstop party
• Sedona, Vail, Beaver Creek = Peace and tranquility
• Newport, RI= Classy and upscale
• Wine Country (Napa, Temecula) = Rustic and chic
• HAWAII = Tropical and amazing, the BEST location for weddings. In my opinion :)

Links and Musings from this Episode:

• Elvis Chapels no more?
• On Joe’s bucket list - Neon Sign Graveyard
• The first hotel in Waikiki is the historic Moana Surfrider
• Fun Fact: You can get married at a chapel in the Mall of America
• Epic New York wedding venues

Here we are!
Unveiling Paradise: IG @unveilingparadise
Joe: IG @josephesser
Tessa: IG @fredandkateevents
Email us with your burning questions about destination weddings, the iphone 14, or anything else you can think of and we’ll answer them in an upcoming episode: [email protected]

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

When we ask couples what their priorities are for their wedding, the #1 answer is “good food, good drinks!” We 100% agree that good food and drinks are WEDDING MUSTS, but what exactly does that mean? In this week’s episode, we get a little tipsy with Chad McDonald, owner of Stir Beverage. He goes into detail about how to elevate your wedding day bar, from the actual cocktails to the staffing to the tiny little details. Your wedding day drinks will be one of the most memorable parts of your day, so why not make them AMAZING?
Whether you’re getting married at a venue that includes a full bar, or if you’re completely building a bar from bottom up for your wedding, this episode has tips and advice for you. In addition to being a professional wedding planner and photographer, we both consider ourselves professional drinkers, so raise your glasses and let’s CHEERS to another fun episode.
Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
CURATING THE PERFECT BAR FOR YOUR WEDDING

• Signature cocktails - the statement drinks that will be featured at your wedding - often one for each partner highlighting their specific preferences. It’s so important to start with a client’s personal preference and preferred flavor palettes to create their signature drink. They should hit all your senses - it should look amazing, smell amazing, taste amazing!
• Large, important details: the aesthetics are so important - using a real bar front vs a table with linens, using beautiful glassware, having a custom bar menu for guests - all of these attention to detail items make your guests enjoy this experience.
• FACT: Guests hang out at the bar, so why wouldn’t you create a hospitable place to hang out? According to Chad, the bar is a focal point, a gathering place, and often the centerpiece to your reception!
• HOT TREND: Custom ice cubes - they’re clear, branded and GORGEOUS.
• We’ve been craving local ingredients in our food and cuisines for years - why wouldn’t we demand the same for our drinks? Customize your cocktails by using local flavors from the location you’re getting married at. We eat local - we should drink local, too!
• CHAD GETS HEATED! Having a real bartender is critical - they can be shaking 2 drinks at the same time, double pouring, while talking to your guests at the same time. They can also freestyle if your guests want something off menu, and stay cool under pressure. Having real bartenders vs banquet bartenders makes a huge difference in your service.
• Champagne Towers, LOVE
• Spraying champagne, HATE
• Champagne toasts, 100% LOVE
• Beer kegs... LOVE!
• While Chad says rum and gin are the least popular drinks, Tessa believes that Joe paid him to say that! (And say that bourbon, vodka and tequila are the most popular). BARF.
• Final note - Chad is a ROCK STAR and Joe and I were 100% fangirling over him. Truth.

Find Chad McDonald (Stir Beverage)
Instagram:

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com